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    Business Travel & Family Travel & Travel Places   2010/02/06

    Airport Security is no joke - its not sexy either…

    In the past few months airport security has become hell.  Especially “thanks” to the Nigerian terrorist, airport security has yet again taken a step up in its approach and now we are all considered as danger to society, and been treated as such.

    The effect of the Nigerian Terrorist

    My main concerns relate to the following main issues:

    1) Travellers spend longer time while queuing for security lines.

    2) The fact that all travellers need much longer connecting times at airports.

    Those lines don’t get any sexier, at first it was belts then shoes, and now (take a look)What you see is what you get - not sexy 

    3) New Advanced Technology “Revealing Secrets”; to all my friends who have “something to hide”; talking to you Lior&  Dudi, who just returned from Thailand - reason can be seen in the screen bellow:

    Dudi walks into a new security machine

     

     Dudi - shame on you...

     

    4) Holiday destination; Travellers decide on a destination in a new manner:

     Travel destination according to?

    So, take a deep breath, flying is not going to get any easier, so i suggest hitchhiking.

     Hitch-hiking

    Have a safe trip and before you go on one, go buy a new set of cloths according to the new “regulations” your old ones may not be returned…The New D&G shop

    The things they find will not sure be returnedThe new D&G shop

    Business Travel & Online booking sites & Travel Agents - Info & Updates   2009/10/25

    Replacing Travel Agents? Nops; just duplicating them…

    I have met a cool start up with a very nice application which will duplicate travel agents and will learn their behaviour.  My first question was; are you looking to replace the agents? their answer was no no no, we are looking to empower them by giving them the ability to work 24/7 using their know how and by that allowing them to duplicate / multiply their workforce and work load.

    In simple words, this is how Eva works using NLP - Natural Language Processing.

    The clients will send simple text email;

    “Dear Reem, i would like to fly with my wife; Shelley next Monday from NYC to LON and back after 3 days, i would need a hotel 4 starts in the city centre with 1 double bed, gym and parking as we need a car rental mid size automatic”.

    Eva knows how to read this text and actually turn it into a booking !!! 

    I have seen it, it rocks - so far in closed Beta mode as they seek funds - Good luck, its not easy these days, but i see great potential in such system.

    Airlines & Business Travel   2009/05/20

    BA to fly direct London to Las Vegas - are the casinos subsidizing seats?

    British Airways will launch a direct flight from London Heathrow to Las Vegas starting October 2009.

    The BA daily flight will offer full service of 3 classes; including the flat beds.

    I just read that Mr. Richard Thams, BA Head of UK Sales said; “Despite the difficult global economic conditions, Las Vegas represents new business and growth opportunities for BA”

    I love the way they think; “bad economic” we all hear and read that casino businesses are doing better than ever (probably more leisure / free time).  So now they are bribing higher class clients to fly into Vegas - until now only Low Cost Airlines used this method, its time BA learn a trick or two in the trade.

    Enjoy Vegas

    Airlines & Business Travel & Family Travel & Places I love   2009/05/11

    If you get sick with “flying Pigs” what will insurance help you?

    I wonder how come the insurance providers have seen a rise of 300% in sales since the Swine Flu.

    Do people who travel to infected zones really believe that the insurance policy will help them survive it…

    Get real, travel to Mexico only if really needed, why not postponed the trip by a couple of weeks until you see whats happening?!

    Airlines & Business Travel & Family Travel & Places I love   2009/05/09

    Chinese Travel Police - back to the old days…

    Who said the old China is over?

    I recently read in the Travel Daily News that the Chinese government has decided to intervene in the travel regulations and habits of the Chinese People.  Who will suffer? the people of course.

    Some operators have found the old system where you bring a group for shopping and enjoy lower prices, moreover, from vast experience I can say - when you have a group going shopping the shops will be subsidizing your tours / hotels / buses etc which means tour operators can under cut market prices of tours and become attractive price wise.

    Whats this different from Ryanair or EasyJet or any other  low cost airline which is subsidized by the local city of arrival just to bring over as many tourists as possible?

    Is it any different from the free nights you get if you come for a 1 hour speech about the hotel time share scheme?

    Would you go on a tour if you know that its subsadized by a shop and you will be taken there as part of your tour?

    Airlines & Business Travel & Family Travel & Low Cost Airlines & Online booking sites   2009/05/05

    The first airline to allow “Book an option to purchase”

    Whats the major difference between buying online and buying through a travel agent?

    When you go online you buy what you see on the spot; i.e. instant purchase, you insert your credit card and you guarantee the price you see.

    The process with the travel agent is more like a stock option - you buy an option to purchase, usually 24 hours before you need to purchase (issue ticket) actually, its best valid until same day 23:59 (its a system issue, dont ask why…)

    ClickAir, the Spanish Low Cost Airline, has come up with a new feature; come online; freeze your price, and you have it for 24-72 hours.  They believe this will allow users to better plan their holidays and will increase sales on ClickAir.

    Moreover, I see the synergy between such a tool and social networks when you wish to plan your vacation with more friends, this is “must be” widget on facebook and others.

    Alex Cruz CEO of ClickAir whom I met in person a few times is an amazing person, and he is always ahead of others - good on you mate.

    Airlines & Business Travel & Travel Agents - Info & Updates & Travel Places   2009/05/02

    There is still a way to fly Business class for low fare

    I recently flew Royal Jordanian, yes yes, I flew coach for all of you who really wanted to know…

    But at the airport I found a simple and relatively cheap way to up grade myself to business class; $300 upgrade for an 8 hours flight is a low price.

