Life Above The Clouds

Air travel Myths: Flights and air fares

2011-10-17T00:38:00.000-07:00

There are many myths concerning air travel that you would be wise to avoid and learn the truth about. Many of them concern missing flights and what your rights are should this happen.

1. If you miss your flight you will be booked on the next one
This is usually a myth as it all depends on the circumstances surrounding the missed flight. Basically if there was no way that you could avoid missing the flight then you will usually be allotted a space on the next flight. Flight providers take a dim view on tardiness that is your fault so beware!

2.You will be reimbursed if the flight is cancelled
Once again, it depends on who, or what, is responsible for the cancellation. If it is the flight providers fault then you will usually receive a refund. However, if the weather is the culprit then the airline can wash their hands of any money that you expect back - so make sure you are insured!

3.Your flight will wait for you if you check-in late
Having been a victim of this, I can assure you that the pilot will certainly not wait for you as you stumble aimlessly towards the boarding gate. If you are running late, get to the gate ASAP!

4. If you book as a group you are guaranteed to be seated together
Untrue. The flight provider is under no obligation to sit you together. Once again, I can vouch for this one and it's really not fun. Being split from your group is more likely to happen if the flight is close to being filled and you are one of the last to check-in.

Defining Jetlag

2011-10-06T13:47:00.000-07:00

For many of us who run the gauntlet of the long-haul flight the dreaded jetlag has become something of a nemesis.

You know the deal, you set down at your vacation hotspot hoping for a speedy transfer so that you can make the most of the hotel pool before the day is up. Instead, you are warmly welcomed by your good friends fatigue, headache and, best of all, irregular sleep pattern - Collectively know as jetlag.

This horrible affliction is common and you are most likely to experience it if you fly through multiple time zones as it is in essence a disruption of the body clock. You see, the human body despite its inherent cleverness, is susceptible to the most basic of things...

...In the case of jetlag the body is experiencing different light patterns to what it is used to, thus disrupting the finely tuned sleep-wake cycle. As well as this, the body will not be used to the new times in which you choose to eat - It seems that the human body is something that adapts to a particular routine, so beware all those that choose to go against it!

The severity of jetlag is affected primarily on the distance that is travelled and the individual in question. Some of us just seem to have the knack of adapting well to the surroundings and soldiering on through it which is often the best piece of advice. For the rest of us jetlag remains our greatest flying opponent!

The Truth About Air Travel

2011-09-21T13:40:00.000-07:00

Myths surrounding air travel are flying about everywhere. From mobile phone use on flights causing crashes, to intoxication occurring far quicker in the air than on the ground.

But barely any of these have any substance to them. In this quick run-down we'll separate fact from fiction.

Myth number one is that electronic devices on planes interfere with navigation equipment thus causing plane malfunction. Many people believe that this ban is in place because phone signals interfere with GPS signals, but the basis for this ban is that phone signals bouncing between mobile phone towers will prevent mobile communications from the ground making it to the cockpit. Either way there is very little evidence to suggest this would really cause major disruption.

Myth number two. Air conditioned air on planes causes rapid spread of germs and sickness. This is a big untruth that many people believe to be true. The air filters on board these aeroplanes are in fact very sophisticated and extract 99% of all germs and viruses and therefore cleaner than much of the air we breathe in our everyday lives.

Myth three - Drinking at high altitude gets you drunker, quicker. Inebriation is measured by the quantity of alcohol in your bloodstream and therefore you will not be affected by the altitude at which you are flying.

Myth number four suggests that you can book your flight on any day of the week and your final price will not be affected. This is in fact false as flights being booked on a weekday and a weekend can differ by substantial amounts. Research has shown that Tuesday, Wednesdays and Thursdays offer best value for money combine this with a decent flight provider and you're on to a winner!

Ryanair Vs Easyjet

2011-09-19T13:46:00.000-07:00

They are the two biggest budget airlines in the UK, riding the wave of the no-frills airline movement for the last decade allowing anyone to travel almost anywhere for a nominal fee.

But, budget airlines are in the budget bracket for a reason. They provide you with the bare essentials and make the passenger do much of the work to avoid overheads and drive down costs.

So what are the main differences between these two juggernauts? Which airline scrimps the most and which offers the greatest level of overall comfort?

Both airlines fly from all of the major airports in the country so evens on that one, but in terms of flights from London Ryanair operates primarily out of Stanstead whilst Easyjet seems to have more of a share at Gatwick. For this reason, Easyjet takes a point here for operating from the more accessible, larger airport.

Inflight, both airlines provide very little in terms of comfort. No free magazines (apart from the airline's own), no complimentary food or drinks and no television or media. Food and drink can be purchased on-board but prices are heavily inflated. The seats are not what you would class as luxurious on either airline but they are sufficient for short-haul flights. Seats are free-for-all upon boarding so you may have to brace yourself for scrumming and elbows-at-dawn upon boarding! No winners here!

How about prices? Well, if we compare one popular flight we can see a noticeable difference here. The initial cost of a ticket to Belfast from London costs £54 with Easyjet whilst Ryanair charges a more conservative £44. But add in the extras such as taxes and booking charges and the total cost of the Ryanair ticket is nearly double the initial price at £85! Compare this to Easyjet's £63 and the winner here becomes clear. Easyjet wins this one with ease.

In conclusion, in comparing three vital factors, it is Easyjet that comes out as the winner primarily due to the fact that they charge their customers less. Flights with Easyjet can be found through a range of online providers but for the best prices go with a reputable firm.

The finest food to grace the air!

2011-08-27T04:11:00.000-07:00

On-board cuisine - you either hate it or...er....hate it!

Often, the arrival of food on a flight can come as welcome reprieve from the mundaneness of a long, arduous flight. But once it sits in front of you, there is usually a deep sense of annoyance at what lays before you. Luke-warm mashed potato, microwaved meats and congealed milk are often served in quaint moulded plastic dishes with mass-produced plastic cutlery that snaps whenever any pressure is exerted upon it....Mmmm, Mmmm

But, there are certain pioneers of the sky who endeavour to provide their passenger with a meal-time experience that is a welcome departure from the usual.

In first place must be Qantas who have been known to serve caviar before main meals! This is followed by a further eight courses that sample cuisines from all over the World. Of course, you must reside in 1st class to be fed such fine fayre, but it's perhaps a small price to pay for such a dining experience!

Next up is Gulf Air who provide passengers with an on-board chef who cooks up a range of culinary delights that sample many regions of the Gulf. So expect meals along the lines of honey-glazed quail and spiced Arabic lamb!

Third spot must go to Singapore Airways. Not solely for their food but also for their assortment of premium champagnes served on-board. So expect Dom Perignon or Krug as an accompaniment to your Korean eel fillet!

Dealing with long waits in the airport

2011-08-19T14:24:00.000-07:00

Ever got to the airport far too early and thought 'What on Earth am I doing here already?'.... Yep. So have I.

I always wonder why I do it to myself - arriving at the airport so early because I have to take into account every possible eventuality that may somehow prevent me from reaching my sunny destination. The longest time I have spent loitering around an airport is 12 hours - a record that I am certainly not proud of but proved to be necessary due to the situation I was in at the time. Basically, in this case my travel mate and I arrived at Cairns airport speculatively in the hope of boarding a flight to Sydney which proved impossible. Hence a long, drawn-out wait until the next flight a whole half-a-day later.

During this nightmare of a wait my friend and I managed to amuse ourselves for a reasonable portion of it. Whether by eating our weight in fast food or by playing seemingly inane games that took on a distorted sense of higher meaning we survived (somehow) to board our flight in reasonably jovial spirits.

From that experience, I have extrapolated the five best methods of keeping one entertained whilst waiting for a flight...

1)Strike up a conversation with someone

Whoever it is, everyone has a story. Sure, in our case we tried (and failed) to chat to the prettiest things we could find but broaden your horizons by speaking to people of different nationalities and gain some insight into their World.

2)Play a game of how many

Categories include; How many moustachioed men will walk through gate number four? and how many times will this Mother clip this young boy around the ear?

3)Check out the duty free section

There is a wealth of entertainment to be had in this treasure trove. Cologne testing can take up a good couple of hours but beware of glares from the up-tight staff. Likewise, cheap sweet treats can be had for nominal amounts of cash and what better way to spend an hour than seeing how many Ferrero Rochers can be inserted into one's mouth without swallowing.

4)Explore the hidden avenues that your airport offers

You'd be surprised to find what hidden delights await you in your airport. The holy grail is a gaming arcade. Sure, their hard to come by, but once found, a couple of solid hours will fly by. Other joyous finds include Krispy Krème doughnut stalls and free internet connections.

Sad end to Superfast plane flight

2011-08-12T01:54:00.000-07:00

A test flight for the World's fastest plane as ended in disaster after the crashing into the Pacific ocean.

The U.S military's Falcon HTV-2 was launched with promises of it being able to travel from London to Sydney in less than an hour with speeds reaching 22 times the speed of regular planes.

The plane itself is attached to a rocket before disengaging on the edge of space an re-entering the atmosphere but after a smooth start, the Californian air base lost signal after nine minutes - at which point the plane had flown for 139 seconds and had reached nearly 17,000mph!

The plane had already encountered a host of problems in testing with two test flights already being cancelled prior to this one. It's little wonder when you realise that the vehicle travels on average at 13,000mph or 20 times the speed of sound on its journey!

Hopefully this will not blemish the reputation of the hypersonic flight too much and we will see more examples of these amazing planes being tested soon.

Say NO to flight delays!

2011-08-10T15:13:00.000-07:00

There's nothing more annoying than getting to the airport with plenty of time to spare, queueing all the way through to departures before hearing an announcement over the P.A system explaining that a flight has been delayed.....and lo-and-behold it's your flight!

It may seem that such delays are completely out of your hands... and they, are as most are caused by factors such as weather conditions, mechanical faults or airspace issues. But these delays can actually be avoided by following a particular set of rules.

1. Fly in the morning
If there were any mechanical problems with your plane, they are more likely to be fixed through the night when a plane has more chance of being grounded and worked upon compared to during the busier period during the day. Terrible weather is more likely to hit in the afternoon to so this also makes flying in the morning a prudent idea as well.

2. Check who you're flying with
There are now a number of online resources that actively allow you to look up the percentage of flights that are on time or late for a particular airline, showing you who you should be travelling with.

3. Which airport are you flying from?
Many airports are affected by the weather, and therefore delays. Choose to travel from any city that has prolonged periods of inclement weather and things may begin to go downhill. This especially true in the case of cities that are affected by fog and heavy cloud cover so you may want to avoid San Francisco on your travels!

Virgin Space flight: a step closer

2011-08-02T15:25:00.000-07:00

With the first Virgin space flight due in just two years, a British pilot is set to fulfil a childhood dream by becoming the first person to pilot one of Virgin's Galactic aircraft.

David Mackay, 53, will be the chief pilot for Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic when it begins the first sub-orbital space flights by 2013. More than 400 passengers have already paid £125,000 for the experience of a weightless flight 100km above the earth's surface!

Mr Mackay is currently in the U.S training for the flight in one of Virgin's test aircraft named the 'WhiteKnightTwo' and is one of four pilots who are currently placing the aircraft through it's paces.

