S7 Airlines temporarily rebrands as Siberia Airlines
S7 Airlines has taken an active step in healing its native Siberian forests by raising funds to replant over a million trees.
They have done this in two stages. The first is by renaming and rebranding the airline temporarily from S7 Airlines to Siberian Airlines (which was the original name of their airline). This includes changing their livery to Siberian Airlines on select aircraft.
S7, or as they will be known for now as Siberian Airlines, is the second biggest airline in Russia. The carrier is a Oneworld Alliance member, a club which includes American Airlines, Finnair, Cathay Pacific, Qantas, LATAM, and Japan Airlines. It flies to 150 destinations and has a mammoth amount of code-share flights with plenty of European and Asian carriers. It also works hand in hand with Aeroflot, the Russian flag carrier.
It is Russia’s biggest domestic airline and operates a mixed Airbus and Boeing fleet of 101 aircraft. They also have two Boeing 737 MAX 8s that are currently grounded. The airline only actually changed its name to S7 back in 2005. Previously, it was known as Siberian Airlines since 1992 when it was founded during the fall of the Soviet Union,
Contributing 1.4 EUR for every ticket sold on the airline to conservation efforts. On their website they had the following statement (Translated):
“Siberia is the birthplace of our airline. We can not stay away from the environmental situation in the region. Forest fires in Siberia have spread to more than 3 million hectares. We are temporarily returning our historical name, Siberia Airlines, and we are launching an initiative to replenish forests in Siberia. Our goal is to raise funds for planting 1,000,000 trees. We will return to the S7 Airlines brand only after the required amount has been collected.”
Siberia has suffered massive forest fires that have devastated more than three million hectors of forested land. Commentators on the original article were quick to praise the airline and suggest that they could contribute more
“I would like to join such an initiative and donate. This should be a common effort of all people interested in environmental protection. It is also important to help the hundreds of wild animals affected by the disaster. My thoughts are with all those affected by fire in the region of Siberia” – Bianca Bretan, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Thus far they have raised enough to plant 101,000 trees. Passengers are encouraged to contribute themselves if they want to raise more money than the 1.4 EUR per ticket, reported by the Siberian Times.
American, Southwest implement programs for business travelers
American Airlines and Southwest Airlines announced at the Global Business Travel Association convention in Chicago new programs that leverage technology to better serve business travelers and travel planning companies. Southwest is growing its business traveler service team and updating its online booking tool, while American is looking to appeal to executives on the go with priority check-in, preferred seating and other perks.
The moves, announced Monday at the Global Business Travel Association convention in Chicago, highlight the competition to lock in contracts with corporate buyers that can guarantee certain amounts of flying, often in upgraded cabins. In addition, business travelers are typically willing to pay more for tickets to have the added flexibility of booking just before travel.
Southwest’s expanded capabilities should be in place by mid-2020. The increased business from the initiative will add as much as $20 million to pretax earnings in the second half of next year, “with significant improvements expected in 2021 and beyond,” the Dallas-based carrier said in a statement.
Southwest Business, the new name for the carrier’s push, has updated its SWABIZ online booking tool, added more account managers across the U.S. and created a new business-to-business partner desk. Southwest, with its fare discounts, all-coach airplanes and no meal service, for much of its early history was more closely associated with leisure travelers.
Fort Worth-based American is trying to entice business flyers with preferred seating — window and aisle seats usually close to the front — at no charge, along with priority check-in, security processing and boarding for those booked under corporate travel accounts.
Such passengers also get help faster in rebooking when flights are canceled. The complimentary preferred seating will be available on American’s website and mobile app.
The carrier introduced the stepped-up offerings with little fanfare in April, waiting until now to publicize them. The benefits are also offered now to corporate travelers on flights under its joint business alliance with British Airways, Finnair and Iberia, American said Monday. Additional benefits will be offered to the partners by early next year.
American Airlines expands its luxury Five Star Service options
Travelers seeking next-level experiences now expect end-to-end service that is designed specifically for their needs. American Airlines realizes this and recently expanded its luxury experiences to include exclusive suite and transportation options.
The needs of luxury travelers are changing as services and experiences are expected to be more bespoke, of higher quality, and delivered more quickly and efficiently.