    So i found myself sitting in an amazing Royal Jordanian business / first class sleeping bed all the way from Amman to Colombo (Sri Lanka) - and it was worth every penny.

    Moreover, since in Muslim countries the ladies (married and single as far as I know) can not serve men, the air stewardess where Asians, which gave me a feeling as though I am flying in Singapore Airlines or Thai.

    If anyone wants to upgrade to business, come buy the tickets from my office and i will tell you the secret :)

    Flying cheap and in class is always fun… travel right means having a good travel agent who knows the small tricks.

    Reem in RJ Business First

    Business First in RJ.com

    Airlines & Business Travel & Family Travel & Travel Places   2009/04/13

    Heads up; Continental Airlines to leave Sky Team

    Continental Airlines have just received a tentative approval from the US DOT (Department of Transportation) to join the Star Alliance Group.

    IMHO (in my humble opinion) Conti is the strongest airline player in the Sky Team group of airlines;  guys, lets be honest; I hardly saw you flying Aero Flot, do you still trust Alitalia to fly? :) lets be honest from 1 to 10 dont we all suffer on an Air France flight…. 

    How can one compare the quality of service of the skyteam to the great group of StarAlliance; Thai, Singapore Airlines, Lufthansa, SAS, Austrian, United, Air Canada, Swiss, All Nippon…

    As i was saying, Continental Airlines will soon leave the group and join the strongest airline group the Star Alliance.

    For some of us its good news, but for those who fly a lot and keep 2 major millage accounts, thus, one in each group: Star Alliance - Lufthansa and SkyTeam Conti, what would you do now? where will your miles go? will they allow merger of accounts? what about status match?

    If to say something good about SkyTeam is that they have a much nicer website - more appealing, business minded, action orientated.

    I will keep you all posted with the situation, and if you need any advise please do not hesitate to contact me in regards.

    SkyTeam

    Star Alliance

    Airlines & Business Travel & Family Travel   2009/04/02

    Take your shoes off - airport security

    Aren’t you fed up with this stupid behavior that you are asked to take off your shoes for security?

    Security is for everyone? not really;

    I have just visited Jordan; I was wearing Nike sport shoes and was not asked to take them off, though, my wife who was wearing high heals was asked.  I stood aside and looked at the other passengers; its very funny - i wanted to film, but was not allowed;

    Everyone who had sport shoes was allowed to keep them on, all others had to take theirs off, even people from India who wore flip flops…

    “Assumption”: Nike, Addidas, New Balance are anti terrorist shoes… and there is a chance a gun will be hidden in flip flops; where exactly?

    Idea; come without shoes.

    Airlines & Business Travel   2009/02/18

    Anyone wants a Gold status in ELAL Airlines?

    I can easily get you a status match on ELAL (Silver, Gold or even Platinum) on ELAL if you have a such status on one of the following airlines:

    British Airways, Delta, Continental, Lufthansa, Turkish Airlines (yes yes even them…)

    Moreover, as a bonus you will receive 800 points to your ELAL account which is valued as $800.

    This deal is valid for 2 weeks only.

    I need a your details and i will be happy to do it for you.

    Send me an email to reem@patratravel.com

    Airlines & Business Travel & Family Travel & Travel Places   2009/02/06

    Sexy Airline - we can learn a thing or two from Spirit

    Spice it up says Spirit; Spirit Air decided to go wild, they believe in the young crowd and the male dominated travelers.

    Advertisers, bring out the big guns - we need to think out of the box to bring us new users or we drop dead;

    Spirit Air came up with some nice, out of the box, sexy slogans:

    Many Islands Low Fares = MILF - which is better known on the Internet as: Mothers I’d Like to Fuck

    GET Low Airfare to International Destinations - look carefully again: Get LAID.

    Red Light Specials - no words are needed here right?!

    The Airline with Double D’s; Spirit says its Deep Discounts, the flight attendants believe they were hired for their double B’s: “big boobs” to promote sales and make travelers happier.

     And have you watched their:  “Spirit Air How Low Can You Get” VDO ad ?

    Whats so wrong with promotional ads with sexual connotations?

    Sexy Spirit  Airline Staff - GET LAID

    Business Travel   2009/01/26

    Niche Markets, are they profitable?

    Most of my friends in the travel business have decided strategically to approach the mass markets; isn’t that the old fart of the Venture Capitals (”Go get the mass users…”)

    Myself, I realized that I will not be one of those lucky ones making the millions from the online travel, so i focus on niche markets which are profitable from day one; keep it simple, keep it focused, it might be small; but it is profitable.

    Take an example from Honeymoon; its a simple window shopping site with one main purpose; channel users who are searching for honeymoon to call a professional who will make a sale.

    I just opened a new niche, focusing on Philippine market for labor.  I had to learn how they think, learn who operates the market, learn about their buying habits, and social life.

    Since I have the back end - Patra Travel, with agents who are experts, moreover, the financial means; its important to look for niche markets who will grow the off line main stream business.

    Airlines & Business Travel & Family Travel & Travel Agents - Info & Updates   2009/01/15

    What wouldn’t Airlines do for more traffic?

    Airlines have realized that travel agents are their best point of sale; reliable, knowledgeable, most of all; loyal.

    In the current situation when economy has an enormous impact on air travel, I noticed that airlines are courting after travel agents; those same airlines who betrayed the agents point of sale and diminished their commission completely are now crawling door to door trying to promote their products.