When Mr Mackay gets round to flying passengers commercially, he will pilot the Mothership to 50,000 feet before blasting of into space on the spaceship by means of a rocket motor, accelerating at 2,500mph before leaving the Earth's atmosphere. Once the ship has reached it's cruising height of 360,000ft above the Earth, passengers will able to unbuckle themselves and experience the weightlessness of outer-space!

In the meantime, we will have to make do with our Boeings and Airbusses, but hopefully someday will all be able to afford this amazing opportunity!

Flying cars: The future of flight

2011-07-25T15:44:00.000-07:00

It's not quite reality yet, but it certainly seems like flying cars could be the future of air travel.

U.S firm Terrafugia have declared that their innovative new flying machine, called 'The Transition', will revolutionise the world of personal air travel and will allow pilots to fly in the air as well as drive on roads and highways.

According to it's makers, the Transition is comfortable and intuitive to use. It is also fuelled by regular unleaded petrol making this aircraft a seemingly viable domestic flying vehicle! Terrafugia also state that this aircraft can also be mastered with just 20 hours of flying lessons which is actually considerably less than learning to drive a car!

With over 100 pre-orders already, the Transition is actually selling rather well and is beating all other viable personal flying aircraft on the market. But at £250,000 this thing sure ain't cheap and it's unlikely that London will resemble a scene from The Fifth Element any time soon (unfortunately). So for now, instead of flying to Spain in our fancy flying cars and saving on our fuel costs, we'll have to make do with low-cost airlines!

Alcohol and planes: Proof that they really should not be mixed!

2011-07-11T16:31:00.000-07:00

Ok, so I'm not referring to pilots downing a few brandies before transporting their passengers to far-flung destinations. Rather, the passengers who insist on plying themselves with drinks before taking to the skies. We all get a little nervous sometimes but is drink really the way forward for flying? I doubt it.

Recent figures suggest that as many as a quarter of the 3,500 passenger interruptions have been alcohol fuelled, with these passengers arriving drunk at the check-in desk.

These passenger clearly pose a security risk on flights. With alcohol acting as a catalyst for stupidity and aggression and with security on planes becoming stricter and stricter due to the risk of terrorism, an alcohol ban seems increasingly imminent.

On the other hand, it could be argued that a ban would be unfair for the majority of placid alcohol drinking folk who consume the odd drink to make their journey that little bit more bearable. And how far would such a ban go? Would all alcohol within the airport be banned or just on the plane? Or would it be possible to monitor drinkers and regulate the amount they consume?

In my opinion, the way forward includes screening intoxicated passengers before they embark on a flight and incorporating this with a a limit on the amount of drinks that can be consumed on a flight. If a rule such as this could be used across all airlines then the high figures of delays attributed to intoxicated passengers would surely plummet.

5 Questions of Paramount Importance

2011-06-27T15:06:00.000-07:00

When booking your flight there are five questions you should have in the back of your mind to ensure the best possible flying experience. Read on for more nuggets of Above the Clouds info.

1.What time does the flight depart?

Beware of lights that leave at night. They are often cheaper but often go very early in the morning. If you have a long drive ahead of you to get to the airport, it may be beneficial to book nearby accommodation so that you are well rested before your departure.

2.When does the flight arrive?

A simple question that can have a huge bearing on your well-being on arrival. Flights that get you to your destination whilst it's still bright outside can help to keep your body-clock in sync with your new destination.

3.How much luggage can I check in?

Most airlines operate within a 20kg allowance for baggage. If you go over this limit you will often incur an additional charge.

4.How much hand luggage can I carry on-board?

You will find that some airlines restrict you on the size and weight of baggage that can be carried on board and you may be penalised for baggage that does not meet the specifications. Always stick to the 'one bag rule'.

5.Do I need to reconfirm my flight on the way back?

Many flights ask you to reconfirm on the return leg of your flight. This is a vital aspect of your flight that youshould know beforehand.

Singapore - THE best airport in the world

2011-06-24T16:12:00.000-07:00

According to a Priority Pass poll, Singapore Changi is the best airport in the world. Respondents to the poll were frequent flyers, averaging 17 flights per year lending gravitas to the findings.

At the other end of the scale, London's Heathrow airport scored the worst. This possibly reflects the recent T5 lost luggage debacle and a general perception of mayhem within the vast halls and terminals of the airport.

There is no doubt that Heathrow is slowly re-building its reputation though with 1 billion pounds a year being spent on the airport and its facilities in an attempt to change traveller's views of the airport. Flight punctuality is also up on previous years, with the average delay time being just ten minutes at present.

The win for Singapore Changi continues it's growing reputation as an established award winner. Changi already has already amassed 27 best awards since 2009 alone and this reflects on the airport's fervent dedication towards achieving gold standard customer service in all areas.

First Bio-Fuel Jet Manages Atlantic Flight

2011-06-18T14:15:00.000-07:00

In a huge step for aviation, a business jet has flown from New Jersey to Paris on 'Green' fuel, becoming the first flight to complete a bio-fuel transatlantic crossing.

The flight marks another leap towards a greener aviation sector and will surely pave the way towards more green flight innovations.

The flight was operated by Honeywell international in a Gulfstream G450 and left Morristown NJ at 9m, landing in Paris seven hours later. In a move to signify the gravitas of the flight, the pilot closely followed the route of Charles Lindbergh's pioneering first flight across the Atlantic.

The fuel used in the journey is derived from camelina - an Oilseed crop that has the ability to grow on any poor quality land. To place the green credentials of the fuel into perspective, its use saved 5.5 metric tonnes of Co2 emissions when compared to a flight using petroleum.

The flight follows the continued trend in the aviation market for greener fuels, with the likes of Airbus recently showcasing their own green alternatives.

The ugliest plane designs ever to grace the skies

2011-05-30T01:43:00.000-07:00

Today we take a sideways look at the world of aviation and look at some examples of the most gaudy, offensive and downright awful paint-jobs in the world of flight.

All planes that you are about to see have somehow, at some point, been allowed to fly through the air and in the process commit crimes against the World of aviation.

1)Qantas Airways - Aboriginal Spirit

Well, it's certainly original. This design was commissioned in 2006 to celebrate Australia's oldest population. Rather than being enthused by this design, I'm certain that Aboriginal people were possibly quite offended by the myriad of gaudy colours and cut/copy Aboriginal art.

2) Air-Nippon - Air Pikachu

A Japanese cartoon who has had the gall to imprint ones-self upon the legendary Boeing 737, this Pikachu plane has thankfully been restricted to flying solely over Japanese flight territory.

3) Alaska Airlines - Mickey Mouse

What better way to advertise your multi-billion pound company than through a massive flying billboard. This Mickey mouse monstrosity has probably endeared a generation of young children to the world of Disney whilst simultaneously losing most of its Adult audience!

Brits pay highest flight taxes in Europe!

2011-04-14T04:42:00.000-07:00

I heard a startling fact today about the cost of the UK's aviation taxes. Whilst many countries are actively lowering their flying taxes, it seems that taxes for UK flyers are forever on the up.

In the last two decades, air passenger duty in the UK has increased by a huge 2600% with travellers paying more than any other country in the world. Rather than encouraging people to travel and holiday, it's as if we are being penalised and prevented from travelling to our favourite destinations.

Anyway, in an attempt to counter the Government's incessant misuse of air taxes, industry leaders are joining with The Association of British Travel Agents to prevent more increases.

This year the treasury is expected to pocket £2.2billion of travellers money with further increases predicted over the next few years. To put the taxes into perspective, it would cost a family of four flying to Australia £340 in flight tax. Compare this to another country in the EU- such as France - and the same family would expect to pay just £15. With such huge differences you can really see how unfair the UK system is.

The best way to offset such inflated taxes is by purchasing your flights as cheaply as possible through online providers such as directline.

5 Tips For The Ultimate Flying Experience!

2011-04-03T15:13:00.000-07:00

Think you're ready for your next flight?

Think again. These five very quick tips will ensure you have the best possible experience and make time go that little bit quicker.

1) Take your own amenities.

Whether it's pillows, ear-plugs, magazines or blankets, take your own! Airlines have noticeably been cutting down on these lately to save costs. Low-cost airlines offer an even more stripped down service so make sure you are well equipped!

2)Have a little chat

Sometimes it's good to talk to strangers and you will often find some very interesting people on flights. If you're sitting next to a stranger, have a go at making conversation; you may find out some interesting things about them, if not, who cares? You'll never see them again!

3)Take gadgets

For many of us our gadgets are our saving grace on flights. I-pods, gameboys and portable DVD players can all be invaluable sources of entertainment - especially for young children.

4)Enjoy your Meal

Many of us base our flights around the on-board meal-times, and why not? Quite often the food is actually rather tasty and you can use up precious time delicately enjoying cheese and biscuits or a pleasant coffee. Just be sure to avoid the special options as these meals are often lacking in the taste department.

5)Deal with the odours of others

With a plane filled with hundreds of people each with their own unique smell, you're bound to get the odd stink that you really cannot agree with. Whether this is the elderly lady with the cheesy feet or the gentleman a couple of rows down with the sweat issue, try dabbing a touch of lavender under your nostrils to block these smells out!

One final tip that goes without saying is to book your flight with a reputable company! This way you can avoid any problems that may occur before you even get to the airport! Choose a company such as directline-flights for complete peace of mind.

Best Duty-Free Buys

2011-03-29T15:04:00.000-07:00

Holidays do not just present us with a chance to get away from the stress and strains of our often mundane existence - They also present us with the chance to stock up on quality luxury items that can be found in the treasure trove that is the duty free section of International airports!

There are certain items that we should steer clear of in duty free, (think of those gigantic novelty chocolates that you devour as soon as you get home), but there is a trio of items that are fairly priced and are far too good to be ignored. If you are venturing out of the comfort of the EU you will find that your savings are even greater on these goods.

1) The item that you will make the most saving on is cigarettes. Without the vast amount of tax the British government imposes on these cancer-ridden little sticks, you will find you can make a profit of £5 per pack. Better still, you can potentially earn yourself a few extra pounds by selling to smoker friends.

2)If you are a regular drinker of spirits you can stock up in duty free and save yourself many a pound. The best technique is to buy in bulk, raising your long-term savings even more. You will also find that duty free sections stock local spirits that are difficult to find in Britain.

3)Fragrances present another duty free choice that often undercuts our high-street retailers. There are often special deals and promotions on these products, providing even better savings for flyers.

Avoiding Check-in Problems

2011-03-23T02:17:00.000-07:00

The whole flying process has become so streamlined and generic that we rarely encounter problems these days.

But there are still times when things can go wrong - usually at check-in.

There are a number of common problems that you may encounter at check-in, most of which can easily be avoided.

The first and most obvious problem to avoid is related to your baggage. Airlines make a large amount of money from baggage fees. Charging passengers for bags that are over weight has become a profitable source of income for airlines. Make yourself aware of your airline's baggage rules before you get to the airport to avoid this.

You should also double check the contents of your hand luggage. There is nothing worse than finally getting to the scanners then realising that you have can of hairspray or an unopened bottle of water in your bad that is about to be confiscated by a burly security guard. You may not look like a terrorist, but they're just doing their job! Leave purchases such as these in your main baggage, or alternatively, hold on until you are through to the waiting lounge.

Queues at the check-in desk go hand-in-hand with the flying experience, but they are an annoyance that can be avoided. Numerous airlines now offer the option of online check-in. This means you can go straight to security rather than having to pay a visit to the check-in assistants. Online check-in is usually only available on domestic flights due to more stringent passport checks on international flights.

