BA to charge a seat booking tax

In a bid to stop the rot on losses, British Airways is set to start charging passengers who want to choose their seats in advance as they book flights.

These Ryanair styled seat taxes will impact on people that desire to secure a seat next to each other on a flight, which of course is pretty much any 2 or more people travelling together! Moreover, it will affect anyone with a seat preference such as window, emergency exit or even an aisle.

Until recently BA featured no such levy for passengers that wished to reserve seats in the 24 hours window prior to departure, however as from the 7th of October this has all changed.  Would be passengers that are willing and able to pay can now secure their preferences at the point of booking.

Interestingly the official at BA commented that the move would "give customers more control over their seating options."

HOW MUCH?
Good question! For an economy class flight within the Eurozone, passengers will be asked to fork out an additional 10 GBP per person for the simple right to select a seat. The seat tax rises to 20 GBP for longhaul economy or short flights in business class and to a staggering 60 GBP in business
class on long-haul trips, about the same cost Ryanair intends to charge for future transatlantic flights. A seat in an emergency exit row will cost no less than 50 GBP and can be booked between 10 and 4 days prior to take-off.

Despite BA's assurances that quote: "Customers frequently request specific seats but in the past we've only been able to confirm them 24 hours in advance or on the day. We know people want to secure them in advance and have real control over their flying experience. This will allow them to do that." the reality is that the seat tax is yet another money spinner BA has implemented since recording a net loss of 375 million GBP in its last financial year, as the air travel industry edges towards freefall.

BA have committed to reduce subsidies on staff meals also in yet another cost control measure to save 2.7 million GBP annually. Its a fascinating situation brewing that few would have predicted 10 years ago, especially to see Low-cost rivals, easyJet, react to the seat charge via announcement stating it was the "same old BA, attempting to replicate lowcost principles but charging premium rates."

Its anyone's guess what direction this will take next and bets are on for which airline will be the next to go belly up!

Air India Passenger Goes Crazy Mid-Flight

This past Sunday (10/11) a passenger went, by most media accounts, "berserk" and tried to open the door on an Air India Express flight between Dubai and Mangalore. After two outbursts the belligerent male passenger was subdued by flight crew members and other passengers, and then tied to his seat for the rest of the flight.

Read more 

By Planet Data  

Pentagon Fast Tracks Newest Non-Nuke Mega-Bomb

 There were reports back in August that the Pentagon was trying to expedite delivery of its newest non-nuclear mega-bomb, the Massive Ordnance Penetrator, or MOP. Now the DoD has awarded a contract worth nearly $52 million to speed up placement of the bomb on the Air Force's B-2 Stealth bombers.
It seems the Pentagon wants to have MOP available as a possible option for dealing with suspected nuclear installations in Iran and North Korea.

Read more 

By Planet Data 

Russia Testing 5 ICBMs Before 2010

"Russia's Strategic Missile Forces will launch five intercontinental ballistic missiles by the end of 2009, the SMF commander said Monday.

Read  more 

By Planet Data

N. Korea Tests Missiles, Issues Maritime Navigation Ban

North Korea issued a ban on maritime activity off its east and west coasts between October 10 and 20, and then test-launched five short-range missiles into the East Sea on Monday (10/12). Presumably with the navigation ban in place for 8 more days, the North plans to conduct additional weapons tests.

Read more 

By Planet Data

Alleged Hijacker Surrenders to U.S. Authorities After 4 Decades

Luis Pena Soltren, 66, who is accused of taking part in the 1968 hijacking of Pan Am Flight 281 surrendered to American authorities this past weekend after living in Cuba for nearly 41 years. Soltren allegedly was one of the armed men who seized control of the New York to Puerto Rico flight and ordered the pilots to fly to Cuba.
Once in Cuba the 102 passengers and crew were released and allowed to return to the U.S.

Read  more

By Planet Data 

New Head of Security for Reagan Washington National Airport

 The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced this week that Robert Allison has been named the Federal Security Director (FSD) for Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), which serves Washington, D.C. and the surrounding areas. Allison had been serving as the acting FSD at DCA since December 2008.

Read more 

By Planet Data 

October Worldwide Events

Autumn has arrived in the Northern Hemisphere and those dark nights are creeping in to haunt us; it will only get worse soon when the clocks go back too! The southern Hemisphere however is starting to smile in contrast as spring is in the air!

The Perpetual Traveller world events take on a more creative form this month and as always there is a great selection to choose from…


World Food Day 16th October 2009

World Food Day is celebrated on the 16th October and focuses on the fundamental aim of preventing people (especially children) around the world from going hungry. With an estimated increase of 105 million hungry people in 2009, there are now 1.02 billion malnourished people in the world, meaning that almost one sixth of all humanity is suffering from hunger.

