Will voice-activated flight search finally catch on?

The latest foray of a travel brand into voice-activated search is called Opal. This time its OTA OneTravel stepping up to the ...



from Tnooz http://www.tnooz.com/article/will-voice-activated-flight-search-finally-catch-on/#utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=will-voice-activated-flight-search-finally-catch-on

Air France’s Chic New Safety Video

Airline safety videos are no longer a necessary evil, but for many airlines a great marketing and branding opportunity.

The leader in the safety video "space" has no doubt been Air New Zealand, given their creative and frequent themed videos.

But they're not alone in investing efforts into their safety videos, as even US airlines have been trying to make their safety videos fun lately.

Air France has just released their latest safety video, which in a word can be described as "chic:"

The post Air France’s Chic New Safety Video appeared first on One Mile at a Time.

from One Mile at a Time http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2015/03/17/air-frances-chic-new-safety-video/

What the Irish think of the Brits

"For centuries, the English threw their weight around building an empire that would eventually fall. And our green little oasis was an easy target, so for 800 years we suffered oppression, starvation, and death at the hands of the Brits. However, we're a forgiving people, and have let bygones be bygones. Not that they appreciate it, of course."



from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/life/8-things-irish-really-think-english-neighbors/

Introducing American Express Plenti: Earn and Redeem Across Various Stores and Services

Peter comments, Announcement today on new rewards platform Plenti from Amex. What is Plenti? According to the trademark filing, Administration of a customer loyalty program which provides the consumer the ability to earn and redeem points and awards across their favorite stores and services American Express has becoming more aggressive in rewarding points for activities […]

The post Introducing American Express Plenti: Earn and Redeem Across Various Stores and Services appeared first on View from the Wing.

from View from the Wing http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2015/03/17/introducing-american-express-plenti-earn-and-redeem-across-various-stores-and-services/

A dangerous idea on how to fix the economy

from Elliott http://elliott.org/advice-you-can-take/a-dangerous-idea-on-how-to-fix-the-economy/

Living Les Bons Temps At Mardi Gras

As I threw beads over the wrought-iron balcony of Bourbon Bandstand in the French Quarter, I looked down at the crowds: strangers in elaborate costumes toasted drinks, laughed, and danced with each other as streets bands performed jazz. Everyone moved as if part of a well-rehearsed stage production done countless times before. “Mardi Gras is certainly wild,” I thought. “Laissez les bons temps rouler!” (“Let the good times roll!”) Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday) is the day before Lent, in which […]

The post Living Les Bons Temps At Mardi Gras appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

from Nomadic Matt's Travel Site http://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-blogs/mardi-gras-new-orleans/

We’ve Already Fixed Aviation Security. And the TSA Had No Part In It.

United flight 1074 from Washington Dulles to Chicago returned to DC last night after a passenger apparently charged the cockpit. Several other passengers restrained the man until the aircraft made it back to Dulles. Police met the aircraft and took the individual to a hospital for evaluation. Here’s video from the incident: It turns out […]

The post We’ve Already Fixed Aviation Security. And the TSA Had No Part In It. appeared first on View from the Wing.

from View from the Wing http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2015/03/17/weve-already-fixed-aviation-security-and-the-tsa-had-no-part-in-it/

How to speak like a Kiwi

"Here are some of the key phrases (+ some bonus pronunciation tips) from the locals in Auckland."



from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/tv/kiwi-slang/

Review: Qatar Airways First Class 777-300ER Cairo To Doha

I had reviewed this route just over three months prior, though the flight was earlier in the day and was operated by an Airbus A330. So I figured it would be worth writing a review, since this flight was operated by a Boeing 777-300ER, and it was my first time flying Qatar's version of the aircraft.

We boarded through door 2L, where we seemed to catch the crew a bit off guard. We had the business class cabin to ourselves for about 15 minutes, since the business class bus was taking its time.

I was especially excited to finally fly Qatar Airways' 777, since that's the only airplane which Qatar Airways flies to North America. So if you're flying Qatar Airways business class to North America, this will be the product.

I should also quickly clarify that Qatar Airways markets their forward cabin on flights within the Middle East as first class, even though they're the same business class seats offered on longhaul flights. In theory the service is better on flights within the Middle East, though unfortunately Qatar Airways recently downgraded first class catering within the Middle East, so that's no longer really the case.

The post Review: Qatar Airways First Class 777-300ER Cairo To Doha appeared first on One Mile at a Time.

from One Mile at a Time http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2015/03/17/review-qatar-airways-first-class-777-300er-cairo-to-doha/

Passenger tried to rush the cockpit on United Flight

A United Airlines flight had to make a U-turn in the sky after an unruly passenger ran toward the cockpit.

from CNN.com - Travel http://www.cnn.com/2015/03/17/travel/united-airlines-flight-unruly-passenger/index.html

My 5 favorite European museum passes

"Europe is expensive and crowded, which can be a total buzz kill for traveling families. But citywide, multi-museum passes help ease both the financial burden and the time-wasting, curiosity-crushing line waits," says Matador editor Rory Moulton.



from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/trips/5-favorite-european-museum-passes-families/

Marriott’s Puzzling Short Film, “Two Bellmen”

It's not unusual for airlines and hotels to try and generate buzz by coming up with some "unique" media. One example is British Airways' "Visit Mum" campaign:

Does it actually give you a reason to fly British Airways over another carrier? Nope. But it evokes emotions that almost everyone can relate with, and you'll always associate them with British Airways. Of course a video doesn't have to be emotional to be memorable. It can be funny, action-packed, or what-not.

Marriott has taken a stab at this with their short film, entitled "Two Bellmen." Here's how they describe the nearly 18 minute movie:

The post Marriott’s Puzzling Short Film, “Two Bellmen” appeared first on One Mile at a Time.

from One Mile at a Time http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2015/03/17/marriotts-puzzling-short-film-two-bellmen/

Qunar marks shift from meta to OTA, from PC to mobile

Qunar has grown its revenues for 2014 by 106% compared with 2013, with mobile revenues up by a blockbuster 435%. The results ...



from Tnooz http://www.tnooz.com/article/Qunar-2014-FYs/#utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=qunar-marks-shift-from-meta-to-ota-from-pc-to-mobile

A Pilot Drew an Air Traffic Control Phallus in the Skies on Thursday, and Now Is Famous on the Internet.

To continue last night’s Spirit Airlines theme, per Flight Radar on Twitter a private pilot made an air traffic control drawing in the skies between Orlando and Tampa on Thursday. [Insert Cocky Pilot Joke Here] Of course this happened in Florida. While this was quite near Disney World, of course, no one would have been […]

The post A Pilot Drew an Air Traffic Control Phallus in the Skies on Thursday, and Now Is Famous on the Internet. appeared first on View from the Wing.

from View from the Wing http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2015/03/17/a-pilot-drew-an-air-traffic-control-phallus-in-the-skies-on-thursday-and-now-is-famous-on-the-internet/

Traveling the Eco-Friendly Way: On the Road with Ivana and Gianni

This is a traveler case study. (Read others or nominate yourself.) Ivana Greslikova and Gianni Bianchini are two full-time travelers with a passion for eco-tourism. Here’s how they incorporate supporting conservation efforts in their travels: Tell us about yourselves. We are Ivana (from Slovakia) and Gianni (from Italy). While living in Germany, we decided to…



from The Art of Non-Conformity http://chrisguillebeau.com/on-the-road-with-ivana-and-gianni/