Good news for travelers flying on certain airlines to the U.S.: The Department of Homeland Security has lifted the ban on laptops and other personal electronics put in place in March for anyone traveling on Emirates and Turkish Airlines. [More]
emirates
There’s A New “Longest” Flight: 9,032 Miles From Doha To Auckland On Qatar Airways
By 2.6.17
Nearly two years after an 8,590-mile flight from Dubai to Panama City became the “world’s longest flight,” there’s a new route trying to claim that crown. [More]
Traveler Sues Emirates Because He Was Seated Next To Obese Man For 9-Hour Flight
By 9.27.16 — Updated: 5.5.17
We all like to have as much space to ourselves as possible while flying, but sometimes that’s just not the reality. Close quarters on a nine-hour Emirates flight led to a lawsuit from one passenger who claims his trip was ruined because of the “spillover” from the obese man seated next to him. [More]
Don’t Get Stuck Paying For A Flight You Can’t Take; Know Your Airline’s 24-Hour Cancellation Policy
By 2.4.16
You can spend months, and thousands of dollars, putting together a trip abroad, but no matter how much effort you take to avoid travel trouble, unforeseen circumstances can force you to change your plans. Thankfully, most airlines flying to and from the U.S. have a policy that lets passengers cancel tickets within 24 hours of booking. Note that we said “most airlines” — not all. [More]
Emirates Passenger Says She Was Sexually Assaulted By Fellow Traveler While She Slept On Flight To NYC
By 10.29.15
We’ve asked this before, and apparently we have to ask again: what is wrong with some people? Unfortunately we have to yet again report on an incident involving a passenger accused of molesting a fellow traveler during a flight. This should go without being said, but just because someone is asleep, that does not mean they’re giving you permission to touch them. [More]
Airline Passenger With Her Own Bottle Of Gin Steals Food, Cigarettes, Demands Crew Put Some "F****** Music On"
By 9.10.12
Judging by the number of stories we see every week about airline passengers who have a few too many drinks, we sometimes wonder if the cabin crews are being a bit too free with the in-flight beverages. But then we hear about those terrible travelers who bring their own booze, freeing themselves up to cause a higher level of mayhem. [More]
Consumerist Poll: Is First-Class Travel Really Necessary?
By 5.28.09
Faced with a 20% drop in ‘premium’ travel as compared to a year ago, some airlines (Qantas, BA) have started cutting back on their first-class fanciness. Some (Emirates, Air France, Lufthansa) find the idea “unthinkable”. Yet those airlines who continue to invest in first-class travel might be making the smarter move: they’re hoping these passengers will stay loyal when the economy bounces back. Which is not such a bad idea, considering the fact that first-class passengers are the ones keeping the airlines afloat. (Uh, aloft?)
First Class Now Includes A Private Cabin?
By 10.2.07
Nowadays it isn’t enough for first-class passengers to separate themselves from coach, they need to hide from each other.
First Class Meals Get Increasingly Delicious As You Suck On A Pretzel For Sustenance
By 4.18.07
We’ll have to take the New York Times’ word on it, but they say that First Class meals on airlines are getting increasingly decadent as coach passengers cling with desperation to a maxipad-sized package of trail mix. From the NYT:
Charlie Trotter, the Chicago chef, will soon introduce dishes created for premier United Airlines passengers. (Mr. Trotter’s personal tip? Try the short ribs spiced with Thai-style barbecue sauce.)
iPod Video to Play on Airline Seat-Back Displays
By 11.14.06
According to Reuters, “Airline passengers will soon be able to connect their iPods to in-flight entertainment systems and watch their favorite videos without fear of running out of battery power while traveling on any of six major carriers, iPod maker Apple Computer Inc. said on Tuesday.
