First Bio-Fuel Jet Manages Atlantic Flight

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

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!

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!

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

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

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

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!