You’ve probably heard by now about the LOT Polish Airlines flight from Newark to Warsaw that was forced to land on its belly after the Boeing 767’s landing gear failed. But according to some passengers on the plane, the landing went so smoothly they didn’t realize they were skidding down the runway on the jet’s belly. [More]
air travel
Pushing Your Way Onto A Plane Without A Ticket Is A Good Way To Get Arrested
By 10.27.11
Usually when we write about the cops being called to an airplane, it involves a ticketed passenger being forcibly removed from the jet. But in a nice change of pace, here’s the story of a man who allegedly thought he could just push his way onto a Southwest flight sans ticket. [More]
Hipmunk Now Finds Flights That Fit Into Your Schedule
By 10.26.11
Hey, busy travelers: If you’re tired of toggling back and forth between your Google calendar and the website you use for booking your flights, the folks at Hipmunk have come up with a way to integrate your schedule into your flight and hotel searches. [More]
TSA Finds Your Vibrator In Checked Suitcase, Leaves Creepy Note
By 10.26.11
Bad: Having the TSA pawing through your checked luggage. Worse: The suitcase they chose to open includes a sex toy. Worse still: the person who went through your bags leaves a leering note. Specifically, they scrawl “GET YOUR FREAK ON GIRL” on the notice of inspection.
Jack The Cat Found After Two Months In JFK Airport
By 10.26.11 — Updated: 2.25.13
Before the flight to his new home in California, Jack the cat escaped from his travel carrier and disappeared into John F. Kennedy Airport. The airline organized searches and put out food, and animal lovers all over the world helped in any way they could, from performing their own searches of the airport and nearby neighborhoods to getting word out to employees of nearby businesses and other airlines. We’re happy to report that Jack has been found. In two months, he apparently never left the airport. [More]
There Are About To Be Even Fewer Cheap Seats On Delta Flights
By 10.20.11
Earlier this year, Delta introduced Economy Comfort seats that offer more legroom but which come at a higher price. Well it looks like enough people are interested in this option that the airline is adding them on most of its planes. [More]
Is In-Flight Advertising Getting Out Of Control?
By 10.19.11
Depending on the airline you choose, everything from the exterior of your jet to the overhead compartments to your tray table and the back of your seat to your airplane safety video can be sponsored by an advertiser. And considering the amount of revenue being generated by these ads, they probably aren’t going anywhere anytime soon. [More]
Orbitz Hit With $60K Fine For Failing To Disclose Taxes & Fees On Airfares
By 10.17.11
Orbitz has been slapped with a $60,000 fine by the Dept. of Transportation because the travel site violated federal laws that require clear disclosure of taxes and fees associated with airfares. [More]
Passengers Stuck In Plane For 9 Hours, Only 45 Miles From Destination
By 10.17.11
Yesterday, an Air India flight from Mumbai to London’s Heathrow airport got diverted because of bad weather to nearby Gatwick airport. Since the passengers were only 45 miles away from their intended destination, the airline obviously let them off the plane rather than sit in cramped quarters for nine hours. Oh wait — no it didn’t. [More]
How Cancer, A Tornado, And American Airlines Took Away Our Honeymoon
By 10.14.11
Roxanne and her husband got married last year, and had to delay their honeymoon until April due to her illness. They spent the night before their rescheduled trip huddled in a hotel bathtub near the airport. It was clear that the universe did not want them to vacation in Cabo San Lucas. An American Airlines rep put their rescheduled tickets on hold, and they had until February 2012 to use them for another trip. Or so they thought. [More]
Report: Whitney Houston Almost Booted From Delta Flight For Refusing To Buckle Up
By 10.13.11
Yet another non-Kevin-Smith famous person reportedly came oh-so-close to being kicked off a flight. This time, it’s apparently singer Whitney Houston who was almost given the heave-ho from a Delta flight for refusing to buckle her seatbelt. [More]
Ryanair Now Planning To Remove Toilets From Planes
By 10.12.11
It’s been more than a year since we’ve heard much about cheapy European airline Ryanair’s grand plan to charge people to use the toilet. That’s because the carrier has apparently ditched the scheme in favor of simply removing two out of three toilets from each of their planes. [More]
AirTran To Require Some Overweight Passengers To Buy Second Seat
By 10.12.11
Now that AirTran is a subsidiary of Southwest Airlines, it looks like the carrier will be adopting Southwest’s controversial policy of requiring that “customers of size” purchase a second seat. [More]
Passenger Sues Continental, Others Over Turbulent Flight
By 10.11.11
When what was supposed to be a 20-minute flight turns into two-plus hours of turbulence, it’s easy to understand why a passenger would be peeved. But is worthy of a lawsuit against four airlines? [More]
Bing Airport Maps Help You Find Overpriced Coffee While Waiting For Your Flight To Be Cancelled
By 10.4.11
Some people really enjoy exploring airport terminals. They find a thrill in getting to know every newsstand, bar, food court and sandwich kiosk. For the remaining 99.9% of us, we just go to whatever is closest and hand over a pile of cash for a small bottle of water. But last week, Bing introduced a new feature on its maps search that helps users navigate the concourses of more than 40 U.S. airports. [More]
George Takei May Protest Southwest Airlines For Scolding L-Word Actress
By 9.28.11
Earlier this week, Leisha Hailey, actress and former star of the Showtime’s The L Word, was reprimanded by a Southwest Airlines flight attendant for sharing a kiss with her partner while onboard the aircraft. Earlier today, George Takei, actor and former helmsman of the USS Enterprise, mock threatened to stage a protest in response during his next Southwest Airlines flight. [More]
'L Word' Actress Says She Was Scolded By Southwest Staff For Kissing Girlfriend
By 9.27.11
Leisha Hailey, actress and former star of the Showtime’s The L Word says she was given a talking-to from a Southwest Airlines flight attendant after the employee deemed a smooch between the actress and her girlfriend was unfriendly for the family environment. [More]
Cat Lost In JFK Airport On August 24 Still Missing, Internet Swarms In To Help
By 9.22.11
Have you seen Jack the cat? According to his Facebook page, he’s been on his own in Queens for more than four weeks now. He allegedly disappeared from his carrier in the baggage area of New York’s JFK airport on August 24th, as he, his feline brother, and their human were flying to their new home in California. Employees searched for him. Then Hurricane Irene happened. [More]
