Canadian airlines react to border closure with significant cuts
Most US transborder services will be eliminated as Canada and the US scramble to contain COVID-19 coronavirus. Canada and the US have announced plans to close their mutual border to all “non-essential” traffic, prompting Canadian airlines to make steep capacity cuts.
“Travelers will no longer be permitted to cross the border for recreation and tourism,” Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said, explaining the measure was necessary to combat the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic in North America.
Air Canada said it will reduce its transborder network from 53 US airports to 13 by March 31 as it gradually suspends the majority of its international and US-bound flights.
“Subject to further government restrictions, the airline intends to continue to serve a small number of international and US transborder destinations from select Canadian cities after April 1,” the airline said.
From April 1, only the following US airports will be served by Air Canada: Boston Logan (BOS); Chicago O’Hare (ORD); Denver (DEN); Fort Lauderdale (FLL); Houston Intercontinental (IAH); Los Angeles (LAX); Newark, New Jersey (EWR); New York LaGuardia (LGA); Orlando (MCO); San Francisco (SFO); Seattle-Tacoma (SEA); Washington Dulles (IAD); and Washington National (DCA).
The Montreal-based carrier—which will be the only Canadian airline operating any transborder flights after March 22—said further cuts to US flights could be necessary based on either demand or government edicts.
Air Canada will temporarily reduce its international network of 101 airports to just six airports after March 31, operating a limited number of “air bridges” between one or more of its Canadian hubs and Delhi (DEL), Frankfurt (FRA), Hong Kong (HKG), London Heathrow (LHR), Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) and Tokyo Narita (NRT) from April 1 until at least April 30.
The airline said it intends to continue to serve all domestic provinces and territories within Canada but will reduce its domestic network from 62 airports to 40 from April 1 until at least April 30.
“The restrictions on travel imposed by governments worldwide, while understandable, are nonetheless having a cataclysmic effect upon the global airline industry,” Air Canada president and CEO Calvin Rovinescu said.
Calgary-based WestJet, Canada’s second-largest airline, said all of its US transborder and international operations will be suspended for at least 30 days starting March 23.
Meanwhile, Toronto-based Porter Airlines announced it is temporarily suspending all flights at the close of operations on March 20, with plans to resume service on June 1. “COVID-19 is having an unprecedented effect on people around the world and Porter is determined to do our part to support the efforts of the Canadian, US and global authorities in their responses,” Porter president and CEO Michael Deluce said.
Jet2.com suspends all flights until May
he parent company of Jet2.com expects the British LCC’s fleet to remain grounded until May at the earliest.
In a trading update to investors, Dart Group said the unforeseen level of travel restrictions imposed by governments across Europe in response to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic mean flights are unlikely to resume for at least six weeks.
Over the past week the carrier has conducted an “extensive” repatriation program to bring passengers home. This included a number of its Spain-bound services turning around mid-flight after the advice changed to avoid all but essential travel.
“Although we have a strong and prudent balance sheet with a £1.5 billion ($1.74 billion) cash balance at March 18, 2020 and long-term structured debt in relation to aircraft financing, given the escalating situation we have accelerated actions to underpin the stability of our business and improve cash flows,” Dart Group said in a statement.
“This includes a reduced flying programme beyond May 1, 2020, freezing recruitment and discretionary spending and deferring all non-regulatory capital expenditure. In addition, we are in ongoing discussions with existing liquidity providers who recognise the strength of our business model.”
OAG Schedules Analyser data shows Jet2.com’s summer season flying program was scheduled to cover almost 400 routes and 14.3 million available seats. In March and April 2019, the carrier operated 9,518 flights and offered 1.8 million seats.
Dart Group said it was “encouraged” by the UK government’s pledge to support businesses with loans, adding: “We look forward to seeing further details of the proposed support for airlines and airports in due course.”
The best luxury hotels in Europe
We might be living through unprecedented times, but that doesn’t stop us daydreaming about our next luxury holiday. As many people find themselves in isolation or working from home and increasingly unable to get out and about, it certainly feels like we’ll all deserve a holiday soon, blogs Sarah Roberts.
The travel restrictions currently in effect worldwide won’t be around forever, and as soon as they’re lifted, you won’t have to travel half way around the world to find incredible destinations and awe-inspiring travel opportunities. Europe is a cultural melting pot unlike any other, with a magnificent coastline playing host to shimmering beaches, ancient cities that are steeped in history and a landscape that has inspired generations of artists. From romantic mini-breaks to a family-friendly hotels, a luxury European holiday has something for every type of traveller.
Europe is a cultural melting pot unlike any other, with a magnificent coastline playing host to shimmering beaches, ancient cities that are steeped in history and a landscape that has inspired generations of artists. From romantic mini-breaks to a family-friendly hotels, our luxury European holidays have something for every type of traveller.
Europe is a patchwork of cultures, climates, landscapes and experiences, which means it can be difficult to decide which destination is best for you. To inspire your next luxury European holiday and make your choice easier, here we have picked out our top ten hotels and resorts in Europe.
With less time spent travelling to these luxurious destinations, you can spend more time focusing on what’s important – having the most incredible holiday experience possible. Read on to find out more about our top ten.
1. The Ritz Carlton, Abama – Tenerife, Spain
With classical European architecture, ten restaurants and nine swimming pools to enjoy, there is an extraordinary amount of continental luxury to discover at The Ritz Carlton, Abama.
As you would expect, the dining here is divine. Sumptuous offerings include Kabuki, a Japanese-inspired Michelin-starred restaurant and the incredible M.B, boasting two Michelin stars and serving a fine dining à la carte menu inspired by seasonal flavours.
State-of-the-art sports facilities make The Ritz-Carlton, Abama a paradise for active travellers. There is even a challenging par 72, 18-hole golf course that includes 22 water hazards as well as a driving range and golf academy.
Top tip : There is also Ritz Kids for children aged 4 – 12, making this Canary Islands resort a great choice for families of all ages.
2. Grace Santorini – Santorini, Greece
Well-heeled travellers will be in their element at Grace Santorini with chic sophisticated style spilling down the hillside, bathing the resort in elegance. Accommodation on the terraced slopes feature white-washed walls, king-size beds with luxurious pillow-top mattresses, private plunge pools and breathtaking views.
Set high on a volcanic outcrop, the resort faces famous Skaros, an idyllic island that is home to the ruins of a Venetian castle that is well worth a visit. The resort also boasts one of the most impressive infinity pools in the region, offering uninterrupted panoramic views of the Aegean Sea. With all of this and more, it is easy to see how this resort has become one of the most sought after in the Mediterranean.
Top tip: The ‘Bespoke by Grace’ initiative will allow guests to personalise their in-room experience and request unique local experiences.
3. Aman Sveti Stefan – Montenegro
Embrace the historic coastal legacy of Montenegro at Aman Sveti Stefan, a resort that has been built on the remnants of a 15th-century fishing village. Traditional design meets sleek modernity in each of the 58 dwellings that are dispersed along the coastline and connected by cobbled lanes that weave between the 600-year-old tiled roofs and shady courtyards.
The highlight of this resort is undoubtedly the Villa Milicer. Once the summer residence of Montenegrin Queen Marija Karadordevic, the villa offers unparalleled luxury and direct access to two beaches. Aman Sveti Stefan guests can choose to relax at the resort’s completely private beach, or head to two others which are predominantly used by guests of the hotel.
Top tip: Dining is exceptional, with choices ranging from the main restaurant showcasing the best of the region’s ingredients to the laid-back vibe in the al fresco piazza.
4. Grand Hotel Tremezzo – Lake Como, Italy
Of course, the beautiful lake is the biggest draw to the region, and the Grand Hotel Tremezzo brings lakeside luxury to new heights. Ensuring that the focus is firmly on the waters, the hotel has a private boat for guests to use to explore the lake, and there are three docks nearby for easy access to Lake Como.
Off the water, this hotel spoils guests with luxury, chic design, impeccable service and even your very own private rooftop jacuzzi from which you can gaze out over the lake. The food here is another major highlight, with five different restaurants and snack bars designed by culinary maestro Gualtiero Marchesi.
Top tip: Visit the T beach, where real sand recreates a classic lido, with umbrellas, sunbeds, swimming pools, tennis courts and a spa.
5. Il Salviatino – Florence, Italy
Could anything be better than staying in an authentic Renaissance villa? At Il Salviatino classic meets contemporary with beautiful 15th century architecture, grand stone steps, sweeping archways and elegant symmetry accompanied by modern amenities and state-of-the-art facilities.
While the beautiful Il Salviatino is a feast for the eyes that could rival any of the famous sights you see on your luxury holiday in Florence, the views from the hilltop location are breathtaking. Through floor-to-ceiling windows, you will be able to see the terracotta roofs of Florence, the famous Duomo and the rolling Tuscan hills.
Top tip: If you’re heading to a location as impressive as Il Salviatino, you’re going to want to arrive in style. A rooftop helicopter landing pad makes dramatic arrivals more than possible.
6. Aman Venice – Venice, Italy
Nothing says Venetian luxury quite like an authentic 16th-century palazzo situated directly on the world-famous Grand Canal. With a location like this, all of Venice’s charms – including its restaurants, shops and museums – are easily accessible to guests. The fortuitous location of Aman Venice also means that the spacious accommodation boasts stunning views.
Top chefs oversee the dining experience at Aman Venice, with the grand Yellow dining room featuring magnificent fireplaces and vistas of the canal, while the Red dining room is the perfect spot for al fresco feasts in the summer. Dishes use locally sourced ingredients, such as soft-shell crab from the lagoon and seasonal vegetables from the region’s farms, with Italian favourites including ice cream, pasta and bread made fresh in the hotel’s kitchen.
Top tip: Join the hotel’s chef on a morning visit to the Rialto Market, followed by lunch, or a private visit to the Doge’s Palace with its frescoes by Venetian greats.
7. Le Bristol – Paris, France
Paris is synonymous with chic style, breathtaking architecture, sensational cuisine and, of course, incredible European getaways. With divine Michelin-star dining and an elegant spa, the historic Hotel Le Bristol is an iconic hotel in the heart of the vibrant fashion and arts district, perfectly situated for embracing the best of what Paris has to offer.
The Paris Suite is the highlight of the accommodation offerings here, with magical views of the City of Lights and the Eiffel Tower waiting to captivate guests relaxing on the spacious wrought-iron balcony. Extremely spacious, it has a sitting room and dining room, a fitted kitchen and even comes with its own steam room. Nothing could be better for those wanting to experience Paris in unparalleled style.
Top tip: If you’re looking to kick back and relax, head to the hotel’s unique sixth-floor rooftop swimming pool, boasting panoramic views of the city.
8. Villa Orsula Dubrovnik – Dubrovnik, Croatia
This contemporary boutique hotel has just 13 exclusive and private rooms and suites, all situated in a converted 1930s villa. The charm and character of the original building remains, but guests will also be treated to all of the modern facilities they will expect, including a fine dining Peruvian restaurant and beautiful gardens.
Dubrovnik is just a short journey away for those looking for cultural and historical exploration and, after a busy day in the city, you will find an exclusive beach where a dedicated member of staff will lead you to your sunbed, sunshade and towels, all just a five-minute walk into the Old Town. Could anything possibly be more blissful?
Top tip: Next to the restaurant is the peaceful Lounge Bar where cocktails are served in the stunning gardens accompanied by live jazz.
