Blog Profile / Gulliver
| URL : | http://www.economist.com/blogs/gulliver | |
|---|---|---|
| Filed Under: | Lifestyle / Travel | |
| Posts on Regator: | 676 | |
| Posts / Week: | 6.2 | |
| Archived Since: | April 18, 2011 | |
Blog Post Archive
Amtrak speeds up its Wi-Fi
WI-FI beggars can't be choosers. The wireless internet provided by Amtrak, America's government-subsidised interstate passenger railway, is slow, unreliable and often infuriating. But unlike slow, unreliable and often infuriating in-flight Wi-Fi, at least Amtrak's service is free. Show More Summary
A reward for packing light
EVER since American carriers began introducing fees for checked bags, overhead bin space, especially on short flights, has been at a premium. Cost-conscious travellers try to squeeze as much as possible into the largest possible carry-on bags, often causing chaos when boarding. Show More Summary
Why smaller airports are shrinking
WHAT'S happening to America's smaller airports? Since 2007 they have seen greater percentage drops in flight and passenger numbers than bigger hubs, according to a study released last week by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Show More Summary
The captive consumer
IT USUALLY drives me mad when fellow flyers ignore the “fasten your seatbelt” sign. I make an old-fashioned assumption that pilots switch it on for a good reason. And even if that reason is not immediately apparent, anything that adds minimally to safety is worth an equally minimal amount of inconvenience. Show More Summary
The future of in-flight Wi-Fi
REGULAR Gulliver readers know that nobody pays for in-flight Wi-Fi. It's slow and unreliable, and despite the widely hated electronic-device rules some passengers still use broadband-enabled electronic devices. Often, when I turn onShow More Summary
Red allowed
GULLIVER wrote at the weekend about Turkish Airlines' ban on the wearing of red nail varnish or lipstick by its flight attendants. But at a briefing today, the airline's chief executive, Temel Kotil, said there was in fact no ban after all. Show More Summary
Not quite ready for prime time
THE Window Socket, a prototype portable charger, is a cool idea: stick it to a pane of glass and it harnesses the sun's energy, giving you an extra outlet in a hotel room or on a long train ride. That's certainly useful, as many trains still have no electrical outlets and hotels have few to spare. Show More Summary
Shelf life
ASK many travellers what books are found in hotels, and they will mutter feverishly about Gideons Bibles, Readers’ Digest hardbacks and dog-eared Catherine Cookson novels. The very idea of a hotel library is enough to send them running...Show More Summary
A few of your favourite fees
BUSINESS travellers are often to be found railing against airline fees, but some are more popular than others. Last year's North America Airline Satisfaction Study by J.D. Power & Associates found that it's actually baggage fees that flyers hate. Show More Summary
Red no's day
NO RED lipstick, no red nail polish. These are the new rules for flight attendants on Turkey’s national carrier, Turkish Airlines (THY). The ban has provoked a furore among secular Turks, who fret that under the ruling, Islam-rooted Justice and Development (AK) party, Ataturk’s cherished Republic is hurtling towards religious rule. Show More Summary
I'll have what I ordered
FROM this month Air Baltic, the Latvian flag-carrier, is allowing its passengers to choose from up to 20 meal items when booking their tickets. Pre-selecting an on-board meal is nothing new—American Airlines, Singapore Airlines and Thai Airways are among the carriers extending that privilege to premium customers—but Air Baltic's approach is novel. Show More Summary
Getting shut-eye on the road
WHAT with jet-lag, stress and unfamiliar surroundings, business travel can wreak havoc on sleep schedules. So ABC News' report on the effort hotels are making to help guests sleep better brings welcome tidings: At the Park Hyatt Beaver...Show More Summary
Spain ascendant
THE Spanish are back. After three years at the top of the “The World's 50 Best Restaurants”, a ranking put together each year by Restaurant Magazine, Noma, in Copenhagen, has been deposed by El Celler de Can Roca (pictured), in Girona, Spain. Show More Summary
The rising cost of ticket changes
BOTH United Airlines and US Airways are increasing the standard fee they charge passengers to change non-refundable tickets. On April 18th United raised its fee from $150 to $200 for domestic flights; US Airways did the same a week later. Show More Summary
Power to the people
VIRGIN AMERICA has 53 planes in its fleet, and every seat in every craft sports both standard and USB power sockets. This makes Virgin the only domestic airline to provide power to all passengers, in part because none of its planes is more than seven years old. Show More Summary
Secret lands of nod
GULLIVER is seeking some advice. Earlier this week, I flew to Toronto to speak at a conference. The original schedule had me jetting out on Sunday, presenting on the Monday and flying back to Blighty on Tuesday. All perfectly civilised. Show More Summary
Of cut budgets and delayed flyers
WITH hundreds of flights cancelled or delayed in the past week due to reduced staffing levels, American airline passengers have received a first taste of how the sequester-imposed budget cuts will affect the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Show More Summary
In defence of whining
THERE IS no doubt that air travel is cheaper and safer than it was decades ago. But some of us, particularly on this and similar blogs, continue to complain. Boarding is chaotic and takes too long. Airport security is a mess. There are too many delays. Show More Summary
Going south
TWO ageing Boeing 767s bathe in the baking sun at Harare International Airport. They belong to Air Zimbabwe, the country’s moribund airline, which suspended operations last summer over fears that the aircraft would be impounded by creditors if they ever touched down abroad. Show More Summary
What makes someone a "true VIP"?
A STORY claiming that airlines have created a new, hidden level of "truly VIP" service for celebrities and high-powered CEOs caused a bit of a stir in the business-travel world last week. This is what the Associate Press had to say:Show More Summary