I just want to take a moment to send out a special thanks. I flew Southwest last week and couldn't have been happier with limitless amounts of peanuts (the employees let the passengers pass the bag around the cabin, allowing us to take as many as we could eat), free drinks, and a seat in an emergency exit row. My flight left on time, arrived early, and we sang happy birthday to a 92-year-old passenger (his first flight ever). Thank you, Southwest, for being one of the only hassle-free flights I've had lately.
On that note, it seems that positive airline feedback is few and far between these days. Fuel prices keep going up, and along with them, airline ticket prices, beverage costs, luggage fees (the list never ends), and complaining passengers.
But, despite all this, some airlines are trying to make headlines with other news. Besides raising fees, here's a round-up of what airlines have been up to lately.
Dubai-based Emirates Airlines has recently decided to remove all magazines from its seatbacks on all Airbus A380s to lighten the load. According to the Economist,
removing some two kilograms (over four pounds) of paper from each of
its 500 seats will take one ton off its flying weight. While I enjoy
the occasional thumb-through of SkyMall, I never purchased
anything, so I don't think it's a bad idea. And, as if Emirates was looking
for more reasons to make headlines, this week its first-class
passengers will be able to shower (yes, shower) in the sky.
Down Under, Air New Zealand has just introduced the "airborne concierge" which, according to Gadling, "is charged with aiding passengers with everything from check-in to finding the appropriate gate to booking hotels and finding connecting flights." Don't get me wrong (I love you, New Zealand), but aren't airline employees supposed to help do half of that stuff anyway?
Much to my dismay, UK-budget-carrier Ryanair may soon allow its passengers to gab away on their cell phones in-flight. All I can say is that I hope other airlines don't follow suit... it's bad enough sitting next to a screaming baby, but to get stuck next to a passenger who won't willingly shut up?
Delta (pictured, above) just started putting advertisements on its self-printed boarding passes. I agree with Upgrade: Travel Better on this one: I'd rather have airlines get money for advertisements on a piece of paper I'll eventually throw away (or recycle), than staring at one on my seat-back tray.
And just in case these airlines are looking for a new airport to land their flock, they can land in Iraq's Najaf International Airport, which officially opened last month. Iraqi officials hope, according to Reuters, that the airport will "usher in a boom in religious tourism." Some nine million pilgrims visit the shrine of Imam Ali (the Prophet Mohammad's son-in-law) in this southern Iraqi city annually. Developers hope the airport will increase these tourism numbers by ten percent each year.
Photo: Economy Cabin, courtesy of Delta Airlines
I recently flew Southwest for the first time in years, and we actually played games on the flight! The first one was a guessing game, sort of 20 Questions-like, with the cabin crew and their former professions. The second was a pass the toilet paper relay competition--it was hilarious and made for seatmate bonding!
Posted by: Camels & Chocolate | August 11, 2008 at 01:57 PM
Another ray of sunshine in airline news:
When my daughter set off on her month-long bike trip to Ireland and Sardinia, she said British Airways would transport her bike for free. Her dad and I were dubious, and showed up at the ticket counter with extra cash, but it was true-- as long as the bike was in a box or bag, they would carry it for free. (But probably not for long, a gloomy fellow at the ticket counter warned.)
Posted by: Marilyn Terrell | August 11, 2008 at 02:15 PM
A dour note:
Emirates has taken out a ton of paper. And they are replacing it with a ton of water that they will carry the whole way.
Net savings in fuel: Zero.
Net transfer of benefits: Upwards.
Economic Efficiency: Negative.
Let's see: 15-40 First class passengers to 50-200 folks in steerage. I and my 200 peers have lost my magazine so some fat cat can shower? Whatever. Just one more reason not to fly to the middle east.
Posted by: ML Harris | August 11, 2008 at 03:12 PM
It's a real chnage to read about a "low cost" carrier that gives such excellent service. I fly regularly with a certain low cost carrier in the UK and the impression is the complete opposite. Boarding is a free-for-all, the staff appear harrassed and more keen to ensure you purchase something and the whole experience is not one I look forward to. I read a great book about Southwest airlines and your experience bears out what I read>
Posted by: Kenya Holidays | August 13, 2008 at 05:39 AM