出差人

摘自LA Times

Southwest Airlines has a new way of getting children on a plane -- by no longer putting them first.

As of Oct. 2, the airline will end its long-standing policy of allowing people with young children to board ahead of most other passengers, Southwest spokeswoman Beth Harbin said Tuesday.

Although the Dallas-based airline has been looking for ways to boost revenue, the push behind Southwest's policy change appears to have more in common with that age-old play-group complaint: No fair.

摘自新浪旅游

从今年6月开始，经常往返于中美两国的周女士发现，美国航空公司在机票上多了一项名为“paper fee(纸票附加费)”的费用，从200元到400元不等，最高的甚至到了2000元。“一张机票纸怎么会那么贵？这些费用明显虚高。”周女士的抱怨代表了相当一部分消费者的心态。

首次出境客多：国际电子票发展不快

代表了全球200多家航空公司的国际航空运输协会8月27日宣布，从明年6月1日起，纸质机票将彻底退出历史舞台，全部为电子机票所取代。记者了解到，外航的纸票附加费从无到有、从小到大，在今年9月1日还将上调。其中，美国大陆航空公司将附加费从原来的200元上调到400元；泰国航空公司将100元的附加费上调到200元；原来没有收取附加费的卡塔尔航空公司，也将从今年9月1日起收取200元。而迄今征收费用最高的是新加坡航空公司，一张国际机票的附加费三度上调，从200元到1000元，直到2000元的附加费。

摘自MSNBC

Hiring constraints, salary costs, age issues just a few of the reasons
By James Wysong

If I were to offer you two tickets for the same route, at the same price, one on Singapore Airlines and the other on Northwest Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines or United Airlines, which one would you pick?

I won't even bother with a poll on this question, because I'm pretty sure 95 percent of you would go with the foreign carrier. Ah, Singapore Airlines: gem of the Pacific carriers, home of the Singapore Girl advertisement, outstanding in every area. I have flown Singapore with high expectations and have not been disappointed. I found adequate staffing on every level and friendly but respectful service the entire journey.

摘自MSNBC

Singapore Airlines introduced a new business-class in November 2006 with 30-inch-wide lie-flat seats—the roomiest in the sky—with full-size pillows and plush blankets. The bathrooms are 50 percent larger than average, and passengers get deluxe Givenchy kits. The menu is designed by Alfred Portale, chef of New York's Gotham Bar & Grill.

Enjoy more legroom, flat-bed seating, gourmet meals and more

Once upon a time, first class got all the glory. Business class was seen as a middle world between economy and luxury—like purgatory, but with nuts.

But it has evolved, especially recently.

摘自北京商报

京沪空中快线将于８月６日开始试运行，航班每３０分钟发一班，旅客可随到随飞，任意签转。

民航华北地区管理局党办主任孙德富昨日介绍说，京沪空中快线旅客享有专用办票柜台、专用安检通道服务、专用候机区域、登机口和行李提取区域，３个小时完成北京至上海两地机场之间的航空运输。

摘自MSNBC

Airline rewards programs aren't what they used to be. Choices to fly right

If you want to get more rewards from an airline frequent flier program, it may be time to stop looking for free flights.

That's because the reward miles market is over-saturated—too many people have too many miles, causing intense competition for a limited number of reward seats.

Alaska Airlines has an excellent reputation for award availability, says Randy Peterson, editor and publisher of "Inside Flyer" magazine. "There's no other program in the United States that has more partners than Alaska Airlines," he says. Some of the big names include Delta, Continental and American, as well as the international airlines Air France, British Airways and Qantas. Mileage plans remain active for three years.

摘自LA Times

For many airline travelers, it's been a summer of hell. And hell just got a bit more expensive.

Over the weekend, discount leader Southwest Airlines Co. raised fares as much as $10 each way to offset higher fuel costs, setting off a wave of increases across the industry.

But midway through the summer travel season, the prospect of paying more to wait in long lines, suffer through awkward security checks and fight for elbow room on packed flights hasn't been enough to keep travelers at home.

"Frustrated or not, there's nothing you can do about it," said Linda Wambold, who was at Los Angeles International Airport on Monday, heading home to Kansas City, Mo., with her family after vacationing in Southern California.

摘自LA Times

Computer woes ground United flights for two hours in what experts say is a sign of things to come this summer.
By Peter Pae
June 21, 2007

A computer glitch grounded United Airlines planes for two hours Wednesday and delayed flights nationwide in another blow to travelers facing what could be the most unpleasant summer ever for air travel.

Severe storms, more planes in the air and intermittent computer outages are causing record numbers of delays and mishandled baggage, often turning a vacation into a bruising endurance test at the airport.

Passport renewal delays are also adding to frustration for international travelers. And the worst is yet to come as the summer travel season reaches its peak in the next few weeks.

摘自MSNBC

Score more legroom, on-board massages, full beds and more via upgrade
By Lauren Streib
Forbes

What makes a first-class seat so covetable?

Well, for starters, your dollar (depending on when and where you are flying, these seats may set you back as much as $10,000) gets you expedited check-in, a wider seat, more legroom, use of power ports and individualized service. Some domestic carriers offer access to private airport clubs, seats that extend almost 7 feet and dining on fine china in their first-class seats.

On international carriers, "the list [of amenities] is pretty much endless," says Susan Daimler, vice president of marketing for SeatGuru.com, a Web site that allows users to compare seats by airline and plane type. On Virgin Atlantic Airlines, for example, first-class ticket holders are offered complimentary limo rides to and from the airport, full flat beds, on-board massages and access to an onboard bar.

From CNN Money

NEW YORK (Reuters) -- JetBlue Airways Corp. is still one of the United States' favorite airlines, despite an embarrassing cancellation fiasco in February that cost the carrier's chief executive his job, according to a new national survey.

The survey, by Consumer Reports National Research Center, ranked JetBlue as No. 1 in customer satisfaction with a score of 87 out of a possible 100, beating out rivals overall in terms of check-in ease, seating comfort, on-time performance and in-flight service.

最近发现了一个很有意思的航空网站: www.seatguru.com.上面的内容都是与坐飞机有关的.其中最有用的是详细的各大航空公司飞机座位图.假如你是常飞客,特别是飞国际航班的.决定你飞行经历满意度的因素按重要性依次为座位舒适度,餐饮及服务,和娱乐设施.虽然普通乘客一般都是坐经济舱,但只要你会选位置,舒适程度不会比商务舱差太多(把票价考虑进去,你会得到很高的性价比).而Seatguru上的飞机座位图对于挑好座位帮助很大.它把座位按舒适度分为四类: 好(标以绿色),一般(无色),较差(标以黄色)和差(标以红色).这样一来你坐国际航班无论是买机票(假如可以当场挑座位的话)或去机场CHECK-IN时就不会两眼一摸黑了:)
以下举韩亚航空(ASIANA)的波音777(用于OZ203和OZ204)及波音747(用于OZ201和OZ202)为例.

Asiana_Boeing_777-200	Asiana_Boeing_747-400