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firstclass posts
No Frills Airline: 1970s Sitcom Predicts The Future Of Air Travel
Apr 27th, 2012 at 1:00PM:
Do you think economy class passengers deserve better treatment? Apparently, they also did in the 1970s. This 10 minute clip from the Carol Burnett Show pokes fun at the differences between the ambiance of business class/first class and economy, also known as the "No Frills Section." While outlandish – hopefully you've never been kicked by a stewardess for putting your feet on the ...
Babies and first class: why is this an issue?
Mar 12th, 2012 at 3:00PM: Earlier this week, I saw a story about babies and first class air travel posted on Facebook. The Facebook poster asked our own Heather Poole (flight attendant, mother, and new book author!) for her thoughts on the story, and she replied, "I'm fine with babies in first class. Usually they just sleep." Columnist Brett Snyder is a frequent flier and new dad wondering if he should use miles to upgrade ...The continuing rise of Gulf state carriers
Feb 28th, 2012 at 10:00AM:
The rise of Gulf state carriers continues to impress. These airlines, which have defined themselves in part as hub-and-spoke carriers linking Europe (and the eastern coast of North America) to Asia, have developed exciting route maps over the last several years with a particularly strong reach into the Arabian Peninsula and India.
While other airlines have recently attempted to develop ...VIDEO: Curb Your Enthusiasm coachy vs. first class
Aug 17th, 2011 at 4:00PM:
On this week's episode of Curb Your Enthusiasm, Larry David returned to New York, home of Seinfeld. On the plane, he got into an argument with a coach passenger on using the bathroom in different classes. Larry claims to still be "coachy" even when flying first class. This isn't the first time Larry David has tackled the class issue, here's a classic scene of Elaine suffering in coach on ...
Blinged-out amenties kits from Etihad
May 16th, 2011 at 8:30AM: Here's an idea that's right up our alley: Etihad Airways has taken the standard amenities kit a step further and partnered with Swarovski to bling out their first class offering. The new kits, debuting on flights between Abu Dhabi and London, Paris, Geneva, Sydney and Melbourne, as well a progressively throughout the first class long-haul network in the coming weeks.
Women will receive a ...Video: I need an upgrade. Give me an upgrade. I am an elite member.
Feb 25th, 2011 at 1:00PM:
Looking for the perfect video for the lazy Friday afternoon? Check out this animated clip showing an average business traveler demand an upgrade from the poor ticketing agent.
As funny as this may seem, this is actually based off real passengers and real interactions with airline employees. Obviously, the whole thing looks funnier in an animated clip, which is what makes it perfect for ...
The top six gangster style first and business class flights from the US -- without chartering a G6
Feb 20th, 2011 at 2:30PM:
We all like to treat ourselves once in a while, whether its with luxury fur coats, $300 gastrogasm dinners at Noma or Momofuku or the Presidential Suite at the DC Mandarin Oriental. For the brass over at Gadling Labs, we like to fly in international First or Business class. And there are a few, very special routes that rank among our favorites ever taken. Curious? Ever taken one yourself? ...Galley Gossip: A flight attendant Christmas story
Dec 25th, 2010 at 9:30AM:
I graduated from flight attendant training on the 8th of December in 1995. Two weeks later, on Christmas Eve, my roommate and I were called out to work a trip - together. The crew scheduling God's must have been smiling down on us that day because it's not often a flight attendant gets to work with their roommate who also happens to be their best friend on reserve. Although we were scheduled to ...Galley Gossip: Celebrity passenger claimed to have special powers
Oct 21st, 2010 at 9:30AM: Tom Cruise.
It's not often I get to start a Galley Gossip post with that name! But that's the name several readers mentioned after I asked if they could guess which celebrity passenger offered to assist an unconscious woman with his "special powers" on the airplane. Honest to God, I wouldn't joke about something as serious as this!
It's interesting to note that Gary Busey, Depak Chopra, Uri ...Five indicators of the airline industry's future: start with first and business class
Oct 14th, 2010 at 11:00AM: Airlines are getting a little lucky. The big bucks and wider margins that come from first- and business-class fares are coming in faster than the nickels and dimes from economy class. This will delight the various airline industry employees who think that passengers aren't paying enough, and it's also a growth indicator.
