Many inexpensive last minute holiday airfares do exist

by Jamie Rhein on

You’ve probably noticed the stories about how airfares have dropped and air traffic is down. Two weeks ago, I flew from Copenhagen to Columbus on two airplanes that were not full. The Continental flight from Copenhagen to Newark was empty enough that most people had seats between them.

The flight from Newark to Columbus was even more roomy. The row in front of my daughter and me was empty, and we had that hoped for seat between us as well.

With less people flying that means more competition to entice passengers to fly. My mom is heading to New York City for the holidays. This past May, she took the bus because of gas prices and soaring airline costs. Her ticket plane ticket would have cost almost $400 at the time.

She thought about the bus again until last night when I searched for airplane tickets on a whim. There were several options for a $166 airfare when I used the variable date function. Delta and Northwest were the least expensive flights, but the flight she wanted was on Delta to LaGuardia which she prefers over JFK. Flights into Newark, at least the ones I saw, were more expensive.

Not only was she able to score a flight to the airport of choice, she also was able to get flights that are direct and leave at the times she preferred. At first, it looked like she’d have to leave at 6 a.m., but after going to another day of departure, an early afternoon flight to New York appeared. She also wanted to book a return flight later in the day than what originally appeared. Again, further looking found the exact flight out of LaGuardia.

After using Travelocity to find choices, I went directly to Delta’s web site to book the ticket. The amazing detail is that she’s leaving on Monday, just days from booking the ticket. Cheap flights so close to departure used to be unheard of.

So, if you’re thinking of going somewhere for the holidays, look into flying. It may be far less expensive than you thought. These are the days of deals. To find the best ones, look for flights during the week. My mom is flying out on a Monday and back on a Wednesday. In this case, the direct flights were less than the flights that went through another airport. I am amazed.

7 fantastic airport restaurants from around the world

by Scott Carmichael on

When I started traveling as a young kid, I was perfectly content with one of the bad cheese sandwiches served on Air UK.

Nowadays I’m a little more spoiled, and am often on the lookout for good food on the ground, as many airlines have stopped serving anything decent (or anything at all) once you are on board.

Here are 5 airport restaurants from around the world that stand out amongst the usual McDonalds and Chilis junkfood.

Gordon Ramsay Plane Food at London Heathrow

There is more to Gordon Ramsay than yelling at kitchen staff on TV. He owns and operates a large number of restaurants around the world, including one in the recently opened Heathrow Terminal 5.

Plane Food serves food all day, including a fantastic breakfast lineup. How about a nice Croque Madame with pan fried quail’s eggs before your flight? Or if you are in a hurry, you can even pick up one of their amazing picnic meals with treats like a roast beef, truffle and watercress sandwich. It sure beats the usual Big Mac people bring on board their flight.

Location: London Heathrow Terminal 5, unit 29
Website: Gordon Ramsay Plane Food
Opening hours: 5:30am-last departing flight (casual dress code)

Berghoffs at Chicago O’Hare

Berghoffs Cafe has been a Chicago icon since 1898. German immigrant H.J.Berghoff made a name for himself when he sold his beer at the 1893 worlds fair.

The downtown location is well known for its authentic German food, but the airport location offers a more limited menu. You’ll still find delicious corned beef sandwiches, but also pizza and basic mexican food. Of course, the airport location also sells the signature Berghoff beer and root beer.

Location: Chicago O’Hare International Airport. Terminal 1, Concourse C, Gate 25
Website: Chicago O’Hare concession listing
Opening hours: 5:15 am-10:30 pm

The Caviar House at London Heathrow

The Caviar House has long been one of the more upscale airport concessions. What started with just a handful of airports, has now evolved into over 15 worldwide locations. The first one I can remember was at London Heathrow Terminal 4 (Heathrow now has one at each terminal).

The Caviar House sells Caviar (duh), Salmon, Oysters, and many other seafood products. To compliment your snack, they also have a fantastic lineup of Champagne and Vodka. It isn’t cheap, but since many people passing through the airport are on their way to a vacation, it could be the best way to start off a great trip.

Location: London Heathrow Terminals 1,2,3 and 5 (as well as 10 other international airports)
Website: The Caviar House
Opening hours (London Heathrow): T1,2,3: 7am-9:00 pm, T5: 5:30 am-last departing flight

JFK Terminal 5/JetBlue

With the launch of terminal 5, New York JFK airport suddenly went from one of the worst airports in the world, to one of the more decent options.

