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Friday, April 27, 2012

Alaska - A Historical Journey of a Lifetime

Alaska is the largest state of North America and is almost twice the size of Texas, which is the next largest state of the US. Its coastline is the longest of any other American state. Today, Alaska is a popular tourist destination offering adventure, sports and culture for all to enjoy.
Visiting Alaska at any time of the year is a good time but usually tourists prefer the May to September slot as the days are long and warm comparatively. Many tour operators advertise cheap tickets to Alaska at this time of the year. The flights tickets need to be booked in advance to avoid disappointment.
Visitors to Alaska can experience the state's rich native culture through traditional native music and dance performances, totem carving, festivals and crafts, as well as cultural and historical museums and heritage centers. Many museums, tours and historical sites are dedicated to Alaska's gold rush era, World War II involvement, early Russian influence and more.
Alaskans are creative thinkers and celebrate beauty that surrounds them. Various cultural centers, art galleries and shops come alive with the arts illustrated by unique tribal and traditional native handicrafts. Music, theater and other art forms are celebrated in shows, festivals and workshops year-round.
The Juneau Jazz and Classics festival and the annual Alaska Folk Festival held over a period of seven days are all a celebration of life through music. The World Eskimo-Indian Olympics held in June every year sees indigenous people compete in traditional athletic games. Golden Days, a five-day event celebrating the town's gold-rush heritage includes the Golden Citizens' Luncheon, a fashion show, street fair, parade, duckie races, beer festival and river regatta. The Alaskan festivals have something or the other for all to enjoy. Inexpensive tickets at the time of festivals are available on the net, which are advertised as cheap flights to Alaska.
One cannot go wrong with the mode of transport in Alaska whether it's a bush plane ride around the Mc Kinley-Mountain or a train ride across the tundra region. Most tourist itineraries include a mix of travel modes. Shopping for authentic Alaskan Native moccasins, baskets, jewelry, carvings and both traditional and modern art pieces make great gifts for friends back home. They are available at retail stores, museum gift shops, galleries and farmers markets throughout Alaska.

FAA May Allow Electronics During Takeoffs and Landings

For many frequent flyers, one of the inconveniences of air travel is the ban on personal electronic devices during takeoffs and landings, also known as "critical phase of flight." That rule may change in the future, according to a recent Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announcement. The FAA said that it will begin discussions with key stakeholders, including airlines, aircraft and electronics manufacturers and flight attendant unions to see if there is a practical way to test the in-flight safety of electronics devices. The devices on the table to be tested include e-readers, tablets and music players. The testing and use of cellphones, including smartphones will not be re-examined, per the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) which already has banned cellphones during takeoffs and landings.
The FAA last tested electronic devices in 2006, before many current devices such as iPads, Android tablets, and eReaders even existed. For this reason, the FAA is taking a "fresh look" at the use of personal electronic devices, other than cellphones. The FAA is also prompting discussions because the airlines have not conducted independent testing.
The testing of electronic devices is both complicated and costly. In order for a device to become approved, the FAA will require each airline to test multiple versions of a device on separate flights with no passengers. So to approve the Kindle eBook, for example, each version will have to be tested under the FAA's guidelines. One possible solution being discussed is for the major airlines to team up and create a single test aircraft, funded by the electronics manufacturers who have a vested interest in revising the current FAA regulations.
Current FAA Electronics Policy
Prior to this announcement, the FAA already permitted airlines to test electronic devices to determine if they create enough of a transmission to interfere with an aircraft's communication and navigation systems. But, because there are so many individual electronic devices, makes and models - and technology is advancing and products changing all the time - few airlines have actually done the testing the FAA requires. Instead, most airlines take the simpler route of following FAA guidelines for in-flight electronics usage: Passengers are allowed to use most personal electronic devices, other than cellphones, after an aircraft's cabin doors have been closed and it has reached 10,000 feet. All electronic devices must be turned off before the cabin doors are closed and the plane begins taxiing down the runway.
The reason for this rule is that the FAA, airlines and pilots are concerned that transmissions from electronic devices would interfere with an aircraft's communication and navigation systems. To date, the FAA is not aware of any aviation accident that was directly caused by, or the result of, interference from personal electronic devices.