If you are a frequent flier, you should really have applied for a frequent flier number by now. This can speed things up hugely as you can check-in at an automated kiosk by typing in your personalised number and all of your flight details will be instantly recognised, completing check-in in minutes.

Dealing With Tears and Tantrums on Long-Haul Flights

2011-03-08T14:47:00.000-08:00

The other day a friend of mine told me how he and his family had taken the arduous 21 hour flight to Australia for a two week holiday and catch-up with recently emigrated family.

He told of the nightmare he and his wife had in entertaining his two young children, 5 and 3 years old respectively, and how they struggled to cope with the dreaded child jet-lag. I personally would have baulked at the idea of spending so much time in a cramped cabin with nothing more than a colouring book and a series of recently released Hollywood blockbusters to keep them happy!

Tears and tantrums on such a flight come with the territory, but there are a few little things that can make the journey a little more bearable. Firstly, you should make sure that the airline you are travelling with caters for little ones. If the airline provides digital entertainment, make sure that the screens are incorporated into the back of the seat rather than a communal screen for sections of the plane, thus ensuring small children can actually see the screen. Perhaps you could ask if there is a children's T.V channel before opting to fly with them? Better still, see if the airline offers a gaming channel, this will entertain the kids for hours and can give you much needed time to yourself.

Portable DVD players can be a real saving grace, just make sure you pack their favourite DVDs! An excellent tip that you may not necessarily have thought of is to take small presents for your children that you could get them to open at certain times during the flight to relieve boredom and give them something to look forward to.

Dealing with the after-effects of a flight can be equally as tricky, but it's important to remember that a child's body acts in the same way as an adults when it comes to jet-lag. The same rules apply, so try to keep up with the new time zone and go to bed at night time to ensure your body adjusts, This may sound difficult for young children, but you will find that excitement gets them through the first signs of sleepiness!

The fail-safe way to upgrade to business class!

2011-02-24T15:20:00.000-08:00

Ever been on a ten hour flight and looked longingly towards the front of the cabin where those business class folk recline in luxury in their soft, padded, leather-bound, luxury seats?!

Yep, me too. I mean, they don't even have to contend with the thought of suffering from DVT on landing or painful muscle cramps causing you to jump, bolt upright in your seat on multiple occasions during the flight. Ok, seat space may effect me more than most due to the fact I'm a tad on the tall side, but an upgrade to business class sure would make a long-haul flight a more bearable for anyone.

So, how can you actually go about getting an upgrade into the elusive business class section?

Many upgrades happen because it makes sense for the airway. By moving you, they can make room for a larger group if the flight is close to capacity. Therefore, if you are a lone traveller you have a far greater chance of an upgrade for this reason. This upgrade tip is especially true in the school holidays when flights are more family orientated.

But without a doubt, the best tip is to just be polite! Its a simple yet effective way of making an impression on the staff at the airport and on the plane. If you're brave enough, just ask politely at check-in or once you're on the plane. If you come across as relaxed, charming and well-dressed you can certainly increase your chances!

Finnair launches mobile phone boarding passes and text message check in

2009-11-22T14:43:00.000-08:00

I have flown with Finnair many a time, and find them to be absolutely fantastic, with great cabin staff, food, the works. And Helsinki Airport is a clean, pleasant place – lovely for buying seasonal gifts if you are heading home for Christmas. Anyway, it’s interesting to hear that Finnair have now launched mobile phone boarding passes and text message check in. Not bad, eh?

So how does this work? Well, the mobile phone boarding pass consists of a 2D bar code which gets scanned at the airport. This boarding pass will apparently work on all mobile phones, though I do wonder about some of those really old ones that some Luddites insist on carrying about.

Finnair’s Sales Director for the UK, Tomi Hänninen, says: “The mobile boarding pass system cuts passengers’ carbon footprint by removing the need for passengers to print out and keep track of a paper boarding pass, thus eliminating waste paper. Customers will also see a tangible benefit through using the mobile boarding pass system as it will speed up the check in process, affording Finnair flyers even greater stress free travel.”

As for the text message check-in, this is available to members of the frequent flyer programme Finnair Plus. If you have luggage then you need to go to the baggage drop desk where it can be checked in. No luggage? In that case you can get going straight to the gate with no faffing around standing in those interminable queues so typical of airports.

For morning departures Finnair sends out a check-in text message the previous evening between 17:00 and 19:00, and for afternoon departures the message is sent about three hours before departure time.

It’s good to see that the handy and ubiquitous mobile can be used to make life simpler at airports, and no doubt other airlines will be keen to follow this trend.

Air Canada try out in-flight internet access

2009-11-21T12:48:00.000-08:00

If you are one of those who can’t bear to parted from the internet even for a minute, and dread passing the time of long haul flight with little to do, then the recent innovation of some airlines to provide internet access in the air will no doubt have come as a welcome development. In-flight internet access using the quaintly named Gogo network is now available on some U.S. airlines, including Virgin America, Delta, AirTran and American Airlines.

The latest airline to get in on the act is Air Canada who have just launched a ten week trial period during which certain flights on the Montreal-Los Angeles and Toronto-Los Angeles routes will offer web access. The price isn’t too bad either, with access costing US$9.95 for laptops and US$7.95 for phones and PDA’s. However, for the time being the service will only be available when flying over the USA.

The whole concept of web access in the air is certainly an exciting development because simply going online must be the perfect way to while away those boring hours of long haul. And who can resist the idea of sending emails to friends and family telling them how good it is to be above the clouds?

No doubt competitors will be carefully watching this move as the opportunity to use the internet while flying will give any airline a serious edge and attract passengers. So how long will we have to wait before this trend makes its way across the Atlantic?

Meeting Santa in the Land of the Midnight Sun

2009-11-15T01:21:00.000-08:00

Christmas is well on its way, a sure sign being that I walked into my local supermarket to see glittery decorations and a life size model of Santa, as well as hearing jingly music. Some love it, and some hate it. But if you are one of the people that just can’t get enough of Christmas, then you may consider a trip to see Santa.

It’s quite funny that the original Saint Nicholas was from Myra in Turkey, but in the nineteenth century he suddenly morphed into the fat red-coated gentleman who lives in the north, and it seems that now Lapland is thought to be his traditional home. It could have something to do with the wonderfully snowy environment of the north that people so associate with Christmas.

If you want to see Santa Claus Village, this is just outside the town of Rovaniemi which has its own airport. Santa Claus Village at Rovaniemi is actually open all year round, and here you can meet Santa and his elves. Rovaniemi Post Office receives letters to Santa from children all across the globe, and they even send out replies on colourful, Christmassy notepaper!

Rovaniemi is not just about Santa though, it is also good for shopping with designer stores stocking various top Finnish brands such as Marimekko and Arabia. There are also Santa outlets of course.

But if you feel like a more rural and slightly less commercialised environment, then other airports to head for are Ivalo, Kittila and Kuusamo.

And, in case you are wondering, what or where exactly is Lapland? It is home to the Sami people who were originally a nomadic group roaming the northern parts of Norway, Sweden, Finland and Russia. They lived in tents that were similar to native American tepees, and by the 16th century their economy was largely based on agriculture and reindeer. Obviously today the Sami live in modern houses.

They refer to their land as Sapmi, and this northern area has beautiful fjords, lakes and wilderness. The winters are dark with little sunlight but what little light there is gets reflected from the bright, white snow, and there is also a chance of seeing the aurora borealis. In the summer the place becomes the Land of the Midnight Sun with wonderfully light nights.

The area offers some great opportunities for enjoying winter sports and the great outdoors, and makes a great place to visit summer and winter, Santa or no Santa.

Brits looking for winter sun, despite recession

2009-10-19T12:09:00.000-07:00

The nights are getting darker, summer is well and truly over, it’s still moderately warm, but no doubt soon the British weather will be turning to the rain and cold that we expect of the winter in these parts. And I don’t even want to talk about the clocks going back, which will make nightfall seem even earlier. So, what with the recession you might expect that people will be tightening their belts, gritting their teeth, and facing the long cold winter months without selfishly splashing out on a winter break. Wrong! Well, wrong that is according to some travel agents.

The word among the travel agencies seems to be that people are still on the look out for their winter holiday abroad. As has been true to form since the recession kicked in, many people are now looking for their holidays outside Euroland, with destinations such as Turkey, Tunisia or Morocco proving popular.

These predictions are despite the fact that significant numbers of Brits chose to holiday in the UK this year, which has been charmingly called "staycation".

So is this a case of the travel agents trying to talk up a storm of people heading out of Blighty over the winter? Are they hoping for good holiday sales this winter after what may have been a poor showing over the summer?

Time will tell. Meanwhile, if over the dark, cold months ahead you yearn for some winter sun, there are plenty of cheap flights available to get you where you want to be.

Privatised JAL after public money

2009-09-28T12:53:00.000-07:00

I have only ever flown with JAL once and that was not by choice. But I had to get from Kansai to Hong Kong on an Air France endorsed ticket, and they had booked me with JAL. The JAL flight turned out to be an experience I could well have done without. When the surly stewardess came round with the free newspapers she glared at my non-Japanese face and said, “I haven’t got one for you!”, (despite the fact that I lived in Japan and could read some Japanese, not that she bothered to find out). I think in all my years of frequent flying I had never, and have never since, experienced such downright rudeness. JAL was an airline that I then proceeded to forget all about, until recently, when I heard that Japan’s transport minister, Seiji Maehara, has just said that he will not force the struggling JAL to go bankrupt.

So it turns out that the Japanese government has appointed a team of corporate experts to create a restructuring plan for the airline, because JAL’s own draft reconstruction plan has been described as “insufficient”. This crack team will be making recommendations by late October or early November.

So what has forced JAL to come to this pretty pass? Well, the airline has just notched up its biggest-ever quarterly net loss of 99 billion yen ($1 billion) in the quarter up to June, and it is forecast that there will be a net loss of 63 billion yen ($701 million) for the current fiscal year up to March 2010.

JAL was privatised back in 1987, but the company has had to turn to public funds, with 60 billion yen ($668 million) in loans from the government-owned Development Bank of Japan in June, and apparently further requests for cash. So much for the free market economy.

It will be interesting to see how the airline copes in the months ahead.

Newspapers, anyone?

Are the budget airlines abandoning the regional airports?

2009-09-17T13:15:00.000-07:00

So Gordon Brown has uttered the dreadful word "cuts" to the TUC in Liverpool, but he is not the only one thinking of this four letter word. In fact British holidaymakers may find themselves having to make longer journeys to airports, as airlines start to cut the number of regional departures in an attempt to keep costs down.

Budget airline Easyjet recently announced the cancellation of all its routes from East Midlands airport, which is going to be quite a loss to residents of the Nottingham area and thereabouts. Similarly Ryanair has cancelled nine of its 10 routes out of Manchester, which will be quite a blow to people of the north-west on the look out for cheap flights. Ryanair is also cancelling two of its flights out of the little up-and-coming airport of Doncaster, saying that the modest passenger charges of £3 a head are not sustainable.

