Travel and Leisure – Topicwire

If you are ready to embark on the travel of you life for the upcoming holiday season, but fear that you may be forgetting essentials, there is no need to worry. With a little bit of advice you are sure to get things done correctly. Proper preparation is important whether you are visiting family or treating everyone to an exciting retreat. Therefore, I shall offer a few tips to ensure you and your friends or family have a great time on your vacation. One of the more important tips is to ascertain when peak travel times are and avoid it like your life dependeds on it. There are two problems that come with traveling during peak times: 1) everything from plane tickets to hotels, rental cars and more will be significantly more expensive and 2) you will encounter the crowds that cause these dates to be known as peak travel times. If you can, it is suggested that you arrange for your vacation time to begin a little bit before these times so that you may steer clear of the crowds. Additionally, you should plan to return a little bit earlier, by doing this you will almost certainly be able to obtain better deals and shun the crowds and aggravation associated with traveling during peak times.

By remaining aware of all travel advice, you will be able to get the best deals for your money. This begins by finding deals on flights, and continues by finding specials on particular destination spots. If you’re holiday vacation destination is to a family’s place and you don’t need the use of a hotel or rental car, then your main concern will the price of your flight. There are several online sites that offer specials for holiday specials. Some of these sites include Cheaptickets.com, Travelocity, and Expedia. You may also be pleasantly shocked to learn that you may also obtain deals on airfare by going to airline websites directly. You way also use SideStep.com; this site allows users to compare the prices by flight special side by side. In my experience, this site has produced the best results.

If traveling to an area where a hotel room is required, my advice is to locate all inclusive packages. You may locate excellent places to stay offering 3- and 5- night packages that include activities and meals. If a car is needed, you should attempt to have the price for one included in your package. If you are precise and early when making the arraignments, the higher the likelihood will be that you have a good outcome.

One of the main worries arises when it comes to long flights involving connection wherein the next connection is only an hour away. You will be in a state of terrible anxiety when you hear the airport staff announces your flight is delayed. Thoughts like “what a way to start my holiday?”, “Will I make it on time?”, “Why didn’t I take more trouble in planning?”

By selecting connecting flights with at least an hour and a half of layover this nervousness can be completely avoided. I’m aware that you may choose a connecting flight that is close in time to your first so that you may reach your destination quicker and avoid the dullness of being in the airport for too long. However, all things considered, half an hour is that long when you have to leave the plane, locate the departure flight and gate, which may be in another terminal, then get settled before it is time to board the plane. What’s more important is that by giving yourself this extra time you are almost guaranteeing that you will make your connection, a guarantee that is worth it during the hectic holiday travel season.

Today traveling by air has a lot of restriction. Be sure to contact your travel agent or the airport staff to find out exactly what you can and cannot carry in your hand luggage. As far as I know you can carry, no liquid, nail cutter, food item, scissor, needle etc. They are extremely strict. Please take great care while packing. When in doubt please ask.

One security measure to stick with is to pack all liquids and gels bigger than 3 ml in the bags you will check.  There are signs up everywhere stating that you cannot carry liquids and gels through the security checkpoint.  This includes lotions, toothpaste, baby oil, aerosol hairsprays, perfume bottles, bottled water and other items.  If found at the checkpoint, they will be confiscated.  Just pack them away and meet them at baggage claim when you get to your destination.  You are allowed to carry liquids and gels 3 ml and under in zip-top clear bags so you’re not completely bereft.  Best travel tip: follow the rules.  You, your family, airport security and everyone waiting in line behind you will be much happier for it. 

The world’s eighth largest airline, Emirates Airlines is based in Dubai, capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Since the company was founded in 1985, it has grown to serve 92 destinations in 55 countries around the world. Although it does not offer domestic service, Emirates is nonetheless the leading air carrier of the Middle East and enjoys large market share in Southeast Asia. Emirates Airlines is one of only six carriers in the world to operate a fleet consisting entirely of wide-body aircraft built by Boeing and Airbus.