9. Belmond La Residencia – Mallorca, Spain
Just forty minutes from Palma Airport, you’ll find this boutique hotel nestled in the Tramuntana mountains. And the idyllic setting makes it a great place to relax and unwind. Belmond La Residencia consists of several stone manor houses that have been converted and modernised to fit the 73 rooms and suites. In terms of activities – you won’t be disappointed. You can head out and explore the area by bike or Vespa, set sail aboard the complimentary two-hour sailing excursion or even take in a hot air balloon or helicopter ride.
For those looking to maintain their physique – there are also two tennis courts, two swimming pools and a fitness centre. Whereas those keen to indulge in some culture won’t even have to leave the resort. It has a resident artist that holds regular exhibitions as well as a sculpture garden. The Belmond La Residencia is truly a place to behold.
Top tip: Don’t miss out on the Olive Oil classes to give you a greater understanding of how to use this oil to bring out it’s best attributes.
10. Gleneagles – Scotland, UK
Something a little bit closer to home, yet still exuding luxury at every turn, Gleneagles is a great choice for a short break away. Guests can choose a room with either a traditional or a modern approach to interiors, but in many ways, it’s the views out to the grounds and surrounding vistas that make the rooms special. Whilst Gleneagles is famed for its golf, there are many alternative activities that will keep everyone engaged during the holidays. This includes horseback riding, a zipline experience, cycling, archery and fishing.
This British resort is also perfect if you want to take your family on holiday. The Den offers everything from games consoles, air hockey to a private cinema room.
Oh and to add to it, Gleneagles houses Scotland’s only 2 Michelin Starred Restaurant – Andrew Fairlie.
Top tip: Don’t miss out on the opportunity to visit a whisky distillery nearby. You are less than an hour away from Deanston, Glengoyne and the Famous Grouse Experience.
Jazeera Airways offers its aircraft to help the State of Kuwait
Kuwaiti LCC Jazeera Airways is offering its fleet of 14 aircraft at the disposal of the State of Kuwait in order to help deal with the effects of the COVID-19.
Jazeera Airways press release stated, “The airline has always placed its fleet at the service of Kuwait in times of crisis and continues to do so as part of its national duty.” The airline will provide support in returning Kuwaiti nationals to the country and transporting necessary medical equipment.
All commercial flights in and out of Kuwait were suspended on 13 March which has meant that a number of foreigners who live and work in the country can no longer re-enter. On the other hand, tourists and visitors are potentially trapped if they cannot find another way home.
The airline is currently building an auxiliary special medical facility in coordination with health and civil authorities at its terminal at Kuwait International Airport and aims to be ready when passenger traffic resumes at the airport.
Chicago’s Midway airport is closed after employees test positive for COVID-19
The air traffic control tower at Chicago’s Midway International Airport was closed Tuesday after “several” technicians there tested positive for coronavirus, the Federal Aviation Administration said.
The airport is still open but is operating at a reduced rate, according to the agency.
“The air traffic control tower at Midway Airport is temporarily closing while we ensure a safe work environment for air traffic controllers and technicians,” the FAA said in a statement.
The agency said it had backup facilities in operation to help the airport continue operating.
Aviation has been at the epicenter of the coronavirus crisis as airlines and related industries reel from a sharp drop-off in demand as travelers stay home and bookings tumble.
“The FAA continues to maintain close contact with airports, airlines and other stakeholders during this situation,” it said.
The National Air Traffic Controllers Association, the union that represents about 20,000 air traffic controllers, engineers and other aviation-safety workers, said all aviation safety workers at Midway should be immediately tested for the disease or COVID-19.
NATCA “is adamant that the testing must occur immediately and is hopeful there will be no additional COVID-19 infections,” it said. “We are encouraged that the FAA is pursuing the rapid testing of all personnel at MDW Tower.”
FAA is probing how a 12-inch crack occurred in Southwest 737 jet
Officials are investigating the causes of a crack that ruptured the skin of a Las Vegas to Boise plane. Federal officials said they are investigating after a crack ruptured the skin on a Boeing 737 jet operated by Southwest Airlines, causing the plane to gradually lose cabin pressure.
The incident occurred Monday on a flight from Las Vegas to Boise, Idaho. Flight records show that the pilots began a rapid, 6-minute descent from 39,000 feet to 22,000 feet.
At that altitude, the cabin pressure was safe, and the crew completed the flight, said Southwest and the Federal Aviation Administration. Oxygen masks in the passenger cabin never dropped from the ceiling, and no injuries were reported, the airline and the regulatory agency said.
The FAA said that an inspection turned up a 12-inch crack in the skin of the plane’s crown behind the cockpit. Airlines are required to inspect that area every 1,500 flights. The FAA said it was too early to know whether the frequency of inspections should be increased.
Southwest spokeswoman Michelle Agnew said the plane had been inspected for cracks within the required 1,500-flight period.
Agnew said that during the flight, pilots responded to an indicator in the cockpit and “followed standard procedures by descending to a lower altitude to maintain a safe and comfortable cabin environment.” That “resolved the issue,” and the crew continued safely to Boise, she said.
“The aircraft did not incur a rapid depressurization, masks were not deployed, and the aircraft did not require a diversion to maintain the safety of flight,” Agnew said.
On Friday, the plane was in a maintenance facility and undergoing repairs for the crack, she said.
A spokesman for Chicago-based Boeing said the manufacturer was aware of the incident and was working with Southwest to learn more.
The incident was reported earlier by The Wall Street Journal. The newspaper, citing people familiar with the matter, said Southwest told the FAA that required inspections turned up external cracks in two other planes in the same area but that those incidents didn’t lead to cabin decompression.
Breaks in the skin of aluminum-body jets such as the Boeing 737 are usually caused by fatigue or wear and tear. Maintenance experts say fatigue cracks are not uncommon in older planes, and inspections are designed to find them and repair them before they become safety problems.
In 2009, metal fatigue created a hole in the roof of a Southwest jet as it cruised 35,000 feet over West Virginia. The crack started where two sheets of aluminum skin were bonded together.
Two years later, a 5-foot-long hole ripped opened in another Southwest 737, forcing pilots to make an emergency landing at a military base in Arizona. Investigators blamed fatigue cracks in the plane’s skin.
No one was injured in those incidents, but in 1988 an Aloha Airlines flight attendant was blown out through a hole of a Boeing 737 as it flew over the Pacific Ocean. That prompted tougher inspection rules.
Southwest’s maintenance record has faced scrutiny. In 2008, the FAA proposed a $10.2 million fine against the airline for failing to conduct mandatory inspections for fatigue cracks on some of its planes. Southwest, which is based in Dallas, settled the case by agreeing to pay a $7.5 million civil penalty.
The incident was reported earlier by The Wall Street Journal. The newspaper, citing people familiar with the matter, said Southwest told the FAA that required inspections turned up external cracks in two other planes in the same area but that those incidents didn’t lead to cabin decompression.
Breaks in the skin of aluminum-body jets such as the Boeing 737 are usually caused by fatigue or wear and tear. Maintenance experts say fatigue cracks are not uncommon in older planes, and inspections are designed to find them and repair them before they become safety problems.
In 2009, metal fatigue created a hole in the roof of a Southwest jet as it cruised 35,000 feet over West Virginia. The crack started where two sheets of aluminum skin were bonded together.
Two years later, a 5-foot-long hole ripped opened in another Southwest 737, forcing pilots to make an emergency landing at a military base in Arizona. Investigators blamed fatigue cracks in the plane’s skin.
No one was injured in those incidents, but in 1988 an Aloha Airlines flight attendant was blown out through a hole of a Boeing 737 as it flew over the Pacific Ocean. That prompted tougher inspection rules.
Southwest’s maintenance record has faced scrutiny. In 2008, the FAA proposed a $10.2 million fine against the airline for failing to conduct mandatory inspections for fatigue cracks on some of its planes. Southwest, which is based in Dallas, settled the case by agreeing to pay a $7.5 million civil penalty. idahobusinessreview.com
Ibiza’s top restaurants
We are all in testing times and whilst the travel industry is in meltdown with flights canceled, travel bans in place and people across the globe in lockdown, it’s hard to even imagine when our next holiday will be. When the world does eventually return to normal, we can only hope that businesses will return to normal and life as we knew it will again return.
In the meantime, I hope that all our readers stay safe and that the restaurants in this article survive the inevitable downturn. I wrote this latest piece before the enormity of the current situation bedded in and hopefully one day, we’ll be able to go back to these magical venues and find them in the great shape we witnessed on our visit, blogs Kerrie Potts.
Ibiza
In an archipelago of Spain, you will find the Balearic Islands. Ibiza is one of those that find the Mediterranean Sea lapping at its shores. Widely promoted as the night-club capital of the world, this is actually a massive undersell of this fantastic location. It offers so much more than the clubs of Ibiza Town and Sant Antoni. For those who are after a more relaxing getaway, you will also find peaceful villages, restorative yoga retreat, and more. Dining out is a must when you are in Ibiza as there are simply so many delicious eateries that offer the best in fine dining you will be thoroughly spoilt for choice. Ibiza Town’s Marina Botafoch area has become the center of food excellence over the last few years, and you will find stunning dishes from all over the world. With exquisite presentation and amazing flavors, a night on the town is a treat for the palette, and to help you get started here are five of the best to choose from.
Nobu
In the bay of Talamanca, you will find the Hotel Nobu Ibiza Bay and within its four walls the stunning restaurant that first opened its doors to diners in 2017. The decor is modern, and you can sit at raised tables watching the chefs as they work. It is clean and contemporary with a teak and cream theme that really sets the tone and matches the rest of the hotel.
Serving amazing Japanese dishes this luxury venue has gone from unknown to world-renowned in just three short years. It is little wonder when you cast your eyes over the incredible menu. Once your dishes are served, the experience gets even better when you taste the fine flavors from dishes such as Rock Shrimp Tempura and Black Cod Miso. The fish come straight from the ocean which you can look out over as you eat. Booking is highly advisable but well worth a short wait should the need arise.
STK Ibiza
For those who may crave something a little more English in influences, there is nothing better than this upmarket steak house which has been described by critics as ‘Soul food with sparkle’. It is more than just a slab of meat on the plate, of course, you do have a stunning range of quality steaks, but you can also enjoy amazing sides that include lobster mac and cheese and parmesan truffle chips. Heading up the team of first-class chefs is a man who once called the seven-star Burj al Arab of Dubai home. This speaks volumes about the quality of the food on offer, and his menu is respected across the globe. The foie gras creme brûlée comes highly recommended as the start of choice, and you can be assured of the finest fresh seafood and highest quality ingredients sourced locally where possible.
Sa Punta Ibiza
Of course, fine dining is best accompanied by the finest of wines, and for the most extensive cellar, you might want to head to Sa Punta for a Mediterranean dining experience you will simply love. Earning an easy five stars for service and attention this is one laid back, cool venue with so much to offer.
The extensive menu is complemented by the chance to dine out on the views of Talamanca Bay as you gaze towards the old town. Your dining choices are carefully constructed by owner Rodolphe who brings the finest seafood locally caught that day, free-range meat and other produce from as close to home as possible. Whether you sit inside or alfresco, you are guaranteed a magical evening, but with such high demand for space, be sure to get your reservation booked in as soon as possible.
