Evelyn Kanter Eco Report » Airlines

Aussie Restaurant Puts Menus on iPads

Evelyn Kanter — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 10:48:19 +0000

The restaurant Global Mundo Tapas in Sydney, Australia really has to worry about guests stealing the menu as a souvenir, now that they’ve put the menus on iPads. In this restaurant, app means mobile device as well as yummy appetizer. The iPad menu gives a description of the dish, even a photo, and the wine selection is computerized as well. Users — diners — can click their own order, which goes directly to the kitchen. The MenuPad even can recommend dishes depending on the weather. No waiting for a waiter, except to deliver the food and refill the water glass. I wonder how they’ll keep the iPads from disappearing.

View video on next page…………….

Travel Bargains of the Week: Airfare and Getting to the Airport

Evelyn Kanter — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 10:10:46 +0000

The end of July is packed with travel bargains. In addition to airfare bargains, there are some discount deals to get you between the airport and home or downtown. Grab these great green travel deals before they disappear.

Delta Airlines has launched a global sale on both domestic and international flights. You have to book by [...]

Travel Advisory: US Passport Fees Going Up

Evelyn Kanter — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 15:48:43 +0000

US Passport fees increase substantially on July 13, 2010

If you have been planning to get a U.S. Passport, or renew one, act fast. U.S. Passport fees increase dramatically on July 13, 2010. The cost of a new passport jumps from $100 to $135. Renewing your existing passport will rocket from $75 to $110, a 47 percent increase. Charges for a minor to age 16 increase from $85 to $105. Even the cost of a Passport Card, for land crossings into Canada and Mexico is going up from $45 to $55. These represent the third increase in the last five years.

And the feds are adding an entirely new passport fee, too. If you are a frequent traveler who needs to add additional pages to an existing passport, that will cost $82 after July 13, 2010. Right now it is free.

So, if you think you’ll need a passport in the next few years, if your existing passport is expiring in the new couple of years, or if you think you’ll run out of pages soon, the apply, renew or expand now, before the price goes up on July 13,2010. You can apply at many US Postal Service branches, by mail, or in person at a passport office.

Airline Travel Deals to Save Your Green

Evelyn Kanter — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 13:21:12 +0000

There are discounts galore from airlines and hotels. Act fast, since these travel bargains don’t last forever.

AirTran Airways has a getaway sale valid for travel on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays. You have to book your flights by July 8, 2010, but you can travel through November 16, 2010. Sample fares are $114 each way between [...]

American Airlines Adds Yet More Ticket Fees

Evelyn Kanter — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 17:40:31 +0000

As I’ve said before, airlines are working overtime to come up with new ways to increase ticket prices without actually raising the cost of the actual airline ticket. Here’s the latest scheme to increase the cost of your travel experience, from American Airlines –

Pay extra and you can board first, with Group One. Pay extra and [...]

Travel to the Gulf Now Despite the Oil Spill

Evelyn Kanter — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 20:05:35 +0000

Despite the BP oil spill, the worst environmental disaster in US history, most beaches along the Gulf of Mexico remain open and ready for visitors. One of the best ways you can help resort communities in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida is to travel there and spend your money in the local, family-owned restaurants, boutiques, B&Bs [...]

Follow the Footsteps of Robin Hood in Nottingham

Evelyn Kanter — Fri, 14 May 2010 18:08:34 +0000

Robin Hood, the new Russell Crowe, Cate Blanchett, Ridley Scott action film, is sure to be a blockbuster, and also sure to increase interest to visit Britain.

You can follow the footstps of Nottingham’s famous outlaw on a special website from Visit Britain, the country’s official tourism agency, where you’ll find itineraries, behind-the-scenes movie location information, travel ideas and discount tickets for the London Eye and London Eye River Cruise.

Contest for a free trip to Nottingham – You could also win a trip to England in this contest sponsored by Visit Britain, American Airlines and Holiday Inn. The prize includes round-trip air-fare, four nights hotel, on American Airlines, four-nights for two at a Holiday Inn, a Medieval banquet with the real Sheriff of Nottingham, an archery lesson, and a visit to Sherwood Forest and to Nottingham Castle.

See the movie trailer and more discount deals and suggestions on the next page…….

Earth Day 2010: Saving the Green in Your Wallet

Evelyn Kanter — Sun, 11 Apr 2010 13:23:37 +0000

Earth Day 2010: save the green in your wallet

April 22, 2010 is the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, a day to think about the environment and keeping it green. Since my own personal definition of saving green includes saving the green in in my wallet, here are my High Fives – the five best travel websites to [...]

World’s Ten Best Airports are in Asia and Europe

Evelyn Kanter — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 20:25:53 +0000

Singapore has world's best airport

The world’s top ten airports are all in Asia and Europe. The annual survey by World Airport Awards by Skytrax puts the Singapore Changi Airport at the top of the list of 210 international airports for overall excellence.

The top rated airport in North America is Vancouver International Airport, which came in as number 11 worldwide. San Francisco and Denver were rated as having the second and third best airports in North America.

The ratings are based on many factors, including best airport dining, shopping, even bathrooms. So who won what?

Hong Kong International Airport won top awards both for best airport dining and best washrooms. Do you think the two are related?

Singapore was top-rated also for best airport leisure amenities, but I don’t agree. The Munich Airport came in third, but it gets my on personal vote for its top-rated airport brewery, Airbrau, the first in the world, with live music and an indoor-outdoor beer garden. I happen to be partial to Munich – my mother’s side of the family is from Bavaria, and I invite you to read the article I wrote on the cars, food and historic towns of Bavaria for Continental Airlines Magazine, the cover article of the April 2010 issue.

Best baggage delivery: the ever-efficient Swiss, at the Zurich Airport

Skytrax also reviews individual airlines for service and amenities.

The complete list of world’s top ten airports is on the next page:

New American Airlines Ticket Fees

Evelyn Kanter — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 14:54:59 +0000

American Airlines has figured out a new way to squeeze more money out of its passengers. The second-largest airline in the USA is now charging non-premium passengers $50 to stand by for a different flight. But they are not alone — Delta and Continental already are doing it.

According to Travel Babel, United does not charge for stand-by, but does charge up to $75 extra to book a specific seat — like maybe the one next to your three-year-old. British Airways charges $35 to book a seat on-line at the same time you book your ticket, according to a friend of mine who just complained to me about exactly that. She decided to wait until she gets to the airport, where she be ticketed into a seat for free.

American Airlines told the Associated Press the new stand-by fee is ”to streamline the departure process at the gate.” But the real effect is to add just one more hidden charge to the cost of an economy airine ticket, and make it that much more difficult to comparison shop for the best airfares.