    I walked into my office this morning, finding a funny looking man and woman; dressed up in an old European fashion outfits, singing and dancing as if they are in the Moulin Rouge.

    I felt sorry for them; they probably didn’t sign up for this job when they started working for the airline - but I guess in rough times its better become a pompom girl serving chocolates than open the newspaper and look for a new job.

    Will American Airlines come as cheer leaders?   “Ouch”;  What will Lufthansa wear?

    I hope tomorrow morning I’ll come in and the Lido girls will be acting as Air France staff…

    Knowing the Air France staff; I hope they will NOTcome topless…

    Airline Visit Travel AgentsThe Airline PomPom Team

    Airlines & Business Travel & Family Travel   2009/01/12

    Ear Plugs - back in fashion - big time;

    You’ll never guess that ear plugs are back in fashion;

    More and more travelers are buying ear plugs for long haul flights; large groups and children are a pain when you have a full working day is a head of you having flown a red eye or an 11 hours flight across the Atlantic.

    I found it useful - cheap, simple, light to pack :).  MensWay ship them worldwide.

    Remember; its a small tip, a small “gadget” which can enable you a 10 hours sleep while your next seat traveler has an infant who is teething, though; it might not help you if the infant next to you is full of poo…

    Ear Plugs

    Airlines & Business Travel & Family Travel & Low Cost Airlines   2009/01/08

    Whats the first thing you do when you board a flight?

    GRAB A BLANKET !!!

    Airlines have been cutting on extras; and blankets are accessories which seems easy to be eliminated…

    That been said; airlines are pumping more cold into the aircraft; in order to reduce passengers mobility - safety moreover, easier life for the crew.

    Flights are getting chilly, grab grab grab… or freeze your ass!

    Airline blankets

    Business Travel & Family Travel & Online booking sites   2009/01/07

    Go Go Go Travel Agents !

    I have been saying it for many years, now the so called “Travel Leaders” are saying it too: Travel Agent have a great advantage over the online service.

    Advantage Travel Centres Colin O’neill says; “customers are looking for safety, security and reassurance which they can when booking with an Advantage Travel Agent”.

    Hey dude, you forgot the main point !!!  Professional Agent.

    Travel Agent is a profession, and you need to find a professional to deal with, its not the security; customers have SSL for that… what they lack is knowledge and someone who sees the wider picture not the buck making of the online system.  Yes, yes, trust me on that most online systems display biased results which base their results on income; like in all online marketing results; e.g. Google search results.

    I personally know a few amazing agents (some even work with me), though, I know some stupid ones too.

    Business Travel & Family Travel & Travel Places   2009/01/06

    Emergency Telephones Worldwide - good to have;

    When you are stuck in the middle of nowhere you need to know the basics; Emergency numbers !

    I dont like to post long tables - but guys, cut and paste the countries you visit most, and send this list to your friends, its vital info, specially when you dont speak the language, or worse; where there is no tele-systems…

    继续阅读 »

    Airlines & Business Travel & Family Travel & Travel Places   2008/12/09

    Business women travel on their own, take a tip or two.

    Majority of the people would think that travel for business is fun; after all 60 million business people a year get to visit places on the expense of their company - guys, trust me; that much is so not true; it hurts, it’s not fun travel.

    You have to take into account issues such as; the stress level, the work time schedule, the pre meeting preparations and the energy consumption of each meeting, what about the travel conditions such as jet lag, driving to distant locations, and poor hotel conditions…

    When the day is over you don’t have much strength or passion for quality “travel” time; furthermore, on your own… the most you want is a hot meal & a long hot shower.

    In the face of the world financial situation crime rate will increase. Travelers are easy targets, and unfortunately, business women are easier prey. For this reason and to all my wonderful, talented, powerful business women clients I made a short list with tips;

    1) In general don’t tell people you are travelling on your own.

    2) Arrive your new destination in day light; try to avoid late night hour arrival.

    3) Driving a rented car;

    a. Make sure you have a GPS - it’s worth every penny, avoid asking strangers for directions.

    b. When driving your car - lock yourself inside.

    c. Someone hits your car (by mistake or not!) - WAIT, take a minute, don’t open your car door and go out; take a minute to look around watch the location, try to pull into a gas station or any other public place like a hotel parking, drive through fast food etc.

    4) Hotel rooms;

    a. Ask for a mid floor room; not high to be left in the elevator on your own.

    b. The room should not be too far from the elevator; avoid long dark scary corridors.

    c. Make sure your room is locked.

    5) Keep your belongings as close to you as possible; carryon computer bags are temptation to local bandits, specially at breakfasts when you are still half asleep and at dinners when you are on your own at a local restaurant and tired from a long day - it only takes a second… these guys are pros.

    6) Taxi:

    a. If he looks creepy don’t go in, wait for the next one, even if it rains L

    b. Try to book your taxi in advance, women taxis are very common, don’t be shay to ask meeting companions to walk you out and wait for the taxi.

    7) Dress code; I am aware that fashion is a matter of trend, and I am probably out of it L but getting dressed non provocatively is always a positive approach.

    8) Keep in touch with home & office on regular basis.

    9) 911 is known as the emergency number, from GSM phones its 112 - log it in your speed dial - it should work in most countries even without a SIM card.

     

    Using common sense is perhaps the single best tip for staying safe and having a good time while you’re traveling alone.

    Airlines & Business Travel & Family Travel & Places I love & Travel Places   2008/11/26

    Thai people are CRAZY!!!

    They live on tourism (real pure tourism and sex tourism), so why do they think that closing the airport with riots will they improve their conditions?