Heart
For a totally unique experience, you do not want to miss the fantastic gastronomy meets entertainment fusion that was the brainchild of the Michelin starred Adria Brothers and Cirque de Soleil’s Guy Laliberte. A truly fantastic night of incredible food complimented by the creativity of the performers this really is a once in a lifetime fusion event that cannot be missed.
The menu which was created by world-class chef Rafa Zafra perfectly interprets the vision as he creates a visual, aural and taste sensation that is simply perfection. Unusual and immersive this is one evening you do not want to miss set in a stunning location with attention to detail and a high level of service. Be sure to book in advance, there is unsurprisingly always a waiting list for the venue but do be sure to check it out.
Izakaya
Last but by no means least we have the delights of Izakaya, which can be found in the Sir Joan hotel. It is an eclectic mix of Japanese meets South American, but it works incredibly well. Although they have not been around for long, they are taking the area by storm and have garnered a strong following sending out waves across the globe and attracting diners from the four corners and beyond.
The setting is simply stunning, and you will undoubtedly dine in style, while the food is described as delectable and delicate, which sums it up perfectly. The menu is extensive, but nothing is out of place and it all more than belongs here. The wasabi lobster is out of this world, the corn tempura is legendary, and there is plenty for meat lovers with beef tatakis and tenderloin galore. Again, you would be wise to book a table in advance as they are in demand and always busy.
Ibiza is rapidly becoming a culinary capital, and wherever you choose to dine, you will not be disappointed. A taste sensation lurks around every corner, and the luxury dining options are vast and satisfying. With every continent covered and a range of alfresco or undercover dining options, there really is something for everyone here. Once you have planned your trip, it is advisable to make some reservations, so you are not disappointed.
Stay safe everyone and hopefully one day we’ll all be able to dine in these wonderful restaurants again.
Great private lodges in the African wilderness
Africa’s safari camps and lodges are renowned for being especially intimate and wild, more so than any other hospitality experience throughout the rest of the world. Take the most private and most intimate lodges across the continent and you have the best wilderness experience the world has to offer. Dotted around safari Africa are several private lodges where you and the family can go to get away from it all in the ultimate exclusive retreat. Here is a rundown of the best places to do this.
Bailey’s Banda at Beho Beho. Selous Game Reserve, Tanzania
This is the ultimate old school safari experience. Dappled brick walls enclose guests in a haven of old era safari romance, with bushy views onto the raised hill which creepy up into the horizon. Watch the peaceful everchanging canvas of wilderness from your private plunge pool. This is the kind of scene that can change in a blink of an eye; a tranquil river scene can within a page of your book transform into a playground for elephants; a blank field can come alive with the howl of wild dogs in a split second. Staying at Beho Beho is as much about wildlife viewing from the luxury of your room as it is about the game drives…
Laragai House. Laikipia, Kenya
Laragai House is one of the original private venues for those who want exclusivity in a wild place. Laikipia is a haven for adventurers, and Laragai House is about as luxurious as it gets. It really does have something for everyone. Here, you feel isolated in the wild with sweeping and endless views of the undulating Borana hills below. You can be bathing by the pool admiring the view in the morning, and galloping around the below wilderness in the afternoon on your very own horse. Laragai House is the very best option on the continent for horse and wilderness lovers, all to be enjoyed from one of the finest private safari lodges on the continent.
The Motse. Tswalu, South Africa
Twenty-four of your best friends and family can enjoy this fabulous private getaway. Perhaps The Motse is suited best for older families with teenagers, who want to tear around the surrounding wilderness in activities galore which is this action-packed private reserve. Guided activities include searching for pangolins, which are (incredibly) very easy to spot here; keeping wildlife enthusiast parents more than entertained. Perhaps, Tswalu is also excellent for younger families as it has no age restrictions and is, importantly, one of the only non-malarial reserves in southern Africa. For those who aren’t restricted by non-malarial zones, the nearby and easily accessible Cape Town is a perfect contrast and complement to an exceptional Tswalu safari.
Mkombe House at Nomad Lamai. Serengeti, Tanzania
Mkombe House is the ultimate big 5 safari hideaway. The Serengeti National Park is brimming with lifetime it right heading to Lamai in July to October and your could be living in amongst one of the greatest, most spectacular natural events on the planet; the Great Wildebeest Migration. Indoors, Mkombe House cozies into a huge Kjope, huge towering mysterious boulders which are typical of this beautiful part of the park. Staying here is as close to nature as anyone could get. To avoid other tourists completely, I would recommend visiting in the off-season months when the Migration is not around. You will still be greeted by some of the best wildlife on the continent which never leave this action-packed park but for a lot less than in high season.
Chongwe House, Lower Zambezi. Zambia
Chongwe House is what safari is all about; rustic, wild and with a hint of safari romance impossible to replicate on any other continent. Set on the banks of the Zambezi, enjoy a bright pink sunset and a cold drink after a long day of exploring this beautiful region. The wildlife in the park is superb, and the boating unparalleled in the country. For those who love fishing, Chongwe is the dream with some of the very best fishing opportunities on the continent. It is a hideaway for those who love a river view, and all the activities which come with it.
By Marc Harris
Plant based award winning fine dining in Bangkok
Bangkok is a luxury travel mecca where you can stay at some of the finest luxury hotels in the region and dine at multi-award winning fine dining restaurants. The culinary scene has long been considered to be varied and experimental so it’s only to be expected that some of the leading hotels and restaurants have been at the forefront of the global rise in plant-based dining. The team behind Green Monday has been instrumental in this growth by working alongside establishments citywide to ensure that plant-based luxury in Bangkok is a reality.
Green Monday is a social venture originating in Hong Kong that promotes sustainability and a plant-based lifestyle. They have been raising awareness of the links between diet and the environment since their launch on Earth Day in 2012 and are committed to promoting a wholesome plant-based diet which reduces environmental footprint and improves public health. Launching in Thailand during October 2019 they have partnered with hotels and restaurants to develop plant-based dishes and menus, many of which include the groundbreaking Beyond Meat and the game-changing OmniMeat. This is the future of food and we love it, blogs Paul Eyers.
Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok
It’s only right to start with Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok who has led from the front as plant-based pioneers in Bangkok. Since being the first luxury hotel in Bangkok to offer the Beyond Burger in September 2019 they now offer plant-based items on each of their menus. The Dining Room is their all-day dining venue where breakfast features a variety of options. We loved the chia banana pudding and homemade coconut yogurt from the buffet and the crushed avocado on multigrain bread with chia seeds and heirloom tomato from the a la carte menu was excellent. Lunch and dinner options include sushi, noodles, Arabic dishes, and burgers to name a few; all plant-based and all clearly marked on the extensive menu.
The Dining Room has 20 plant-based appetizers, soups, salads, and mains on the menu and Erawan Bakery offers a trio of super-nutritious plant-based smoothies. Trust us when we say that the Coconut Pandan was sublime, made with coconut water, coconut flesh, coconut cream, coconut sugar and infused with pandan. Delicious. For street-style Thai cuisine such as ‘Phad Kapao’ or ‘Larb Tord’ which both feature OmniMeat head to You&Mee. The ‘Larb Tord’ was excellent, spicy OmniMeat fried bites, coated with toasted rice delivering a crunchy texture and nutty flavor. Do you get the idea? Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok has an amazing array of plant-based goodness for you to choose from making it one of the most vegan-friendly luxury hotels we’ve ever visited. Bravo.
The Peninsula Bangkok
The Peninsula Bangkok is synonymous with luxury and enjoys an enviable riverside location. They also offer a selection of premium dining options where you can enjoy vegan food as part of their partnership with Green Monday. Breakfast at The River Café & Terrace is the perfect place to experience those Chao Praya river views whilst dining on plant-based delights. You will find the largest selection of seeds and superfood powders we’ve ever seen, which you can sprinkle on your vegan yogurt or chia almond pudding. Vegan options also include a selection of fruit sago and quinoa granola bars or acai raisin and wheatgrass chocolate energy balls. This all combines to create a seriously healthy start to the day which can then be continued with some excellent healthy options for lunch at The Lobby. Yes, you can enjoy a Beyond Burger if you wish but we opted for a light, delicate, and simply delicious Agnolotti pasta dish with a Beyond Meat filling. Pickled pumpkin, almond foam, crunchy quinoa crackers, cubes of pickled pumpkin and pea purée combined to form a divine plate of plant-based food.
During our stay, we also enjoyed lunch at Mei Jiang and dinner at Thiptara Restaurant. Both were memorable meals featuring creative, multi-course plant-based cuisine. The humble som tom o (pomelo salad) at Thiptara was prepared tableside which created theatre and certainly added to the experience. Packed with flavor and texture and served in a fresh coconut; it was truly superb. A stand out a dish at the excellent Mei Jiang (believe us when we say it was hard to choose) was ‘Stir-Fried Mixed Vegetables and OmniMeat in Turnip with Pumpkin Sauce’. Beautifully presented with vibrant colors that couldn’t fail to make us smile. The white pumpkin was filled with finely chopped vegetables and OmniMeat and sat within a creamy pumpkin sauce. Next level vegan fine dining.
JW Marriott Bangkok Hotel
The next stop is JW Marriott Bangkok Hotel who has also worked with Green Monday to feature plant-based options on their menus. The staff team has worked hard to create innovative dishes and in our opinion have succeeded. Their commitment to this partnership means there is a very good understanding of veganism in the restaurants which makes vegan dining a breeze. The breakfast buffet at JW Café features a labelling system where a small heart denotes vegan. In addition to these dishes, the staff team is happy to create other ‘off menu’ vegan dishes including ‘Mushroom Tofu Pad Kra Pao’ and ‘Omnimeat Thai Style’ which were both very good. In fact, the Omnimeat dish was outstanding and one of the best we tried. You will be happy to know that this is available from BBCO along with a selection of other Omnimeat dishes. There are also Beyond Burgers and Beyond hot dogs to choose from although please note that the buns are not vegan.
Our lunch at Man Ho was an absolute feast. We sampled 11 dishes from the menu of which many are vegan and the others can be easily adapted. From our starters, the steamed ‘Cheng Fun’ rice flour noodles with vegetables, mashed taro, and sweet corn were our favorites. Delicious. The main dishes included an excellent chilled dish of ‘Eggplant with Chilli Sauce’. Delicate fillets of the most succulent eggplant which melted in your mouth and were topped with garlic, ginger, chili, coriander, and spring onion. Full of flavor and the perfect level of spice. Lunch was long, leisurely and very enjoyable indeed; it was amazing to be able to try so many plant-based dishes from this classic Cantonese restaurant.
The Athenee Hotel, A Luxury Collection Hotel, Bangkok
The last stop on our plant-based luxury tour of Bangkok was The Athenee Hotel, a luxury hotel with an illustrious history having being built on the grounds of a former royal palace. Princess Valaya Alongkorn, daughter of King Rama V called the palace home during the early 20th century and those imperial connections have been fused into the design of this luxury property. However, they’ve enthusiastically embraced the future when it comes to their culinary offering. You’ll find a Green Monday menu in the all-day dining destination, The Rain Tree Café which is also where you can enjoy a delightful plant-based breakfast. Vegan sushi? Check. Vegan curries? Check. Vegan sorbet? Check. Vegan dim sum? Check. You get the idea. You will also find a staff team who are eager to impress and happily prepared a rich and flavor-packed duo of Thai dishes for us. Firstly, a modern take on a Thai classic, ‘Pad Krapao’ (from the Green Monday menu) featuring the game-changing Omnimeat followed by cubes of deep-fried tofu in a rich, sweet and sour tamarind sauce. This was a seriously good vegan breakfast.
