Wi-Fi in the Sky

American Airlines announced they will begin installing flying Wi-Fi Hot Spots on about 300 planes used in the United States.

American Airlines has been testing In-Flight Internet Service for several months and will charge up to $12.95/hour.

Eventually all airlines will have this service, then finally you will be able to get on-line everywhere!

Complimentary Beverages Return

Effective Sunday, March 1, 2009, complimentary non-alcoholic beverages return on board all US Airways mainline and express flights system wide.

In First and Envoy Class complimentary beverages include beer, wine, liquor, pillows and blankets. Shuttle Main cabin passengers receive complimentary beer and wine on board.

If you would like to purchase alcoholic beverages or a meal in coach class, prices follow:
Beer,Liquor, and Wine $7.
Audio Headsets $5.
In-flight fresh meals $7.
In-flight snack meals $5.

Happy Travels.

Delta and Northwest

If you haven't heard, recently Northwest Airlines and Delta have merged. Story here. I wouldn't be surprised if passengers at the Erie International Airport would have options to travel through Cincinnati(CVG) or Atlanta (ATL) in the near future.

The signage at the Erie International Airport has been changed to read Delta. If you are traveling through or to Detroit on Northwest, you are now flying on Delta. Please be patient during their transition, as with some new employees, for they have much to learn.

FYI, if your flight is delayed or cancelled you are able to travel on most other airlines free of charge when seats are available.

Check here for live shots of the Erie International Airport!

Travel Reminders

If Traveling by Air:

1. Put your Name and Phone Number on the Inside and Outside of all your luggage, including your carry-on.

2. Don't pack your Medication, Money, Keys, or your Phone Charger in your Checked Bag.



Happy Thanksgiving.

Jet Blue Auctions on eBay

JetBlue Airways Corp. is auctioning off more than 300 round-trip flights and 6 vacation packages this week on eBay, with bids starting between 5 and 10 CENTS.

The auctions include one and two person round-trip, weekend flights to cities including Boston, Chicago, New York, and Orlando.

You can access the auctions through Jetblue.com/ebay.

Cheap Luggage

Airline employees see many styles, brands and makes of suitcases. We see a lot of broken zippers, lost wheels and broken handles.

My best advice to those searching for a new piece of luggage is to first check out Rynn's Luggage website, the company is based in Pittsburgh, PA.

This is where we send our passengers luggage to get repaired or replaced. They have the best luggage for your money and always have great deals on quality luggage for your next trip.

Also, be sure to put your name and phone number on all your luggage INSIDE and OUT, when you are traveling. This will eliminate any mix-ups with the unfortunate case that your luggage does not arrive with you at your destination. You will be guaranteed to be reunited with your dirty underwear if your baggage gets lost in transit.

Cheap Airline Tickets

The following is a list of online reputable travel services to purchase your airline tickets through. Be sure to check their ticketing fees for the best price comparisons.

Additionally, Us Airways has increased the Airport (reservations completed at the airport) ticketing fees from $20 to $35 per ticket for US or Canada and $45 per ticket for International which includes the Caribbean, Latin America, Transatlantic and Transpacific flights. Also if you make reservations through the reservations number 1-800-428-4322, those fees have increased from $15 to $25 for US and Canada and $35 for International. US Airways has NO ticketing fees for electronic ticket reservations online.

Check out some of the following websites for your best airline reservation rates:

Us Airways
Shermans Travel
Travelocity
Expedia
Kayak
Orbitz
Hotwire
CheapAir
OneTravel
SmartFares
Priceline
Farecast
Travelation
CheapFlightSales

Happy Travels.

Northwest Airlines Goes Mobile

Northwest Airlines Corp. is testing a paperless boarding pass that will let travelers use their mobile phones to board their plane.

Northwest will debut the E-Boarding pass in IND (Indianapolis) on Wednesday, 28th of May 2008. It will work like this: when a passenger checks in for a flight they can choose to send their boarding pass to their mobile phone or PDA instead of printing it out. The mobile device will then display a bar code like image on its screen, which will then be scanned by the gate agent at the boarding point. Continental is already testing a similar system in IAH (Houston). Northwest has plans to expand the system to other cities in the near future.

I believe it will take a long while before ERI (Erie) starts using such a system considering they don't have the scanners for easy boarding yet.

My only question is how smoothly are you going to get thru TSA security?

Bye-Bye Pretzels

Effective June 1, 2008 Us Airways will no longer serve complimentary pretzels or snack mix in domestic coach class. Although, if you are traveling Trans-Atlantic or first class you are still provided a free snack.

Can you blame them? With crude oil above $125 per barrel, this is another cost saving strategy for the airline.

It should be no time at all, that all airlines are cutting back on snacks. What's next? Probably the free soda!

Ticks at Presque Isle

Ticks are a common known insect at Presque Isle, but if you are educated about how to protect and identify ticks there is no need to panic.