    The little people don’t think of the “after shock effect”, its been almost 24 hours that the 2 Bangkok airports are closed. This means all flights into Thailand are diverted to other destinations. Bangkok being not only a tourism destination it’s the South East Asia largest hub - and now it’s shut down!

    The aftershock effect;

    Airlines which now diverted the aircraft elsewhere will not be in able to shift back in a flash. After all, Thailand is a profitable destination but there is a point where airlines’ CEO cut the costs and shift traffic and utilizes aircrafts elsewhere.
    A few important tips:

    1) If you are in Bangkok now - crawl back to where you came from; the PatPong

    a. And make sure your hotel booking is secured for the next few days

    2) If you’re on one of the “Koh” (Islands) - go get a banana shake and a body massage.

    a. Make sure your hummock has not been taken by some businessman who was left behind…

    3) If you need to travel via BKK Airport - find an alternative.

    a. BEFORE you start your travel,

    b. Don’t trust the connecting flights from BKK to the further destination will operate,

    c. Beware of OVERBOOKING - airlines might not be able to carry you on board as there are thousands of people waiting in line before you :)

    Thai Riots at the airport

    Airlines & Business Travel & Low Cost Airlines & Online booking sites & Travel Places   2008/11/26

    Why do they think they are better?

    Air Asia X has confirmed first flight on the route London (UK) to Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) will be in March 2009.

    The advertised price is 99 GBP round trip… the airline will operate 5 times a week, carrying 286 passengers a direction.

    I wonder what do; CEO Tony Fernandes & Owner Sir Richard Branson think they will be doing better than Oasis Airlines who closed their sole route London HongKong a couple of months ago.

    Are there so many more Brits going to Malaysia - I thought HongKong will be a larger and by far more important hub of service.

    Airlines & Business Travel & Low Cost Airlines   2008/11/25

    Traffic jam or just a quick Espresso?

    At first it looks fun, even cool; so many low cost airlines on the runway. Having taken the picture I wondered about 2 issues:

    The Reasoning; does departure punctuality = no penalties;
    The Consequences: is it safe to be all “standing” there together so close?
    Facts, data, and knowledge is more than welcomed to be shared here.

    UK Airport

    Business Travel & Places I love & Travel Agents - Info & Updates & Travel Places   2008/11/17

    WTM = Walk, Talk & Money?

    Originally: World Travel Market - It’s the annual largest travel show in London. Having been there last week I should advise them to change the name to:

    Walk - the milleage you walk there is unreal, I advised my partner to the trip to dump her high hills and move to Nike - she only took my advice on the second day…

    Talk - the amount of Bla Bla you hear is enormous - everyone wants to sell you something.

    Money - Everyone wants to make money, close a deal, bring tourists. The Travel business is a perishable market; a room at the hotel cannot be stored to be sold tomorrow, nor can a seat on a flight etc. It’s very much like the Fish Industry = if you don’t sell you smell…

    Therefore, you find yourself walking & talking all day long about how to make money in the travel business.

    More than ever, I enjoyed South America booth and Iran. South America was very happy, colorful and in motion; which attracted many visitors to their stands - look at the photos bellow.

    Being an Israeli the visit to Iran booth was special, I was invited by the Azadi International Tourism Organization to have tea with Mr. Mahmood Karimi and discuss world travel issues.

    Did he gave me his card so i will not forget his face?

    Iran visit

     Ecuador  Peru  Costa Rica  Panama

    Peru  Dog Man  The Bird Man  The one who thinks he is a Bird Man 

    Airlines & Business Travel & Family Travel & Low Cost Airlines & Travel Places   2008/11/15

    Hey you; “Take a walk on the Tarmac we are cutting costs…”

    I flew out of Stansted Airport a couple of days ago; quite an experience; I assume its due to the crowd - the Low Cost Airlines Travelers. 
    At the current situation everyone wants to cut costs, I just wonder at what price. In my humble opinion as long as passengers’ safety is not on the line all means are acceptable.

    If you look at the photos you would be able to see that all the airlines; EasyJet, Air Berlin, Ryanair, Thomson; all connect to the Air Sleeve Terminal for passengers to be able to board and off board safely. However, you will see the; “take a walk on the tarmac” style of German-Wings Airlines who are saving money by not paying for such services to Stansted Airport.

    Why use the old style AirStair when the airport is equipped with top of the range Jetways, afterall, Stansted Airport is a well equipped, designed and functions like a Low Cost Airline hub.

    GermanWings take a walk on the tarmac

    AirBerlin connected to JetWay  Thomson Fly connected to JetWay & EasyJet pulled into a JetWay

    Airlines & Business Travel & Family Travel & Low Cost Airlines & Online booking sites & Travel Agents - Info & Updates   2008/11/10

    Blow Job on Ryanair flights instead of inflight porn

    Its not me who says it; you could all watch Ryanair CEO; Michael O’Leary saying it out loud;
    Ryanair at a press conference talking about flying UK to USA - over the Atlantic for funny prices. Thus, if you fly transatlantic for 10 Euro you would probably have to pay for the BJ whereas, in his business class its gonna be for free…

    Thats an airline i want to fly with tonight

    Airlines & Business Travel & Online booking sites & Travel Places   2008/11/04

    Will they support Tourism or Terrorism?

    A new UK based airline has opened by a private group of investors.

    “Air Sylhet customers will always be treated with respect, due care and consideration and be offered a pleasant flight experience”

    Having said, that there is great concern in the security community regarding the whole concept of a Muslim Only Airline; Air Sylhet.