The 3rd floor at The Athenee Hotel offers a choice of Thai, Japanese, Cantonese, or French fine dining all of which can cater to vegan guests. The Allium Bangkok boasts a plant-based menu and gives you the opportunity to experience the extraordinary talent of Chef Roxanne who is reinventing modern French cuisine with her own talented touch and panache. This simply named ‘Chiang Mai Tomatoes’ was far from simple and included sundried tomato, tomato gazpacho ice cream, tomato merengue, crunchy tomato chips and a tomato soup sphere which when eaten whole (you must do this) creates a flavor explosion in your mouth. Wow. Just a couple of doors away you can experience Royal Thai Cuisine from The House of Smooth Curry where Chef Montri works his magic creating dishes from the four regions of Thailand. Using organic ingredients where possible the dishes are fresh, flavorful, and authentic with a modern and stylish twist. Our red curry was rich and packed with intense flavors, our mango sticky rice was refined and delicious but it was the pomelo salad that won our hearts by being both beautiful and delectable. The hardest decision we will have to make is which restaurant at The Athenee Hotel to select when we return later in the year!
We love what Green Monday is doing throughout the region and will continue to support them and their partners. The above luxury hotels have embraced the excellent initiative and used their own talent and creativity to ensure that yet again, those who wish to eat vegan food in Bangkok certainly don’t miss out. In fact, we believe that some of the food that we enjoyed would make everyone happy, vegan, or not!
Southwest Airlines 737 suffers fuselage crack
A crack developed in the fuselage of a Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 during a flight on Mar. 9, leading to a gradual loss of cabin pressure which forced the pilots to make an emergency descent. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are currently investigating the cause.
The aircraft was on route from Las Vegas, Nevada to Boise, Idaho when a loss of cabin pressure was detected and caused a rapid descent to 22,000 feet. After this, the flight was able to continue without further incident.
Southwest Airlines spokeswoman, Michelle Agnew stated, “The aircraft did not incur a rapid depressurisation, masks were not deployed, and the aircraft did not require a diversion to maintain safety of flight.”
Upon inspection, a 12-inch crack was detected behind the cockpit and although the cause is not yet clear, the FAA have outlined some possibilities. The first speculates that safety procedures were not performed correctly so the crack had escaped detection. Another possibility is that it was the result of a manufacturing flaw which could have led to a more serious incident.
Southwest has faced two similar issues with the fuselage skin of its aircraft in recent years. In 2011 in particular, a five-foot hole opened up on a Southwest Boeing 737 mid-flight which was attributed to cracks in the fuselage that went undiscovered.
Depending on the investigation outcome, the FAA may push for inspections schedule guidelines for fuselage cracks on the Boeing 737 to be reduced to less than 1,500 flights.
Foodie experiences from around the world
The world would be a tedious place if every country’s cuisine tasted the same. Bite after bite, continent after the continent of bland sameness. Thankfully, that’s not the case, and the foods that we eat and experience when we travel are often the most memorable takeaways from any journey of discovery.
Every townland, region, province, and country can put their hands up and claim with pride ownership of at least one gastronomic delight that places them firmly on the map. From the Andalucian summer delight of Salmorejo – a cold refreshing soup made from tomatoes, garlic, bread, vinegar, and olive oil – to Singaporean Chili Crab, with lashings of mantou buns to mop up that delicious hot sauce, flavors can be as fanciful as the regions they inhabit. So, sit back and enjoy the gastronomic ride as we take you on an epicurean odyssey through a diverse and stimulating degustation of world food experiences.
Flavors of Vilnius in Lithuania
Do you know your Šaltibarščiai from your Skilandis or your Cepelinai from your Karka? If you do, congratulations, you really know your world cuisines inside-out. Lithuania, and it’s national cuisine – let’s be honest – is hardly top of the list when it comes to the most talked-about food destinations. But is that fair? The answer is, probably not.
Firstly, Vilnius, the Lithuanian capital, is a pure medieval delight. Winding, ancient cobbled streets filled with delightful restaurants, gourmet coffee houses, wine bars, and tempting delicatessens, all overlooked by the watchful eye of Gediminas Castle. On the one day ‘Flavors of Vilnius Food Tour’, you’ll discover the backstreets of the city’s Old Town through the old Jewish ghettos, past the 450-year-old university and the President’s Palace getting a flavor of the tastes of Lithuania.
Sip on acorn coffee, or try the perennial Lithuanian summer-favorite of Šaltibarščiai – a cold pink soup made from beetroot, onion, and cucumber. Stopping off in secret backstreet bars and restaurants you’ll get a hearty introduction to the hidden world of Lithuanian food and drinks, many of which stretch back centuries and are closely linked with the nation’s history. The entire experience is both culinary and cultural and one that’s sure to live long in your memory.
Food tasting experience in Atlanta
Take a food-inspired tour of ‘The Big Peach’, Atlanta, Georgia and discover a whole new world of Southern charm and southern cooking. Wander hidden neighborhoods and learn about the people, the places, the history, and of course the food. Throughout your wanderings, you’ll stop off at a chef’s ransom of delicious eateries to sample the local fare. Tantalize your taste buds with the flavor of Creole candies, low-country cuisine, smoky BBQ, real Soul Food, and the tastes of contemporary Southern cooking and cuisine.
If you’re not a native Southerner you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into the live action of some classic novel or film. Taste fried chicken and yams, low-country shrimps and grits, lobster mac and cheese and peach sliders, smoked wings and cheese straws, and even oysters and hash browns. Food is part of the State’s heritage and on this gastronomic guided tour, you’ll see the passion of the people for their food and their history. And don’t forget the drinks, make sure you arrive both hungry and thirsty for this delicious taste of the deep South.
Foodie tour on the Las Vegas Strip
Put your walking shoes on and open your belt a notch as you set off to experience and discover some of the best eateries Las Vegas has to offer. Over a mile and a half of walking through the heart of Sin City, you’ll skip the lines at some of the city’s most popular eating haunts, learn their secrets, sample their cuisine, and if you’re lucky you may even get to meet the establishment’s chefs. Every door you enter is sure to reveal the works of exciting new chefs, creating innovative new cuisines that explode with flavor and creativity.
New arrivals to Las Vegas love to take this tour as part of their introduction to what’s on offer. Not only is the Las Vegas Food Tour a culinary treat for every foodie, but it’s also a great way to get acquainted with the city’s many gastronomic and cultural secrets.
And, there’s more to this amazing tour than just food; there are stories, history, photo opportunities, and great tips from your local and knowledgeable guide. You’re sure to walk away from this once-in-a-lifetime experience with more than just great tastes on your tongue, you’ll bring back a whole new appreciation of this gaudy but lovable, neon-flashing city that never sleeps.
In the company of an amiable local guide, you’ll explore ‘La Serenissima’ (the centuries-old nickname for the city deriving from it’s quiet, and serene outward appearance) on foot. Easily ambling the hidden city streets you’ll regularly pause to sample another tasty Venetian treat from some of the best, and most secretive restaurants, bars, trattorias, osterias, and traditional pastry shops.
You won’t be served the formal tourist fare but will instead indulge yourself with a real insight into the region’s much-heralded cuisine. Plus, you’ll get to meet many of the local producers, the passionate bar and restaurant owners, before taking the chance to explore the riotously colorful Rialto market, laden with fresh fruits, fish, and vegetables – be sure to take your camera. Along with food and drinks, your guide will ensure you get to see some of the city’s most famous sights, like the Rialto Bridge, the haunts of the infamous Casanova, and the house of Marco Polo. This really is the most unique and delicious way of becoming acquainted with the sites and tastes of La Serenissima.
Galway food and drink walking tour
While Dublin may be the economic capital of the Republic of Ireland, the always-welcoming city of Galway is home to the little nation’s cultural heartbeat. Even after spending days wandering the city’s colorful streets, you might only scratch the surface of the gateway to the rugged west where the Gaelic language is still alive and flourishing. Sited in Galway Bay, on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean is won’t come as a major surprise that food, and especially seafood is a major priority in these parts.
This intensive tour of ‘The City of the Tribes’ – a reference to the county’s 14 merchant families who brought trade and commerce to Europe and across the ocean – will unlock the treasure trove of Galwegian food and drink. With stopping points in three of the city’s most unique and renowned hostelries – An Púcán, Garvey’s, and the Spanish Arch – you’ll discover the city’s real story accompanied by bowls of delicious and steaming Irish stew, a selection of locally-crafted cheeses, and of course the fresh and savory tastes of the sea.
Along with the gastronomic tastes of Galway, you’ll also discover what makes a real Irish Pub one of Ireland’s most authentic experiences. Wash the whole adventure down with a couple of pints of creamy black Guinness, Galway Bay beer, or an Irish Coffee or two, but don’t overdo it, you’ll want to remember this amazing experience forever.
Local cuisine cooking experience in Peru
Despite being the original source of over 90% of the world’s potato varieties, there’s a lot more to Peruvian cuisine than the humble spud. In fact, in the past decade, Peru has been hailed as one of the most important food destinations in the entire world. This is mainly due to the country’s biodiversity and gastronomic influences from both within and outside the country. The Peruvian Cooking Experience is designed as a delicious mouth-watering guide to both the culture and cuisine of Peru.
Starting with a trip to a local market you’ll be invited to pick up all the ingredients you’ll need to create an authentic Peruvian meal. The bustling market acts as an illustration of the diversity of food sources in the region. Armed with your authentic ingredients, and under the supervision of a master chef, you’ll learn how to prepare a three-course meal which is sure to include dishes such as Choritos a la Chalace, Causa Rellena, and the indigenous Peruvian specialty, Ceviche. The fruits of your labors will be the chance to sit down with your kitchen-mates and savor the meal you’ve just prepared. However, before that, you’ll need to learn how to mix a selection of deliciously refreshing Peruvian cocktails to accompany your cuisine.
Once the entire experience has ended you’ll leave with a full stomach, great impressions of Peru, new friends, and an e-book containing a selection of Peruvian recipes for you to continue your gastronomic experimentation once you return home.
By Linas Ceikus
Trump’s Europe travel ban delivers another blow to airlines
President Trump’s announcement night that he was banning “all travel from Europe” for 30 days set off something of a mad scramble on the other side of the Atlantic. Desperate to get home before the measure took effect, Americans-in the middle of the night-spent as much as $2,500 for one-way flights home, then flocked to airports like Charles de Gaulle in Paris, where throngs of people waited in hours-long lines for a chance at escape.
The race to the tarmac may have been avoided had Trump not said the wrong thing during a national address-the ban does not apply to Americans or permanent residents of the US. But perhaps those who paid the sky-high fares can take solace in knowing that they’ve offered a small bit of relief to an airline industry that’s been battered by the global spread of the novel coronavirus-a battering that’s about to get much worse.
At least until April 12, foreign citizens can’t come to the US from the 26 European countries that make up the Schengen Zone, including France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Sweden, Portugal, and Iceland. Travelers coming from the United Kingdom and Ireland are still welcome ashore. Legal permanent residents of the US are still allowed in, as are most of their close family members. All travelers coming from Europe must enter the US via one of 11 CDC-approved airports, which will screen passengers for illness and have quarantine facilities.
