Archive for the ‘Air Travel’ Category
Air New Zealand will transform international air travel later this year when it introduces revolutionary, Kiwi designed lie-flat economy and ground breaking premium economy seats, together with enhanced comforts for those wanting the ultimate in luxurious Business Premier travel.
The airline today revealed its prototype designs in a full-scale Boeing 777-300 cabin inside its design innovation centre in Auckland’s CBD, just a few hundred metres from its head office.
Chief Executive Officer Rob Fyfe says when the airline takes delivery of its first new Boeing 777-300 ER in November this year it will redefine the long haul travel experience and set a benchmark for competitors to follow.
“Air New Zealand is putting the magic and romance back into flying. For the past three years we have been designing a new long haul experience that will reignite the passion of today’s travellers,” Mr Fyfe says.
“For those who choose, the days of sitting in economy and yearning to lie down and sleep are gone. The dream is now a reality, one that you can even share with atravelling companion – just keep your clothes on thanks!”
The ‘Skycouch’, a specially designed row of three seats, has been engineered to create a lie-flat, flexible space all the way to the seat-back in front, providing a place for the kids to play, or the holy grail of economy travel – a flat surface for adults to relax and sleep.
Twenty-two sets of Skycouch seats will be available, being the first 11 window rows in the Economy Class cabin.
For two adults travelling, purchasing the Skycouch will be based on buying two seats at standard prices with the third seat at approximately half price. Full airfare details will be announced when it goes on sale from late April.
Air New Zealand’s Premium Economy cabin has also had a dramatic makeover.
“Most airlines’ Premium Economy offering leaves travellers with economy-style food and service. By complete contrast, our new Premium Economy cabin with uniquely Kiwi designed Spaceseats will offer unparalleled comfort and legroom with new shared-meal experiences more familiar in tapas restaurants or bistros than at 35,000 feet,” says Mr Fyfe.
Air New Zealand’s award winning Business Premier cabin has also been enhanced with complete on-demand food and beverage service more akin to premium dining and an enhanced sleep experience to ensure travellers really do feel they’ve snuggled into their own bed.
The new interior design scheme includes a move away from traditional blues and greens to a more luxurious blend of chalk and deep ink colours.
Mr Fyfe says each of the three zones in Air New Zealand’s long haul aircraft of the future will be a step ahead of competitors from a comfort perspective and the experience will be further underpinned by the world’s most innovative food and beverage service and state-of-the-art entertainment system.
“Being able to order a steak, medium rare in Business Premier, a pizza for two in Premium Economy or a late night snack in Economy, whenever you want, will be a very cool experience. New oven technology that will cook food from scratch rather than simply reheating and a new digital in-seat ordering service will make this truly the first time real food has been served at 35,000 feet.
“Coupled with some of the world’s best wines like gold-medal winning sauvignon blancs from Marlborough, pinot noirs from Central Otago and cabernet merlots and syrahs from Hawke’s Bay, we will be serving an incredible dining experience!”
The 340 seat 777-300 aircraft will be configured with 246 in Economy (including 66 seats creating 22 Skycouch combinations), 50 in Premium Economy and 44 in Business Premier.
The first routes to offer travellers the next generation of long haul travel will be on selected NZ5 and NZ6 services between Auckland and Los Angeles from December followed by dedicated return services on NZ1 and NZ2 between Auckland and Los Angeles and through to London from April 2011.
Air New Zealand expects to also refit its fleet of eight Boeing 777-200 aircraft from mid next year, with all Asian, North American and UK services to have the new product by around 2012.
Are you in the process of preparing for a trip that requires you to travel by air? If you are, you should know the impact that your air travel experience can have on your vacation. Unfortunately, this is something that many individuals do not think of until a complication arises.
For starters, traveling by airplane is important to the overall success of your trip, as it is how you will get to your destination. If you miss your flight, you may, literally, be out of luck. Depending on the situation at hand, you may be responsible for buying your own replacement tickets. For that reason, you will always want to arrive to the airport early. You will also want to make sure that you follow all airport rules and restrictions, especially at airport security checkpoints.
Another one of the many ways that your air travel experience can impact your vacation is by ruining it. Remember that your vacation starts and ends with a plane ride. If you have an unpleasant experience, like with a rude airline attendant or a problem at an airport security checkpoint, your vacation will likely get off to a bad start. This can have a significant impact on your mood, as well as how you look at the rest of your vacation.