Add to this the fact that last November Thomson pulled out of Coventry Airport, and Liverpool Airport has experienced a drop in passenger numbers of 20% this year. In fact, during the first six months of 2009, passenger numbers have fallen by a staggering 11% at British regional airports compared with 2008. All this may be gratifying to pressure groups such as Plane Stupid, who have been campaigning for an overall reduction in flying due to green considerations, but it is bad news for those hankering after affordable flights out of their local airport.

Heavy demand for South African domestic flights predicted, come World Cup 2010

2009-09-06T07:59:00.000-07:00

England’s victory over Croatia on Wednesday means that England fans will now be eager to get hold of not just match tickets, but also flights and hotels, to follow England to the World Cup finals in South Africa.

England fans hoping to do this will find they face a tough time as there will only be a limited number of seats for the actual matches themselves, and not just that, but the tickets will be expensive too. However on top of expensive match tickets, they will also find that accommodation is a bit scarce, and there may well be problems securing flights between the different destinations where matches will be played.

Kevin Miles, international affairs spokesman for the Football Supporters Federation who will operate Fan Embassies in South Africa, says “Initial estimates show that up to 20,000 fans could travel if, as expected, we secure qualification”.

The matches are going to be played in Cape Town, Durban, Johannesburg, Mangaung, Nelson Mandela Bay, Nelspruit, Polokwane, Rustenburg, and Tshwane between 11 June and 11 July 2010.

To follow all the matches is going to involve a lot of domestic flights, and the demand for these will be huge. South Africa has a fair number of airlines operating between the major cities, and some of the smaller ones too, with fares ranging from first-class to budget. Flights can be booked online from anywhere in the world, which will be handy for fans making arrangements in advance.

It looks set to be a difficult though potentially rewarding time for football fans, and a profitable period for the airlines of South Africa.

bmibaby launches budget flights from Manchester to Lourdes

2009-09-03T13:09:00.000-07:00

The budget airline bmibaby has announced that it will introduce flights to Lourdes from Manchester Airport by the summer 2010 season, a move which could lead to more than 9,000 travellers making use of this new route each summer.

Situated on the French side of the Pyrenees, Lourdes has long been a popular destination for pilgrims after apparitions of the Virgin Mary were seen by a young woman, Bernadette Soubirous, in 1858. At this time Bernadette discovered a spring which is thought by some to have miraculous healing properties. Since then Lourdes has become a major focus for Christian pilgrimage, with some 5 million pilgrims and tourists coming to this small market town every season.

The beautiful mountains of the Pyrenees form a natural border between France and Spain, and the route will no doubt also prove popular with holidaymakers heading to this region for the great outdoor life and stunning views that the Pyrenees have to offer. The area is popular for high altitude training in sports such as running and cycling. It is also popular with hikers, and has a number of long distance footpaths.

The flights are due to start on April 30th 2010 and will continue to operate through to October 1st, flying on weekdays. This means that bmibaby will be offering 19 European routes from Manchester by next summer.

This is a welcome move that will provide a valuable connection between the Pyrenees and the north of England in terms of budget flights.

Ryanair pull out of Manchester

2009-08-19T05:52:00.000-07:00

Well, Ryanair are in the news again. No sooner is it reported on this blog that they are expanding at Leeds Bradford with the possibility of 1,000 new jobs for the Leeds area, than they pull out of Manchester with a loss of, yes, you’ve guessed it, 1,000 jobs. Leeds gains, Manchester loses.

It seems as though it’s all blown up about landing charges. Manchester has refused to lower the charges it makes to airlines landing at the airport, causing Ryanair to almost pull out of Manchester completely. It is expected that 600 jobs will go directly because of this withdrawal, and a further 400 jobs will now not be created that would have come into being under a deal that Ryanair offered Manchester if it cut charges.

However Manchester Airport has defended its charges saying: "Notwithstanding all of our investment in Manchester airport, including during the current recession, we don't believe that charges as low as £3 per passenger are unreasonable. Clearly, Ryanair do and that's regrettable."

Ryanair will be closing or switching nine of its ten routes at Manchester, and this will take place from the start of October. This will mean a total of 44 weekly flights cut at Manchester, which will mean a loss of some 600,000 passengers a year.

As well as having more routes from Leeds Bradford, Ryanair will be boosting its winter schedules from Edinburgh and Prestwick, with a Ryanair spokesman saying: "We are looking to have more winter routes from Edinburgh and Prestwick than last year.

"We are looking at finalising the schedules for those two airport bases for us, and hope to have them pretty much agreed by the end of this week."

Last winter the airline had 19 routes going out of Edinburgh, and about another twenty out of Prestwick.

Ryanair to expand at a revamped Leeds Bradford Airport

2009-08-16T03:25:00.000-07:00

Budget airline Ryanair has chosen Leeds Bradford International Airport as a new base for its flights, a move which Ryanair claim is going to create 1,000 new jobs for the area. Ryanair already has three routes from Leeds Bradford, to Alicante, Girona and Dublin, but an impressive 14 more are to be added covering Carcassonne, Faro, Ibiza, Knock, Krakow, Limoges, Malaga, Malta, Montpellier, Murcia, Nantes, Palma, Pisa and Venice. It is hoped that the new flights will be launched in March 2010, making Leeds Bradford the 34th base for Ryanair.

This announcement follows in the wake of the airport getting planning permission to redevelop its relatively small and simple terminal building, and also to develop the road access to the airport. This plan, backed by the private equity owners Bridgepoint, is hoped to provide top class amenities and boost the status of the airport as the main gateway to Yorkshire.

The project will include a new two-storey extension with new check-in and security facilities, a new departure lounge, and retail area with shops, bars and cafes. The passenger security screening zone will be extended and the domestic baggage reclaim hall will be revamped.

It has been noted that the increased number of flights will make France more accessible from Yorkshire, and this may well be of interest to those looking to buy second homes in rural France.
Ryanair’s expansion at Leeds Bradford will no doubt be interesting news to rival carrier Jet2 which has its headquarters at the airport, especially as Jet2 is already serving nine of the new routes proposed by Ryanair. Jet2 currently flies 36 routes out of Leeds Bradford.

Ryanair plans to put about £84 million of investment into the airport.

Concorde come back - will we ever see the return of supersonic passenger flight?

2009-08-09T02:14:00.000-07:00

One thing that many frequent fliers often ponder is whether supersonic passenger flight, as exemplified by Concorde, will ever come back.

Concorde allowed people to travel from London to New York at twice the speed of sound, taking just over three hours. This meant less jet lag, and made it quite realistic for people to have weekends away across the Pond, if they happened to have the £5,000 airfare to spare.

Despite its expensive price tag, and some controversy over its sonic boom, Concorde put in over three decades of commercial flights. But then the crash of 2000, along with the high price tag, meant a decline in demand for Concorde flights. The last flight was from New York to Heathrow in 2003 with a hundred celebs on board, and crowds of onlookers at the airports.

With a conventional jet the journey across the Atlantic is at least twice as long, and there is simply nothing in the present day that compares with Concorde. So ever since the last commercial flight of Concorde, talks of a revival have never ceased, but this again raises the question of the sonic boom. The sound made as Concorde broke the sound barrier caused the United States to ban cross-continental flights of the airliner, although rumours abounded in Europe that this was sour grapes because they hadn’t invented the plane themselves. It seems that there is new technology afoot that may actually reduce the volume of the boom, but this apparently uses ten per cent more fuel, which is not going to go down well in these green conscious times.

Considering the problems that airlines are having at the moment to simply stay afloat, it doesn’t look like Concorde will be returning in a hurry. However it is on the cards that supersonic and speedy travel will inevitably make a comeback at some point in the future, but the challenge is to do this with a reasonable price tag, with fuel economy, and with a reduced level of noise.

Pie in the Sky - Gordon Ramsay livens up Heathrow Terminal 5 with stunning food

2009-08-04T12:13:00.000-07:00

A lot has been said about Heathrow Terminal 5, a lot of it not good, but I haven’t heard any complaints about Gordon Ramsay’s Plane Food. Renowned for his handsome looks, his way with words, his merciless advice and teaching, and most of all his skill with food, Gordon Ramsay has certainly brought something to Terminal 5 that provides a meal to remember whether you eat at the restaurant itself, or take a picnic in the sky.

Plane Food at Terminal 5 was designed by architects Bentel & Bentel, renowned for their superb contemporary design, and involves dramatic and colourful shapes associated with planes and with flying.

The menu is fabulous, and not only that, if you’ve had a bellyful of airline meals, then panic not, at Plane Food you can pick up a picnic to take on board.

But if you are thinking of eating in, let’s turn first to breakfast: there is a wonderfully healthy menu offering seasonal smoothies, granola and yogurt, muesli, fresh fruit as well as the classic full English. And, och aye, you can even have porridge.

On the a la carte there is a delicious range of starters, pasta, main courses, side dishes and desserts. Starters include watermelon, avocado and feta salad (that would be the one for me), crab, trout and miso salad, and loads of other good stuff using exciting ingredients.

Main courses include roast cod, braised lamb, rib eye steak, Suffolk pork, and tons of other delightful main courses.

Desserts include pannacotta with fruit, apple and hazelnut crumble, brownie and ice cream, and other mouthwateringly wicked goodies.

But back to the picnic: for a mere £11.95 you can pick out three courses. For starters you can pick pastries, salad and egg, tiger prawn salad, or pasta with ham, salami and mozzarella.

Then your main course is sandwiches: choose from smoked salmon and cream cheese, tomato, basil and fontina, roast beef and watercress, or a Croque Madame.

Then to round it off there is a dessert: there is fruit salad with vanilla yogurt, chocolate and pecan brownie, pear cheesecake, or a cheese selection.

There’s only one thing I have to say to all that – bon appetit.

Challenging times with British Airways

2009-08-03T05:44:00.000-07:00

It’s a bit of a shocker that British Airways has reported the worst losses since 1987, with a pre-tax loss of a staggering £148 million in just the three months April to June. Compare this with the profit of £37 million that they made in the same quarter of last year, and this gives you some idea of the true magnitude of the loss.

Of course it’s been a tough year generally for the airlines as consumers have cut back on spending on flights due to the recession that was triggered by the credit crunch, and this is on top of the challenges that the traditional airlines face from the budget flights now offered by the no-frills airlines.

BA has been looking for ways to save cash, in what chief executive Willy Walsh describes as a “fight for survival”.

Cost cutting measures range from the just about tolerable to the most likely intolerable. The tolerable being the decision to no longer serve economy passengers a meal on short haul flights after ten in the morning. So you still get your breakfast, but nothing except drinks and snacks if you fly later in the day. Fair enough – I’m sure I can go a short haul flight with no on board meal, especially as there is usually ample opportunity to grab a snack at airports.

Less likely to be tolerated though was the idea of asking thousands of staff to work for free for up to one month to help keep the airline afloat, or aloft, rather. I can’t see people working for nothing as it does rather leave the problem of how to pay your bills for the one month that you toil for nothing. On the jobs front with BA things have been getting bad enough with the airline cutting staff since the end of March, in a process of reducing overtime, increasing part-time working, and voluntary redundancy. Working conditions have reached a point where there is now the risk of industrial action from cabin crew, which may not inspire travellers to book their flights with British Airways at the moment.

BA is also cutting the free baggage allowance that it gives to World Traveller class; a new policy that only affects economy passengers, and will not affect certain routes.

The airline’s chief executive, Willy Walsh, has said, “Trading conditions continue to be very challenging”, and for the economy passengers and BA staff things continue to be challenging.

