Air New Zealand Matchmaking Flight cleared for takeoff

by Mike Barish on

Back in May, we told you about Air New Zealand’s plan to send a Matchmaking Flight from Los Angeles to Auckland. Well, that flight is now less than three weeks away and more details have been released. Air New Zealand has announced that Jason Mesnick of ABC’s “The Bachelor” (along with his girlfriend) will be on the flight, as well. More interesting, however, are the other activities that have been planned.

There is a party at the gate at LAX that will include an open bar. Nothing like a little social lubrication before you flirt at 30,000 feet. Mesnick and his girlfriend will offer the passengers dating advice. Not sure that anyone should take dating advice from a reality TV star, but if you’re willing to fly to the bottom of the world to find love, I guess you’ve already decided to make bold life choices. Once in the air, the activities planned will help passengers find their perfect match. Upon arrival in Auckland, Matchmaking Flight passengers will attend a cocktail reception (to top off their glasses after that long flight) and then the official “ball,” where they will also get to mix and mingle with Kiwis looking for love.

Why am I so intrigued by all of these in-flight romantic shenanigans? Well, it just so happens that I will be on the flight covering the event for Gadling. It’s worth noting that I typically sleep on flights. In fact, on a recent flight from Sydney to Los Angeles, I slept for 11.5 hours. So, having to stay awake and perky on a flight to Auckland may pose a challenge. But, if anything can hold my attention it’s free-flowing liquor and get-to-know-you games. I’m drawing the line at trust falls, though.

Yeah, it’s going to be an interesting flight. And you’ll all be able to experience it vicariously through me. Gadling readers, will you accept this rose?

NYC best city for singles (if you own a computer)

by Tom Johansmeyer on

Looking for love lust on your next vacation? Your next trip should be to New York, which has knocked Atlanta out of the top spot as the best city in the country for singles. And, why wouldn’t it? You have more than 8 million people chasing their dreams, so the choices are endless. There’s one of everything, so in one night, you could meet every flavor of scumbag available. But, there’s an upside to all this variety, so don’t give up hope yet!

Atlanta fell to the sixth position, with Boston, Chicago, Seattle and Washington, D.C. occupying the second through fifth spots in this annual survey by Forbes.com. San Francisco, Los Angeles, Milwaukee and Philadelphia round out the top 10.

This is New York’s first time in the #1 spot, which evaluates 40 of the largest cities in the United States for “coolness, cost of living alone, culture, job growth, online dting, nightlife, and ratio of singles to the entire population.” Notably absent are: willingness of hot girls in that city to talk to you, cost of buying several drinks for someone genuinely out of your league and adult bookstores nearby to help you when you strike out yet again.

Well … I think New York would win on that one, too.

What pushed New York into the winners circle, apparently, was the number of people with online dating accounts. The city has more people hitting the web to scratch their various itches than any other city in the country.

Air New Zealand helps you find love

by Mike Barish on

First, Air New Zealand gave us bodypainted employees. Now, they’re helping us find love. The carrier has announced that it will be offering the world’s first Matchmaking Flight.

Singles will fly from Los Angeles to Auckland in October after a pre-flight party. Participants can create online profiles in advance of the trip in the hopes of meeting someone along the way. The flight will feature “themed food, drink and games” which I assume means lots of booze and many rounds of Seven Minutes in the Aft Bathroom. Upon arriving in Auckland, there will be a singles-only party.

The Matchmaking Flight costs $780, which actually isn’t half bad for a flight to New Zealand. It’s a lot more expensive than a membership to an online dating site, though. And way more expensive than going out in your local area and trying to meet someone. But, it’s clever, bold and adventurous. Maybe it will break you out of your dating rut. At the very least, it will guarantee you a great vacation.

Considering booking a ticket for the world’s first Matchmaking Flight? Don’t go to New Zealand without reading Gadling’s In the Corner of the World series.

Hearts from around the world: Ten heart images for Valentine’s Day

by Jamie Rhein on

With February being the month for celebrating Valentine’s Day and American Heart Month, here are 10 images of hearts from around the world. I chose these photos because they caught a photographer’s eye and I could find information about where each heart might be located.

These images also occured without human coaxing–meaning, they weren’t manipulated to look this way.

Also, heart-shaped leaves or heart-shaped flowers were not included. Because they are normally heart-shaped, they aren’t a surprise. The subjects in these photos just happened to be heart-shaped and someone noticed them at just the right time.

This first shot by naama was taken in Israel. I assume this based on one of the photo’s tags. She said she didn’t notice the heart until after she saw the picture.

This pair of swans were canoodling in The Lough, Cork, Ireland when mozzercork snapped their picture.

On the leaf to the left of the flower, you’ll see a perfect water heart. Angela7dreams took this picture in Maui, Hawaii.

If you look to the right bottom section of the asphalt, you’ll see the heart that allyrose18 saw in this street in Florida.

In Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park (Ayers Rock) in Australia is this heart-shaped cave. Wind and water carved the image that pixie_bebe captured here.

Although the location of this heart is not listed among the tags, I’m assuming Mzelle Biscotte took this picture of the tree’s bark in France where she lives.

According to dawnzy58, who took this shot, the vine was shaped this way when she came upon it in Quabbin Resevoir in New England.

This Northern (yellow-shafted) flicker was hanging around New Jersey when Sister72 took her picture.

I’m assuming that this photo was taken in Japan. Tanakawho, who took this version of nature’s hearts, lives in Tokyo.

The text that spratmackrel used to to accompany his photo of this stone in his garden in England says:

“Where does the heart of the Buddha lie?” asked the student. The Master did not answer, just pointed to the rock warming in the sun.”

The sentiment feels fitting for Valentine’s Day and a month dedicated to the heart. Wherever you are, I hope you’ve found an image that has warmed your heart.

Heart-shaped Croatian island attracts curious, lovebirds

by Jeremy Kressmann on

Croatia’s geography lends itself to love. The country is blessed with a scenic coastline along the Adriatic Sea – a stretch of land that is dotted with picturesque rocky islands and scenic beach towns like Dubrovnik and Hvar. Not surprisingly, Croatia has long attracted tourists and couples – during the summer months, it’s the perfect spot for laying on the beach, island-hopping and plenty of outdoor fun.

According to the Daily Mail, Croatia’s coast is also home to another unintentionally romantic destination – a heart-shaped island recently highlighted on Google Maps. Though the island is uninhabited, tourists have recently caught on and have been clamoring for access. The island’s owners, overwhelmed by requests to visit, have renamed the small landmass as “Lover’s Island” to capitalize on the demand. I guess the original name, Galesnjak, didn’t exactly roll off the tongue…

As romantic as it may sound to head off to this remote heart-shaped landmass, take note – the island has no buildings and no access to fresh water. February temperatures are also hovering in the high 30’s. Still for some, access to one of the world’s more remote destinations (and with a theme to boot!) is powerful motivation. I guess when it comes to love, emotion sometimes trumps proper logic.

[Via Buzzfeed]