Your air travel can also have an impact on what you get to do and see while on vacation. This is impacted by the money that you have. When booking a flight for your trip, be sure to compare prices. The less you spend on your airline tickets and the less you spend on food and snacks at the airport, the more money you will have to put towards your vacation. This may mean that you can stay at a vacation resort as opposed to a traditional hotel. It may mean that you can enjoy dinner at a nice restaurant, as opposed to a fast food joint. It may also mean that you get to participate in activities or visit attractions that weren’t previously on your to do list because of costs.
As you can see, there are a number of different ways that your air travel can impact your vacation. With that being said, it is important to remember that you do have some control. There are a number of steps that you can take at the airport and while in-flight to help ensure that you have a pleasant experience, as well as a great vacation.
As a reminder, it is important to not only know all airport security rules, but to also follow them, especially when packing. If you do not bring any prohibited items, especially in your carry-on bag, you will likely get through airport security with ease.
Be sure to follow all directions given to you by airline attendants. If you are supposed to stay seated in-flight, be sure that you do. If you have to go to the bathroom, ask an airline attendant for advice; however, do so politely. Better yet, make sure that you go to the bathroom beforehand. As previously stated, there are always steps that you can take to improve your travel.
Finally, don’t let anything get you down. Of course, customer service is important and all airline attendants and security personnel should be kind and treat you with respect, but also remember that we all have bad days. For that reason, don’t take anything too personal.
Are you preparing for a trip, namely a trip that requires air travel? If you are, you may be looking to start packing your bags soon. Of course, this is a great thing to do, but there is a step that you may first want to take. That step involves familiarizing yourself with all airport rules and restrictions.
As nice as it is to hear that you should take the time to familiarize yourself with all airport rules and restrictions, you may be wondering what is so important about doing so. In actuality, you will find a lot. Familiarizing yourself with all airport security rules and restrictions can have a significant impact on your travels.
One of the most common mistakes made by air travelers is bringing items that are prohibited. These items may include a pocket knife, scissors, or other sharp objects. Although you may find a few small exceptions, it is generally best to leave all sharp objects at home or at least pack them in your checked luggage. In fact, do you know what will happen if you are caught at airport security with a prohibited item that looks dangerous? Chances are, you will find yourself detained. You will be asked to give up the item, like your pocket knife, but you may also be asked a series of other questions, to ensure that you are not a danger to other travelers.
As previously stated, you may be asked to give up any items that you have in your bags that are actually prohibited. This not only includes sharp objects, but many everyday items as well. For example, the TSA has strict rules on liquids being in carry-on luggage. As for drinks, you are advised not to bring anything with you to the airport. There are some exceptions to this rule, like small bottle of juice or formula for your children. Everything else should be purchased at the airport, past a security checkpoint. As for health and beauty products, only small travel sizes are allowed and they must be kept separate. If not, you may be required to throw away your things, which can result in wasted money.
Another one of the many reasons why you are urged to familiarize yourself with airport security rules and restrictions before leaving for your flight is because of the dire consequences. As previously stated, you may be detained and asked questions if you are traveling with anything out of the ordinary or you may be required to throw away prohibited items. Another consequence of not knowing and following all airport security rules is missing your flight. In fact, that is why all travelers are encouraged to arrive at the airport well before their flight leaves, to account for security problems and other delays. If you miss your flight due to a misunderstanding at a security checkpoint, your airline should help you make other arrangements.
Now that you know the importance of familiarizing yourself with all airport security rules and restrictions, you may be curious as to how you can go about doing so. The good news is that it is relatively easy to do so online. Your best source of information, perhaps, is the online website for the TSA. Their online websites is located at www.tsa.gov. There, you will find a large amount of information, including a detailed list of prohibited items, other airport rules and restrictions, as well as general travel tips for air travelers.
Another great way to familiarize yourself with airport security rules and restrictions is by visiting the online website of your departing airport. Most will follow the same rules set in place by the TSA, but you may also find other rules and restriction in place for that specific airport, such as with parking. These rules and restrictions, should they exist, should be clearly outlined on an airport’s online website. All airport websites can easily be found online, with a standard internet search.