Emirates also stands out among carriers in that it has been reliably profitable, posting only one loss in the last 24 years. Its sales growth has stayed above 20 per cent a year, doubling every three and one-half years between 1985 and 1996, and doubling every four years since. It maintains a lean, efficient work force that gives it the competitive advantages of a low-cost carrier, and it also benefits by its association with the Arab Air Carriers Association. Founded in 1965 by the Arab League, the Arab Air Carriers Association is open to any airline based in a member state, and seeks to promote cooperation, quality travel service, and safety among all its member airlines.

The government of the UAE both owns and operates Emirates Airlines, but it neither provides capital nor interferes with its day to day affairs. This unique arrangement allows Emirates the advantages of government affiliation without the downside, powering its unmatched growth and profitability.

Emirates Airlines also runs a cargo carrier, Emirates SkyCargo. Also based at Dubai International Airport, Emirates SkyCargo functions like a passenger airline. It operates nine aircraft, and also uses the cargo capacity of the passenger fleet.

Emirates was the second carrier to place the Airbus A380 into service, accepting delivery in July 2008. Emirates Airlines flies the A380 between Dubai and JFK (New York) and Heathrow (London), and also on its flights to Australia and New Zealand.

While Emirates sole hub is Dubai, it serves over 100 destinations in 56 countries. It maintains agreements with Singapore and Australia that allow it offer connections from their countries to even more destinations throughout the world.

Emirates operate a frequent flyer program called Skywards that offers rewards for miles flown on Emirates or any of its partner airlines.  Partner airlines are Japan Airlines, Korean Air, United Airlines, South African Airways, Jet Airways, Continental Airlines, Kingfisher Airlines and Virgin Blue.

Emirates also maintains a stake in Dnata, the leading travel service provider in the Middle East. Dnata’ 6,500 employees provide technical, ramp, cargo, and passenger services at Dubai International Airport.

Dnata, Emirates SkyCargo, and Emirates Airlines are all subsidiaries of The Emirates Group, an international public holding company also with headquarters in Dubai.  The airline currently employs about 35,000 staff.

Flagship carrier for Australia is Qantas, which maintains a major hub at Sydney International Airport and smaller hubs at Brisbane, Melbourne, and Perth. Qantas also runs international flights to and from Perth, Brisbane, Los Angeles, London, and Singapore.

Founded in 1920, Qantas is the world’s second oldest airline in continuous operation, and the oldest airline in continuous operation in the English-speaking world. It maintains membership in the Oneworld alliance, one of the planet’s premier airline alliance programs.

Qantas is both privately held and of the world’s very most profitable airlines. Voted third best in the world by the World Airline Awards in 2008, Qantas and its subsidiaries maintain hundreds of Boeing and Airbus planes, naming each after Australian aviators, Australian cities, Australian cities, Greek gods and goddesses, and stars.

The name Qantas is an acronym for “Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Services.”

Adventure travelers seeking to tour Antarctica can fly on Qantas charters booked by Croydon Travel. Qantas flew its first tours of Antarctica in 1977. These tours were suspended in 1979 after the disastrous crash of Air New Zealand Flight 901 on Mt. Erebus, but were restarted the summer of 1994. Qantas ensures that all its Antarctic flight crews have had extensive training in polar operations and know what to do in whiteouts, such as those that contributed to the 1979 Air New Zealand disaster.

Qantas believes in rewarding customer loyalty, which is the basis of its frequent flyer program.  Passengers accrue points based on distance flown, with bonuses that vary by travel class.  Points can be earned on both Qantas flights and Oneworld alliance member flights. Qantas has faced criticism regarding availability of seats for members redeeming points, so Qantas overhauled its frequent flyer program in July 2008.  The two key new features are Any Seat rewards, in which members can redeem any seat on the plane at a price. The second new feature is Points Plus Pay, where members can use a combination of cash and points to redeem an award.

Qantas was the first airline to allow mobile phone use during flights. Also, the airline provides wireless internet as well as seat-back access to email and web browsing. The Australian carrier also has an extensive in-flight entertainment system. Some planes use Total Entertainment, which is an audio/video on demand system. Other planes use the Mainscreen System, were drop-down video menus offer either recent films or television programs, depending on long the flight is.