Further information: www.fao.org


Grand Designs Live 9th – 11th October 2009

The award winning event for design and inspiration for your home returns to NEC Birmingham this October 2009. With lots in store for this year's show including new features and plenty of exciting exhibitors. Grand Designs Live is sponsored by British Gas and remains to be the UK’s No. 1 consumer show for anyone who has an interest in design, building, interiors, shopping, home wares, gardens, kitchens, bathrooms and overall innovation. With yearly exhibitions taking place in London and Birmingham, visitors will be able to buy, build and furnish a house, all under one roof. If you are looking to make the most of your home, the show will provide you with plenty of amazing ideas to unlock its potential and turn your dream home into a reality.

Further information: www.granddesignslive.com

 
TNT Sun & Snow Show 10th October 2009

The travel event of the year is FREE to the public and will showcase sun, snow and adventure destinations. The New Connaught Rooms hosts London's TNT Sun & Snow Show, focusing on the best travel options for those planning a winter getaway. Tour operators, travel agents, airlines and hotels are all involved.

Further information: www.tntmagazine.com


National Pilgrimage of St Rosaire October 2009

St Rosaire is celebrated every year in Lourdes with a dedicated pilgrimage and a special mass, held in the holy sanctuary of Notre-Dame du Rosaire. In 1571 Christian troops provided by the Vatican, Spain, Venice and Savoy overcame a Turkish armada in the entrance to the Corinth gulf. The Pope at the time, Grégoire XIII, attributed this victory to the daily processions of St Rosaire brotherhoods in the streets of Rome. He promptly changed his planned Victory Day to St Rosaire day, to be celebrated on 7 October.

Further information: www.destinationsen.eurostar.com


Barcolana Trieste 3rd – 11th October 2009

Trieste's Barcolana is an extraordinary spectacle that sees families and professional teams battling it out in old hulls and hi-tech boats. It is now the largest sailing race in Europe and takes place on the last day of a nine-day festival.

It all started in 1969 with no more than 50 boats, today over 2000 vessels participate in the race, which is also called the Coppa d'Autunno. It is named after the Societa Velica di Barcola e Grignano, the sailing club which still manages the competition.

Further information: www.barcolana.it


RHS London Autumn Harvest Show 13th – 14th October 2009

The Royal Horticultural Society's annual autumn flower show, held at the Society's Halls in London, features the autumn fruit and vegetable competition, ornamental plant competition, botanical art and photography.

Experts are available to discuss horticultural techniques and the most appropriate autumn bulbs to use in every setting. Many plants are available to buy. Competitions are open to all.

Further information: http://www.visitlondon.com/events/


Royal Albert Hall International Ballroom Dancing Championships 15th October 2009

Amateur and professional dancers dramatically splay their legs, strut and swirl in streamline suits and sexy sequined dresses at the annual International Ballroom Dancing Championships. The best dance talent in the country compete at The Royal Albert Hall.

Known as the Elsa Wells Championships to aficionados, around 360 of the world's foremost amateur and professional exponents of competitive Dance Sport compete for the International Standard and Latin titles.

Further information: www.dance-news.co.uk


Buenos Aires Spring Wine Tour Urbano Various Dates from 16th October 2009

On the third Friday in September, October and November, browse the fashion boutiques along Armenia and Honduras streets in Palermo Viejo while sipping the nominated wine of the night. Each boutique at Spring Wine Tour Urbano represents a national winery.

Malbec, Argentina's pride and glory vine, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and white and sparkling wines each have a turn. Its sister event, San Telmo's Autumn Wine Tour Urbano in March, April and May, is also a great success.

Further information: www.buenosairesstay.com


Louisiana's International Rice Festival 15th -17th October 2009

One of Louisiana's oldest festivals, the International Rice Festival attracts 150,000 people to the town of Crowley annually. Special events include a livestock show, rice cooking, eating and grading contests and two parades, including a procession of antique farm equipment.

Other events include a Farmers' Banquet and Queens Ball, French accordion, fiddle and harmonica contests and frog jumping. Since the inauguration of the festival in 1937, it has been visited by over seven million people.

Further information: www.ricefestival.com


Munich’s Long Night of Museums 17TH October

Munich's Long Night of Museums sees around 90 of the city's museums and galleries staying open through the evening until 2am. Buy just one ticket and you get access to all participating institutions – simply heaven for the culture vulture!

Participants can join a tour or go for a personal selection of the city's wide-ranging establishments, using either specially-organized shuttle buses or the regular buses, underground, trams and trains. Lots of music and parties accompany the evening, which attracts upwards of 40,000 people.

Further information: www.muenchner.de

Olympic Airlines to become Olympic Air with a new face change

After years of a failed aviation business strategy, which clearly impacted on operations, the Greek carrier Olympic Airlines has finally and effectively ceased to exist (as from the 29th of September 2009).