Some 7,317 flights were originally scheduled to fly from the now-verboten countries to the US during the 30-day period, according to aviation analytics company Cirium. All told, they had room for more than 2 million people. Americans can still catch a ride, but nixing most foreigners opens up a lot of those seats. In March and April 2018, nearly 1.6 million residents of Western Europe, excluding the UK and Ireland, visited the US.
“Airlines will quickly cut service significantly,” says Ahmed Abdelghany, who researches operations management at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Indeed, in the hours after the announcement, Delta and American Airlines announced they’ll reroute passengers to the CDC’s approved US airports and suspend flights heading elsewhere. Lufthansa, which was planning to cancel half its flight capacity before the new ban, says it will continue serving Chicago, Newark, and Washington, DC, but suspend other US flights. Finnair will cancel all US flights as of next Thursday. Norwegian Air is grounding 40 percent of its long-haul fleet, canceling more than 4,000 flights through the end of April, and laying off up to half its employees.
It’s too soon to tell how many flights will be canceled altogether, but Abdelghany estimates the figure could hit 90 percent. “It’s not only the ban,” he says. “People are not flying.” Compared with March 2019, global air traffic is down 4.9 percent this month, according to FlightRadar24, and will continue to drop. “I think we’ll see some big changes in less than a week,” says Ian Petchenik, who runs media relations for the flight-tracking website.
Airlines can use the downtime to do maintenance and make repairs on their aircraft, but that will do little to mitigate the pain. Abdelghany says transatlantic flights generate roughly 17, 14, and 10 percent of revenue for United, Delta, and American, respectively. As of last week, the International Air Transport Association estimated that Covid-19 would cost the airline industry up to $113 billion. No wonder airline share prices have plunged nearly 25 percent since the start of the outbreak.
So far, the drop in travel is minor compared to the impact of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. In the four to five months afterward, demand on US domestic flights fell 31 percent compared with the same months a year earlier, according to a 2005 report by researchers at Brown University and the LECG Corporation, a consulting firm. But, Abdelghany says, security measures implemented after the attacks did much to restore traveler confidence. It’s not clear how to do that in the wake of a pandemic, or when it could happen. And in an industry that stays aloft on thin profit margins, that future is a dark one, Abdelghany says. “The numbers are against them.” www.wired.com
Helicopter travel in the British Isles for the ultimate golf tour
For any golf lover who is traveling from North America to the British Isles, one of the hardest questions is selecting which of the most famous, beautiful courses to play at. The next most difficult question is where to stay, followed by how to get around. Commercial air travel between courses isn’t reasonable, because most of the small, rural towns where the best courses are don’t have commercial airports. Driving is an option but can take a long time (and be harrowing for North Americans who aren’t used to driving on the “wrong” side of the road!).
The solution for a luxury golf traveler in Scotland, Ireland, Northern Ireland, England, and Wales is to hire a helicopter. Here are some of the top benefits of hiring a private helicopter for your next golf trip through the British Isles, blogs Ravi Coutinho.
Stay in one location and play all over
Playing golf is supposed to be relaxing, and a bucket-list trip to the British Isles to play the best courses in the world should be relaxing, too. Packing up your hotel room and moving to the next town every two or three days can definitely take some of the relaxation out of the trip. By hiring a private helicopter to take you from course to course, you can stay in one hotel the entire time, fully unpacking and relaxing between tee times.
Many of the rural towns where the best golf courses are don’t necessarily have five-star accommodations. If you hire a private helicopter, you can stay in a bigger town — even London, Edinburgh, or Dublin — with more luxury options. It also gives you more time to enjoy the local cuisine, the pub, and, of course, the spa.
Play more courses in a single trip
If you’re traveling overseas to play The Old Course at St. Andrews, you want to take advantage of the opportunity to play as many other famous nearby courses as possible. But some of those courses can be a two-hour drive away — a daunting prospect if you’re staying in St. Andrews and need to get there for a tee time at 8 am. A helicopter flight can limit the time it takes between courses, allowing you to play as many as you’d like.
For instance, to get from the beautiful Lahinch to Ballybunion in Ireland usually requires a two-and-a-half-hour around the bay. By helicopter, the trip gets down to a manageable 10 miles as the crow flies. And because helicopters can travel up to 40 or 50 miles every 15 minutes, you’ll probably spend more time getting to the helicopter from your hotel than you will in the air.
Many of the best courses have their own helipads
You may be surprised to learn how welcoming golf courses are to helicopter travelers. Many of the biggest and best courses in the British Isles have their own helipads to accommodate helicopters and make it as easy as possible to travel by air. The best luxury hotels also have helipads, and you should have no trouble taking a helicopter to your tee time at Doonbeg, Turnberry, or Old Head, or to grab a flight from your stay at The K Club or the Old Course Hotel to your next round.
True luxury golf travelers do it all the time
Helicopter travel is actually incredibly common for luxury golf travelers. On a recent golf trip to Ireland, your author overheard Jack Nicklaus’s son and his colleagues discussing their ability to play all the major courses in Ireland in a 10-day trip thanks to the helicopter they’d hired. There are dozens of options, and you can combine helicopter travel with a hired car for shorter distances to help with cost as necessary.
Overall, hiring a helicopter when golfing in the British Isles is an excellent addition to any luxury golf tour to save on time and arrive in style.
The Top 4 Electric Supercars
Not very long ago, the word “hybrid” sparked the thought of a Toyota Prius or a radically sluggish competitor that would get almost 50 miles to the gallon. Little thought was given to performance or style. All that mattered was fuel efficiency. No one ever imagined this technology could be incorporated into supercars. Few realized what hybrid or fully electric vehicle technology could accomplish in the field of performance. Now, 17 years after the first mass-produced hybrid vehicle, we find that these underdeveloped creatures of the past have evolved into something beautiful to behold. Arriving on the scene a mere three years ago, they’re at the apex of performance driving, standing second to none. These vehicles truly are the pinnacle of automotive engineering and demonstrate the unbridled potential of electric supercars, flaunting their feathers on both the street and the track. With cars like these arriving so shortly after this technology was introduced, the future may hold something much more profound when performance and stylistic perfection are met.
PORSCHE 918 SPYDER
Porsche has always produced stunningly elegant and powerful sports cars. However, the 918 Spyder is so much more. The 918 comes with a naturally aspirated 4.6 liter V8, providing 608 horsepower to the rear
wheels, accompanied by an additional rear-wheel powering electric motor. What makes this genius of a car stand out from its competition is the front mounted electric motor, which ultimately makes the 918 an all-wheel drive vehicle. With the precision this Porsche provides, it’s no wonder why it has been deemed the surgeon’s scalpel of cars. Its total power, while in the most aggressive setting, is 887 horsepower. It has a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT) and comes with all the interior amenities, unlike some of its competitors. It comes with power seats, internal computers, settings as brilliant as a rocket scientist, and a complete twelve speaker sound system; so you can blast your favorite song while you race down the track at 210mph.
While driving on the track, the 918 doesn’t quite feel like it’s as aggressive as the numbers would lead you to believe. However, for a plug in electric vehicle that sprints to 60mph in 2.2 seconds, for only $847,975, it gives “hybrid” a good name.
The McLaren P1
The McLaren P1 is an aggressive, powerful, and impulsive monster that truly requires a professional touch to tame. In other words, whereas the Porsche is a proper show horse – elegant and clean – the McLaren is a wild Clydesdale – powerful and intimidating.
At the heart of the McLaren, lies a 3.8 liter V8, force fed by two massive turbochargers that push 20.3 lbs of boost allowing that small 3.8 liter engine to contribute a wheel spinning 727 horsepower and 531 lb-ft of torque, strictly to the rear wheels. Including the electric motor the P1 stands tall, at a total of 903 net horsepower and 663 net lb-ft of torque.
The suspension is entirely active and intelligent – adjusting ride height, wing height, suspension dampening and more – at every speed and condition you’re driving through at that moment. All of these smart and adjustable features of the P1 make it an all-around thrilling ride and with such extensive and aggressive down force, and such a light body, it has no problem gripping the asphalt. At $1.15 million it may not be the fastest supercar on the track, but is more than enough to make a full grown man cry for joy.
The Acura NSX
The Acura NSX is not a vehicle to be taken lightly. The first model NSX was groundbreaking and one of the most simple, elegant, and powerful supercars of its class. Not to mention it was Japan’s first supercar to have ever been manufactured. The iconic NSX sent most Italian brands back to the drawing board to figure out how to be as reliable, and efficient, therefore changing the world of supercars. Again, Honda has made something that resembles nothing on the market today.
The new 3.5 liter V6 produces 500 horsepower and 406lb-ft of torque. Additionally, the NSX comes with three electric motors, one crammed in the engine, which is primarily used to trick the turbochargers into producing maximum boost, where there would otherwise be turbo lag. This motor is nothing impressive, but it changes the very nature of how the traditional motor feels, giving the car a perfectly linear throttle body response.
With all this technology, Honda has added hundreds of pounds, making it weigh almost 4,000 lbs. This 573 horsepower bullet of a car has an aggressive 9-speed DCT. Its top speed is 191mph, and, unlike the other hybrid cars of its class, this one only costs a small fortune: $156,000, so start saving your pennies.
The Tesla P90D
Tesla has unveiled yet another new species of electric car, something that blows through the barriers of its predecessor. The P90D squeezes out just a little bit more, pushing 762hp and 713lb-ft of torque. However, that little difference gives the new P90D an all-new 2.8-second 0-60 time – making it just a fraction of a second slower than the Porsche 918. But it’s also a behemoth of a vehicle, weighing 4,936 lbs.
So why would you buy any of these cars over the Tesla? Well, unfortunately, there’s really no reason to. This Tesla is faster than most of the cars on this list, but also doesn’t lose any of its luxury features. All of the other cars available in its class can only seat two people while the Model S can seat five and an additional two children, ultimately seating seven people. It also comes with countless features that all the others don’t. And the the most significant point is that it’s only $109,200. The comma is not misplaced there, and there is no missing zero. It just simply doesn’t have a place in a standard supercar scale. It breaks the balance of performance and luxury. Even though the P90D is a fully electric vehicle, we still found it otherworldly.
Images by Eduardo Parise, thatnewdesignsmell.net, John Voo.
JetBlue bans passenger who tested positive for coronavirus on flight
JetBlue has banned a passenger who tested positive for the coronavirus from flying on the airline again after he boarded a flight from JFK Airport to Palm Beach, Florida, without waiting for test results first, an airline rep told The Post.
The man received a text that he was infected with the bug after he boarded Flight 253, which landed in Florida shortly before 9 p.m. Wednesday, Palm Beach County health chief Dr. Alina Alonso said Thursday.
He and his wife were removed from the plane, which was delayed for several hours as the rest of the passengers were given instructions on what measures to take and the plane was sanitized.
“The health and safety of our customers and crewmembers is our first priority. In reviewing last night’s event, we determined the customer boarded our flight knowing he was awaiting results for a coronavirus test without disclosing it to anyone at JetBlue,” airline spokesman Derek Dombrowski told The Post in an email.
“Consistent with CDC guidance, we ask all customers who are not feeling well, who believe they may have coronavirus or who are awaiting test results to avoid travel until they are cleared by a medical professional,” he said.
“Last night’s event put our crewmembers, customers and federal and local officials in an unsettling situation that could have easily been avoided, and as such, this customer will not be permitted to fly on JetBlue in the future.”
