...constantly searching to find the best travel deals and places to visit. A never-ending quest for adventure!

Wednesday, March 31, 2010

some news on Jetblue...

This week has turned into a travel-heavy news week...check out the word from Jetblue and American (the oneworld alliance just got better!):

In a move that seems likely to catch many industry observers by surprise, American Airlines announced this morning that it will form an alliance with New York-based JetBlue. The move comes amid increasing competition for the lucrative New York market, where Delta has been expanding during the past year. That has pitted Delta against several airlines with a major presence in the New York market, notably American, JetBlue and Continental.


More info.

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Midwest/Delta part ways

Ever since Midwest gave up flying directly to San Diego, I've been rather ambivalent about trying to fly them, and in fact have reduced my mileage accrual in favor of other larger airlines and networks. When I did fly them, I accrued Delta miles, figuring that once everything stabilizes I could go back to Midwest in earnest.

Sadly, it seems like all of this is continuing to spiral downward with the announcement today that the Midwest/Delta partnership is now ending.

If you want access to the Delta network for flying, you better book your reward travel now. It all ceases on June 7th. No doubt more changes will be forthcoming.

Sunday, March 28, 2010

a tale of some time off

Yep, that's right - a whole weeks worth coming my way. Thanks to furloughs (Arnold) and Cesar Chavez, I have this entire week off of work. Unfortunately not from homework.

Saturday, March 20, 2010

on my next genealogy trip to Norway...



...this will definitely be a place I want to go and visit. The Lofoten Islands in Norway are located above the Arctic Circle. The Lofoten Archipelago, which consists of several main islands, offers scenic fishing villages and rugged outdoor activities. During the summer, the islands experience sunlight 24 hours per day, or midnight sun, and the opposite in the winter with polar nights.

This site offers more info: http://www.lofoten-info.no/

Thursday, March 18, 2010

The tourney has begun...

...and already an upset! Sorry Notre Dame...you were the first.

An interesting note regarding what you can get for free on planes these days (courtesy of ST.com):

With Continental pulling the plug on free meals, you may be wondering what, if anything, you can still get for free in coach on a domestic flight. Well, here's a list, and you can see, it's not a long one:

* AirTran: Soft drinks, blankets/pillows, XM satellite radio
* Alaska: Soft drinks, blankets/pillows
* American: Soft drinks, in-flight programming/radio
* Continental: Meals (ending this fall), soft drinks, blankets (select flights), pillows; in-flight movie/radio, some Delta on Demand options (including live satellite TV, games, and music).
* Delta: Soft drinks, small snack, blankets/pillows, in-flight movie/radio
* Frontier: Soft drinks
* JetBlue: First checked bag, unlimited snacks, soft drinks, DirecTV, XM satellite radio
* Hawaiian: Meals (most long-haul routes), blankets/pillows
* Midwest: Soft drinks, cookies (select flights after 10 a.m.)
* Southwest: First and second checked bag, small snack, soft drinks
* Spirit: Nothing
* United: Soft drinks, blankets/pillows (international), in-flight movie/programming/radio
* US Airways: Soft drinks, in-flight movie/programming/radio
* Virgin America: Soft drinks, satellite TV, video games, 3,000-song music library, seat-to-seat chat, music video library

("Soft drinks" includes soda, water, juice, coffee, tea, etc., but may not include energy drinks and other specialty non-alcoholic beverages.)

Thursday, March 11, 2010

an airline bailout?

Just when I think that maybe, just maybe, the government won't get involved in any more things to spend money, this crosses the wire.

Seriously? An airline bailout? Seems a bit of a stretch.

Monday, March 8, 2010

Can it be...San Diego is back?

I almost could not believe it when I read it...

Midwest Airlines is bringing back San Diego for non-stop flights as a seasonal service and as such is having a limited time sale.

Crazy cheap searches right now for June/July...$214!

Thursday, March 4, 2010

passport fee hikes?

I already hate the number of fees you have to pay when you travel and fly, but this is just another thorn if it actually goes through.

You might just want to renew early if you can to avoid it.

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

the end of Midwest Airlines?

Not a good story to start your morning, especially if you have family in the Midwest.

This article doesn't sound too promising.

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Crowded planes

Good morning, all!

A big thank you to Karl for sharing this article on Crowded Planes and oversize travelers...definitely makes one think.

Enjoy!

Article

And...some solutions.