Have you recently decided that you would like to take a last minute trip? Whether you are interested in visiting Hawaii, California’s wine country, or another popular vacation destination in the United States, you will want to get started with your planning right away. With last minute trips, you have the same number of travel arrangements to make, but in a much shorter period of time.
Speaking of making your travel arrangements, you will want to go with an airline that is known for its affordable rates. You may also want to choose an airline that you have traveled with before, as this often results in less surprises. If this is your first time traveling by air, you may want to quickly ask your friends or family members for airline recommendations or even warnings.
In keeping with reservations, if you don’t have time to examine all of the airlines individually and their rates, you may want to turn to online travel websites. When doing so, go to the bigger name sites, as they are typically more reliable. Online travel websites allow you to search for flights with flexible timeframe windows. You should also receive quotes from a number of different airlines. For last minute travelers, online travel websites are one of the best ways to get the best deals in the quickest amount of time.
It is also important to remember not to overpay. Unfortunately, this is something that many last minute travelers end up doing. If you are flying out for an emergency, like to see a sick loved one, you may want to make your travel arrangement right away and at any cost. However, if you are simply just looking to take a last minute vacation or a quick weekend trip, be sure to price compare. As previously stated, online travel websites are an easy way to do so. They can allow you to compare the rates and flight times of multiple airlines, all in a few minutes worth of time. For that reason, you should never have to pay more than you need to, even at the last minute.
Once you have your travel arrangements made, you will want to quickly create a checklist for yourself. This is important, as many last minute travel plans are rushed, including packing. As soon as you have five or ten minutes free, sit down and create a checklist for yourself. Do you need to bring your digital camera or laptop computer? How many changes of clothes do you need? Be sure to check each item off of your checklist as you later pack it. This will help to prevent errors and confusion.
It is also important to take the time to familiarize yourself with airport security rules and restrictions. When rushing to plan a last minute trip and pack, you are more likely to make mistakes. You can visit the TSA’s online website to get a quick summary of air travel rules and restrictions. You can also use your best judgment as well. For example, you know your shoes will be removed, so wear comfortable and easy to remove shoes. Also, leave all sharp objects at home or at least pack them in your checked luggage, as opposed to in a carry-on bag.
As for arriving for your flight, all last minute travelers are urged to think like everyday travelers. Just because you made your travel plans at the last minute, it doesn’t mean that you should arrive at the airport at the last minute. Generally speaking, you will want to arrive about an hour and half before your flight is scheduled to leave; however, it all depend on your departing airport. Larger airports sometimes recommend arriving three hours in advance.
The above mentioned tips may be able to assist you when looking to plan a last minute vacation or a last minute weekend trip. By taking the time to at least know what you are doing, your trip can go off without a hitch; in fact, it can appear as if it is a trip that you have been planning for months!
Are you interested in taking a trip or a vacation soon? If you are, you may be looking for ways to save money. When it comes to finding great travel deals and discounts, many individuals are told to visit online travel websites. With that said, many are still left wondering if online travel websites can really save them money.
When it comes to determining if online travel websites can save you money, there are a number of important points to keep in mind. Generally speaking, yes, online travel websites can save you money, but you need to proceed with caution. If you are not careful, online travel websites can actually end up costing you more money in travel costs, like with airline reservations.
The best way to find affordable airline reservations and other travel arrangements is to know what you are getting. This is important to the overall success and satisfaction of your trip. For many individuals, online travel websites can be tricky to use, especially with a number of rules, restrictions, and exceptions. When you buy a ticket on an online travel website, make sure it is for an actual set of tickets; do not purchase any standby tickets, as you may not be able to fit onto the flight in question.
In keeping with knowing what you are getting, it is important to thoroughly examine any airfare quotes that you may receive through an online travel website. What many do not realize is that most online travel websites charge consumers a fee for using their services. This fee is often hard to notice, as it is typically included in with the quoted airfare rate, but that does not mean that it will not exist. Keep an eye on online travel websites and the fees that they charge, as they should be reasonable, but not too high.
In staying with costs, you will want to compare prices, when looking to buy airline tickets on an online travel website. What you will want to do is examine similar flights on different online travel websites. Since most travel websites charge different fees, you will likely see some differences, but be cautious of any huge price gaps. Significant gaps in quoted prices are a good sign that you are being overcharged or at least over quoted.