One of the 114 passengers told WPTV that the man was taken to the back of the plane.
“He was wearing masks and gloves. His wife was sitting in the same row as me and mentioned to others that he wasn’t feeling well,” Scott Rodman said. “She said he had gotten a phone call with his test results right before we had taken off, implying that he had a positive test but not actually saying it.”
He added: “The guy was sitting, you know, five feet from me, and his wife was sitting two feet from me, so no, I’m not feeling great about it.”
The Florida Health Department said it worked with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention “to conduct an extensive epidemiological investigation to determine which passengers may have had close contact with the individual.
“Any individual who is close contact with this individual will be informed to self-monitor and will be contacted further by the Palm Beach County Health Department. The individual who tested positive is isolated at this time,” agency spokesman Alex Shaw told The Post. nypost.com
How the latest GPS technology can power your next road trip
Finding the right tool can amplify your travel experience. Whether it smoothly guides you through unfamiliar territory or simply helps you find the local food that you heard all about, the power of GPS can greatly enhance your trip.
TripAdvisor
There’s an app for everything these days, so whether you’re looking for the best coffee in a new city or just want to find the best flight deals, your smartphone probably has you covered. Another bonus to all this technology at our fingertips is GPS, which gives you the power to find anything and go anywhere.
GPS can help you do a number of things: It can help you get out of a tight spot when you get lost, find places of interest that might not otherwise be signposted, point you in the direction of the best local food in the area, and it can even help you find your parked car after a day of exploring.
The travel giant has its own app that makes a great companion on any road trip. If you find yourself in a city you haven’t had time to research then you can use the ‘Nearby’ function on the app to work out exactly what there is to do.
This will help you to find accommodation and restaurants with parking. This is a much better alternative to driving around looking for somewhere suitable.
Another great feature is the ability to book accommodation right from the app based on your location. This is handy for anyone who doesn’t like to book too far in advance as you can just drive until you find a town or city you’d like to spend more time in.
CoPilot
If you don’t want to fork out for a new GPS unit but need a navigation app that’s not going to drain your roaming data, CoPilot is a good choice. You can download the maps for the city, country or continent you need so you always have a map available, even with roaming data switched off. This gives you the freedom to navigate to somewhere beautiful before turning on that precious data for a quick Instagram post or Snapchat.
Waze
If you’re going to be driving around a new city and aren’t sure where the traffic hotspots are, Waze can pinpoint issues and accidents, helping you to avoid congestion and continue onto your next destination. It works much like Google Maps in that it collects data from nearby users but it takes things a step further by making it easier for those users to share new information.
Live Trekker
If you want to map and record every step of your journey, but you’re worried about missing out on it all from behind your phone, this is the app for you. It creates a digital journal of your adventures and maps it all out with a red line. It also tracks speed and altitude, which is great for road trippers and cyclists. At the end of the day or even the end of the trip, you can go back to the app and add in notes and pictures to create a multimedia-rich travel diary that you can share with friends and family.
Rome2Rio
Looking for an app that can help you safely navigate multiple continents and multiple methods of travel? Rome2Rio does just that and can help you plan the adventure of a lifetime.
Spotted by Locals
This is one of those apps where you really get what you pay for. If you want to live, eat, drive and explore like a local, this is a must-have. With plenty of European cities on offer at £3.99 each, you’ll be able to find some true hidden gems on your next city break.
By Jess Shanahan www.avis.co.uk/inspires
Silver Airways looks at the bigger picture
Based at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL), regional airline Silver Airways announces it wants to operate larger aircraft for connections between the US and the Caribbean.
Silver Airways currently operates the ATR 42-600 and added the ATR 72-600 in November 2019. These aircraft are suited to the airline’s market with its smaller runways in Bahamian islands. The airline flies to the remote parts of the Lucayan Archipelago in the Bahamas but looks to expand its network to additional Caribbean destinations.
The submitted application to the US Department of Transport (DOT) would allow Silver Airways to operate a larger version of the ATR 72-600 on upcoming flights to the Dominican Republic and Saint Martin, which it aims to launch in spring 2020. The airline focuses on underserved regional routes from its three hubs in Florida: Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, and Tampa.
“This is an exciting time for Silver Airways and regional airline flying as we continue our fleet transformation and focus on providing the highest level of safe, reliable and customer-focused service,” commented Steve Rossum, CEO of Silver Airways. He stated that the addition of the ATR 72-600 was a “great milestone for Silver Airways, ATR, our customers, our airline partners, the communities we serve and our team members.” The larger version of this aircraft is aimed to extend the airline’s reach in the Southeast US and the Caribbean.
“We are proud to be part of Silver Airways’ ambitions and expansion plans,” said ATR Chief Executive Officer, Stefano Bortoli. “After the start with the 42-600, we will now see the 72-600 operating in the US, introducing the most modern standards of regional aviation at the most competitive cost.”
Things to do for fashion and design lovers in Brussels
Brussels is an incredible city to visit if you are a fashion enthusiast. The city is filled with so many young and highly talented designers, which create everything from luxury clothing to shoes, accessories, leather products, frames for glasses, and so on. If you care for exceptional quality and desire to wear items that respect the latest tendencies, a shopping session in Brussels will definitely grant all your wishes. Also, the items you buy from Brussels you can be sure that they are unique because many designers release a limited number of items because most of them are handmade, contain outstanding materials, and are made to be enjoyed not mass-produced. Thus, I am happy to share my secret shopping address book for when I travel to Brussels, which you won’t find printed in any other luxury travel book.
1. Discover Maison Degand – the finest tailor spirit and essence of luxury
It is impossible not to be amazed by the services and products of Maison Degand. This is a shop that was created exclusively for men, to satisfy their needs with a wide array of fine and exceptional products. A man will find everything he needs to look amazing at this shop, regardless if he is looking for a sharp outfit or for a casual one. Besides clothes, Maison Degand also provides shoes and state-of-the-art accessories, which complete your overall in an excellent manner. If you don’t find what you need already made, do note that the shop can create a bespoke outfit just for you. Having experienced tailors that know what is like to work at the highest standards, the apparel created here can easily rival the ones you can find at the biggest fashion houses in Europe. Exceptional quality, high class, elegance, and respect for men, this is what you are going to find at Maison Degand.
2. Visit Manalys – a reference in high-standard jewelry
If you enjoy completing your outfit with elegant and high-quality jewelry, you need to visit Manalys. Excellence, elegance, and refinement will be inspired by the jewelry displayed all around this shop, from the moment you walk inside. This isn’t just an ordinary jewelry shop, but a place that offers an incredible experience to each customer. There is an area specially created for clients, where you can admire and decide upon the jewelry you wish to take home with you. No one is rushing you into making a hasty decision and you will get all the support you need for the shop’s staff to make the right choice. Every jewelry piece here is executed impeccably and decorated with the finest stones available on the market. You will definitely steal all the attention when you will wear the jewelry made by Manalys, because it is simply impossible to remain indifferent at the sight of such beauty.
3. Look up Lunetier Ludovic – creator of bespoke glasses
Every person that wears glasses knows that they are more than just an object. A pair of glasses is an accessory that reflects their personality, their style, being something that is a part of who they are. So, it is no wonder that you probably didn’t find the perfect pair of glasses until today. If so, it is worth visiting Lunetier Ludovic, a shop where you will find exceptional bespoke frames for your eyeglasses. If you want a pair of frames that is specially made for you, it will be done by using the measures and shape of your face, while incorporating the details you consider ideal for a pair of glasses. The result will be glasses that are unique and flatter your physical traits.
4. Call in at Conni Kaminski – fashion designer for women’s clothing that is really made in Belgium
As a designer, Conni Kamiski started her activity back in 2005. Ever since then, she works hard to create clothes for women that are modern, elegant, and feminine. In other words, Conni offers women the opportunity to enjoy clothes that are comfortable while also presenting their feminine features in the best way possible. Even though her business is located in Brussels, her studio boutique is located in the old center of the city, Conni sells her masterpieces outside Belgium as well. It appears that women from all over the world wish to enjoy the incredible creations of this talented designer, made out of only the best materials that are safe and soft at touch. So, if you are in Brussels, do not hesitate to pay a visit to Conni’s fashion boutique.
5. Head to Benoit Parotte – ready-to-wear items with a tailored touch for both men and women
Would you like clothing items that have a perfect cut, are made out of high-quality materials and are suitable for everyday wear? If so, you need to check out the clothing items released under the Parotte.b brand. Started by Benoit Parotte, this fashion stylish, with a taylor spirit, delivers exceptional clothes for women and men alike. All the pieces are ready-to-wear and have impeccable cuts. Each clothing item you will try from Parotte.b will fall along the lines of your body like it was made to be there. Yes, this is how much of a perfectionist Benoit Parrott is. For him, quality is the most desired standard, as he is not willing to compromise anything for it. The collection released by Benoit will certainly fit the tastes and preferences of all those people that appreciate high-standards in everything they do.
6. Niyona – when leather meets design spirit made in Brussels
Leather may appear as being just leather for most people. But, when this material ends up in the right hands, it can transform into exceptional items. Niyona is a design studio in Brussels that works exclusively with leather. You can find almost anything you need made out of leather here or even have your desired products crafted in this amazing studio. Nothing is impossible for the talented leather craftspersons that work here, their experience, and expertise allowing them to collaborate with famous restaurants and brands, which requested bespoke luxury items. If you love leather transformed into a practical item that also looks stunning, this design studio is a place you must visit during your stay in Brussels.
By Olivier Templar-James
Regional British airline Flybe stops flying
The budget carrier was challenged by rising competition, Brexit, and more recently the coronavirus, and had sought government help. Flybe had been in discussion with British government officials about a rescue.
Flybe, a regional carrier that had flown to some of the more underserved corners of Britain as well as holiday destinations, has ceased operations.
In a notice on its website dated Thursday, Flybe said all its flights had been grounded and that it would not be able to make other arrangements for its passengers. It said the company had been placed in administration, and it directed questions to Ernst & Young, the auditing firm.
“This is a sad day for U.K. aviation and we know that Flybe’s decision to stop trading will be very distressing for all of its employees and customers,” said Richard Moriarty, chief executive of Britain’s Civil Aviation Authority, in a separate statement from the British regulator.
But the carrier faced other pressures too, including intense competition with other budget airlines. It was also hit by the uncertainty in the years leading up to Britain’s departure from the European Union, which was formally completed more than a month ago. That process, known as Brexit, was widely considered to be a factor in last year’s collapse of Thomas Cook, the British travel agency.
Flybe had been in discussion with British government officials about a rescue.
In January, concerned that Flybe’s demise would reduce airline service to some corners of the country, Sajid Javid, then chancellor of the Exchequer, said the government would take new measures to support connectivity across Britain.
“I welcome Flybe’s confirmation that they will continue to operate as normal, safeguarding jobs in the U.K. and ensuring flights continue to serve communities across the whole of the U.K.,” he said in a statement at the time. Mr. Javid quit the post a month later. www.nytimes.com
Active luxury in Norway
As a whole, Scandinavia offers some of the most incredible scenery in the world, and Norway is no exception. For those in search of luxury with a taste of adventure, a private yacht charter here will deliver an unforgettable experience: the unrivaled ability to access so many natural bounties with ease is the real deal.