    Is it a pure tourism concept or a new terrorism highway between the British Muslim community and the Arab World?

    How will they check who is a Muslim? I hope its a joke and we can all enjoy the airline service.

    BTW: Sylhet, also known as Shilhat in the ancient times, was an expanded commercial center in Bangladesh

    Airline Sylhet

    Airlines & Business Travel & Online booking sites   2008/10/30

    In-flight Porn – why not?!

    I have a few friends and clients who are going to be very disappointed from the hottest travel news; No more Porn on in flight WIFI.

    Sorry guys: Lior, David, Alton, Amit, Ori and especially you Samantha, but you will not be able to view porn on flight anymore.

    I wonder why not, after all, airlines have introduced the WIFI on flights to generate new revenues. I don’t see the reason why airlines don’t enjoy rev-share with porn sites to increase their revenues even more.

    If you fly Low Cost Airlines, such as Ryanair, you will be allowed to gamble on their up in the air casino. So, what’s so wrong with some virtual sex? Does it harm anyone, on the contrary, I would assume it makes people stick to their seats rather than walk around the air craft - only line could be to the loo…

    My travel carry on flight toilet

    Does it mean Jet Blue will only be Jet from now on? They were my preffered airline thanks to their free porn access using the in flight WIFI

    Jet or Blue

    Come’on guys who is gonna unblock them?

    lets open a statup, I bet you; we will make a fortune from Porn on flight.

    Airlines & Business Travel & Low Cost Airlines & Online booking sites & Travel Agents - Info & Updates   2008/10/29

    Shit; another Low Cost Airlines has closed down; Sterling

    ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh i am fed up of this stupid situation.

    Too many travel companies collapse, when will it stop? where will it take us? It has such a hugh effect on it all, its crazy.

    We have heard and read a great deal about Iceland in the past month; the world’s financial situation has crashed the country to pieces, actually shreded it.

    It has been publically announced today, that Sterling DK has shut its operation and all flights are cancelled.

    What a shame, we have lost today an amazing low cost airline; Sterling, which served Europe greatly by connecting West and East with Scandinavia for reasonable prices.

    I hope they will find an investor to lift them back up in the sky.

    Sterling

    Business Travel & Family Travel & Places I love & Travel Places   2008/10/27

    Driving or committing suicide, driving on the road abroad

    Driving in a foreign country can be deadly, and not because the drivers are crazy, its simply because you are not aware of the local driving norms.

    Driving is totally different from sexual behavior where in most cases everybody in the world knows what you mean :)

    Examples;

    1) When you flash your car’s headlights:

    a. In The UK it means; “Go ahead, I give you way”.

    b. In Italy: “Be careful I am coming fast and I am in no real wish for you to enter my space”.

    c. In Israel; “Be careful there is a police radar nearby…”

    2) Driving in a roundabout is always confusing, but in France its crazy, it’s a real suicide…

    I have driven in many places, and everywhere when you are in the roundabout you keep driving; i.e. you have the right to move on; main idea behind it; clear the roundabout.

    In France - be careful, the cars who want to enter the roundabout have the right to drive in; and in high speed… which means you block the roundabout as you stop in the middle.

    Paris…

    3) Hand signals; in Israel if you wave you hand in a unusual manner, closing your fingers together upwards - means please wait, give me a minute, “savlanut” i.e. patience, I need time to do what I want to do; whereas in Italy it means cursing your mother…

     Wait a Minute hand signal

    Take it easy out there, be smart not right.

    Airlines & Business Travel & Family Travel & Online booking sites   2008/10/16

    Tickets price by the Kilograms; Fat people will pay more!?

    Today airlines charge for everything; overweight luggage, extra bag, a soft drink, a blanket, extra leg room, stereo ear sets, food, preferred seats, and of course alcohol. 

    So, when I first heard about it I thought it was a onetime joke, then I dag into the issue and learned that indeed airlines plan on charging Obese passengers more for their air fare;

    In the past 20 years being a travel agent, I have experienced the very odd feeling when I have had to advise a client to buy an “Extra Seat” because they could not fit into a regular economy class seat.

    I knew the routes, the airline regulation, the aircraft seats configuration, and most importantly I knew those clients very well.
    Having said that, it was all based on the size of the chair, nothing to do with the new trend which is based on economical reasons not physical.
    Derrie Air was a marketing teaser by Philadelphia Media Holding, “demonstrate the power of our brands in generating awareness and generating traffic for our advertisers, and put a smile on people’s faces.

    Derrie Air  Price by KiloWhen I read the words: Derrie-Air; two things came up my mind:

    Sounds like the French word: Derriere; in simple English; ass / backside …  

    Sounds like Dare Air - who will be the first to dare charge according to weight.

    Nice play on words when you want to deliver a message about fat travelers.
    The one thing I have learned so far is that the airlines are looking into categorizing weight passengers based on fat people not tall people.

    A non official response from an airline spokesman is: “Height is genetic and you cannot fight it…”

    The truth of the matter is that it’s not a pleasant experience to sit by an Obese a 12 hour flight.