Unless I was flying British Airways (with lounge access), I always dreaded flying through JFK. Of course, it took a low cost airline to bring some luxury to JFK. When Jet Blue moved into Terminal 5, they brought along a great lineup of restaurants.

For once, someone decided to design an airport terminal without filling it with the usual suspects. The T5 restaurant lineup includes Aeronuova (an Italian eatery), 5ive steak and Deep Blue Sushi.

Even the food court food court has a good assortment with Cheeburger Cheeburger, Fresco Pasta and Belgian fry joint Pommes Frites.

In total, you’ll find 20 different restaurants and bars at JFK Terminal 5.

Location: John F. Kennedy International airport, Terminal 5 (Jet Blue terminal)
Website: Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
Opening hours: varies per restaurant

Airbräu at Munich International airport

Airbräu opened at Munich airport in 1999, and is the only restaurant in the world to bring an authentic Biergarten to an international airport. As far as I can tell, they are also the only airport facility where you can order a 10 liter beer and have yourself one heck of a party.

Of course, Airbräu also has a pretty comprehensive menu offering everything from pork sausages to roast duck and of course, Schnitzels.

The funniest thing on their menu is the “Hang Mans Lunch”; for 95 Euro cents, you get a glass of water, a bread roll and a cigarette.

Location: Munich International airport in the concourse between terminals 1 and 2.
Website: www.aurbraeu.de
Opening hours: 8am-1am daily

The noodle bar at The Wing – Hong Kong International Airport

This entry in my lineup is a little unfair as it is not accessible to everyone. The noodle bar at The Wing is inside the Cathay Pacific lounge at Hong Kong Airport.

To get into The Wing, you’ll have to be flying in Business Class or First Class (or be a top tier elite member of the airline). Once inside, you can grab yourself a bowl of freshly made noodles from the self service bar.

I’ve been to the Wing several times, and absolutely love it. If you are leaving on a late night flight, the place is usually quite peaceful, and having access to free noodles (and free beverages) is a fantastic way to start your trip.

Location: Hong Kong International airport – right after the security checkpoint
Website: www.cathaypacific.com
Opening hours: 5:30am – last departing flight

In De Bonte Koe – Amsterdam International airport

Amsterdam airport has always been a great place to spend some time. Between their massive assortment of stores and the airside Casino, you’ll always find something to do. The airport has its fair share of generic fast food places, but they also
offer a couple of more upscale choices.

One of them is “In de Bonte Koe”. This establishment is decorated like the famous 17th century Dutch ship, De Bonte Koe. The food choices are fairly basic, but since it is above the main terminal, it is a great way to escape the crowds.

Location: Amsterdam Schiphol International airport, Lounge 3, 2nd floor
Website: www.schiphol.nl
Opening hours: 11am-7:30pm

Our Readers Respond:

* John says: “You know, a good Cornish pasty and a pint of real ale at Newquay Airport in Cornwall beats just about any other airport food ever.”

* Marilyn Terrell says: “If you’re hungry at Dulles airport and it’s not time for breakfast, I’d suggest local favorite burger joint Five Guys, which serves a juicy (messy) burger with free toppings. They also serve fries, and a sign will tell you what state the potatoes are from that day.“

* Anne says: “I wholeheartedly endorse the Cuban restaurant in the Miami airport: La Carreta. You have to leave security, and re-enter, but let me promise you: it is worth it. Delicious rice and beans, Cuban sandwiches, tostones, the works. And the best possible mix of clientele–from baggage handlers to tourists. It’s also a great place to kill some time, as I’ve never had a flight leave from Miami on time.“

* Zach Everson says: “Legal at Logan (Boston) and Reagan (DC). A chain now, but an excellent one. Chappy at DC is a great bartender.”

** Alan says: Try Vino Volo at multiple US airports, including BWI, JFK, etc. Good wines, good atmosphere, neat snacks. Its a good place to take a break. [Also,] two airports with diners…NJ Diner at EWR and Silver Diner in the Southwest Terminal (Concourses A and B) at BWI. Putting in all the chrome at BWI cost an obscene amount, but it really is a different look for the airport. [Finally,] California Tortilla at BWI and DCA…fast Mexican food, high quality. The street locations are more fun, but the value is still there at the airports.”