Quantas has recently announced a program to offset its carbon emissions. The program encourages passengers to fly carbon-neutral, and allows them to pay for their offsets in either frequent flier points of cash. Qantas donates program proceeds to government-certified carbon offset projects with a Greenhouse Friendly authentication. Professional golfer Greg Norman and Olympic swimmer Ian Thorpe are representatives for the program.

Austria’s national carrier is the eponymous Austrian Airlines, with its central offices in Vienna, and its main hub at Vienna’s international airport, also known as Wien Schwechat. The Vienna airport is known throughout the industry for its singular ability to move passengers quickly and conveniently to connecting flights, almost always in 30 minutes or less. Passengers waiting for flights to Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and beyond, can find just enough time to enjoy the airports boutiques, coffee shops, cafes, and lounges to make the wait seem even shorter.

Austrian Airlines was founded 52 years ago, in 1957. Along with its subsidiary Tyrolean, Austrian Airlines focuses on providing multiple choices for air travel to and from Central Europe and Eastern Europe and the Middle East. The travel carrier has over 8,500 employees, and is a member not only of the Austrian Airlines Group, but also of the Star Alliance, the world’s largest airline alliance representing 24 different carriers. Most Austrian Airlines jets were built by Airbus or Boeing.

The frequent flyer program for Austrian Airlines customers is known as Miles & More. Over 15 million people earn Miles & More on Austrian Airlines and 12 other European carriers, and use their miles on these carrier as well as the 24 carriers in the Star Alliance.

Austrian Airlines is an industry leader in safety. Since 1981, each and every flight has been staffed with at least two undercover sky marshals, and all flight staff, especially pilots and flight attendants, receive frequent training with special emphases on new technology and in-flight safety.

Much as the Vienna airport offers singular efficiency in transferring passengers between flights in 30 minutes or less, Austrian Airlines offers outstanding customer service. Completely revamping its customer service program in 2006, Austrian Airlines added dozens of new features, ranging from new passenger lounges to free snack service in economy to all-inclusive customer care for passengers on the ground. Calling their new program a success, Austrian Airlines proudly points to multiple industry surveys giving them top rankings in customer service and quality.

As of February 2009, Drs. Andreas Bierwirth and Peter Malanik have been appointed to service as Austrian Airline’s chief co-executives, with equal rights and responsibilities. Austrian’s board of directors anticipates the new management duo will strengthen the airline despite declining air traffic since the beginning of the global economic crisis in 2008. In 2008, the airline carried 10.7 million passengers, down from 2007, and further deterioration of passenger load is expected in 2009.  To turn the situation around, Austrian Airlines is reinforcing its image as the premier carrier for flights from Europe to the Middle East, adding four flights each week to Amman, Jordan.

With its headquarters in Rome, the capital of Italy, the one-time national airline of Italy, Alitalia, is still the nineteenth largest airline in the world. Alitalia’s hub is Rome’s Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport, where it maintains three runways to accommodate its many international flights. The flagship carrier 24 destinations in Italy and 66 more around the world, all of its top 10 flights originating in Rome. Frequent fliers can accumulate points with MileMiglia, qualifying them for free travel on Alitalia or its Sky Team partners, including Air France, Northwest, Delta, Continental (through mid-2009), Aeroflot, Czech Airlines, Korean Airlines, and more.

The very first Alitalia flight took place just a year after the end of World War II, in 1946, originating in Turin and arriving in Rome via Catania. The carrier’s first international flight was in 1947, taking passengers from Milan to South America. Alitalia’s present fleet primarily consists of Boeing and Airbus aircraft, as the company makes strategic changes to expand its international presence after bankruptcy and merger.

Airlines seldom make money, and Alitalia is no exception to the rule. The carrier had only one profitable year, 1998. When the Italian government stopped subsidies in 2006, flights were grounded, and the airline found it increasingly difficult to deal with labor issues. Alitalia declared bankruptcy in 2008, and then sold a 25 per cent stake to Air France-KLM.