Cheap Air Tickets - Useful Tips To Help You Travel Cheaply

There are many people's lives that depend on air travel. Also, families and friends like to plan for vacations that require air travel. If you are in large countries like the US or India, you can get cheap air tickets for domestic travel which will help cut down on overall travelling costs. In order to get these air tickets at a cheap rate, there are some helpful tips that can help. These tips are outlined below:
  • Avoid weekend flights The weekend happens to be the busiest time when it comes to travel. Whether it is by air or road, many people travel during this time. It is also during this time that fares for travel go up. This means that it is very hard to get a cheap air ticket for domestic travel during the weekend. The best way to get such a ticket is if you reserve for a mid-week flight. There are less people travelling and thus you will get an affordable rate for your ticket. Also, the time of flying matters. Early morning domestic flights usually cost more than late evening flights.
  • Avoid peak season flights This can be a bit tricky especially if you had planned to go on vacation. People tend to travel a lot during certain holiday seasons like Christmas. To get cheap air tickets, you will have to reserve much earlier. If you plan to travel during a peak season, it is always advisable to make your reservation at least a month in advance. In this way, you will pay less for the ticket.
  • Make flight reservations using return tickets One way of saving money through cheap air tickets for domestic travel is getting a return ticket. In the long run, it saves you a lot of money. One-way tickets are quite expensive compared to return tickets.
  • Compare airline fares Another way you can save money on your air travel is by looking for airlines that are going to your destination. Many airlines have websites. You can visit these websites and note down the airfare for each airline that goes to your destination. Compare the airfares and then make a choice on the airline that offers the best ticket fares.
In conclusion, it would be good to note that the smaller airlines have cheap air tickets for domestic travel compared to the larger ones. So, if you want to pay less for domestic air travel, you should consider using the smaller airlines.

Airlines and Airline Subsidiaries

Over the past few years, the airline industry has experienced a number of changes. This was mainly influenced by the global crisis that was experienced between the years 2008 and 2009. In this period, there was a drastic drop in the number of domestic flights in many countries, including India, US, UK, among others. Many people preferred cheaper ways of travelling which included using the train, the bus or their own personal vehicles. Other people started using the less known airline companies for their domestic travel. Well-known, established airlines experienced a major drop in profits while minor airline companies raked in profits.
Major airlines saw the need to still cater for the local clients while maintaining their international clients. This led to the collaboration between major airlines and minor airlines. The major airlines would focus on international flights while the minor airlines would focus on local flights. The catch was that the minor airline would have to work under the name of the major airline. For example, in India, one of the major airlines is Jet Airways. It is a well-known airline that flies to various destinations all over the world. It collaborated with one of the minor airline companies which catered for the local market. The minor company, which is now a subsidiary of Jet Airways, is known as JetLite. While Jet Airways provides airline services for the international market, JetLite offers services for the domestic market.
There are some differences that exist between established airlines and their subsidiaries. One of them is the size of the aircraft. Most established airlines have large and fast-moving aircraft compared to aircraft owned by their subsidiaries. The large aircraft consume more fuel and that is why it is better that major airlines cater for the international market. This is one of the things that make airfares for major airlines expensive. On the other hand, airline subsidiary companies have smaller aircraft which consume less and hence their airfares are affordable. In any case, their aircraft are designed for short distance travelling, making them very economical.
With the information provided above, it can be safely concluded that it is better to use more established airlines for international travel and use their subsidiaries for domestic travel. You can always do some research on the internet to find out about more about well-known airlines and their subsidiaries which operate in your country. This information will help you the next time you want to travel.