In addition to buying airline tickets through an online travel website, you may be interested in booking a stay at a hotel or booking a reservation for a car rental. When doing so, you will likely end up buying a vacation package. Vacation packages are nice, but they are designed so it is easy for consumers to overpay or at least walk away without getting a good deal. When you are quoted a price for a vacation package, the name of the hotel in question should disclosed. Quickly visit the website for that hotel and perform your own private quote. Do the rates match? Are you getting a good deal or not?
In conclusion, online travel websites are a nice way to make travel arrangements, especially where airfare is considered. If you are careful and watch every step that you make, you can use online travel websites as a quick, easy, and convenient way to book your travel arrangements, including your airline reservations, while saving money at the same time.
Are you getting ready to take a trip? If you are, will you be traveling by air? If you will be, you may be nervous about the costs of doing so. Any type of travel can be expensive if you are not careful, but air travel can be the worst. With that said, it is important to know that there are ways that you can save money.
One of the best ways to save money when traveling by air is to compare airline fares. This allows you to save money right from the start. Also, if you have more than one airline to choose from, which most travelers do, be sure to price compare. Also, being flexible with the dates and times that you can fly can also result in a little bit of money saved.
Speaking of flights, be sure to choose an airport that is close to your final destination. This is important if you must rent a car or take a bus or a cab. Ending up close to your destination should result in saved money as well as saved time, by eliminating unnecessary travel. On that same note, you will want to experiment with airports that are close by. For example, did you know that a simple thirty minute drive may result in huge price gaps, depending on the airport in question?
As for packing your bags, be sure to know airport security rules. You will want to use your best judgment, but you can also learn more about airport security rules by visiting the online website for the TSA. Don’t pack anything that is sharp or buy a drink to take with you to the airport, unless it is for a child. Chances are, you will have to toss these items in the trash, which, essentially equals money lost.
Although you will need to be careful with bringing liquids to the airport, you will want to bring snacks with you. Most snacks are okay, as long as they are dry food. Great items include fruit, chips, and crackers. Stop and pickup some of these items at your local grocery store before your trip or, better yet, buy them when they are on sale. Snacks and candies are usually very expensive at the airport and their costs can easily add up
As for parking at the airport, see if you have a close friend or family member who can drop you off and pick up back up when you return. This will allow you to save yourself a considerable amount of money on parking, especially on extended trips. If you must drive yourself, like if your flight leaves or comes in when most people that you know are at work, be sure to examine all of your options. For example, outdoor parking is usually much cheaper, as opposed to indoor garage parking. Also, the farther away you are able to park, the less money you will likely have to pay.
If your flight has an in-flight movie and you want to watch, buy the headphones. Yes, this will cost a couple of dollars, but most standard headphones will not work with airport movies and seats. If you do buy the headphones though, be sure to save them, as you can use them on another flight, like your return flight. Also, if you already have a set of headphone that you purchased on an airplane before bring those, as they will likely work.
To save yourself a couple of dollar on headphones, don’t watch the movie. Instead, bring other stuff to keep you occupied. Great items include portable DVD players, laptop computers, books, magazines, music players, and portable gaming systems. When using electronic items, be sure to have extra batteries on hand. As for a laptop computer, charge your laptop at any layovers you have.
As you can see, there are a number of different ways that you can go about saving money on your next trip. In all honesty, as long as you use your best judgment and plan ahead, you shouldn’t have to incur to many additional costs.
Are you in the process of planning a trip? Whether you are flying to Hawaii, Europe, or another destination that calls for air travel, you may be looking for information how you can save money. Better yet, you may be looking for cheap air travel rates.
The first step in finding cheap air ravel rates is to know that they do exist. Unfortunately, many individuals do not know or even truly believe that there are ways that they can save money on the cost of traveling by air, but you can. Depending on where you look, you may be able to save one hundred dollars or more on just one trip!
As for how you can go about finding cheap air travel rates, you will want to turn to the internet. When using the internet, you will find that there are a number of different approaches that you can take to find cheap airline tickets. First, you will want to start with online travel websites. Many allow you to compare flights with different airlines. You are also often able to compare flights with one airline, but with a flexible time or date window. This approach is one that you will want to examine. Many travelers do not realize that the same flight can cost more money on a Saturday than it would on a Wednesday and so forth.