Presque Isle in Erie Pa, has posted signs where ticks may be an issue. Please follow their advisories and if going into the woods be sure to wear long pants.

This is what a tick looks like and some more information for your safety.

What am I allowed to Pack?

Working for an airline I get this question a lot. What am I allowed to pack in my checked luggage and my carry-on?

Here is all the answers to your luggage prohibited and allowable contents.

I hope this serves you well.

Happy Travels.

Virtual Fitting Room

Philadelphia International Airport has something new for us to pass the time between flights.

Located in the concourse between terminals A and B is Intellifit, a virtual fitting room. All you do is get inside a cylindrical kiosk, fully clothed, for a few seconds. This kiosk sends low-power radio waves to take detailed measurements of your body. The software then creates a free, FitPrint that can be used to find your perfect size in clothing brands like Lands'End, Gap, Nautica, Dockers, Jos.A Bank, Levi's and Nordstrom.

So the next time your stuck in Philly try something new and see what your free Virtual Fitting Room has in store for you.

Flight Tracking

This is a great website to track flights.

Flight Aware is a free website, with no need to register, all you need to do is insert the airline and flight number. If you don't know the flight number the website will assist you. The site shows you where that aircraft is between the two cities you are tracking. It's pretty cool.

This is a great site to bookmark, especially when you need to pick someone up at the airport and want to know the ACTUAL arrival time.

New Baggage Policy

US Airways has announced it will begin charging $25 fee for those who check a second bag.

This fee applies to travel on or after May5, 2008. Travelers who purchased tickets before February 26, 2008 for travel on or after May 5, are exempt from this new policy.

There are a few exemptions:
All Dividend Miles Preferred members
Confirmed First Class and Envoy passengers at time of check in
Star Alliance Silver and Gold status members
Active military personnel in uniform with ID
Unaccompanied minors
People checking assisted devices

Passengers are able to have one carry-on, one personal item, and one checked bag (under 50 lbs) free of charge.

For more information visit US Airways.com.

Happy Packing!

Butterflies In DCA

The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History located in Washington D.C. has opened its newest exhibit, Butterflies and Plants: Partners in Evolution, February 15, 2008.

This is where you walk among hundreds of live butterflies, in 1,200 square-foot pavilion with more than 400 butterflies.

If this is something you have never done it is a must. We toured a similar exhibit at the Butterfly Conservatory in Niagara Falls, Canada, which was so much fun for me and my children.

There is an admission for the pavilion with the exception of Tuesdays, which is free of charge, first come, first served policy.

This is just another great thing to do with your family in Washington.

Nonstop to London

US Airways has announced new nonstop service from Philadelphia (PHL) to London's Heathrow International(LHR) airport.

US Airways begins service March 29, 2008, so be sure to book your flights early.

Happy Travels.

Moon Palace Resort

Moon Palace Resort located in Riviera Maya, Mexico, is an all-inclusive resort I vacationed at for our honeymoon.

Although that was now over 7 years ago, I am itching to go back. You never need to leave the resort. This resort had everything you can imagine, nice restaurants, pool, beach, spa, night club, many bars, gift shop, outdoor water activities and golf. We had a great time.

I always recommend this resort to anyone who wants to travel to Cancun. Although you fly into Cancun, the resort is not situated on the main hotel drag in Cancun, so you don't feel you are in the hustle of tourists. The best part is you can take an afternoon and check out the sites in the City. The resort bus will transport you to any of their other all-inclusive Palace resorts free of charge, where you can also eat and drink for free. We had the bus take us to The Beach Resort on the main drag in Cancun, we then had lunch and a couple drinks before we headed into the tourist shopping areas and further into the old city where the locals hang out.

Moon Palace is next door to their sister hotel, Moon Palace Sunrise Resort, so you actually have two resorts in one, with twice as many restaurants and bars to visit, within walking distance of your room.

This resort is for those who want a combination of activities and/or to relax at the pool, beach, or bar all day. A resort that accommodates every personality.

Happy Travels.

Georgia Beach Vacation Idea

This all-inclusive island in the United States, was once a private family retreat. Little St. Simon's Island has five cottages with 15 guest rooms, so you will never feel crowded on your romantic beach vacation.

This luxury eco-resort has gone green and is only accessible by boat from Savannah (SAV) or Jacksonville (JAX). There are plenty of outdoor activities that are all part of the all-inclusive rate.

Check out their website for more information littlestsimonisland.

US Airways Dividend Miles

The US Airways Dividend Miles program will change effective May 1, 2008.

Dividend Mile Members will now earn actual number of miles flown instead of earning a minimum of 500 miles per segment. Tickets purchased on or after March 12, 2008 for travel on or after May 1, 2008 will begin this affect.

Happy Travels.

3 oz. Rule Applies to Vodka Too

Here's a story about a man who did not want to part with his Vodka at Airport Security Check at the Nuremberg Airport in Germany.

Wow!