The newly private Alitalia Airlines then merged with Air One under a partnered under a consortium called Compagnia Aerea Italiana (CAI), which finalized its purchase of the two airlines in December 2008. Air One has begun to operate a high-frequency network to 36 destinations throughout Europe and also in North America. Hubs for Air One are in Milan, Rome, and Turin.

Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi had called for the formation of the air partnership, which derived over 1 billion euros in investment capital from leading Italian entrepreneurs and banks. Air One assumed Alitalia’s debts and its assets, which led to inevitable public questions concerning how much the Alitalia sale was subsidized by European taxpayers. Air One vowed to bring the carrier to profitability by 2010, but its only initial changes were unpopular job cuts. Although over 12,000 employees of the “old” Alitalia kept their positions, another 3,250 were fired in a five-year plan to bring the new airline to profitability by 2010.

Alitalia officials anticipate that the 25 per cent minority stake held by Air France-KLM will help the new company to achieve its goals of profitability and expanded presence in the international market. The new partnership is a good deal for the flying public, as the chances to earn and spend frequent flier miles through MileMiglia are greatly expanded.

The Pope flies on a chartered Alitalia Airlines jet nicknamed “Shepherd One.” The changes in Alitalia’s ownership are not expected to impact that arrangement.

The flagship carrier of the Netherlands is KLM-Royal Dutch Airlines, hosting a main hub at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport and headquartered in nearby Amstelveen. Offering both domestic and international travel service, KLM-Royal Dutch airlines serves over 90 destinations, and is also a member of the world’s second largest airline alliance, SkyTeam.

For the past several years, KLM-Royal Dutch Airlines has been part of Air France-KLM, while it has also maintained an operating partnership with Northwest Airlines, based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in the USA. The two-airline consortium operates a fleet of 607 aircraft that carry nearly 75 million passengers a year to 258 destinations. The Air France-KLM partnership recently obtained even more global reach by purchasing a 25 per cent stake in the Italian carrier Alitalia.

Founded in 1919 and the world’s oldest air carrier, KLM ran its first flight, from London to Amsterdam, in May 1920. During World War II it ceased operations. The company was accused of helping accused Nazi war criminals escape Germany after World War II, but it has denied the allegations.

KLM and Air France announced their plans to merge in 2003, marking the end of KLM as the world’s oldest independent airline. The merger did not, however, affect the long term partnership between KLM and Northwest, as the two companies both joined the SkyTeam alliance in September 2004.

Fliers in first or business class on KLM are given souvenir porcelain reproductions of old Dutch canal houses, the Delftware miniatures filled with a Dutch liqueur. KLM’s practice of handing out the Delft porcelain miniatures began in 1952, and, as 2008, the company’s eighty-eighth year in operation; there are 88 models of the houses. Each October 7 the company celebrates the anniversary of its founding with a new Delftware design.

The KLM mileage program is called Flying Blue. Members can earn and use mileage points on flights run by Air France-KLM and other SkyTeam carriers, but also a variety of other travel, transportation, and financial companies. Flying Blue members can attain four membership levels—Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Ivory. Levels are determined by accumulated miles on Air France-KLM or any other SkyTeam company, and also on flights operated by Kenya Airways, which is a partner of Flying Blue.

KLM’s past success isn’t protecting the airline from a bumpy future.  The airline recently announced it will cut up to 2,000 jobs due to lower ticket sales and lower cargo volumes.  The cuts represent three percent of the KLM workforce.  KLM also plans to reduce its airline capacity by two percent in summer 2009.  KLM lost $653 million dollars in the quarter ending December 31, 2008.  Airline officials say they haven’t ruled out future cuts or reductions as they look to stabilize their business and return the airline to profitability.

An airline watchdog group based in Australia, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, announced in February 2009 that it is suing Air France-KLM over price fixing allegations. KLM denies the charges and will defend against the suit. British Airways and Qantas were recently fined $5 million and $20 million over similar price fixing allegations.