How Travel Portals Are Beneficial

There are various things that people have to consider when they are going for a vacation or a holiday. Some of the things that need to be considered include the mode of transport to be used, the place where the travellers will reside, car rental services if necessary, among others. Sometimes, getting all this information together can be tasking. It is for this reason that people created travel portals.
A travel portal is a website that can help you find the necessary information on how you can travel. It can help you get information about flight tickets, hotel reservations and also car rental services. It is like a one-stop shop for travelling services. For example, in India, one of the popular travel portals is Yatra flights. This website provides information about holiday packages, flight schedules, deals on cheap tickets, hotels and resorts, car rental services, etc.
Outlined below are some of the benefits of using travel portals when planning for a vacation:
- The portals can help you share travel information easily with the people you are planning to go on vacation with.
- Information about flights such as cancellations, postponement and delays are usually emailed to customers.
- The travel portal helps you know alternative flights that you can use to reach your destination.
- The travel portals produce travel plans which make planning for the vacation easier and enjoyable. You can access these travel plans through the website, from your mobile phone or you can have it printed out. Also, you can be able to make changes on your travel. This will be reflected in your travel plan and the updated information will be sent to you.
- If you are using a connecting flight to get to your destination, you will always be alerted about that particular flight.
- You are not only provided with details about your flight but also about the weather conditions. You also get information on sites that you can visit, restaurants you can dine in and instructions on driving.
As you can see, these websites can actually plan your whole vacation for you.

Travelling By Train Can Be Faster Than Using A Flight

Traveling can be so much fun especially if you are moving from London to Paris. There are various travelling means that one can use when travelling between these two places. Some of the traveling options one has include the use of buses, trains, ferries, personal cars or use of airplanes. However, the most often modes of transport are trains and flights.
There are quite a number of flights that leave London destined to Paris. You will find that most people who use these flights want to save on time as they need to arrive at their destinations faster. On average, the flight takes about one hour and fifteen minutes. However, there is usually a catch. After landing at the airport, one has to drive for another 45 minutes to get to the main city of Paris. If you include baggage and security checks that happen at the airport, the whole trip would take approximately 3 hours to complete.
On the other hand, there is the option of using the London to Paris train which is offered by the Eurostar Train Service. On a daily basis, there are close to 20 trains that depart London heading towards Paris passing through the Channel Tunnel (also known as the Chunnel). What is more amazing is that the trip just takes two hours and thirty minutes.
It is quite evident that it is much better and a bit faster to use a London to Paris train as compared to flying. The good thing about using the train is that it still provides comfort and luxury as you travel. You get to enjoy an ambience similar to that of using an airplane but at a cheaper and more affordable rate. The Eurostar trains are super fast and are a great way to travel. Another good thing about using these trains is that you can get cheap Eurostar deals on the tickets. You can purchase a ticket at a much cheaper price if you make an early reservation. Also, there are some websites which offer cheap Eurostar deals on various travelling packages. These deals usually depend with the type of class that you travel in. The Eurostar Train Service has 2 main classes of travel. These are:
Business Premier - Here, you get to enjoy benefits such as comfortable seats, ability to charge your mobile phone or laptop, beverages and light meals.
Standard Premier - The benefits are similar to the ones of the Business Premier class mentioned above but with a less business ambience.

