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Category : Air Travel
Avantair exterior flight

It's no secret that commercial air travel leaves a lot to be desired. Between too-small seats, crowding in the overhead, fees galore and taking your shoes off at security, the truth is that for people traveling in coach, flights are simply something that need to be endured to get from Point A to Point B.

So when I got a press release about Avantair, a fractional jet operator, I decided to conduct a Q&A with Steven Santo, the company's CEO to find out more. Yes, this is out of most people's reach, but it’s fun to dream, isn't it?

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Travelocity’s Labor Day data report reveals good news for travelers looking for cheap flights over the upcoming holiday weekend. Average domestic airfare is at its lowest point of the summer and Labor Day weekend is the least expensive of the three summer holiday weekends to fly. Additionally, the average year-over-year fare increase is lowest for Labor Day weekend travel.

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Cat in a bag.

It's a Herculean task just getting kitty in his carrier. And a cross-country flight? Hah! You couldn't pay me to try. But for those with more chutzpah—or less arm-shredding feline action—there are more pet-friendly airlines than ever.

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In a recent New Yorker article, humorist David Sedaris bemoans the state of flying in this day and age. In the article, he hints at some ways that flight attendants get back at belligerent passengers, including the following: “The flight attendants, garbage bags in hand, glided down the aisle, looking each one of us square in the face and whispering, without discrimination, ‘Your trash. You’re trash. Your family’s trash.’”

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This week's question comes from Ellie in Champaign, Illinois, the "hub of Silicon Prairie":

What's a good travel outfit for the plane?

Aha! Plane attire: one of my favorite topics! The best advice, obviously, is to wear something you're comfortable in (particularly on a long flight or a red-eye), but if you want to delve a little deeper, here are some of my go-to rules when dressing for the plane:

 

  • Long pants--no capris or skirts--to keep chills away from ankles.
  • Shoes that can be slipped on and off easily (and--or at the very least or--thick socks. Have you seen those airplane bathroom floors?!)
  • Speaking of shoes, no heels. Been there, done that, got the blisters.
  • No white. Or cream. Or beige. In fact, head-to-toe black is often the safest way to go.
  • Layers for peeling on and off (airplane AC is notoriously fickle)
  • No dangly earrings (I've lost too many while dozing against the headrest)
  • A wrap or pashmina (which ties very neatly to a bag handle like a scarf, thus freeing up valuable real estate in your carry-on) in case the blankets have all been taken by the time you board.
  • Nothing sloppy or slobby--one should always hold out hope of getting upgraded (hint: if they're considering you based upon appearance, apparently the shoes are where they look first. Sneakers probably won't make it into the Business Class cabin.)
  • No pajamas! Honestly, I can't count how many people I've seen flying in pajama pants. Wear some neat and tidy track pants IF YOU MUST, but a pair of loose black pants (or even khakis) will be just as comfy.


Hope you have a safe trip, whatever you wear!

--Holly

What’s Your Dream Trip?

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My dream trip changes according to my mood. Sometimes I dream of seeing the Northern Lights—from a hot tub near the Arctic Circle. Other times, I imagine myself staying in one of those glass-bottomed bungalows in Tahiti, a giant sunset touching upon the waves in front of me and a school of fish swimming beneath my feet. But I’ve got to admit, once I saw the five amazing dream trips that Travelocity is giving away right now, I’m considering changing my mind to riding a wine train through Chile, exploring New Zealand’s fjords, shopping atop the Alps in Switzerland, taking photographs along the beaches of Cape Town in South Africa, and experiencing what a space shuttle launch might be like at Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

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Little planes on a blue background.

I used to love the convenience of flying, but it seems like every time I check in the process gets more convoluted. Instead of a credit card swipe and a quick confirmation, I'm hit with a hundred different ways to spend money, from sneaky "extra leg room" upgrades to surprise checked baggage fees. Add in the chance of an overbooked flight, a hefty cancelation fee, or three hours on the tarmac, and you can go pretty quickly from getaway to "get me out of here." But don't worry, faithful travelers—help might be on the way!

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Dear Editors,

What is the minimum age to fly as an adult? Can a 17-year-old do it?

Mel in Ohio

 


Hi Mel,

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This week's question comes from Mel in Ohio, home to America's oldest traffic light:

What is the minimum age to fly as an adult? Can a 17-year-old do it?

Hi Mel,

The answers: younger than you may think, and a 17-year-old can definitely fly as an adult would!

The golden rule of booking a ticket for a minor is to call your airline before booking, but airlines agree that a 17-year-old can book and fly as an adult. In fact, some airlines allow children as young as 12 to fly alone without having to use the airline’s unaccompanied-minor services.

Even if your airline is happy to transport your littlest travelers without imposing their youth service (and its fees), bear in mind that some restrictions may apply, even for teens. It’s common for an airline to restrict children to non-stop flights or to ban them from the last flight of the day (if a flight cancelation results in an overnight stay, children younger than 18 may not be accepted by hotels).

Here are links to some domestic airlines’ minor policies so you can compare:

American Airlines
Continental Airlines
Delta Air Lines
JetBlue
Southwest Airlines
United Airlines
US Airways

A wonderful flight and safe travels to your teen!

Michelle

This week's question comes from Pam in Chicago, onetime home to President Barack Obama:

I have a seven hour layover in Hong Kong. What can I do while I'm there?

A seven hour layover sounds great, but let's say you need to be back at the airport two to three hours before your next flight to check in: that would really only give you four or five hours to explore Hong Kong outside the airport. Still, there's quite a bit you can do!

You'll be coming in to the Hong Kong International Airport at Chek Lap Kok. Ground transportation from there is pretty good, so you could easily get the MTR into the city center (get off at Admiralty or Wan Chai) -- it should only take about half an hour.

Walk around, admire the architecture, do a little shopping in Central (Pacific Place is a large luxury-type mall, or you might want to try The Lanes for faux designer goods), and ride a tram down Des Voeux Road. Take the (free) elevator up the outside of the Hopewell Center in Wan Chai and you'll get a fantastic view of the city. For another excellent view, take the Peak Tram up to the top of Victoria Peak (you'll catch it in Central) -- it's astounding, and the ride itself (sort of like a funicular) is a lot of fun too.

Try and make time for a quick ride on the Star Ferry if you can -- you'll catch it downtown in Central (Admiralty MTR stop) and you'll likely have change from a dollar. It's only a ten-minute crossing but the ferries are from the 1940s and 50s, and it's a fun time. Once you're on Kowloon side, you can admire the Hong Kong skyline from across the water (there's a free laser show every evening if you're there at night) and maybe have a look around the markets of Nathan Road or the western-style shopping centers at Tsim Sha Tsui.

Hope you have an amazing time! You can certainly see a lot of Hong Kong in 4-5 hours.

-- Holly

 

 

 

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