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‘Travel’ Stories

Clear airport security alternative relaunches

Mark Raby, May 23rd 2012 Discuss [0]

Clear, the service that tried to attract people to the idea of a faster and more secure way through airport security, is back up and running after it had to shut down in 2009 due to poor management and massive debt. Clear CEO Caryn Seidman Becker was quoted as saying that the new company will be even more attractive, saying anyone who registers will be able to get through security in five minutes or less. Read The Full Story

Virgin Atlantic to offer in-flight cell service

Mark Raby, May 14th 2012 Discuss [0]

Usually, whenever there's a story about more mobile phone service being added, it's a good thing. Bringing reception to rural America, third-world countries, and underground subway stations are all fantastic. In fact, we can only think of one situation where making it possible to place cell phone calls would be a bad thing - on an airplane. Nevertheless, Virgin Atlantic is forging ahead with plans to do exactly that on a number of its flights by the end of 2012. Read The Full Story

Non-metal underwear bomb could cue full-body scanner step-up

Chris Davies, May 7th 2012 Discuss [0]

A metal-free bomb potentially capable of passing undetected through traditional airport metal detectors has refocused attention on airline security, with the US government seizing a sophisticated explosive from what's said to be an Al Qaeda scheme. The device itself is described by US security forces as having a "more sophisticated triggering device" than the so-called underwear bomb of 2009, the NYTimes reports, and replaces that original design's metallic components with new parts that would not, it's suggested, show up in standard metal detector scan. The FBI is still to confirm whether the full-body scanners newly implemented at many airports would have spotted the device. Read The Full Story

AT&T ad-supported Wi-Fi tested in Dallas

Mark Raby, Apr 5th 2012 Discuss [0]

Even with the domination of smartphones and mobile data, it's still nice to have Wi-Fi access in places. Maybe you don't have a smartphone. Maybe you need to get some work done and that 4-inch screen just won't do it for you. Maybe you're at the airport and you need to conserve your phone's battery. All of the above, apparently, are good enough reasons for AT&T to test a new pilot project that offers free Wi-Fi to users if they're willing to sit through some good old-fashioned advertising. Read The Full Story

Digiboo Redbox rival launches in airports

Mark Raby, Mar 17th 2012 Discuss [0]

Digiboo is a new company that aims to be something of a mix between Vudu and Redbox - offering a physical kiosk that allows users to rent or purchase a movie in digital downloadable format. The titles will be available on Flash drives, allowing customers to view their content on a laptop, tablet, or other device that has plug-and-play USB functionality. Read The Full Story

Laser liquid scanner could rescue water bottles from pre-flight trash

Chris Davies, Feb 14th 2012 Discuss [0]

Having to dump your bottled liquids as you go through airport security has become a frustrating addition to flying headaches in recent years, but the awesome power of lasers could soon ensure your flask contains Evian not napalm. Cobalt Light Systems has cooked up the INSIGHT100, a laser scanning system that can differentiate dangerous substances from safe ones while they're still in their container, opening the aircraft doors to water bottles, perfume and toothpaste. Read The Full Story

Columns

Stop Whining and Turn Off Your Phone

Philip Berne, Jan 3rd 2012 Discuss [53]

I learned when I was a camp counselor that you should always support the person up front. When they say something wrong, let it slide and fix it later. When they suggest something unpopular, go with it, and if it proves unsuccessful, it’s no big deal. I never had a camp director suggest we run naked through a poison ivy patch, or show up to Hershey Park at 4AM so we can get a good parking spot. Usually, things worked out in the end.

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American Airlines files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy

Chris Davies, Nov 29th 2011 Discuss [0]

American Airlines has filed for voluntary bankruptcy, promising to maintain current services while it attempts to restructure its "cost and debt structure" into a manageable form. The airline's parent company, AMR Corporation, filed for Chapter 11 reorganization in the US today, a process that can take anything from months through to years: in the meantime, it will operate normal flight schedules, make refunds and exchanges as usual, and honor all existing tickets and reservations. Read The Full Story

iPad flies high with Gameloft Jetstar gaming deal

Chris Davies, Nov 27th 2011 Discuss [8]

Tablets are seeing sky-high demand, with news that social game developer Gameloft has inked a deal with Australian airline Jetstar to offer iPads preloaded with games for in-flight use. Twelve titles are expected to be offered to Jetstar passengers eventually, with Real Football, Shrek Kart, Avatar, UNO and N.O.V.A.: Near Orbit Vanguard Alliance first to appear on the rented Apple slates. Read The Full Story

Google Travel launches with flight search service

Rue Liu, Sep 13th 2011 Discuss [3]

Google has quietly launched a new flight search service called Google Travel. The service can be found in a separate portal here and is powered by the recently acquired travel software company ITA. The $700 million acquisition of ITA was scrutinized for several months before being approved with various conditions due to antitrust concerns that may affect the online travel search industry. Read The Full Story

Virgin America announces in-flight entertainment revamp for 2012

Rue Liu, Sep 13th 2011 Discuss [1]

Virgin America has announced a new partnership with Lufthansa today to bring a major upgrade to their already tech-forward in-flight entertainment system called RED. The revamp to the in-flight entertainment system will include larger touchscreen HD monitors that are internet-capable and also allow passengers to connect their own devices via WiFi. Read The Full Story