There is no excuse to stay indoors here, with unlimited active pursuits on tap; the essence of this outdoor playground implores visitors to explore and have fun. Sailing the fjords is the definitive opportunity to enjoy the ease of access from the water, not to mention engaging the expert local knowledge of your captain and crew. The summer months bring seemingly endless daylight; adrenaline seekers can fill the hours with everything from canyoning, hiking, and fishing, to kayaking, rafting, and climbing. Those searching for privacy will find true peace gliding through glassy inlets, binoculars in hand, scanning the shoreline for whales, eagles, Arctic foxes, reindeer and seals, all who call this polar paradise home. At the end of the day, a soak in an on-deck Jacuzzi is the perfect way to unwind.
Where else can you plan to join an organized whale-watching expedition one day then hike to the top of a rugged viewpoint the next, all whilst cruising at leisure past cascading waterfalls and picturesque villages, enjoying top-level service from your dedicated crew and a private chef? Add in the bonus of time spent together which, thanks to the midnight sun seem boundless, and it’s a winning formula.
43m motor yacht DAYDREAM offers week-long private charters throughout the fjords, as well as a unique 3-day “Taste of Norway” short break experience around Stavanger, designed to deliver exclusive time away from the crowds with a focus on regional highlights and culinary delights.
Here are our top 5 active pursuits in Norway:
1. Today’s catch
Norway is a fisherman’s paradise, providing over 20,000km of diverse coastline packed with angling opportunities and this popular family activity is one of the best ways to immerse yourself in the local lifestyle. Surrounded by spectacular fishing opportunities, this wealth of choice affords wide levels of participation. From fly-tying to bait making, gentle fjord casting to heavy sea action, the diversity offered in Norway stands in a class of its own. Try something new on your charter together: salmon fishing in free-flowing rivers or fly fishing for speckled brown trout in pristine mountain lakes: the choice is yours. Deep-sea or shore, coast or sheltered fjords – no matter what you choose, the pervasive scenery simply adds to the appeal – while overall results it seems, do not disappoint.
2. Paddle power
The land of outdoor happiness, Norway is the place to experience aquatic bliss and the best watery pursuits. Embrace the beauty of nature on a family expedition: glide silently through tranquil fjords by kayak and get breathtakingly close to the exceptional scenery. Mountains are mirrored, and enchanting coastal villages pass by with the splash of an oar – relish the warm sunshine and long evenings of summer months on the miles of calm water in this lightly populated country.
3. Rafting around
Perfect for active families, especially those with teenagers, expect an action-packed experience as you raft bands of water amongst spectacular surroundings. This can be a great introduction for beginners – or equally for those who have rafted previously – covering the full spectrum of the ultimate adventure. Drift calmly through the wilderness on a relaxed sightseeing trip or opt for turbulent foam on an adrenaline-fuelled mission. Promising plenty of fun, the Valldøla River flows through extraordinary settings, with sections to cater to every group, complete with an area of white-water rapids. Jump in the calmer water for free-floating downriver: it is exhilarating if a little fresh! Stop for a local snack on your way, recommended is a local “svele” pancake, topped with delicious local strawberries freshly picked from the valley. Early summer is the best time to go rafting, with lots of meltwater filtering down from the peaks and swelling the river so it flows even faster.
4. Cool canyoning
The option to try new water sports is an inherent part of fun onboard a Norway yacht charter, and the chance to go canyoning should not be missed for avid adventure seekers. An exciting canyoning (or juving) experience is a brilliant rush – this hybrid sport involves an intoxicating mix of scrambling, climbing, abseiling, swimming, and jumping along the route. There are numerous professional companies offering arranged expeditions and can be set up by your knowledgeable captain and crew in advance. Disembark your yacht and make way to the rendezvous spot – get your wetsuit ready, switch the helmet Go-Pro on and check the rope at your waist. Your guide will lead you along a forest trail; at a bedrock canyon opening carved by rushing water, get ready to leap from stone to stone and start exploring the amazing environment. Sliding down boulders, carried by the foaming meltwater, rappelling through waterfalls, and discovering deep rock pools along the way makes you feel truly alive.
5. Blazing a trail
Hiking is a national pastime in Norway and will activate an unashamed love affair with nature. Alight at remote destinations you never imagined visiting, explore to your heart’s content, and plan with your captain how to access the best points for your chosen trek. Let your feet take you to staggering views and prime photo spots, whilst making extraordinary memories to last a lifetime. From popular marked trails to wild landscapes, the reputation as a major hiking destination of great variety and beauty is well-deserved. Not everyone wants a full-on uphill glacial hike that takes a long time, so there are countless stunning and achievable treks, according to levels of fitness and tailored to individual or group requirements. For relaxed activity, the Briksdal Glacier in Stryn offers a gentle uphill hike taking in exceptional views of meltwater rapids and icy lakes galore whilst viewing the blue-hued glacier. Alternatively, hardy explorers will relish the opportunity for a guided glacier hike, trekking to the blue ice of the Nigardsbreen Glacier in Jostedalsbreen with an informed narrative about the history and science surrounding this natural spectacle.
For those looking for a taste of adventure in spectacular surroundings this summer, then Norway can certainly deliver.
By Nicholas Dean from www.oceanindependence.com
Score a free State Park visit with BMW’s ReachNow
As more visitors choose to forgo renting a vehicle during their vacation, rideshare businesses are booming.
Among them, ReachNow—the mobility services division of the BMW Group—offers residents and visitors to Portland and Seattle access to a shared fleet of BMW and MINI cars on demand whenever they feel like taking a drive.
Now the service, which features more than 1,300 vehicles in Seattle, Portland and Brooklyn, New York, is rolling out a brand-new reason to get behind the wheel when visiting the Pacific Northwest, with its “Wild Within Reach” campaign.
“With more and more people in urban areas forgoing car ownership to avoid traffic and parking headaches, getting outside the city has become a greater challenge,” said Laura Gonia, head of marketing for ReachNow. “ReachNow members can find a car within walking distance and take a road trip without the need to plan ahead. We’re thrilled to take a more active role in getting people outdoors while also helping to preserve our state parks for generations to come.”
Travelers utilizing a ReachNow vehicle in Seattle or Portland will find free park passes in each vehicle. (In some cases, users will receive a retroactive credit for their park visit.)
Additionally, ReachNow members are further eligible for a $10 promo code when they share photos of their visit on Instagram, tagging @reachnow and including the hashtag #WildWithinReach
Finally, for every trip to a national or state park in a ReachNow car (through September 3, 2018,) the company will donate $30 to the Washington or Oregon State Parks Foundations up to a total donation of $25,000.
“We’re so grateful that ReachNow is providing transportation solutions to let more people experience the wonder and beauty of our spectacular state parks,” said John Floberg, Executive Director of the Washington State Parks Foundation. “With more than 120 parks across the state, there’s a staggering variety of natural, cultural and historical sites to visit, and the donations ReachNow makes for each trip will help ensure that our parks will remain destinations of choice.”
“We are thrilled to be working with ReachNow on their Wild Within Reach program,” said Seth Miller, executive director of the Oregon State Parks Foundation. “Accessibility and transportation are major priorities for us; we want everyone to be able to enjoy the Oregon State Parks system. This partnership will help provide more outdoor recreation opportunities for ReachNow’s membership.”
Members can find more information, cool trip ideas, and insider guides to Washington and Oregon State Parks on the Wild Within Reach campaign website at www.reachnow.com/wildwithinreach.
Airfares from South Korea to China shoot up amid covid-19 fears
Airfares from South Korea to China have spiked amid a growing coronavirus outbreak on the southern half of the Korean peninsula, travel agency websites show.
A one-way ticket from Seoul to Qingdao, the port city in China’s eastern Shandong province that is about a 90-minute flight from the South Korean capital, has gone up at least fourfold for travel this week, compared with the typical fare. A one-way ticket from Seoul to Yanji, a hub for transport and trade between China and North Korea, has increased by the same multiple.
“The airfare surge is partly due to recent flight cancellations. The one-way trip from Seoul to Qingdao usually costs 400 to 500 yuan (US$57-71), but I think a growing number of Chinese workers in South Korea are trying to get back to China as soon as possible,” said a manager at the Chinese online travel agency Ctrip who declined to give her name.
There are more than 300 direct flights between Seoul and Qingdao each week and about 100 between Yanji and Seoul.
Pilot of Pegasus airplane that skidded off Istanbul airport runway arrested
An Istanbul court has ordered the arrest of the captain pilot of a Pegasus Airlines plane that skidded off a runway at Istanbul’s Sabiha Gökçen International Airport earlier this month, killing three people and injuring 179 aboard.
Mahmut Arslan was sentenced on charges of “causing death and injury by negligence” before being taken to Maltepe Prison in Istanbul.
The plane flying to Istanbul from the Aegean province of İzmir veered off the end of the wet runway while landing on Feb. 5.
The plane drifted around 50 meters and the nose of the plane almost completely separated from the rest of the fuselage, which burst into flames following the crash.
Arslan, who was discharged from the hospital where he was being treated, was brought to the Anatolian Court of Justice on Feb. 24.
He sustained fractures in his spine and ribs during the accident and was able to appear before the court three weeks after the crash.
Prosecutors had previously taken statements from air traffic control staff, airport employees, and the pilots of two other planes that aborted landings shortly before the Pegasus flight landed.
Expressing that a strong lightning strike hit the plane when it was about to land, Arslan said in court that the first officer reported to the technical department of the Pegasus company that the plane was hit by a lightning bolt.
Stressing that the tracks on the runway also should be cleaned periodically, otherwise it would cause slippage, Arslan noted that the plane may have slid due to this.
The speed of the plane was 84 knots due to the rear wind and did not slow down, prompting the pilots to brake manually six seconds after noticing this, the captain pilot said, adding that the detection of this abnormality normally should have been done by the first officer.
The cause of the accident is not yet clear, but the initial findings reveal that the crash may have occurred due to hydroplaning.
Water formed due to heavy rainfall on the day of the crash on the runway may have prevented the plane’s contact with the runway as the landing gear tires hit the ground.
The crash happened as the 11-year-old aircraft landed in strong winds and heavy rain. U.S. aviation investigators have also inspected the wreckage to see if there were any technical factors that could have contributed to the accident.
Pegasus has had several recent instances of overshooting runways.
Another Pegasus Airlines plane skidded off the runway at the same airport on Jan. 7, causing the temporary closure of the airport. There were no injuries.
In January 2018, another Boeing 737 in the Pegasus fleet slid off a runway at Trabzon Airport in northeastern Turkey. The plane came to rest in the dirt above the Black Sea with its nose pointed toward the water. No one was injured. www.hurriyetdailynews.com
Drones near airports are a real hazard
When a pilot flies a general aviation aircraft to the airfield where an avionics shop is located for service, he or she may have passed within a few miles of a drone flown by a hobbyist near the airport and not even know it.
Recent research studies by Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, including one funded by the Federal Aviation Administration, show that it is clearly possible. The studies find that some operators of small, off-the-shelf drones are not steering clear of airports. The FAA has registered more than a million small drones for recreational use so far while there were 277,000 commercial drones in the United States in 2018. Commercial drones may be used in real estate or filmmaking or for inspecting bridges and transmission lines, and these are often professionally flown.