** Scott McMurren says: “In Seattle, the Pacific Marketplace food court is fabulous. My absolute, standout favorite is Anthony’s walk-up Fish Taco stand. They typically have Mahi Mahi and Rockfish. I go for the Rockfish. There’s also a Wolfgang Puck restaurant on the C Concourse to grab a pricey Caesar Salad to go….oh-so-much better than anything served on board, IMHO. There are TWO delicious wine bars that serve some glorious vintages by the glass. High marks!“

** Coreyo says: “at Kansas City International Airport you can get classic KC BBQ and KC beer at the Boulevard Brewery with Arthur Bryant’s BBQ”

** Heather says: “The best sandwich in the world is called “The Wreck” available at Potbellies at Chicago Midway. The staff is no frills and even when the line goes all the way out the door the wait is never long.”

A handy guide to help you wade through airline rules and restrictions

by Jamie Rhein on

While I was packing yesterday for my daughter’s and my trip to Denmark, I asked her if she wanted to take a lightweight shawl to use as a blanket on the airplane.

“Don’t they give you blankets?” she asked.

Maybe. Some airlines charge extra for a blanket and pillow. Jet Blue already does. U.S. Airways is going to start soon.

In another conversation yesterday, this one on the phone, my father told me that he decided against checking a second bag on his Delta flight from Columbus to JFK in New York when he found out that this would cost him $50. On December 5, that fee will go down to $25.

My dad’s plane was an hour late leaving Columbus yesterday, and he said that the JFK connection to Albany was a hassle to navigate. Perhaps, that’s why the extra baggage fees seem unreasonable. Plane travel is anything but heavenly.

Blanket fees, bag fees, reservation fees, carry-on size changes, meals or no meals, drinks or no drinks, working toilet or no working toilet–just kidding on that one–are details that make air travel more confusing than it used to be.

Sure, buy the plane ticket, but don’t think you’re done paying for the cost of getting from here to there. Keep some extra cash on hand because you’re bound to need it for something when you fly.

In this comprehensive article at Smarter Travel, Tim Winship covers 25 policy changes that are coming to various airlines. When trying to find the best deal, knowing an airline’s checked baggage policy, for example, can make a difference as to how pricey a cheap ticket may become.

One point Winship makes is that complaining can work. When United received complaints galore from passengers who were miffed about paying for meals on overseas flights, the airlines dropped that charge.

If there is anything that’s certain, as soon as you learn an airline’s policy, it’s going to change.

Welcoming home total strangers at JFK: ImprovEverywhere

by Jamie Rhein on


In an Absolut World, Everyone Would be Welcomed Home from ImprovEverywhere on Vimeo.

One Gadling post that consistently gets weekly hits, sometimes daily, is the one on ImprovEverywhere’s “Frozen Grand Central.” The Grand Central stunt is an amazing feat of ingenuity and organization on the part of this improv drama troupe that specializes in creating fun and amazement in public places. I think of it as a more creative, involved version of Candid Camera. Plus, it involves way more people.

My favorite ImprovEverywhere stunt, hands down, is Food Court Musical.

This most recent improvisation comes pretty close. It involved 20 ImprovEverywhere actors who were the greeters, and the unsuspecting travelers who arrived at JFK expecting to be met by a driver and no one else. The drivers (only the first one is shown) didn’t know they were in on something a bit unusual.

The result is something charming and heartwarming. Very sweet and very fun. How terrific life would be if EVERYONE had such a greeting upon arrival at an airport. The closest I ever came was arriving in Hawaii and being given a lei. My great aunt and uncle met me, so don’t expect a lei if you arrive in Honolulu. Maybe, but don’t count on it.

Thanks to Intelligent Traveler for first posting on this gem. It made my day.

Delta flight diversion doesn’t save conjoined twins

by Jamie Rhein on

After writing the Winona post another flight diversion story came out. Winona’s seemed trivial in comparison, although I’m always interested to sift through vagueness of words like “sick,” and who gets what treatment.

The latest diversion story that I read at CBCnews.com has a sad ending. Yesterday, a Delta plane taking Liberian conjoined twins from Brussels to New York had to make an emergency landing at Halifax airport after the twins stopped breathing. The mother, sitting next to them, noticed the problem. A doctor on board provided help, but the twins died before the plane landed.

The one month-old twins were on their way to New York for treatment. Once in Halifax, the mother and twins were taken to a medical examiners office to find out what went wrong, and the other passengers who were sitting close by were interviewed. The plane continued to JFK once the mother and babies were off and the interviews were completed.

Being on an airplane with conjoined twins would be dramatic as it is. When I read the story, I imagined what it would be like to be on the plane rooting for their survival, but to no avail.

Now, several people have had a flight experience and a story to tell that most of us will never have in our lifetimes. So sad to think about that mother. [This photo from One Tree Hill Studios is of a plane landing at Halifax.]