In keeping with using online travel websites to help you find cheap air travel rates, you will want to visit a number of them. If you don’t already know of a number of online travel websites, you can easily find a few by performing a standard internet search. Examining multiple online travel websites and their rates is important, as they will likely vary. For example, many online travel websites charge you a fee for using their services. This fee is typically included in the price that you are quoted, but since different travel websites charge different fees, you will find some price differences.
Another great way that you can go about finding cheap air travel rates, while still using the internet, is by examining popular airlines individually and independently. This can be time consuming, but still worth it if you are able to find a great deal. First, examine airlines that provide flights from your starting point to your destination. Then, compare prices. Remember that being flexible, in your destination and travel dates and time can result in you saving money.
When comparing prices, either for airlines individually or with online travel websites, be sure to write down all quote rates. Other information that you will want to write down includes the airline, date, time, and the name of the online travel website the deal is being offered on. This will allow you to easily compare to find the cheapest air travel rates, without making any errors.
If you find a good deal, try to buy your tickets right then and there. It is important to remember that prices can change and at the drop of a hat. Also, airlines that are offering great deals on flights may have their seats fill up quickly. That is why you will want to act fast if you see a great moneysaving air travel rate.
As an added tip, if you will be traveling with young children, namely those who are two or younger, you may be able to receive a small, but helpful, discount. Children under two have the option of sitting on the lap of an adult, but many airlines will offer discounts to help fill up all seats. To see if an airline will offer you a discount for traveling with a child under the age of two, contact them directly. If you are given a small discount, be prepared to buy your tickets then and over the phone.
The above mentioned ways are just a few of the many ways that you can go about finding cheap air travel rates. As a recap, comparing airlines, travel websites, and flight dates and times is likely to result in you finding the best deals.
Are you in the process of planning a trip that requires air travel? If you are, you may be wondering about booking your reservations. Of course, you can contact an airline over the phone to book a flight, but you can also use the internet. In fact, you are encouraged to use the internet, as it is an easy way to find and buy airline tickets.
When it comes to buying airline tickets online, many travelers wonder how they can go about doing so. Particularly, travelers wonder how they can buy airline tickets online, but with the smallest amount of hassle possible. The first step in doing so is knowing what all of your options are. For your convenience, a couple of your online air travel booking options are outlined below.
Before focusing on a few of the ways that can find and buy airline tickets online, it is first important to examine method of payment. Most websites will require a credit or a debit card that can be processed as a credit card. There may also be certain rules and restrictions, such as a policy that states your name or the name of someone else buying a ticket must be on the credit card used. If you plan to use a debit card, be sure to speak with your bank first, as you may have daily limits attached to your account.
It is also important to quickly touch on prices. Not all online websites will charge the same fees. In fact, some websites may list the exact same flight for a different price. Airlines themselves are known for varied rates. For that reason, you will want to take the time to price compare before officially booking your airline reservations. Honestly, there is no reason for you to pay more money than you need to. The good new is that you can compare prices at the same places online that you will go to for buying your tickets.
Speaking of your options, one of your options for buying airline tickets online is directly through the airlines. You can easily find most airline online websites by performing a standard internet search. For example, if you would like to fly United Airlines, your standard internet search phrase should be just that. When visiting the online website of an airline, most will allow you to search for flights based on date, time, destination, and departure location. Right next to the quoted price, you should see a link that will take you to a secure checkout. This is where you can pay for your tickets.
The greatest pro or plus side to booking your airplane reservations directly from the airlines themselves is the hassle. You know straight forward what you are getting. There is no having to wonder if the website you are doing business with is reputable. You are also more likely to get any questions that you may have about your flight later on answered and in an accurate and timely manner. Many travelers like the comfort and peace of mind that comes along with direct reservations.
Online travel websites are another one of your options, when looking to book and pay for your airline reservations online. They operate in a manner that is similar to most airline websites. For example, you can search for fights based on your starting point, your destination, and your date. You should be presented with a number of different flight options, including those from different airlines. In this aspect, online travel websites are nice, especially when looking to compare price to find the best deals. The only downside to using online travel websites is the uncertainty that many face. With that said, millions of travelers use online websites and are pleased with the results.
As highlighted above, you have a number of different options when looking to book and pay for your airline reservations. The sooner that you get started with doing so, the sooner you can start focusing on other important aspects of your trip, like fun activities and attractions at your vacation destination.