The loss-making state carrier was purchased by the Marfin Investment Group (MIG) powerhouse. A new era is born as the airline is now being relaunched with a slimmed-down network and new aircraft as it moves into the hands of private ownership operating under the name Olympic Air.

The people that be at Olympic Air wasted no time and quickly set up a new website being www.olympicair.com, although online bookings are not yet actually possible. The new carrier officially launched on the 1st of October 2009, with 20 key domestic routes in addition to the following 10 international destinations, whereby both economy and business class services will be available:

1. London
2. Paris
3. Vienna
4. Brussels
5. Amsterdam
6. Milan
7. Rome
8. Bucharest
9. Larnaca
10. Sofia

At Perpetual Traveller we are surprised not to see the Barcelona and Madrid routes not featured in addition to NO German destinations.

The new carrier suggests that it will initiate operations with a lean fleet of 24 aircraft, which is expected to rise to 32 by spring 2010, as it takes delivery of new Airbus A319 and A320 aircraft, as well as new Bombardier Dash 8-Q400 planes.

Olympic Air plans to team up by means of code-share with Delta on flights to New York as from early October 09, and is finalizing code-share agreements with Air France (between Greece and France, as well as to Montreal from March 2010) in addition to Etihad (for routes between Greece and Abu Dhabi, South Africa and Australia).

A brand new frequent flyer program has also been realised and termed as the "Travelair Club". Olympic Air did specifically state that “in recognition of their loyalty, frequent passengers of the former Olympic Airlines who participated in the Icarus programme will be rewarded by Olympic Air with miles of the newly created Travelair Club”. Icarus used to offer miles for life, so we wonder if the "Travelair Club" will match this?

Whatever happens Olympic Air can do no worse than the former Publicly owned Olympic Airlines, however they will have a long way to go to match their award winning new competitor Aegean. With a leaner competitor and new airlines in the market such as Athens Airways and Hellas Jet for Charters, this has to be good news for Greek air travellers

Grant Holmes
Editor
Perpetual Traveller

British Airways launches flights from London City (LCY) to New York (JFK)

As the UK officially and tentatively climbs out of a nasty economic recession, British Airways (BA) recently launched an all-business class flight between London City Airport and New York JFK on the 29th of September 2009.

The 2 daily flights served with an Airbus (A318) aircraft (largest aircraft type presently permitted to use LCY airport) will require a 45-minute refueling stop at Shannon on the outbound journey. BA are stressing that the stop is actually an advantage as Shannon has full Customs and Border Protection facilities, meaning passengers are permitted a complete pre-clearance at the airport, meaning in reality that they will arrive in the US already as a domestic passenger, thereby avoiding the often extremely lengthy US immigration process.

At this juncture the first few flights are reported to be reasonably full, although only time will tell whether this gamble will pay-off, especially considering the delicate prevailing economic conditions. The target market is of course the "Business Traveller" and typically flights for this market are booked on demand with 2 weeks or less notice, so its too early to know whether this business model will work.

Passengers on the new BA business service will be the first to be allowed to send SMS's and emails in addition to being able to use the Internet via an in-flight mobile communications service provided via OnAir.

One fascinating detail of the launch flight is that it bears the most prestigious flight number available, being BA001, originally used by the great Concorde! There are also reports that BA claims a mere 15-minute check-in will be the norm at LCY, which is a far cry from London Heathrow’s bog standard 45 minutes.


In terms of creature comforts the new service features 32 fully-flat beds in a cabin specially designed to psychologically feel spacious and contemporary. The in-flight dining was created in partnership with Roast Restaurant (based at London’s Borough Market), to draw on their expertise of creating menus that feature the very best of British produce and regional specialties.

Passengers that land into London City will be able to take advantage of complimentary Health Club access at the London Marriott (located in West India Quay) to destress and refresh before heading off for presumed business meetings or tasks.

A daily return service (minus Saturday - note that LCY is closed from 12:40 on Saturday to 11:00 on Sunday), since the 29th of September 2009 was launched, which will be increased to 2 a day from mid-October 2009.

TIMING
BA001 
Departs LCY at 1250 and arrives JFK at 1715.
BA002 
Departs JFK at 1830 and arrives at LCY at 0715 (following day).

BA003
Departs LCY at 1600 and arrives at JFK at 2025.
BA004
Departs JFK at 2150 and arrives at LCY at 1025 the following day.

Early lead fares for the new BA route are starting from approx. £1999.60 return (including taxes, fees & charges).

In summary, London to New York is always going to be a highly popular route and this is as luxurious and convenient as it gets. In balance though, it may take some convincing that the Shannon stop is really a plus, especially if one has to go through the rigmarole of getting on and off the plane and it still has to be a gamble to launch such a service in a fragile economic climate.

Grant Holmes
Editor
Perpetual Traveller