Best Time to Book a Flight

If you are planning a trip during your vacation and want to know the best time to book your flight tickets then we would be giving you some tips which you can use in order to save some money on air tickets. Also keep in mind that this requires some planning and if you start early, then you can save a lot more. As the date of flight comes closer, the tariffs keep on increasing. So here are some of the tips and explanations about the best time to book your tickets.
1. The best time to book your flight ticket must be at least 21 days before the actual departure of the flight. Almost all the major airlines start giving a number of offers and schemes which would lure their customers. They tend to give bigger discounts and other freebies to those who book their tickets well in advance.
2. Booking the ticket online would be cheaper than booking them from the counters or booking centers of the airlines. This is because a significant amount is spent on the paper and handling of the paper tickets to the customer but in online booking, there are no overhead costs and the company pass on a share of this benefit to their customers.
3. According to many professional and travel agencies, the best time to book your tickets is during mid-January to end-February, April to May and mid-September to end-October.
4. Also keep a check on the rates of the tickets which are offered by many online travel agencies and portals. There are many economy deals which are also offered by them. These deals include hotel accommodation, car rentals, sightseeing and much more. You can also consider these deals.
5. While booking keep a check in the current prices from other travel agencies such as Yatra, MakeMyTrip and Expedia. Also check out the individual airlines sites which sometime offer cheaper tickets than the online travel agents.
6. If you are going out for a vacation, then consider travelling on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Because the rush is less during these days and you can also get bigger discounts as compared to the other days of the week. Avoid weekends at all costs. Booking the return tickets can also help you in availing the further discount and thus much more cheaper tickets.
7. If you are a student or defense personnel then you can get further discount on your air tickets.
8. For those planning a vacation to some of the exotic destination, then they can consider visiting that destination during the off season time that will give them bigger discounts on flight tickets, hotel accommodation and much more.

Tips For Pleasant Flying

With the opportunities that we are presented with in flying these days, we're going to more distant and exciting places. The down side to this is very long flights!
Some people are easily entertained by a good book or two while some find it frustratingly easy to go to sleep. Instead, you sit there, tapping your feet, eyes bloodshot, begging to be able to lie flat, wondering how you're going to cope for the next ten hours.
Here are some tips to relax those muscles and maximise your flight experience. Conditions such as low cabin pressure, restriction of movement and dehydration can affect your circulation. This causes anything from discomfort to heart attacks!
The way to improve your mood and your health is to stand up and move around every hour. Circulate your joints when sitting. Rotate ankles and wrists and elevate your feet where possible.
Drink plenty of fluids, preferably water. Avoid those that dehydrate such as alcohol and coffee. Not only will these dehydrate you - they will also make you restless.
Remove any tight fitting clothing to allow good blood circulation. If you can and if safe to do so, you should loosen your footwear.
If you have asthma, are pregnant or have lung problems, the thin cabin air can cause breathing difficulties.
Combat this by taking slow, deep breaths and relaxing your muscles as best you can. Flights also have spare oxygen that you can use, should you be struggling particularly bad.
Dehydration as mentioned above can be a problem due to the humidity being extremely low. Water and loose clothing again, as mentioned is key. As is eating fruit and veg, due to their water content. Avoid salt.
With dehydration and low humidity often comes eye irritation. Remedy this by using eye drops prior to flying and have them available during the flight, should your eyes need a top up. Remove contact lenses if possible as they can irritate under the unique conditions.

Airline Vacation - Business Travel Tips!

I have really great ideas to make your vacation or business trip less stressful and more enjoyable. A prepared traveler is a smart traveler.
Check with the airlines or internet for luggage and carry on information before you pack and depart. Make sure you know the carry on rules before hand.
When traveling there are several things you can do to make your trip virtually stress free. Make a check list of items you plan to take. Any items you plan to purchase, try to do at least a week before. For last minute shopping make a separate list of items. You should pack a day before your departure using your check list.
Limit your carry on bags to one or two per person. The length, width and height should be measured to be sure it will fit into the overhead carry on compartment or under the seat.
Remember that liquids in carry on luggage should be of no more than 3.4 oz. or three 1 oz. clear containers in one clear plastic bag.
If you purchase any food items at the airport do it after the security checkpoint if possible then you can carry those items on board. This may vary depending on the airport or airline carrier.
Travelers with children or people with medical conditions should inform airport security. Items you may need must be declared for inspection at the checkpoint.
You should have your Laptop and mobile devices in a friendly easy to open bag. At the check point you must remove all mobile devices from the bag, place them in security bins separately with no metal snaps, zippers, or buckles.
Prohibited items are: knives, guns, handguns, stun guns, all toy weapons, swords, hammers, pepper spray, golf clubs, baseball bats, box cutters, screwdrivers, corkscrews, straight razors and pen knives. These items are strictly prohibited by law and cannot be carried on the airplane. Many of these items may be transported at the security baggage check area.
To find out your airline's own rules go to their website which will provide information on fees for checked bags and any additional fees for in flight items, like pets and bulky items. Make sure you do not go over the weight limit or over stuff.