    Demo; Obese on an airline seat

    I wonder what will the effect on the airline’s branding and who will be the first mover…

    Airlines & Business Travel & Travel Agents - Info & Updates   2008/10/15

    Free Wireless Internet Connection at Airports – what a pain…

    I have recently returned via Paris CDG Airport, I was early and the flight was delayed, so I decided to use the spare time to check on my emails.(flight delays is in growth)
    I switched on the laptop, and I managed to see there are about 6 WIFI hot spots, having said that, the price per hour is outrageous. The price of 1 hour was 3 x more than what I pay for a month back home. I decided to give up; I rather snooze for that price…
    Having thought about it, the airport small restaurants / cafe / sandwich places should give free WIFI connectivity and we all go eat and drink there, after all, its expensive anyhow to drink a diet coke…
    For that reason I have gathered a list of FREE WIFI connections at International Worldwide Airports.
    Antigua
    V.C. Bird International Airport - departure lounge after security

    Argentina
    EZE Airport - before check-in, near arrivals gate and near gates 6-8 - Buenos Aires

    Armenia
    Zvartnots International Airport - Yerevan

    Aruba
    Aruba Airport terminal - Aruba

    Austria
    Vienna Airport - Vienna

    Australia
    Adelaide Airport - Adelaide
    Virgin Blue lounges - Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney
    Darwin Airport - Darwin

    Austria
    Vienna International Airport - Vienna

    Bahrain
    Bahrain International Airport - Departures area - Manama

    Barbados
    Grantley Adams International Airport

    Bermuda
    L.F. Wade International Airport - departure lounges - St. George

    Bosnia and Herzegovina
    Sarajevo International Airport - Sarajevo

    Botswana
    Maun International Airport - edge of the Okavango Delta - designed for clients of Moremi Air Services and Kwando Safaris who use Maun airport as an operational base for their safari business

    Brazil
    Congonhas Airport - Sao Paulo

    British Isles
    Guernsey Airport - Guernsey
    Ronaldsway Airport - Isle of Man

    Bulgaria
    Sofia Airport - Sofia

    Canada
    Banff Airporter office area - Calgary
    Halifax International airport - center court area on the main level and between gates 20-15 on the departures level of the Air Terminal Building - Halifax, Nova Scotia
    Dryden Regional Airport - Dryden, Ontario
    Fredericton Airport - Fredericton, New Brunswick
    St. John’s International Airport - St. John’s, Newfoundland
    Quebec Airport - Quebec City, Quebec
    Expedia Restaurant - Air Canada Terminal - Toronto
    Vancouver International Airport - Vancouver

    Chile
    Aeropuerto de Santiago - Santiago

    China
    Airport - front of ticket counters - Changsha, Hunan

    Costa Rica
    Juan Santamaria International Airport - San Jose

    Denmark
    Aalborg Airport - Norresundby

    Dubai
    Dubai International - look for free signals - Dubai

    Ecuador
    Simon Bolivar International - Guayaquil
    Quito Airport, International Terminal - Quito

    Egypt
    Sharm El Sheik International Airport

    Estonia
    Kuressaare Airport, Roomassaare tee 1 - Kuressaare
    Tallinn Airport, Lennujaama tee 2 - Tallinn

    France
    Merignac Airport - Bordeaux

    Honduras
    San Pedro Sula Airport

    Hong Kong
    Chek Lap Kok Airport
    Hong Kong International Airport - Hong Kong

    Hungary
    Budapest Ferihegy Int’l Airport - Terminals 2A and 2B - free network is Pannongsm - Budapest

    Iceland
    Keflavik Airport -

    India
    Madurai, Tiruchi and Coimbatore airports in Tamil Nadu State
    Mumbai International Airport/Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport

    Iran
    Imam Khomeini International Airport - Tehran

    Ireland
    Shannon Airport - main cafי upstairs and also the departure lounge in front of US immigration - Shannon

    Israel
    Terminal 3 at Ben Gurion International Airport - Tel Aviv

    Japan
    Narita Int’l Airport, Terminal 2 - Narita - UPDATE NOT FREE ANYMORE
    Kansai Airport - Osaka - UPDATE NOT FREE ANYMORE
    ANA lounges - request free WEP key

    Kazakhstan
    Internation Airport - Almaty

    Kosovo
    Pristina Airport - Pristina

    Kuwait
    Kuwait International Airport - Check in areas, restaurants and shops in Arrival & Departure levels

    Luxembourg
    Luxembourg International Airport

    Island of Madeira
    Funchal Airport

    Latvia
    Riga International Airport

    Malaysia
    Kuala Lumpur Int. Airport

    Mexico
    Cancun International Airport - Cancun
    Benito Juarez International Airport - Mexico City
    Puerto Vallarta Airport - Puerto Vallarta

    New Zealand
    Auckland International Airport - report of free computers in Arrival area, not sure about Wi-Fi access - Auckland
    Wellington International Airport - Main Terminal - Wellington

    Pakistan
    Jinnah International Airport - Karachi

    Phillipines
    Manila Int. Airport - smoking area - Luzon

    Poland
    Warsaw Airport - International transit area

    Portugal
    Faial Island Airport - bar area - Horta -Azores
    Madeira Island Airport - Madeira Island

    Puerto Rico
    San Juan Int. Airport - try to connect to the ATT network - San Juan

    Qatar
    Doha International Airport

    Romania
    International Airport Traian Vuia - Timisoara

    Russia
    Sheremetyevo-2 (SVO) Airport - departure terminal, waiting hall, cafes and vip-halls - Moscow

    Singapore
    Changi Airport - near free computers

    Slovenia
    Ljubljana International Airport - at departure gates

    South Korea
    Incheon International Airport

    Sri Lanka
    Sri Lankan Airways Business Class lounge area - Columbo International Airport

    Taiwan
    Chiang Kai-Shek International Airport - Terminal 2

    Thailand
    Suvarnabhumi Airport - Bangkok

    Trinidad
    Piarco International Airport

    Turkey
    Ataturk Airport - Millenium Lounge access for several airline Club members - Istanbul
    Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport

    Tunisia
    Tunis Carthage Airport

    UK
    British Airways’ lounges at Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, Newcastle, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen and Jersey have Free Wi-Fi.