Hey, Robin Hood is here! Many unaware of Robin Hood Airport Doncaster Sheffield

2009-07-24T03:29:00.000-07:00

Everyone has heard of Robin Hood - you know, that handsome fellow in green tights with a bow and a quiver of arrows, surrounded by his merry men, who robbed the rich to give to the poor. But it seems that not many people have heard of the Doncaster Sheffield Airport, opened in 2005, that was named after him, so much so, that managers of the airport have organised a leaflet drop to 200,000 households in the area informing them of its existence.

The airport is the UK's newest airport, and is situated just 7 miles from Doncaster and 25 miles from Sheffield. Currently more than a million passengers pass through the Robin Hood Airport each year, heading for more than 40 destinations across the globe. However, it seems that a lot of people in the area served by the airport tend to head for Manchester Airport or Leeds Bradford Airport, forgetting that there is an airport nearby.

It is hoped that sending out the leaflets and magazines to households will raise the profile of the airport locally, and make people more aware of the option of starting their holiday or business trip from this local airport.

I have flown a couple of times from Robin Hood Airport, and love its cleanliness, friendliness, and the fact that it does not feel overcrowded. If you want to set off on your trip in a relaxed fashion, and you live in the Yorkshire area, by all means consider Robin Hood as your starting point.

The Secret Life of the Airport, BBC 4

2009-07-12T04:26:00.000-07:00

Anyone interested in the history of civil aviation was provided with a real treat on BBC 4 recently. The three part series The Secret Life of the Airport documents the rise of mass air travel, starting with a look at the advent of commercial air travel which was taken up enthusiastically by the relatively well off, through to the dropping of prices and the rise of mass air tourism, with 44 public airports now in use in Britain.

The series, which includes some wonderful rare archive footage, looks at how the system of airports developed in Britain, and how they have transformed people’s attitudes towards travel and made long distance travel more widely available.

The first part in the series is Preparing for Take Off which starts with the opening of Britain’s first airport terminal designed for the paying passenger at Croydon in 1920. The footage of the early days at Croydon shows a very sedate scene with well-dressed people being weighed, and there are also interesting interviews with people who worked there at that time. The first commercial flights were from Croydon to Paris, and flying saved people a lot of valuable time.

Preparing for Take Off is followed by Joining the Jet Set which looks at the early years of jet travel, and those who had the resources to use it. The last episode in the series is The Final Approach, which takes us from the relatively relaxed airports of the 1960’s to the high security procedures that we have in place today.

When this series is shown again, be sure to catch it, either on your telly, or on the BBC iPlayer. Otherwise, you can always take a look over at YouTube.

Air France disaster - were faulty sensors to blame?

2009-06-13T02:24:00.000-07:00

After the worst disaster in Air France history, the airline is reserving judgement over whether it was faulty speed sensors that were the cause. However the company is taking the precaution of replacing the old sensors, as stated by the airline’s chief executive, Pierre-Henri Gourgeon, on Thursday.

On June 1st Air France flight 447 disappeared en route from Rio de Janeiro to Paris Charles de Gaulle, with 228 people on board. About 3.5 hours after take off, the Airbus A330-203 lost contact with air traffic control at a point some 300 km north-east of the Brazilian city of Natal. The final message received from the plane was an automated one saying that the electrical system had failed, and it is thought that the plane had flown into towering thunderstorms.
We now know that the plane crashed and that nobody on board survived, making this the worst loss of life ever in this much-respected airline’s 75 year history, and the worst accident ever in French aviation history. Significantly, it is also the first accident in commercial service that has resulted in fatality during the 16 years of operation of the Airbus A330.

So what caused this tragedy? Air accident investigators have found some evidence that the Airbus registered inconsistent speed readings just before contact was lost, and this raises speculation that the pilots may have been flying at the wrong speed without realising it, which may well have played a role in causing the crash.

It has also been found that there has been a temporary loss of air speed data on previous Airbus flights due to ice collecting in the sensors. Air France is now speeding up a replacement program for the sensors which had already been planned.

“As circumstances would have it, the first replacements arrived practically on the eve of the accident, on the Friday,” Gourgeon told a news briefing, adding: “I am not convinced that speed sensors were the cause of crash.”

The French air accident agency has said it is still too early to determine the exact cause of the crash, and that at the moment we are dealing with only two certainties, firstly that the plane had hit stormy weather, and secondly that the speed readings were not clear.

It is a disaster that has left Air France in a state of shock, has left families, loved ones and friends devastated, and is the sort of news that every frequent flier dreads to hear.

Sri Lanka in style

2009-04-22T03:19:00.000-07:00

Lying some thirty kilometres off the coast of southern India, Sri Lanka is an island bursting with life, colour and energy, steeped in history and full of temples and ancient sculpture. So if you want to get there quickly you will be pleased to know that SriLankan Airlines are the only scheduled airline flying a direct route from London Heathrow to both Sri Lanka and the Maldives.

You may also be pleased to learn that while spending that time in the air you won’t feel cramped, because the A340, A330 and A320 aircraft are fitted with superbly luxurious spacious seats where you will be able to stretch out and certainly feel like your holiday has started. You won’t be bored in-flight either because the aircraft have the latest in-flight entertainment with eighteen video channels, seat-back television, twenty-two audio channels and sixteen video games in all seats. One of the video channels is Air Show, a cabin video information system that gives flight-related information and a view of where the aircraft is flying using forward and downward cameras, so you can see where you are going right from your seat. Business Class passengers will even have an on-demand movie library with over 30 titles on request.

And when you arrive in Sri Lanka you can luxuriate on white sandy beaches, enjoy the beauty of the lush greenery, marvel at the biodiversity of the island, explore ancient sites and temples, experience traditional dance, appreciate beautiful arts and crafts, get your health into shape with ayurvedic treatments, and generally enjoy a well-deserved holiday on an island that has so much to offer.

It's bargain time for long-haul

2009-04-20T12:31:00.000-07:00

Having been on more long-haul flights between the UK and Japan than I can either remember or care to remember, I’ve always said that if I go back to Japan I’ll try the Trans-Siberian Railway. But an article by Isabel Choat in The Guardian, Time to Pack Your Sarong, caused me to think again. It seems like now is the time to book a long-haul flight to that destination you’ve always been dreaming of, as the major tour operators are reporting that long-haul flights and holidays have dropped dramatically.

At the moment you can pick up return flights to Australia for just under £500, whereas last year it would have been nearer a whopping thousand quid. You can get a return fare to New York for around £200, a return to Bangkok for about £360, and a return to Johannesburg will only cost you something in the region of £500.

It seems like the recession has caused people to cut back on things like long-haul travel, with the result that, supply and demand being what they are, prices have really fallen.

Likewise, now is the time to grab that long-haul package deal, so if you have been thinking about a beach holiday in Goa, or on a sunny Thai island, then now could be just the right time to venture a little further afield. With holidaymakers from the UK avoiding countries that use the euro, you might find that that a longer journey will take you somewhere where your money will go a lot further, with prices in a lot of long-haul destinations such as India and Thailand being significantly cheaper than prices in the UK. There are many faraway destinations where you will find that your pound will really go a long way, not just in terms of eating out and nightlife, but also in terms of clothing, souvenirs and other great bargains. Frequently with long haul, the main cost of the trip goes on the flight, with costs when you are actually there being remarkably low.

So if you can afford an escape at the moment, going long-haul can turn up some great deals.

Let's hear it for the package holiday!

2009-04-15T05:49:00.000-07:00

A few years ago a lot of travel pundits wondered if the package holiday was finally on the way out. With the advent of sites that allow you to book hotels directly yourself online, and the arrival of low cost flights with companies such as Ryanair and Easyjet it looked as if the death knell was finally being rung for the humble package holiday, which always had been badly maligned in some quarters. But it looks like the recent economic downturn has put the package holiday firmly back on the agenda, with adventure holidays and independent travel in a bit of a decline since the credit crunch.

In particular, the high street travel agents are reporting an increase in bookings for all-inclusive packages. Once thought to be a bit of a luxury, people are now catching onto the idea that an all-inclusive break has the benefit of fixing much of your costs in advance, making it much easier to stay within budget. Conversely, there has been a fall in demand for self catering holidays as the supermarkets in the resorts are proving to be a tad on the expensive side for British holidaymakers due to the falling pound. The sudden demand for all inclusive deals goes part of the way to explaining why the demand for cruises has remained steady despite the downturn.

Also, a reason why holidaymakers may be returning in force to the attractions of the package holiday is the financial security that it offers. If you buy a package holiday you are covered in the event of failure, such as XL of last October. If you book a flight directly you are not, as many Zoom customers found to their cost.

UK travellers are now less inclined to visit countries using the euro, such as Spain, Portugal and Greece, and are now more likely to visit countries such as Turkey and Egypt, where the pound will go further. Last year ABTA reported that bookings to Turkey were up by 32 per cent, and to Egypt were up by 38 per cent. Tour operators report a similar trend again this year.

But today’s package holiday tourist is perhaps a more savvy traveller than package holidaymakers of the bygone era of the sixties and seventies, as epitomised in “Carry On Abroad”, (1972). Today the internet has led to a much better informed travelling public who are no longer relying on brochures, their high street travel agent, or library books to inform them about where they are going. Travellers can now get up-to-the minute information online, with sites such as Trip Advisor and Holidays Uncovered giving people far more informed choices about the resorts, hotels, and what to expect.

So if you are considering jet-setting off this summer, a package holiday could be just the ticket.

Ljubljana: An abundance of events

2009-03-06T05:39:00.000-08:00

In Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia, culture and entertainment are something of a way of life. Each year the city hosts around 10.000 events. Throughout the year, Ljubljana and its surrounding areas host a number of well-established international festivals.

This year will see an abundance of attractive events taking place in Ljubljana. From March to middle of July the Viva Mexico festival will present audiences Mexican culture through a large exhibition on the latest archaeological finds from western Mexico entitled Eternal Life and and accompanying a programme of theatre performances, concerts, film screenings, literary evenings, lectures and other events.

The Killers, one of the world's most popular rock bands, will visit Ljubljana on 7th June as part of their European tour promoting their third album, Day & Age. The Queen of Pop, Madonna, will make an appearance in Ljubljana in August as part of her much talked-about concert tour "Sticky & Sweet" on 20th of August.

The Ljubljana Festival, traditionally held in the summer, presents a wide programme of events featuring highly regarded artists of various disciplines from around the world. Each year, it includes from 70 to 80 events attended by an audience of around 80,000 people from Slovenia and abroad. The Ljubljana Biennial of Graphic Arts taking place for the 28th time in September is the world's biggest and one of the most renowned events of the kind.

Ljubljana Jože Pučnik Airport, Slovenia's main airport, is located in Brnik, 26 kilometres from Ljubljana. It serves scheduled and charter flights to and from most of European capitals. Cheap flights to Slovenia are offered by the budget airline Easyjet, from London Stansted. Ljubljana is also close to several other airports served by various budget airlines such as Klagenfurt, Trieste, Venice or Rijeka.

Check out what's going on in Ljubljana on its official website at http://www.visitljubljana.si/.

