January 2007
Monthly Archive
US Airways Ordered to Stop Serving Alcohol
admin 31 Jan 2007 | : Airlines
From an airline perspective, it’s almost a no-brainer to serve alcohol on planes yet US Airways failed to obtain a liquor license. After drinking heavily on a flight, a passenger stepped off the plane and into his car. He was then involved in a fatal crash. This lead officials in New Mexico to investigate the crash at which point they discovered that US Airways wasn’t even allowed to have served the beverages in the first place. They have ordered the carrier to stop serving alcohol.
British Airways Cabin Crew Strike
admin 25 Jan 2007 | : Airlines, Strikes
If you had a flight booked with British Airways has on January 30 and/or January 31, 2007, you may be out of luck. The company has cancelled all passenger flights out of Heathrow Airport due to a cabin crew strike. The airline also plans to ground all domestic and European flights to and from Gatwick for duration of strike.
From Yahoo news: “The cancellations will affect more than 140-thousand passengers. Moreover, British Airways has reportedly cancelled around 1,300 flights next week following a breakdown in talks with its largest union.”
That’s a huge number! It may get worse, depending on the strike situation.
British Airways customer service is helping those who already purchased tickets re-book flights for later dates or with other airlines.
New US and Canadian Passport Rules for Flights
admin 22 Jan 2007 | : International Travel
If you live in Canada or the US, flying is about to get a lot more complex. At least for the time being. Since 9-11, numerous security measures have been put into place by the American and Canadian governments. While most are effectively useless and more annoying than anything else (such as removing your shoes at airport security checkpoints - completely idiotic, but I digress), the next major procedural change is about to be implemented: Mandatory passports.
As of January 23, 2007, if you would like to fly from the US to Canada or vice versa, you will need to show proof of citizenship. The only acceptable document to prove it will be your passport. There has been increased activity in passport offices across North America lately, especially in Canada where people are much more aware of what it takes to get into the US.
As of January 1, 2008, people coming in by sea such as on cruises, and by land such as by car and bus.
These changes may actually be good. Although annoying, hopefully they’ll make life easier in the long run. Here’s hoping with my fingers crossed…
Southwest Airlines TV Ad Contest
admin 16 Jan 2007 | : Airlines, Contests, Travel Marketing
The Southwest Airlines “Wanna Get Away” contest is still going strong. You can check out the site www.southwestwannagetaway.com for some funny and some lame home videos. Basically, the best few videos win. Simple enough, right?!
Prizes include the usual trips all over the world and related cool stuff.
If you’re creative, just register for an account on YouTube, join the Southwest Wanna Get Away Group (once logged into YouTube), check out the contest rules and produce your own 20-second video. Upload it and add it to the group then complete the registration form. This is a serious contest with serious rules but you can make your video as hilarious as you want!
This is a great social media networking and marketing idea. Kudos to Southwest for once again having the guts to think out of the box.
Scorpions on a Plane
admin 14 Jan 2007 | : Airlines, Travel News
Last year, millions of people flocked to theatres to see “Snakes on a Plane.” The movie was a flop but now there’s something even more interesting…a real live scorpion on a plane! In an even more unusual twist, there were two completely separate incidents this past week or so, involving scorpions and commercial planes.
First, David Sullivan, of Stowe, Vermont, was flying home from Chicago when a scorpion bit his legs. He was taking a nap and it made its way up his pants and bit once on each leg. It wasn’t enough poison to kill him but that’s pretty damn scary! When it was noticed, someone stepped on it. United Airlines offered to pay his medical expenses and gave him a voucher for a future flight.
A second incident involved a Canadian man flying home on American Airlines flight 1552 from Miami to Toronto. Apparently, this time the scorpion crawled into his carry-on bag and once again made his way up the passenger’s leg where it bit him. He was taken off the plane on a stretcher for treatment.
I wonder how many people who saw “Snakes on a Plane” were on board these flights witnessing the action. What could have been going through their minds? Maybe something like “where’s Samuel L. Jackson when you need him?!”
Air Canada Welcome Aboard Pass
admin 02 Jan 2007 | : Airlines, Cheap Flights
For a limited time, Air Canada is offering a Welcome Aboard Pass. The pass allows you to “fly as much as you want” because it can be used on Tuesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays. These days were most likely chosen because the number of people flying is typically lower on weekends. The current Welcome Aboard Pass is valid from January 9, 2007 to March 6, 2007.
They divided North America into zones including Canada East, Cross Canada, and North America. The wider the range, the more expensive it is. The prices range from $279 to $569 (Canadian Dollars).
Air Canada is also offering a bonus (talk about a great incentive!). The pass has 2 options: You can travel on Saturdays and Tuesdays only, or Saturdays, Sundays, and Tuesday. For those who buy the 3-day option, Air Canada is throwing in 2 one-way flight credits which can be used at any time from April 10 to May 10, 2007. Not too shabby!