    Ukraine
    Kyiv Boryspil International Airport - Boryspil

    United Arab Emirates
    Abu Dhabi International Airport

    Uruguay
    Carrasco Intl. Airport - Departure Area - Montevideo

    Vietnam
    Tan Son Nhat International Airport - Ho Chi Minh City

    USA
    American Airlines Admirals Club must enter a valid club card number to get access

    United Airlines 27 Red Carpet Clubs and 5 International First Class lounges is free for members

    Continental Airlines offers Free wireless high speed internet access to members in 22 Presidents Club locations in major airports around the USA

    Northwest WorldClubs Alaska Airlines Clubs Alabama

    Birmingham International Airport - Birmingham
    Huntsville Airport - Huntsville
    Madison County Executive Airport - Huntsville
    Montgomery Regional Airport (Dannelly Field) - Montgomery
    Northwest Alabama Regional Airport - Muscle Shoals

    Alaska
    Anchorage Airport - Anchorage
    Ketchikan International Airport - Ketchikan
    Valdez Municipal Arpt - Valdez

    Arizona
    Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport - Phoenix
    Tucson International Airport - Tucson
    Valle Airport - Valle
    Yuma International - Yuma

    Arkansas
    Fort Smith Regional Airport - Fort Smith
    Little Rock National Airport - Little Rock
    Texarkana Airport - Texarkana

    California
    Meadows Field, WM Thomas Terminal - Bakersfield
    Chico Municipal Airport - Chico
    Arcata/Eureka Airport - Eureka
    Hayward Airport - Hayward
    Livermore Airport - Livermore
    Long Beach Airport - Long Beach
    Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge - LAX
    Modesto City-County Airport - Modesto
    Redding Municipal Airport - Redding
    BSAir at the Reedley Muni Airport - Reedley
    Sacramento International Airport - Sacramento
    Lindberg Field - San Diego
    San Diego International Airport - San Diego
    Mineta San Jose International Airport - San Jose
    Santa Maria Airport - Santa Maria
    Santa Ynez Airport - Santa Ynez

    Colorado
    Centennial Airport - Centennial
    Colorado Springs Airport - Colorado Springs
    Denver International Airport - Denver
    Eagle (Vail) Airport

    Connecticut
    Bradley International Airport - Windsor Locks

    Florida
    Daytona Beach Airport - signal availability reported in Ticketing Area - Daytona Beach
    Ft. Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport - all terminals - Ft. Lauderdale
    Southwest Florida International Airport - Ft.Myers
    Okaloosa Regional Airport - Fort Walton Beach
    Gainesville Regional Airport - Gainesville
    Jacksonville Airport - Jacksonville
    Key West International - Key West
    LaBelle Municipal Airport - LaBelle
    Melbourne International Airport - Melbourne
    Orlando International Airport - all public areas and the “Cell Phone” parking lot - Orlando
    Palm Beach International - Palm Beach
    Pensacola Int. Airport - Pensacola
    Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport - Sarasota
    Tallahassee Airport - Tallahassee
    Tampa International - main building and both satellite terminals - Tampa
    Palm Beach International Airport - West Palm Beach

    Georgia
    Augusta Regional Airport - Augusta
    Brunswick Golden Isle Airport - Brunswick
    Fulton County Airport (FTY) - Raytheon Aircraft Services Terminal

    Hawaii
    Honolulu Airport-Gate 13 - Honolulu

    Idaho
    Idaho Falls Airport - Idaho Falls
    Nez Perce County Regional Airport - Lewiston

    Illinois
    Central Illinois Regional Airport - Bloomington/Normal
    University of Illinois Willard Airport - Champaign/Urbana
    Quad City International Airport - Moline
    Peoria Regional Airport - Peoria
    Rockford Airport - Rockford
    Capital Airport - Springfield

    Indiana
    Evansville Regional Airport - Evansville
    Fort Wayne International Airport - Fort Wayne (free Cat5/RJ45 access too)
    Smith Field Airport - Fort Wayne
    Montgomery Aviation - Indianapolis Executive Airport - Zionsville

    Iowa
    CY Aviation, Boone Airport - Boone
    Eastern Iowa Regional Airport - Cedar Rapids
    Dubuque Regional Airport - Dubuque
    Sioux City Airport - business center and JetSun Aviation facility - Sioux City
    Waterloo Airport - Waterloo

    Kansas
    Hays Regional Airport - Hays
    Wichita Mid-Continent Airport - Wichita

    Kentucky
    CVG Airport - Hebron
    Bluegrass Airport - Lexington

    Louisiana
    Lafayette Regional Airport - Lafayette
    Lake Charles Airport - Lake Charles
    Louis Armstong International - New Orleans

    Maryland
    Hagerstown Municipal Airport - Hagerstown

    Michigan
    Gerald R. Ford International Airport- Grand Rapids
    Ford Airport - Kingsford/Iron Mountain
    Capital City Airport - Lansing
    Sawyer International Airport - Marquette
    Muskegon County Airport - Muskegon
    Pellston Regional Airport - Pellston
    Saginaw MBS International

    Minnesota
    Beltrami County Airport - Bemidji
    Duluth Int. Airport - Duluth
    Rochester International Airport - Rochester