Despite the gloom, Ryanair sees good times ahead

2009-02-06T02:04:00.000-08:00

Amid all the economic pessimism of a credit crunch that has now turned into a worldwide recession, and a week that has seen airports close due to heavy snow, it is heartening to hear that Europe’s biggest discount airline, Ryanair are regarding 2009 with optimism. Ryanair have raised their profit forecast for 2009 due to the falling price of oil and believe that their net income over the following year will total somewhere between 50 million euros and 80 million euros, meaning that the Dublin-based company will break even this year.

“Ryanair is going to emerge from the current downturn in the industry within an even stronger position,” said John Mattimoe, analyst at Merrion Capital in Dublin, “It’s the only company that’s committed to growing and it will be able to use it’s strengths.”

The International Air Transport Association has predicted that passenger volumes will fall by 3 percent in 2009 due to the global recession, and that airlines worldwide will most likely have combined losses of some $2.5 billion, but Ryanair is hoping to counteract this falling demand for air travel by attracting passengers with its temptingly low fares.

In times of recession and cut back, some of the first industries to be hit are those offering goods and services that are generally regarded as non-essential, so one might expect some reduction in the demand for holidays. However my contacts in the travel industry say that they have not noticed any significant decline in demand yet. It may well be that the one thing people do need in difficult times is a holiday to blow the cobwebs away, and companies offering budget travel and holidays could be the ones to do well in periods when people are looking to save money. Not only that, but business travellers may well be looking to the cheaper airlines to get them where they want to be.

2009 could well be rosy for the budget travel industry in general.

Flying To Malta?

2009-01-16T03:25:00.000-08:00

ConciergeMalta is a privately owned site managed by an experienced Concierge who currently works in one of the leading 5 Star Hotels on the Island.

Using his experience in dealing with clients, James Gauci Borda has decide to now offer his knowledge of things to do and see in Malta to a much wider audience through this website.

ConciergeMalta basically offers the quality of concierge service you would expect from a hotel but online instead, providing vast experience for all your travel needs in Malta.

The story of the season: flight cancelled for safety reasons - shock, horror

2009-01-07T14:08:00.000-08:00

So that’s the Festive Season over with, snow is on its way, and it’s time to think of holidays. Happy New Year!

The big aviation story over the Christmas period was all about a group of children on their way to see Santa at Rovaniemi in northern Finland just before Christmas. Rovaniemi is in that part of northern Finland that forms part of Lapland, though any self-respecting Sami will tell you that the word Lapp is pejorative and that the area, that spans northern Norway, Sweden, Finland and part of Russia, is in fact Sameland. But I digress.

The big story of the day was that these children, their families, parents, grandparents, Uncle Tom Cobbley and all, had gone to Manchester Airport at the crack of dawn in a state of excitement to see Father Christmas, who purportedly resides in Sameland, despite the fact of his origins being those of St Nicholas of Myra in Turkey. Well anyway, after some waiting around it turned out that the flight was cancelled, as the pilot was concerned that the weather conditions at Rovaniemi would not be conducive to a safe landing.

When the story the was taken up by the media you could not turn on the TV, go to a newspaper’s website, or turn on the radio without being regaled with a tale of woe about how cruelly disappointed these dear children were, with the newsreel being repeatedly re-played, with airport scenes of distraught parents - so distraught in fact that the police had to be called in before they attacked staff members. Oddly, it was the parents that appeared to be terribly upset, while the children appeared stoic.

In all the drama, it didn’t seem to occur to any of the journos, parents and the like, that it is better to be disappointed and alive, than on your way to see Santa and risking a tricky landing.

Pilots have to make loads of decisions about safety, and it is important that airlines put safety above all else, something that the grown-ups who were weeping and wailing at the airport, and the media frenzy that followed them, might remember.

The Great Escape at Christmas

2008-12-19T04:11:00.000-08:00

For those living in northern Europe, it is becoming an increasingly popular trend to escape the winter cold and the Christmas excesses, by heading instead to warmer climes for Christmas. What better way to enjoy the winter break than by relaxing in the sun, leaving behind the manic shopping, cooking, endless guests, and the snow and ice that you almost break your leg on as you try to get round all the Christmas parties?

Although the resorts of some popular holiday locations such as Greece and Turkey tend to shut down over the winter period, locations such as the Costa del Sol, the Canaries, or North Africa are ideal at this time of year, and a look through the search engines of the main holiday sites can turn up some very good deals. You could even head for the warmth of Goa, or the Caribbean.

You might think that Christmas Day itself would be the one of the days of the year that you would not consider flying, but booking a flight on this day does turn up some rather good bargains. Flights for the 23rd and 24th of December get booked up well in advance, and because of the demand, air tickets and holidays leaving on these days tend to sell at pretty steep prices. So if you want to get a real holiday or flight bargain, take a look at flights departing on Christmas Day itself.

In terms of holidays, I once bagged a magnificent two-week half-board holiday at a beautiful four star hotel on the Costa del Sol at an utterly knockdown price because the departure flight was on Christmas Day. Not only that, but the travel agent phoned us back with a further discount when it was realised that we would get in just too late for the Christmas Day Gala Dinner in the evening. In actual fact, when we arrived, a lovely welcoming dinner for just the two of us was laid out and waiting for us in the dining room. And we didn't miss out on the experience of a great Gala Dinner either, as included in the holiday cost was the superb celebratory of many courses for New Year’s Eve, along with preprandial drinks, champagne and goody bags.

So if the endless Christmas preparations along with the cold are wearing you out this year, think about a great escape for Christmas 2009.

Airport Focus: London City Airport

2008-12-04T11:40:00.000-08:00

Situated in the former East London dockland area, London City Airport is a single runway airport which enjoys the status of being the only airport that is actually within London, and is the closest private jet centre to central London. Not only that, but London City Airport is a mere two miles from the site of the 2012 Olympic Games, which will give it great importance around the time of the next Summer Olympics. The airport is but three miles from Canary Wharf, six miles from the bustling financial City of London, and passengers travelling to and from the airport can enjoy fast transfers on the Docklands Light Railway, with a journey time of just 22 minutes to Bank Tube Station in the heart of the City.

With neat credentials such as these, it’s not surprising that London City Airport experienced record growth last year, with over 2.9 million passengers travelling through the terminal.

With its proximity to the financial district, and obvious convenience for those involved in finance, the airport gets considerable support from the business community. The ease of use of the airport is made even more so with faster check-in times than any other London airport.

Next year British Airways will launch from here its first business-class only transatlantic service to New York on the Airbus A318, which will be the first ever transatlantic scheduled flight from the airport.

London City Airport has recently made available throughout the whole of the terminal area free WiFi for all its passengers, and is the first airport in the UK to offer this service.

So from former dockland area to well-located airport, London City Airport is continuing the tradition of international links to East London.

Thai protest closes Bangkok airports

2008-11-29T15:06:00.000-08:00

If you are on holiday in Thailand at the moment, you have probably realised that you are going to have some difficulty leaving the country. Yesterday the Thai riot police were on the run from their checkpoint outside Bangkok’s international airport when they were seen off by several hundred anti-government protesters.

On Friday 2,000 riot police had been deployed all around the airport, and it was suggested that they were going to evict the members of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), who have occupied the terminal since Tuesday. The occupation has forced the cancellation of all flights, leading to turmoil and uncertainty for travellers in and out of Thailand.

An estimated 2,000 protesters have barricaded themselves into Suvarnabhumi airport and Bangkok's second airport, Don Muang, singing songs, waving flags, young and old, highly critical of the Thai government, but filled with loyalty for the Thai Royal Family.

Meanwhile, thousands of stranded passengers have been put up in hotels, waiting for the standoff to end.

Some travellers have been taken on buses from the resort town of Pattaya to the Vietnamese naval airbase of U-Tapao, which is south of Bangkok, and more than 60 flights have taken off from there.

In the light of the fact that the police have not been able to evict the demonstrators, the Thai prime minister has now sacked the police chief, Pacharawat Wongsuwan.

The PAD protesters, wearing hard hats and goggles, and armed with iron bars, are manning the barricade that they have built on the approach road to the airport.

Indicative of the popular nature of this uprising, the prime minister tried to reassure people in a national address on Friday that the airports would be cleared peacefully. “Don't worry,” he said. “Officials will use gentle measures to deal with them.”

Interestingly, cheap flights are still being offered to Bangkok - but probably by the time you have booked, all this will have blown over. Meanwhile, if you are stuck in Thailand, drop us a comment and let us know how things are.

Alitalia strike to save jobs and routes stops flights

2008-11-16T01:42:00.000-08:00

It has been a tough week so far for people booked to fly with Alitalia, as Monday’s strike led to interminable queues, delays, and cancellations at Italian airports, because the strike had forced the carrier to cancel dozens of flights. The strike is in opposition to management’s plan to cut routes and jobs.

The long lines at Alitalia check-in counters at Rome’s Leonardo da Vinci Airport stretched almost to 100 metres as the terminal struggled with a backlog of hundreds of passengers who had spent the night sleeping on the floor or in chairs after their flights were cancelled due to the strike on Monday.

Some angry travelers even had to be calmed down by police as tempers grew, and ground staff started to feel unsafe.

Alitalia said that a total of 124 flights had been cancelled on Tuesday as a result of the Monday strike itself, and also because of work-to-rule action afterwards.

Some 200 Alitalia flight attendants and pilots staged a wildcat strike on Monday, blocking the crew entrance at Leonardo da Vinci and preventing staff wanting to fly from entering the terminal.

About forty flights in and out of Rome and Milan were cancelled on Saturday and further delays are expected next week.

The airline, which is 49.9 percent state-owned, is currently losing some three million euros (3.8 million dollars) a day.

Skiing in Bulgaria

2008-11-10T06:41:00.001-08:00

Bulgaria is a perfect place for skiing and snowboarding, it is well suited for beginners and there are some cheap skiing holidays to be found. The ski resorts in Bulgaria are some of the most modern in Europe and are very well equipped with good ski schools and facilities.

Basically, there are three main ski resorts in Bulgaria known as Borovets, Pamporovo and Bansko. Borovets is the largest and also the most developed, making it ideal for beginners and mixed ability groups. Pamporovo is a sunny ski resort situated at the foot of the Snezhanka Mountain with an outstanding ski school and a great lift system, whilst Bansko is situated in the Pirin mountain region and is growing in popularity having previously been championed by Bulgarians skiers for years.

For affordable ski holidays and summer breaks in the mountain resorts of Borovets and Bansko, why not visit Spirit holiday rentals which specialise in Innovative skiing holiday experiences including ski packages in Borovets and ski packages in Bansko. They have apartments situated very close to resort centres, and only a short walk from gondolas, bars, restaurants and shops.

Embraer use London City for trials

2008-11-09T00:40:00.000-08:00

It seems that Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer has scheduled a number of flight trials for its new E-190 aircraft at bustling gateway London City Airport, which is right next to the Canary Wharf business district. The reason for this choice is that London City is regarded as an ideal place for Embraer to secure the steep approach certification, because all inbound flights to the airport must perform a 5.5 degree approach, and manufacturers legally have to demonstrate up to 7.5 degree capability.

London City Airport is the UK’s leading business airport with ten airlines serving 32 destinations across the UK and Europe, and connections to the rest of the world through the major European hubs.

Embraer is seeking to have two of its four-member E-Jet family certified for use at London City, and one of its models, the E-170, received approval from the gateway last summer.

With its versatile cabin layout and “big jet” feel, the Embraer 190 is the ideal model for replacing older 100-seat aircraft, and offers lower operating costs and an impressive mission performance.