Backpacks vs Suitcases: The Traveler's Dilemma

Before buying a piece of luggage to carry on your vacation, you'll want to decide between a backpack or a suitcase. Which choice is correct for international travelers? Even if you are not a classic "backpacker" you may still want to consider a backpack. Here's why:
Backpacks, unlike suitcases, are intended to be worn. Because you wear a backpack they're designed to be much less heavy. Suitcases contain lots of plastic to make them rigid. The plastic or metal pieces of the grip and wheel structure also increase the bag's weight. When you're trying to pack light or may have difficulties placing a heavy piece of luggage into the overhead storage area, a bag is the proper alternative.
If you're like me and hate checking bags, opt for a backpack. should you pick a carry-on piece of luggage, you may still be told to check it at the gate if the overhead bin is at capacity. The carry on storage space fills up fast on packed flights. Should that happen, the airline employee at your gate will demand that passengers check their carry on bags. Flyers with suitcases are the ones the ones who must check their bags. If you've brought a backpack or duffel you'll normally be excused from this requirement.
Suitcases with wheels are great under perfect conditions such as the level floors of airports or the hotel. Under any other conditions, they are an impediment. Might your trip include any uneven terrain? Might you have to carry your bag up steps? For any situations other than perfectly even floors, opt for a backpack. Since you're not dragging it about, you'll be able to handle any terrain the world throws at you.
If you do take a suitcase with wheels into the wild, prepare for the wheels to break. The wheels on most suitcases are built from shoddy plastic and crack easily. When they do, your luggage will then be useless. A rolling suitcase with a cracked wheel won't roll well, if at all. You'll have to carry a case that's needlessly heavy due to its handle and wheels. If the wheels crack, you'll be burdened with a bag that retained zero of its usual strengths and all of its weaknesses, plus a few spare ones.

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

All About Denver International Airport

Planning a visit to Denver? Park your car at the nearest offsite airport parking lot and prepare for an adventure that will start when you step into the Denver International Airport, the eleventh busiest airport in the world serving over 52 million passengers a year.
Mention Denver International Airport (DIA) to any longtime Coloradan and reactions will run from pride to anger. Since its inception and building in the mid-nineties, DIA has been both a point of controversy and an impressive example of modern technology.
A New Location
In the 1990s the city of Denver decided to close the old Stapleton International Airport and build a better, bigger world-class airport. The city decided to build the airport on the plains east of Denver.
Stapleton International Airport (the previous airport) was a good airport that had been built 65 years before but it had outlived its usefulness. The runways were too few and too small for the types of flights that were needed to make Denver truly a player on the international travel stage. Besides, Denver had grown by leaps and bounds and the airport was now in the middle of the city, surrounded by many residential areas, and it caused a lot of noise.
The new location is 25 miles from the city and seemingly in the middle of nowhere. There is plenty of room for expansion, with DIA anticipating the ability to eventually serve over 100 million travelers a year. Denver residents, however, continue to be unhappy with the location.
Design
At first glance, DIA looks like a bunch of white tents parked on the plains. The design by Curtis W. Fentress is intended to mirror the front range of the Rockies which provide a magnificent panorama to the west. The roof is made of Teflon-coated fiberglass and supported by a system of cables similar to the ones used on the Brooklyn Bridge.
Entrance to DIA is through the Jeppesen Terminal, named after aviation safety pioneer Elrey Jeppesen. The open, airy hall contains a food court with sit-down restaurant, as well as various shops. All security screening is done in the terminal and then subway trains whisk passengers to the concourses for their flights. Arriving passengers take the same trains into the terminal where baggage claim, ground transportation, and passenger pickup are easily accessible. Though it seems somewhat inconvenient when a tired traveler arrives, the system has been lauded as one of the most efficient in the world.

