Home
Samsonite
 

Newsflash

In-Air Entertainment Enhancements


Remember just a few years ago, when all that was available in flight was a tiny movie screen way up forward on a bulkhead? You could get the sound with earphones and severe eyestrain trying to make out the movie.

You could also choose to listen to music by plugging in earphones to an armrest. Of course, you had no control of what the airline decided to broadcast. Today, everything has improved, and keeps on evolving.

Some airlines, including United and British Airways, now offer a large library of movies, videos, games and audio music that play constantly on the back of the seat screen in front of you. Of course, you can opt to take along your own iPod, iBook, DVD player, laptop and other portable electronic digital devices and choose from their virtually endless entertainment and other  menus.

Speaking of menus, many airlines plan to lend out pre-programmed individual iPads to passengers as they board. In addition to offering choices for entertainment and reading, there will be digital menus listed. All they’ll require is for the passenger to tap in orders for food, drink, information and other services from flight attendants. If it weren't for the groping security check-in, flying could once again actually be a pleasant journey.

USA Today Rates Best Food In World Airports, None in USA PDF Print E-mail


Of course, the research was done thoroughly, and the listed eateries serve fine food. However, we beg to differ because not one on the list is a U.S. airport. Of course, the hurry-up atmosphere in and around most American terminals doesn’t always make for fine dining, but surely at least one should have made the top 15 list.

Here’s the USA Today world airport list in rank order: Tokyo Narita, Taiwan Taiyuan, China Hong Kong, Singapore Changi, Amsterdam Schipol, London Gatwick, Sydney Kingsford-Smith, Madrid Suarez, Germany Munich, London Heathrow, Germany Frankfurt, Toronto Pierson, Paris De Gaulle, Barcelona El Prat, Rome Da Vinci.

Ok, they’re fine places to dine, but what about San Francisco International, Baltimore-Washington International, Chicago O’Hare, Los Angeles International, Long Beach CA  and Boston Logan? Check out the many xlnt restaurants at those American airports.

 
Aberdeen, Scotland: Sudsy Hotel Soon To Welcome Guests PDF Print E-mail


The world’s first Craft Beer Hotel will be called the DogHouse by BrewDog. Cold brew will be on tap in every room and in the shower.

It’s right on the property of the brewery, and visits will include tours of where the beer is made. Maybe staying at this hotel and enjoying the beer will cause a change in the lines of famed Scottish poet Bobby Burns to: my love is like a red, red nose.

 
Southwest Early Boarding Now Costs An Extra $50 PDF Print E-mail


It once was the best bargain no-seat-reservation airline. Now it seems to be the same as all the other carriers by sneaking in extra charges to keep the high cost of flying going higher. Used to be, if you wanted to board a Southwest flight and grab a good seat, you arrived to the airport early and got into that A line. Then you’d fly in a front row window seat.

You can still do it, but it’ll cost you another $50 each time. So, that means when you bust your britches to find that SW $99 bargain special, if you don’t want to pay another 50% for your ticket, be prepared to sit in the back of the plane with all the other cheapskates.

 
Delta Flight Delayed for 12 Looooong Hours At Kansas City Airport PDF Print E-mail


Imagine being imprisoned in a cramped seat while your flight sits on the tarmac for half a day. That’s what happened when severe icing conditions prevented the scheduled take-off. While passengers were allowed several times to go into the terminal to buy food, the ordeal left most frustrated and angry. So, what can you do when it happens to you….and some day it will.

The answer is that whenever you’re booked for a flight, whether in sunshine or stormy weather, expect delays in the airport and/or aboard your flight. Take comfort stuff in coat pockets or carry-on bag. A light-weight inflatable pillow and/or sleeping pad. Also, individually-packaged small snacks and juices. Take a small emergency kit, including aspirins, band aids, prescription meds, wet tissues and other items you may need on a multi-hour delay.

In addition to being prepared for body comfort, take along mind comfort needs. Before leaving home, digitally stock up your smartphone for several hours for watching and listening distraction. Pre-record favorite music, movies, TV shows and literature. Make sure you also take a good, noise-reducing set of earphones to drown out the cries of other passengers griping about the unending delays.

 
Inflatable Hotel May Float Into The Near Future PDF Print E-mail


Hotel boss Roger Bigelow predicts he’ll have a Hindenberg-ish of resort suspended way up there in the sky within just a few years. The first question that may come to mind for horny senior flyers may be: Does each inflatable hotel room come with an inflatable doll?

Just how safe could such a floating hostelry be way, way up there? Imagine waking up one morning in your room, stretching, yawning and forgetting you’re in the clouds. Then you say: I’m stepping outside for just a breath of fresh airrrrrrrrrrrr….

 
«StartPrev101102103104105106107108109110NextEnd»

Page 107 of 530
 
Stay in-the-know about the latest Sports, Life, Money, Tech, and Travel stories. You'll get your first 2 months of USA TODAY for $25 (charged monthly). All print subscribers receive the e-Newspaper included with their subscription.