    Mississippi
    Golden Triangle Regional Airport - Columbus
    Gulfport/Biloxi International Airport
    Hattiesburg-Bobby L. Chain Municipal Airport - no commercial flights - Hattiesburg
    Jackson Airport - Jackson
    Tupelo Regional Airport - Tupelo

    Missouri
    Taney County Airport - Branson
    Columbia Regional Airport - Columbia
    Joplin Regional Airport - ask ticket agent for access location - Joplin
    Kansas City International Airport - Kansas City
    Springfield-Branson Airport - Springfield

    Montana
    Bozeman Gallatin Airport - Bozeman
    Great Falls International Airport - Great Falls
    Helena Regional Airport - Helena
    Missoula International Airport - Missoula

    Nevada
    Henderson Executive Airport - Henderson
    McCarran Airport - Las Vegas
    North Las Vegas Airport
    Reno-Tahoe International Airport - Reno

    New Hampshire
    Manchester, Boston Regional Airport - Manchester

    New Jersey
    Atlantic City Airport - Atlantic City

    New Mexico
    Albuquerque International Sunport/Airport - Albuquerque
    Los Alamos County Airport - Los Alamos
    Taos Municipal Airport - Taos

    New York
    Binghamton Airport - Binghamton
    Elmira-Corning Regional Airport - Elmira
    JetBlue Airways - Terminal 6 - JFK Airport - Jamaica, Queens
    Tompkins County Regional Airport - Ithaca
    Rochester Airport - Rochester
    Syracuse International - Syracuse

    North Carolina
    Charlotte Douglas International Airport - ask at Info Desk for access area info - Charlotte
    Asheville Regional Airport - Fletcher
    Albert J. Ellis Airport - Jacksonville
    Kinston Airport - Kinston
    New Bern Airport - New Bern
    Wilmington International Airport - Wilmington

    North Dakota
    Bismarck Municipal Airport - general aviation lounge - Bismarck
    Hector International Airport - Fargo
    Grand Forks Airport - Grand Forks

    Ohio
    Akron Airport - Akron
    Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport - Concourse C, ticketing and baggage claim areas of Terminal 3, ticketing, baggage claim and holding areas of Terminal 2
    Ohio State University Airport - Columbus
    Port Columbus International Airport - Columbus
    Dayton International Airport - Dayton
    Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport - Vienna

    Oregon
    Eugene Airport - Eugene
    Rogue Valley International-Medford Airport - Medford
    Southwest Oregon Regional Airport - North Bend
    Portland International Airport - Main Level - Portland
    Redmond Airport - Redmond

    Pennsylvania
    Lehigh Valley International Airport - Allentown
    Erie Airport - Erie
    Harrisburg International Airport - Harrisburg
    Arnold Palmer Regional Airport - Latrobe
    Pocono Mountains Municipal Airport - Mt Pocono
    Philadelphia International Airport - look for ATT WiFi - Philadelphia
    Pittsburgh Airport - Pittsburgh
    Brandywine Airport - West Chester
    Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Airport - Wilkes-Barre/Scranton

    North Carolina
    Charlotte-Douglas International Airport - Charlotte

    South Carolina
    Charleston Airport - Charleston
    Columbia Metropolitan Airport - Columbia
    Horry County Airport - Conway
    Florence Regional Airport - Florence
    Greenville/Spartanburg Airport
    Myrtle Beach Airport - Myrtle Beach

    South Dakota
    Rapid City Airport - Rapid City

    Tennessee
    Tri-Cities Regional Airport - Blountville
    Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport - Chattanooga
    KnoxAir at TYS - McGee-Tyson Airport and DKX - Island Home Airport - Knoxville

    Texas
    Rick Husband Inernational Airport - Amarillo
    Harrison Aviation - Arlington Municipal Airport - Arlington
    Brownsville-South Padre Island International Airport - Brownsville
    Easterwood Airport - College Station
    Corpus Christi International Airport - Corpus Christi
    Admiral’s Clubs - DFW - Dallas/Ft.Worth
    Valley International Airport - Harlingen
    East Texas Regional Airport - Longview
    Lubbock International Airport - Lubbock
    McAllen-Miller International Airport - McAllen
    San Angelo Municipal Airport - San Angelo
    San Antonio International Airport - San Antonio
    Tyler Pounds Regional Airport - Tyler

    Vermont
    Burlington International Airport - South Burlington

    Virginia
    Charlottesville-Albemarle Airport - terminal area
    Leesburg Executive Airport - Leesburg
    Lynchburg Regional Airport - Lynchburg
    Newport News/Williamsburg Airport - Newport News
    Richmond Airport - Richmond
    Roanoke Airport - Roanoke

    Washington
    Bellingham International Airport - Bellingham
    Grant County Airport - Moses Lake
    Tri-Cities Airport - Pasco
    Pullman Moscow Airport- Pullman
    Walla`Walla Regional Airport - Walla Walla
    Pangborn Field Airport - Wenatchee

    West Virginia
    Yeager Airport - Charleston
    Tri-State Airport - Huntington

    Wisconsin
    Gen. Mitchell Int. Airport - Milwaukee
    KOEO FBO’s - Top Dog Aviation (Northeast Hangar Base), Ward Aviation (Northeast Hangar Base), Terminal Building (South West Side) - Osceola

    Wyoming
    Natrona County International Airport - Casper
    Cheyenne Regional Airport - Cheyenne

    If you have more info please send me and I will update the table for all of us.

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