Embraer spokesman Luiz Fuchs says, “The Embraer 190 will be certified [for London City operations] by the end of next year, in the last quarter of 2009.” The Embraer 190 will be put through intensive trials including take-offs, landings and manoeuvring.

When it comes to proving that your new aircraft can handle those steep angles, London City Airport offers aircraft manufacturers the right environment to show what a plane can do.

Where do you fly to, my lovely?

2008-10-29T10:59:00.000-07:00

The jet-set were immortalised in the 1969 song by Peter Sarstedt, “Where do you go to, my lovely?”, about a wealthy young lady named Marie-Claire who led a wonderful life, mixed with famous people, and was based in Paris when she wasn’t flying around the world to see her friends – “the jet-set”. The final verse in fact reveals the irony that Marie-Claire came from poverty in Naples. So who were the jet-set? Did they ever exist? Where have they gone to?

It is said that the term jet-set was originally used by journalist Igor Cassini to describe an international group of wealthy people who could travel around the world to different social events that were beyond the reach of most ordinary people.

It was in the 1950’s that jet passenger services became available, with BOAC launching the world’s first ever commercial jet service between London and New York, and because of the expense flights were only really available to the well-off. Soon Paris, Rome, Los Angeles, Bermuda and the south of France were on the jet-set circuit, allowing the wealthy to enjoy a very international social life, very much in the fashion of those portrayed in Federico Fellini’s movie “La Dolce Vita”.

However, from the 1960’s budget package holidays started to become available, and were well within the reach of a more affluent general population. So travelling by jet plane was no longer the preserve of the well-heeled. However, travel for the masses tended to be by package holiday charter plane, with scheduled flights, especially long haul, still being a major outlay to most people.

From the seventies however a new breed of jet-set emerged in the form of intrepid backpackers who travelled long haul, and to places such as India and Thailand that had been a bit of the beaten track for most travellers. Budget travel trips lasting a few months remain ever popular, and a member of the contemporary jet-set is now as likely to be somebody in jeans with a rucksack, as somebody in a fur coat. Let’s hope that rising fuel costs don’t completely put paid to this.

Fine fayre above the clouds

2008-10-21T10:11:00.000-07:00

The thought of an airline meal tends to summon up images of a plastic carton of food that has just been in the microwave. So, does it get any better than this? Well, the answer is it can do if you fly first class, and you choose your airline carefully.

A recent survey into airline meals eaten in first class reported by AOL Travel found Gulf Air to be offering the most top notch repast, which may be something to do with the fact that each plane has a chef on board. The in-flight chef produces dishes such as honey glazed quail on a sweet potato cake, or Arabic spiced veal ragout!

In second place is Cathay Pacific, where the food preparation is completed on board with rice cookers, skillets and toasters which are used to complete a breathtaking variety of Chinese and Western dishes. In first class they also have a fridge where you can help yourself to top quality sandwiches, and other yummy snacks. A great way to pass the time in the air.

In third place was Singapore Airlines with its choice of two types of champagne - Dom Perignon, or Krug. Some of the dishes available recently have been Korean style eel fillet, Wagyu beef and spicy chicken satay. This very excellent food is served on Givenchy china, and you can wash it all down with a gourmet coffee afterwards.

In fourth place is Qantas who serve tasty caviar before every meal in first class. This is followed by no less than eight courses, including such fantastic delights as shiitake wontons, grilled lamb cutlets in olive sauce, and quince tart with thick cream.

So, be prepared to eat well if you choose to travel in style.

The best of Spain

2008-10-21T04:19:00.000-07:00

A criticism I often here levelled at the idea of a holiday in Spain is that they lack any kind of cultural experience and rarely offer travellers an insight into the real Spain beyond bucket and spade package holidays, crowded beaches and cheap Sangria.

However, if you dig deep enough you will discover that there is much more to discover. Fiesta Bonita is the ultimate Spanish experience not to be missed on the Costa del Sol. It is bridging the gap between tourists and true Spanish fiesta enabling them to experience authentic Spain.

Founded by a small team with over 40 years experience in the leisure and travel industry, the fiesta Bonita concept was conceived through their united passion for all things great in Spain including Flamenco - a passionate art form and a mysterious and misunderstood culture that has been burning in Andalucía for hundreds of years.

This exciting firm promises customers a traditional view of Spain, beginning with a journey through the rolling hills amid stunning scenery, to a secret country location. From there, you will be stunned at the views and overwhelmed by the wonderful cortijo complete with a mini bullring where a flamenco horse show takes place. Following a taste of local wines, cocktails and traditional cuisine, a two part flamenco show will give visitors the opportunity to learn to dance and enjoy an authentic Spanish party in its true environment.

Ways of preventing jet lag

2008-10-12T12:44:00.000-07:00

An example of how much our bodies are attuned to the Circadian rhythm is shown by the fact that research into the design of space stations has found that altering the lighting to mimic the daily cycle of light and dark, helps astronauts to adapt more easily to being up in space and away from the earth.

So is there anything at all that you can do to prevent jet lag? Well, some of the symptoms of jet lag can actually be caused by dehydration, so be sure to drink plenty of water when you are in the air. Also try not to overdo the coffee and alcohol over the course of long haul, as both of these dehydrate the body. I must admit though that this is easier said than done.

Another tip is that before your journey you start to try and think in terms of the time at your destination, and get earlier or later nights as necessary, in order to match the cycle of day and night at the place you are travelling to. However this idea may not be terribly feasible if you have a busy work schedule to keep to right up to the point of departure.

If you do end up getting jet lag, you will probably find that while you are trying to adapt to the new time zone at your destination you are feeling lively and awake when everyone else is going to bed, and that you are exhausted and sleepy when everyone else is getting up and going to work. Try to counteract this by taking some modest exercise, such as walking, during the day, as this will help you to sleep that bit better at night. Try to rest when you are fatigued, and bear in mind that after a few days you will be fully adapted to your new daily rhythm.

What causes jet lag?

2008-10-05T02:52:00.000-07:00

If you’ve ever suffered from jet lag you’ll know about it, as the thrill of arrival at your final destination is tainted by symptoms ranging from a very obvious fatigue and disruption of sleep patterns, to slight nausea, headache, disorientation, feeling groggy, irritable and even mildly depressed. Some people seem to be able to fly long distances and not feel too bad, while others can’t settle down in their new environment for a number of days.

So what causes all this? One of the reasons for jet lag is that your Circadian rhythm has been disrupted. This is your natural bodily rhythm that attunes itself to day and night, light and dark, making you wake up at a certain time in the morning, and start to feel sleepy in the evening. Anyway, when you travel across a number of time zones, your body clock is out of synchrony with the time at your destination, so that when you finally arrive your Circadian rhythm is most likely still working according to the time at the place you departed from, not according to your place of arrival.

So if you do get jet lag, how long will it last? A good rule of thumb is that it will last approximately one day for each time zone crossed, so if you fly from the UK to Japan, you might expect to have your Circadian rhythm disrupted for around nine days, whereas if you flew from London to New York, you might only feel this sense of disruption for five days.

But there is one odd quirk, it is said that jet lag is worse when you fly from west to east, rather than the other way round.

In my next post, I will talk about some ways of alleviating jet lag.

Computer systems at Swanwick to blame for flight delays

2008-09-25T12:24:00.001-07:00

Flights today have been cancelled and hundreds more delayed, at airports in the south-east of England, due to a problem with computer systems at Britain’s main air traffic control centre at Swanwick. Between 4.00 pm and 4.30 pm no flights were able to leave from the London airports of Heathrow, Gatwick, Luton and Stansted. This led to a backlog of around thirty planes at Heathrow, which is one of the busiest airports in the world.

It seems that the Swanwick centre of National Air Traffic Services (NATS) suffered a computer failure that meant that the planes at high altitudes could not be properly monitored. The effects of this awkward glitch are now spreading around the UK and Europe.

A spokeswoman at Luton Airport said, “We are suffering delays due to the restrictions placed on flights by NATS”.

Swanwick cost some £620 million, and was actually completed six years behind schedule. Today is not the first time that the centre has suffered problems - after opening back in 2002 the centre was beset with a number of computer problems, suffering three failures in as many months. Swanwick was built by private companies, amidst the controversy that accompanied the privatisation of NATS, when it was sold off to an airline consortium which included British Airways and Virgin.

Amidst problems for the airline industry with rising fuel costs, and companies going bust, the last thing that both passengers and the industry need is problems with air traffic control leading to delays and cancellations.

Why waiting for your plane is time to chill out

2008-09-22T06:50:00.000-07:00

Packing and getting ready to go away on holiday, despite the excitement and anticipation, always feels like such a rush – or at least it does to me. Packing is not one of my great loves. So as soon as I get to the airport, check in, get rid of that suitcase, go through security, and arrive in the departure lounge, I am all ready to just head for a bar or a cafe for a bit of well-earned relaxation, while waiting for the flight to be called.

However some airports have even more facilities for chilling out than just coffee, beer or bookshops. At the Hong Kong International Airport you can get a massage, including a wonderfully relaxing foot massage. Or if you like to have a soak to wash away all the travel cares, Nagoya Airport in Japan has the only bathhouse where you can watch planes take off and land from a hot tub.

Vancouver Airport has pods that you can go to sleep in, and several spa points across the airport where you can get massages and facials. A lot of airports are now offering massage chairs, where you just put a coin into the slot, sit back and relax, while the chair gently pummels your back.

At the Newark Liberty International Airport you can have not just manicures, but also pedicures. There are also hair salons where you can even while away some of the time by having your hair cut, permed or coloured.

Recently, as part of a special promotion, massage and holistic therapy was laid on for travellers at the Doncaster Sheffield Robin Hood Airport.

It seems that the European airports have got a bit of catching up to do in terms of providing great relaxation facilities for their passengers, but the Robin Hood Airport seems to be making a start.

Faro Airport

2008-09-18T05:07:00.001-07:00

Flights to Faro Airport are very important to the tourism industry in Portugal. Cheap flights to Faro carry millions of holidaymakers each year to popular Algarve resorts like Albufeira, Portimao, Vale Do Lobo and Vilamoura.

Extraordinarily, the growth of charter and low-cost flights means there are currently over 10 airlines that offer flights to Faro from dozens of airports in the UK.

An extremely busy airport in the height of summer, Faro benefits from the fantastic year round climate of the Algarve. Of course, for the best deals it is best to book well in advance, and some of the best deals are to be found in late autumn and early spring.

It is well worth considering a holiday in the Algarve with some fantastic flight deals around. If you are still undecided, then just consider the long stretches of golden sandy beaches, brilliant blue waters and year round sunshine and you are sure to be convinced.

Vietnam Flights

2008-09-18T03:41:00.000-07:00

Vietnam is easily one of the most charming destinations in Asia with a host of magnificent beaches, beautiful rivers and exotic cities. With tranquil river life and bustling cities, Vietnam really has a lot to offer for nay tourist. Despite the fact that Vietnam tourism is on the increase – around 3.5 million foreign tourists visited in 2006, an increase of 3.7% from 2005 – there are currently no direct flights to Vietnam from the UK. Instead, travellers will need to go via Bangkok, Singapore, Tokyo or Taipei.

Airlines offering flights from the UK include British Airways, Air France, Qantas, Thai Airways, Cathay Pacific, KLM and China Airlines. All of which will fly into one of Vietnams three international airports, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang Hanoi Noi Bai.

