News and notes from around the interweb:
- Hilton doesn’t want you to call their newest brand a hostel
- Woman gives birth on board an Etihad flight from Abu Dhabi to Jakarta. They diverted to Mumbai.
- Counterintuitive: flying extra long routings can save an airline money when going out of the way catches a good wind (HT: Tommy L.)
Copyright: boarding1now / 123RF Stock Photo - After Marriott’s striking workers came out against the Yankees for staying at a hotel where there’s a job action (bear in mind that Marriott isn’t letting guests back out of reservations despite failing to deliver promised services), now they’re attacking the Dodgers and rather bizarrely claiming staying with Marriott is an affront to Jackie Robinson. (HT: Tommy L.)
- How Alaska Airlines basic economy tickets – that go on sale next month – will work no upgrades, no seat assignments until check-in.
- “Decade-old tunnel sees daylight as interior of Salt Lake airport rebuild takes shape” (HT: Mark F)
- Cathay Pacific closing its Hong Kong arrivals lounge November 5
- Oldest known intact shipwreck found in the Black Sea
While it might not be widely-known general knowledge, anyone who flies often from North America to Asia (and especially the reverse) and looks at the in-flight map knows that airlines “chase the wind” when flying to shorten the flight time (and, I guess, save fuel). Almost every flight has a slightly different path. It always reminds me how useful super-computing can be to accomplish mundane tasks.
In re: Alaska’s BE —> Presuming that Cris McGinnis’s article is correct and
1. “Carry-on bag AND a personal item is included.”
2. “Buy up to extra-legroom Premium Class” .[is allowed].
3. “Miles earned on these fares count towards building elite status with Alaska — so a mile flown is a mile earned.”
4. “You board last, and overhead bin space is no guarantee…Mileage Plan elite members are exempt from this restriction, and will be allowed to board in their priority group….”
5. “Seats are assigned at check-in, and there’s no guarantee people traveling together will be seated next to each other.”
6. “No free upgrades, or mileage upgrades.”
To me, while this seems better than BE on the US L# in some ways, and certainly no worse in others, I”ll still avoid it…