Monday, February 27, 2012

An Overview of London Airports

London is located at the center of Europe and serves as hub for destinations in Europe, US and destinations in different parts of the world.
Heathrow(LHR)
Heathrow was opened in 1929 and is located 14 miles west of Central London. The LHR has 5 terminals and 3 runways and is UK's largest and busiest airport. London Heathrow is owned and managed by BAA Limited. The LHR serves over 90 airlines operating flights to more than 170 global destinations. Heathrow is the primary hub of BMI and British Airways.
Gatwick (LGW)
Gatwick was opened in the 1920s and is located about 28.4 miles south of Central London. The LGW has 2 terminals namely North and South and 1 runway and is UK's second largest and busiest airport next to London Heathrow. London Gatwick is operated by Gatwick Airport Limited and operates the world's busiest single use runway. The LGW serves over 60 airlines operating flights to different global destinations. Gatwick Airport is mainly home to charter flights and budget airlines.
Stansted (STN)
Stansted was opened in 1943 and is located about 30 miles northeast of Central London. The Stansted has 1 terminal and is UK's third largest and busiest airport. London Stansted is owned by BAA Limited and operated by Stansted Airport Limited. The STN serves over 21 airlines operating flights to different global destinations. Stansted is primarily home to many low cost carriers.
Luton (LTN)
Luton was opened in 1938 and is located about 35 miles north of Central London. The airport has 1 terminal and 1 runway and is UK's fourth largest and busiest airport. London Luton is owned by Luton Borough Council and operated by London Luton Airport Operations Ltd. The airport serves 9 passenger airlines and 5 cargo airlines serving 60 worldwide destinations. Luton Airport serves mainly European destinations along with some charter flights to Asian and North American destinations.

Friday, January 27, 2012

Best European Airlines

The airline industry in Europe is vast and well developed. A number of airlines operate across different global destinations. Here are some of Europe's best airlines that offer excellent service.
Turkish Airlines
Turkish was founded in 1933 and is the flag carrier airline of Turkey. The airline is headquartered at Ataturk International Airport where it operates its hub. Turkish serves about 190 destinations with a fleet size of about 180. The airline's frequent flyer program is called Miles & Smiles and is a member of Star Alliance.
Lufthansa
Lufthansa was founded in 1953 and is the flag carrier airline of Germany. The airline is headquartered at Cologne, Germany and operates its hub at Frankfurt, Munich, Dusseldorf International Airport and Berlin Brandenburg Airport. Lufthansa serves about 221 destinations with a fleet size of about 710 including the subsidiaries. The airline's frequent flyer program is called Miles & More and is the founding member of Star Alliance. It has the second largest passenger fleet in the world.
Swiss International Air Lines
Swiss International was founded in 2002 and is the flag carrier airline of Switzerland. The airline is headquartered at EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg near Basel, Switzerland and operates its hub at Zurich Airport. Swiss International serves about 72 destinations with a fleet size of about 82. The airline's frequent flyer program is called Miles & More and is a member of Star Alliance. Swiss International Air Lines is a subsidiary of Lufthansa.
Easyjet
Easyjet was founded in 1995 and is a British Airline. The airline is headquartered at London Luton Airport and is UK's largest airline. Easyjet serves about 129 destinations with a fleet size of about 188. It is the largest operator of the Airbus A319 and is Europe's second largest low cost carrier next to Ryanair. Easyjet offers the same class of service in all its aircraft and doesn't provide any complimentary meals or drinks to the passengers.