The peak season for tourism is July and August, although it is also busy from November to April. In the off-season, such as from April to June and September to November, it can be cheaper to fly to Vietnam depending on your destination.

A good choice is the Vietnam Budgeted Tours Website, which provides what budget travellers want such as Vietnam Budget Tours, discount tours, Sapa treks, halong cruises with unbelievable low rates, discount hotels in Vietnam and backpacker's tours.

XL suspends all flights

2008-09-13T06:39:00.000-07:00

Amidst recent concerns that airlines are in for a tough time due to rising fuel costs and the economic downturn, the news broke yesterday that XL, the UK’s third largest tour operator, has collapsed, leaving some 85,000 holidaymakers stranded and waiting for alternative flights, and around 10,000 passengers having to find their own way home. The company flies to about 50 destinations.

XL Leisure Group had to call in the administrators in the early hours of yesterday morning, as last minute talks with financial backers were not successful. The fleet of planes were grounded, and XL Chief Executive Phil Wyatt said he was “totally devastated” by the collapse, in an announcement that showed him close to tears.

Most of the stranded holidaymakers are in the US, the Caribbean and Europe, but the Civil Aviation Authority is chartering planes to get them home, because they are protected by ATOL, a fund that all UK tour operators are obliged to pay into.

There has now been pressure from the tour industry that the government impose a £1 rescue levy on all airline tickets, because 10,000 of the holidaymakers will not receive any compensation or alternative flight home, as they are not covered by the industry compensation scheme. They are not covered because they do not actually have a holiday package, and booked flights only with XL’s charter subsidiary XL Airlines.

Not only is there concern about those who are currently stranded, but also for the 200,000 who had bookings to fly with XL, and staff who now face job losses.

It certainly seems to be turbulent times for the air industry.

Tips for surviving long haul

2008-09-06T04:42:00.000-07:00

It’s one thing to go on a short hop, but a long haul flight of, say, twelve hours, presents completely different challenges. So, having been on rather too many long haul flights myself, I have put together a few tips to help you survive the long haul.

1. Dress comfortably! You are going to spend a long time in one set of clothes, so make sure that they are not too tight. The low air pressure in the cabin during flight tends to make your body swell a bit, so avoid tight waistbands and the like. You might like to slip off your shoes too. Have plenty of layers so that you can be cool if it’s hot, and warm if the cabin is cold – they often tend to be! You also find that your body temperature drops when you are sleeping.

2. Drink loads of water to keep yourself hydrated – the cabin air is very dry, and tends to slowly dry you out. After I have checked in, I usually go and buy a couple of big bottles of water, and drink these over the course of the flight.

3. Go steady on the alcohol. OK, having a few is a great way to pass a bit of a boring time, but one alcoholic drink on a plane is supposed to be the equivalent of two on the ground.

4. Try to exercise. Usually on long haul, once the meal is out of the way, the cabin staff are fairly liberal about letting the passengers walk about the plane a bit. Also, try leg exercises with your shoes off, such as wiggling your foot around so that your toe goes in a circle. Walking and exercises will make you less prone to deep vein thrombosis. If your plane has any stopovers, make sure you do plenty of walking about the airport – don’t just sit it out in a bar or café!

Follow these guidelines and you should be well on the way to a happy and healthy flight. Bon voyage!

Zoom Airlines - all flights are suspended

2008-08-28T14:38:00.000-07:00

UK-Canadian owned Zoom Airlines, who describe themselves as the "Low Fare Leader Across the Atlantic", have suspended all flights from today, and are now applying to go into administration. The thousands of passengers who were due to fly with them have been told to rebook with other carriers, and to contact their credit or debit card companies to see about a refund.

Zoom blames its misfortunes on the price of jet fuel, which had increased their annual fuel bills by a whopping £27 million.

Zoom has been in business for seven years, and employs 260 staff in the UK, and 450 staff in Canada. Zoom flew from Gatwick, Glasgow, Manchester, Cardiff, Belfast, Paris and Rome. As well as flying to eight destinations in Canada, it flew to New York, San Diego, Fort Lauderdale and Bermuda.

BA and Virgin Atlantic are reported to be offering special fares to passengers who have been let down.

Zoom’s founders, Hugh and John Boyle, have apologised profusely to passengers, explaining that, although Zoom apparently had some financing in place, the creditors still stepped in to seize one of the planes, which then left no alternative but to go into administration.

There have been fears recently that rising fuel costs, along with a possible decrease in demand due to the credit crunch, could take its toll on the airline industry. However, some in the travel industry report that a summer of rain in the UK has kept demand for holidays and flights fairly high over the summer, especially as there are plenty of cheap holiday flights available online.

At times like these it is more important than ever to keep up on the latest news for cheap airfares and hotel deals. For promotional codes, special discounts and offers, sign up to flyairfares.com.

Picture this: inflight meals

2008-08-24T05:56:00.000-07:00

Inflight meals, love ‘em or hate ‘em, they certainly tend to break the monotony of a long flight, and I have to admit, having flown with a number of different airlines, I have never really had a bad one.

For a short hop, the meal might be just a continental breakfast, or a beverage and a sandwich, but the meals are a bit more elaborate and numerous where long-haul is involved, with lunches and dinners being simple three course meals, usually served with the option of wine.

When you are wondering which airline to travel with, food and catering may well be a factor, and there is actually a way to see what your meals will be like in advance, as there now seems to be a trend for people to photograph their meals, (prior to eating), and post the images up on the web. Try searching for “inflight meals” on Flickr, or alternatively, take a look at the specialist site airlinemeals.net who have a comprehensive list of photographs of airline meals, complete with rankings and comments that you can search by airline. You can see the lovely cheeses, croissants and yoghurts of Air France, the delightful sushi of JAL, and all the other airlines’ offerings.

Preparing and delivering meals, beverages and snacks to airlines is a big business, and some of the companies that undertake this are Servair, LSG Sky Chefs, and Gate Gourmet. Some airlines even hire celebrity chefs to plan menus for them, which also helps to promote the airline.

So, if you feel like taking a photo of your meal when you are above the clouds, I look forward to seeing it online.

Connecting the Heart of the Midlands with the Gateway to Asia

2008-08-16T09:45:00.000-07:00

If you are a big fan of Turkey, and you live in the Midlands, (and by that I mean the Midlands of England), then here is a bit of good news: this year Turkish Airlines are launching the first direct scheduled service from Birmingham to Istanbul.

The flight will be operating from Birmingham Airport from December 15th, initially on a basis of five flights per week, and this will hopefully grow to daily services by the summer of 2009, carrying some 30,000 passengers a year.

Passengers will be able to travel onwards with Turkish Airlines from Istanbul to a choice of 33 domestic Turkish destinations, such as Dalaman or Izmir, and 108 international destinations, such as Hong Kong or Johannesburg.

Turkish Airlines is one of Europe’s major flag carriers, and is also a member of the Star Alliance, along with airlines such as Lufthansa, bmi and Singapore Airlines.

Istanbul has some fabulous attractions, such as the Hagia Sophia Cathedral, Topkapi Palace, and a number of very old and artistically styled Turkish baths. Turkish Airlines even offer a free Istanbul tour for transfer passengers, so even if you will not be staying in this magnificent city, you will at least get a chance to see it.

It is great to think that if you live in and around Birmingham it is now just a relatively short hop to Istanbul, and the new flight will no doubt attract people looking for a city break, as well as providing a convenient connection between these two vital centres for business travellers.

Flying into the dragon's mouth - Kai Tak Airport, Hong Kong

2008-08-09T12:03:00.000-07:00

I once heard somebody say that to land at Kai Tak Airport, Hong Kong, is like flying into the mouth of a giant dragon. With mountains and skyscrapers so close to it, necessitating a very steep descent, this is exactly what it feels like.

Kai Tak Airport, until 1998, was Hong Kong International Airport, and I landed there twice, both times being amazing experiences. As you make the sharp descent, the plane weaves around tall buildings, and you can almost see into people’s apartments. The plane seems to strain as it eases its way around the buildings, heading for the airport’s only runway, which stretches out into the South China Sea. As the plane touches down, you get that mild rush of adrenalin that landing always gives, and then you look out of the window and see traditional Chinese junks in Hong Kong Harbor, giving you no doubt about where you are. But then as the plane finally grinds to a halt after landing, and wheels round to taxi, you hear a clear and unanimous gasp from the passengers, as they look out, and realise that they are at the very end of the runway, and that they are looking out to sea, a sea which seems very close.

Now the international flights that come into Hong Kong land at the new Hong Kong International Airport on the island Chek Lap Kok, which is no doubt easier for pilots and air traffic controllers, but will probably never quite match the excitement of landing at Kai Tak.

Stormy weather ahead? - Flights, fares and the economy

2008-08-01T10:03:00.000-07:00

The chief executive of British Airways, Willie Walsh, expressed concern today that rising fuel costs, in combination with low consumer confidence, could be about to take its toll on the airline industry. The downturn in the economy has already put twenty-five airlines out of business this year, including the business carrier Silverjet, based out of Luton.

So just as we have all got used to cheaper airfares, are prices about to dramatically rise?

BA will be cutting some of its flights, no doubt raising questions about the need for a third runway at Heathrow. BA will also apparently be raising fares by about 4 per cent.

Earlier in the week Ryanair were being a little pessimistic, with Michael O’Leary saying that fares were probably going to rise by 5 per cent.

Back in June of this year, EasyJet said that its costs had risen by £4 per customer due to the increased cost of fuel.

So, is it really all doom and gloom?

Well looking at it in terms of profits, Ryanair have had a 20 percent rise in net profit, earlier in the summer BA celebrated record pre-tax profits of £883 million, and EasyJet are expected to make a full-year profit of £150 million.

The major airlines could well be in a good position to economically survive the sudden increase in fuel prices, due to their fuel hedging strategies of buying fuel in advance at a fixed price. BA has bought about two-thirds of its fuel at $86 a barrel until March 2009.

So let’s hope that the air industry will successfully ride out the current economic storm, and that consumers won’t be finding airfares to be out of reach.

Welcome to Life Above the Clouds!

2008-07-25T03:55:00.000-07:00

Thank goodness for the Wright brothers! For it was they who designed and built the world’s first practical fixed-wing aircraft, which proved to be the prototype for the planes that we know and love today. Orville and Wilbur Wright successfully took to the air in 1903, and since then, with ever improving technology, aircraft have developed from precarious flying machines into the jet engine powered planes of today that take us on short holiday hops to nearby countries, or around the world on long haul.

Thanks to planes, by the end of the sixties reasonably priced package holidays abroad had become a reality for most people in the UK, and once-popular British seaside resorts went into a serious decline as a result. By the seventies and eighties long-haul flights to the USA, Asia and Australia were no longer the preserve of the well-heeled, and increasing numbers of people started to consider travel further afield.

Now it is possible to fly non-stop from the UK to the Far East, and flight is becoming a little greener with the introduction of planes such as the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, which will use 20% less fuel than similar sized planes.

In Life Above the Clouds I will be blogging about flying, flights, flight destinations, airports, airplanes, new flight routes, bargain flights, cheap flights, business flights, luxury flights, security, most popular routes, and anything else that springs to mind in terms of being in the air in the pursuit of hot destinations.