According to the International Air Transport Association, an industry ...Daily Pampering: Three most luxurious first-class cabins
Aug 3rd, 2010 at 4:00PM: America can learn a lot from the Far East in the way of air travel. We rounded up the three best first-class cabins for your flying pleasure. After all, if you're going to travel around the world, you might as well do it in style.
Singapore Airlines: They call them SkySuites, we call them 'heaven.' There are only 12 on each plane and if you're lucky enough to grab one you can expect luxury ...Business travelers told to be logical with tickets
Aug 3rd, 2010 at 2:30PM: In a move that's shocking because it's sensible, corporate travel managers are pushing business travelers to make decisions that aren't stupid. In the past two years, 75 percent of companies in North America have changed their travel policies, with cost-cutting a major motivation. First and business class have become more and more elite in the white collar set, thanks to more restrictive policies, ...British Airways' re-launched First is worth every mile
Jun 9th, 2010 at 9:00AM: Recently, I spent $75 to get a seat in British Airways' new and improved first class cabin from New York to London, and although my original flight was ash-canned, I did eventually get there. And to paraphrase the Beatles, man, I did not have a dreadful flight.
To quickly explain: I signed up for a British Airways-branded Chase Visa Card ($75 annual fee) and was awarded 100,000 bonus frequent ...Luxury air travel not taking off
Jun 7th, 2010 at 8:00AM: While other areas in the travel industry are talking about a recovery, luxury travel remains in rough shape. In fact, it's only on long-haul flights that the big spenders are even asking for upgrades, let alone chartering flights or firing up their own planes. According to Peter Yesawich, CEO of travel marketing firm Ypartnership, "Luxury air travel has essentially been grounded."
...How to get an upgrade to first or business class (and how not to)
May 4th, 2010 at 1:00PM:
For some reason, the topic of "how to get upgraded" pops up on almost every travel site. And in most cases, the information provided in them is exactly the same as every other similar article. One thing they all have in common is that the tips are a mix of old information, incorrect information and complete lies.
So, we've collected some of those tips to explain what does not work - and ...Galley Gossip: Switching seats, exit row safety & asking for upgrades
Apr 14th, 2010 at 9:00AM: Recently on a flight a passenger took the empty seat beside me. He had an assigned seat that he left behind. If by luck of the draw I had an empty seat (true not paid for), then it seems to me that as a beneficiary of said luck that I have inherited certain rights. If the other guy had stayed in his OWN seat, I would have had the enjoyment of more space. His moving AFFECTED me. The only reason I ...Galley Gossip: 3 reasons flight attendants won't allow passengers to switch seats in flight
Mar 17th, 2010 at 9:30AM: Dear Heather,
What is the proper etiquette for switching to an open seat? Should I ask the flight attendant first? Is it okay to switch to another row if only one person is occupying the row?
Thanks,
Rich
Dear Rich,
Go for it! Switch seats. You don't have to ask. But you might want to wait until everyone is on board before making your move. Worst case scenario a flight attendant ...Corporate travel comeback expected
Mar 16th, 2010 at 3:30PM: When you look at the woes experienced by the airlines through this recession, it's hard to escape the fact that there's only one solution: the business traveler. Recreational travelers may be important, but that's not where the real money comes from. Airlines salivate over the M&A banker who books a last-minute flight every week. As businesses were laying off and cutting costs, corporate ...Get upgraded to first class for free - Airplane tip
Mar 8th, 2010 at 11:08AM: Work for a company that will only reimburse coach fares? Book a full-fare economy class ticket with a Y booking code.
Commonly referred to as "Y-up" tickets, travelers with a Y booking code may request complimentary upgrade to first class seating. Airlines created the Y booking code to get around tighter corporate travel policies, while still catering to their most lucrative passenger segment. ...Galley Gossip: Special requests, two cubes of ice & a man's pair of pants
Jan 29th, 2010 at 9:30AM: Dear Heather,
So the other day I was on a flight from Boston to San Francisco and I thought you might get a kick out of the following conversation that took place between the flight attendant working in first class and the passenger sitting beside me...
FLIGHT ATTENDANT: Miss did you get a chance to look at the menu?
PASSENGER: Unfortunately
FLIGHT ATTENDANT: (Pauses. Smiles) ...