Model aircraft enthusiasts have flown their small craft safely in designated areas for decades and are part of the aviation community. The hazard is being created more by the person who knows nothing about aviation and can go to a big box store, buy a drone, and then kick the tires and light the fires. Clueless pilots may launch their drones near their houses or apartment buildings or over a parking lot regardless of whether the location is relative to airports or airspace. What could go wrong? Plenty, but so far there have only been two collisions recorded by the FAA.
On Sept. 21, 2017, a person who owned several drones but had at best a cursory understanding of the rules and regulations pertaining to them was flying his 3-pound quadcopter two minutes before twilight off the shoreline of Staten Island, New York. The drone operator knew that helicopters frequented the area. The pilots of a U.S. Army UH-60M Black Hawk helicopter operating at 300 feet under visual flight rules in Class G airspace saw the Phantom 4 quadcopter and tried to avoid it, but a collision occurred. The Black Hawk crew then made an immediate landing. A large dent was found in the leading edge of one of the Black Hawk’s main rotors.
“Fortunately, the UH-60 is a battle-hardened aircraft design,” said Chris Martino, vice president of operations for the Helicopter Association International. “If it had been another type of aircraft, we’d be having a different discussion,” he added. Civil helicopters are not designed to sustain battle damage. The Army also found debris in the Black Hawk’s engine oil cooler fan. The serial number found on a drone engine was used to track down the drone operator.
The remote pilot, Vyacheslav Tantashov, 58, was unaware he was flying his drone near temporary flight restriction zones established due to a United Nations General Assembly meeting and travel by the United States president. The TFRs were announced in a notice to airmen, but the drone operator did not receive this data on his Samsung control tablet.
He was operating his drone over the water near the Hoffman Island in lower New York Bay 2.5 miles away from where he was standing, so he could not see the drone. He didn’t realize the drone had been destroyed in a collision, and when he pressed the “return to home” button on his Samsung control tablet, he expected the drone to arrive back at his location.
The National Transportation Safety Board found the probable cause of this accident was the failure of the small drone pilot to see and avoid the helicopter due to his intentional flight beyond visual line of sight. A contributing factor was the remote pilot’s “incomplete knowledge of regulations and safe operating practices.” You can review the NTSB report online at go.usa.gov/xnnkh. This is the first time the NTSB has investigated a mid-air collision between a drone and a manned aircraft, but it will probably not be the last.
Martino said HAI sees another side of the rise of the rotary and fixed-wing drones in that they can do many of the missions a manned civil helicopter does such as power line inspection. Legacy helicopter operators are probably going to operate mixed fleets of drones and helicopters in the future, according to Martino, and HAI already has unmanned aircraft companies as members. The good news is that helicopter operators know all about aviation safety and risk reduction.
The FAA also reports there was a collision between a drone and a hot air balloon in April 2018. This occurred over the Teton Country Fairgrounds in the Teton Valley of Idaho. An inexperienced drone operator was flying a drone and overrode a warning on the controls he was using that he was too close to a local airport. He flew his drone within 5 miles of Driggs-Reed Memorial Airport without contacting air traffic control as he should have.
Nearby, Margaret Breffeilh, owner of Elevated Ballooning, had just taken off in her Lindstrand hot air balloon with two friends aboard. When her balloon got between the drone operator and his small quadcopter, he couldn’t see it to maneuver and it flew into the side of the envelope, hitting it six times.
Breffeilh was concerned for the safety of her passengers fearing the drone might fall or fly down and hit the basket. She worried that the drone could either punch a hole in the polyester envelope or fly down toward the basket then up into the envelope and melt. Melting pieces of drone could then fall and hit her passengers or people on the ground. Her first thought was “where do I go to get away,” and thought it unwise to climb above the drone so she decided to descend.
When the drone lost its rotors and fell to the ground, she landed and collected what was left of it so she could send it to the NTSB for investigation. No NTSB report can be found online, however. The drone’s secure digital memory card captured a video of the encounter from the drone’s camera. No damage was done to the balloon. Breffeilh has since instituted a waiver to prevent drone activity during the Teton Valley Balloon Rally, which she runs once a year during the July 4 weekend. And she sees a huge need for drone operators to be filled in on the rules of the road and how to avoid dangerous conflicts with balloons and other manned aircraft.
Breffeilh stresses that she is not anti-drone. She knows drone operators who are meticulous in learning the rules and flying by them. She also met the man whose drone hit her balloon and found him to be a gentleman who was very chagrined over what had happened.
So what are the chances of mid-air collisions between drones and aircraft of any type occurring again near airports? Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University has done some studies that are a cause for concern. The university has used a DJI AeroScope off-the-shelf drone detection system that weighs less than 20 pounds. It monitors and analyzes radiofrequency signals from small DJI drones. About 70% of the small drones in use in the United States are made by DJI, a Chinese company.
The AeroScope was deployed in an educational building adjacent to Daytona Beach International Airport where ERAU conducts flight operations with a fleet of training aircraft. During just 12 days in May 2018, the system spotted 192 small drone flights by 73 different drones. Almost all were flying within 5 miles of an airport, heliport or seaplane base. Two flights that could not be geolocated were dropped from the data set, so ERAU analyzed 190 flights.
The study focused on the location of the drones relative to three public airports, including Daytona International, two private airfields, four heliports, and one seaplane base. In all, 96.8 percent of the 190 flights were within 5 miles of an aerodrome and as close as a half-nautical mile to public airports and .35 miles to a heliport. Of the flights, 70 involved the DJI MavicPro, a 1.6-pound quadcopter equipped with a camera that can fly up to 40 miles per hour. It has an 8-mile range from its remote pilot on the ground and can reach 16,000 feet. About seven other models of drones were detected. In most cases, these drones stayed below 400 feet of altitude as they are supposed to; however, just a few recorded altitudes as high as 500 or 950 or 1,250 or 1,300 feet.
The data suggests recreational pilots getting home from work Monday through Friday would then take out the drone for a spin. On average, the operators flew during the late afternoon from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. with peak operations logged between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. Operations peaked midweek with Saturday operations not as high and Sunday even lower. Nearly half the flights occurred over residential areas near houses and apartments, while another 20% were over commercial/industrial or public spaces (often being flown from parking lots). The researchers expected more operations to be over unimproved land and parks as relatively open areas would allow them to keep drones safely away from obstructions and buildings, but that was only the case for 12% of the flights.
The DJI drone controls warn operators when they are operating in a variety of warning zones such as too near aerodromes or critical infrastructure. But the operators can override the warnings, and all of these flights did operate at some point within warning zones.
The leader of this 2018 study, Ryan J. Wallace, ERAU assistant professor of aerospace, said the university has done similar work in Miami, and “the numbers are staggering.” During a 30-day period, 1,000 drones were spotted near airports in the Miami area. “This is concerning,” he said.
ERAU also studied drones at Tampa, Florida, using AeroScope during a 19-day period and found 258 flights involving 77 different drones for analysis. The authors, led by Wallace, found 93 potential violations of FAA regulations, including intrusion into controlled airspace, exceeding maximum flight altitude and flights after civil twilight. The activity posed potential conflicts in one case with a runway visual approach and created a collision hazard at three heliports.
Many small drone control systems have a feature called geofencing, which uses autopilot software and GPS to put a virtual fence around restricted areas such as aerodromes. This study showed that geofencing systems didn’t work when simply notifying the operator of a hazard without imposing any flight restrictions an operator would have to override.
So what are the chances that the pilots flying into airports and heliports at Daytona and Tampa and Miami saw any of these small drones operating nearby? Not good, as it turns out.
According to Wallace, it is extremely difficult for pilots to spot a small drone. The FAA has funded a project to use drone detection technology to validate sighting reports. There are other small things flying around including birds, so it is difficult to validate sighting reports from pilots. The FAA is now receiving more than 100 such reports per month. Recounting these incidents, it stresses that operating drones near aircraft, helicopters, and airports is dangerous and illegal. To see these reports, visit tinyurl.com/y4a2k5q2.
One example of such a report is one from Mobile, Alabama, on June 30, 2019. The pilots of a CRJ flying at 9,000 feet 11 nautical miles northeast of the Mobile Downtown Airport reported a black and green drone flying 200 feet above the aircraft. The pilots did not take any evasive action.
And the list goes on; this is just the first one recorded by the FAA for the third quarter of fiscal year 2019 from April through June.
The FAA notes that the accuracy and completeness of this data cannot always be validated as the general public is able to submit reports. In addition, small drones are often difficult to definitively identify, and they are often not tracked by radar.
In fact, the FAA recently issued a proposed rulemaking for remote identification of unmanned aircraft systems (also known as drones) and is seeking comment through March 2. This is a top priority for the agency. This will make it possible for the FAA and other agencies to identify small drones in flight and determine who is operating them.
“With remote identification, law enforcement and national security partners will be in a better position to quickly locate the operator and determine if a drone is being operated in a clueless, careless or criminal manner,” the FAA wrote in response to questions. One thing the FAA rules out in the proposal is to have drones use ADS-B, as the reports on ADS-B Out would be a fire hose of data that could overwhelm the system.
Small drones must be registered with the FAA if they weigh more than 250 grams, but DJI has just introduced a 249-gram model with a high-definition camera that fits in the palm of your hand. And the pace of change in the drone space is unrelenting.
“Encounters are becoming more common, and the separation between manned and unmanned aircraft is getting slimmer,” Wallace said. “People (small drone operators) are not following the rules, and they may not even be aware of the rules.” He added that airport managers are realizing that drones aren’t going away, and they are going to have to find a better way to deal with them.
Urban areas are no stranger to these hazards. A news helicopter hit what the pilot thought might have been a drone during a flight over Los Angeles on Dec. 4, 2019. The FAA is looking into this report that resulted in a hole in the helicopter’s tail.
The FAA is working diligently to try to rein in clueless, careless, and criminal activity, but the challenge is a huge one. The agency has a major education initiative with a social media presence and a website to fill small drone operators in on the rules of the road. This educational information can be found at knowbeforeyoufly.org.
The FAA is also funding applied research using high-fidelity computer models to examine the impact of UAS strikes on windshields, fuselages, and engines. The agency completed a study of the impact of a drone on a single-aisle airline jet and a business jet in 2017. The airline/business jet study concluded that the worst damage to these types of aircraft traveling at 250 knots and hitting a 4-pound drone would be to the horizontal and vertical stabilizers. This includes damage to the primary structure of the stabilizer with the front spar being damaged or even perforated. This study is posted on the FAA Alliance for System Safety of UAS through the Research Excellence website at assureuas.org. The FAA-funded study of the damage that could be done to a general aviation aircraft is due to be completed and posted this year.
According to Wallace, when it comes to educating drone operators on the rules and regulations, another challenge is that they are evolving as the situation changes. “Rules change, and trying to keep everyone on the same page is a bit of a challenge,” he said. “Several months ago, it was acceptable when planning to operate within 5 miles of an airport for a drone operator to call a control tower. Now that is no longer acceptable. These nuanced changes are a challenge.”
There are plenty of commercial drone operators trying to do the right thing such as real estate, insurance, utility and agricultural companies among others who are well informed. The problem comes from what Martino of HAI calls the “unreachables” who don’t know what they are supposed to be doing as drone operators.
“The (drone) group that doesn’t know if there are rules and doesn’t follow them is the Wild West portion of the community,” Wallace said. Getting to them is a big challenge for the aviation industry and the FAA that is yet to be solved.
By Avionics News magazine, a monthly publication of the Aircraft Electronics Association.