There's still money in rental cars, according to the latest from the New York Times. In May, the average rental rate (airport) for a compact ride was $345.99 for a week – as long as you booked it seven days in advance. That's an increase of 73 percent from $199.65 in ...Click on a label to read posts from that part of the world.
Airports
No discounts for rental cars
There's still money in rental cars, according to the latest from the New York Times. In May, the average rental rate (airport) for a compact ride was $345.99 for a week – as long as you booked it seven days in advance. That's an increase of 73 percent from $199.65 in ...Last minute emergency passports no longer welcome in the United States
For decades, travelers who were struck by disaster and lost (or forgot) their passport were usually able to have an emergency passport issued by the border police at their airport. I know several people who had their passport stolen a week before a long trip, but were able ...Silicone breast explodes upon landing at Los Angeles airport
Here is one you don't hear every day - exploding breast implants (partially) caused by flying. Irena D. was on her way from Moscow to Los Angeles on an unnamed airline. When she boarded the plane, she was not feeling too well, but things really got out of hand when she ...Naked guy forces Albuquerque landing
Keith Wright, a New Yorker (damn!) felt restricted by more than just cramped airline seating today. On a flight from Charlotte to Los Angeles, he ditched his clothing and did not respond (vocally, at least) to flight attendant requests to put them back on. The mile-high ...Layover: Boston
Beantown! As one of the most historic cities in the U.S., there's plenty to look forward to should you have some time during a layover at the Boston Logan International airport or close by. Boston's public transportation system, the "T" for short, reaches Logan on the Blue ...United Airlines computer problem delays O'Hare flights
United Airlines is currently experiencing some major delays and cancellations at Chicago O'Hare. The computer systems responsible for checking you in, are down and passengers have to be manually processed the old fashioned way. Most delays are between 2 to 3 hours, but many ...Are slot machines at Miami airport a winning idea?
As someone who routinely gets to the airport incredibly early, I can attest that they are boring, uncomfortable places. It's rare to find free wi-fi, sufficient power sources or quality food. Basically, you sit there, read a book and tolerate the chaos. But, if you're ...Birds vs planes. Another bird loses and forces an emergency landing.
The bird strike in the skies above LaGuardia airport yesterday didn't faze the passengers--they didn't know it occurred. When American Airlines Flight 1256 was arriving from Miami, getting ready to land, it met up with some of our feathered friends. Good-bye birds. Also, ...How do you stop Nepalese airport workers from taking bribes?
Nepal's government thinks it's found a way: Issue them pants with no pockets. The unusual move is an attempt to combat rampant bribe-taking among airport staff at Tribhuvan International Airport, located in the Nepalese capital of Kathmandu. A spokesperson for Nepal's ...Should first class passengers get a shorter line at security?
In Boston's Logan international airport, I recently witnessed a meltdown in the security line. A first class passenger was livid -- furious because ordinary passengers were being directed into the shorter, elite x-ray lane by the TSA. For their part, the TSA were ...Clear shutdown means data safe, money not
When Clear shut down last week, its 260,000 paying customers were left with 2 big questions - is my personal information safe, and what will happen to the money I spent on the program? Verified Identity Pass Inc., the company behind the Clear service finally took some time ...Actor Jonathan Rhys Meyers arrested in Paris airport after allegedly assaulting bar staff
If Disneyland is the happiest place on Earth, the airport bar might well be the unhappiest. The drinks are watered-down and overpriced, the food is bland, and the customers and staff seem to be in a constant competition for the coveted honor of "Who Can Be More Surly."
And ...Layover: London Heathrow
Of all the airports in the world, Heathrow is probably my favorite to be stranded. The airport itself is nothing special, but thanks to some very efficient public transport, you can be in the heart of London in about 30 minutes if you find yourself on a layover. Shorter (2 ...Florida airport lifts their chewing gum ban
What do Singapore and Palm Beach Airport have in common? They both ban the chewing of gum. At least, that was the case until last week. Palm Beach airport had long been a gum-free zone. The airport operator banned the sticky candy in 1988 when they opened their newest ...Layover: Amsterdam Schiphol
Layover in Amsterdam at Schiphol Airport? Perhaps not even sure which European country you're in? Allow me to help. You are in The Netherlands, or Nederland, as the Dutch call it (I wish we all called it that; the plurality is grammatically vexing). The people, the language, ...Mango scare at Columbus airport
The bomb squad at the Columbus, Ohio airport simply was not trained for the task. It's not their fault: after all, few pickled mangoes have actually exploded. Nonetheless, there's bound to be some sort of inquiry about the produce risk in today's airports.
When x-ray ...Seven mile airport van ride from hell ends with guns pulled
In what is probably one of the worst ways to start your trip in the United States, five French tourists took a seven mile ride through several New York neighborhoods while being chased by cops. The tourists just arrived at JFK and had been directed towards a waiting van for ...Layover: Paris
Oft voted among the worst airports in the world, Charles De Gaulle outside of Paris doesn't have a great reputation among travelers. The terminals are disjointed, sprawling and confusing, public transportation is mind boggling and security is amazingly frustrating. With ...Scared passengers boycott airline after being asked to help "balance the plane"
Seventy terrified passengers refused to board their Thomas Cook plane in Mallorca, Spain this week because the airline had asked them to all sit in the back of the plane. During its time on the ground, baggage workers were unable to open the rear cargo door of the plane, ...Amsterdam airport opens the world's first hotel - for goldfish...
We'll file this one under "wacky PR news" - Amsterdam airport just opened the world's first hotel specifically designed for goldfish. The hotel is operated by "D-Travel", a major player in the Dutch travel booking market, and passengers who booked their trip through them ...