American Airlines’ Five Star Service, which offers its premium passengers a personalized, stress-free airport experience available for departures, connections, and arrivals in select markets — and the upgrades being made to the program — show how the airline is providing a best-in-class experience to their top-of-the-line customers.
The airline recently announced add-ons for customers purchasing Five Star Service or Five Star Select — an elevated Five Star Service experience with access to Flagship Lounge and Flagship First Dining — traveling through Los Angeles International Airport, New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport, Chicago O’Hare International Airport, Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, and Miami International Airport. These upgrades provide passengers with an even more efficient and personalized airport experience.
Five Star Service or Five Star Select now includes the ability to add on access to The Private Suite at Los Angeles International Airport — an exclusive, first-of-its-kind terminal. Departing customers have access to a private entrance to the airport away from crowds and traffic; a private, expedited security screening on site; and a Cadillac escort which brings them across the tarmac directly to their gate or to the Flagship Lounge and Flagship First Dining. Meanwhile, customers arriving to the airport from other destinations can clear international customs in only a few minutes at The Private Suite’s dedicated international arrivals hall.
The basic Five Star Service package includes access to Flagship First Check-In and the Admirals Club lounge, priority boarding and re-accommodation status, and car service coordination. It’s currently available for purchase for American Airlines passengers with a premium cabin ticket in more than 12 U.S. and four international airports.
Meanwhile, Five Star Select provides access to Flagship First Check-In and Flagship Lounge, American Airlines Cadillac or cart transfer, priority boarding and re-accommodation status, and car service coordination. It’s available at five U.S. airports with Flagship Lounges.
Amtrak is launching the Acela Nonstop service between Washington and New York
Amtrak is launching the Acela Nonstop, a new direct “high-speed” service between Washington Union Station (WAS) and New York Penn Station (NYP), Monday, Sept. 23.
The new line servicing Amtrak’s two busiest destinations will initially be a weekday service only. It will bring one southbound (NYP-WAS) and one northbound train (WAS-NYP) per day and an approximate trip time of two hours and 35 minutes.
The southbound train will depart NYP at 6:35 a.m. and is scheduled to arrive at WAS around 9:10 a.m. The northbound train will depart WAS at 4:30 p.m., and arrive at NYP around 7:05 p.m. The new nonstop service uses the same train as Amtrak’s current Acela fleet/ Top speed between New York City and Washington is expected to be 135 mph.
Amtrak is finalizing details on new amenities, which will be announced closer to the launch date. In addition, the standard Quiet Car, Café Car and First Class services will be offered on Acela Nonstop so customers will not miss any of the popular features available on current Acela service.
Wing cracks reported in Airbus A380 Superjumbo jets
Tiny cracks have been discovered in the wings of a number of Airbus A380 superjumbo jets. A total of 25 early-production A380 aircraft requiring inspection have been identified. The planes up for inspection belong to Qantas (apparently the first to become aware of the issue), Air France, Lufthansa, Singapore Air and Emirates.
Forbes.com contacted the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) concerning the reported wing cracks. According to an EASA spokesperson, the issue concerns “what to date has been the discovery of relatively minor cracking in the outer wing spars of the A380.”
In response, EASA published a proposed Airworthiness Directive (AD) that would mandate inspections that Airbus will announce in a service bulletin. According to EASA, “Initially the first 25 aircraft will be inspected and the data from those inspections will be further analyzed. Any aircraft found with cracking will be repaired and returned to service…The measures being taken ensure the safety of the fleet.” Initial inspections and repairs are expected to be scheduled during the heavy maintenance checks that take place after 12 years in service. The EASA spokesperson said that there should not be a significant impact on normal operations.
An Airbus spokesperson confirmed that “small cracks have been found on the outer rear wing spars of early production A380 aircraft. We have identified the issue, and have designed an inspection and repair scheme. We are supporting the EASA decision to issue an airworthiness directive…to inspect the first 25 aircraft in operation.”
Forbes.com contacted the five affected A380 operators. Qantas, Emirates and Air France all responded; Lufthansa and Singapore Air did not.
Air Canada is preparing to launch an all-new loyalty program
Air Canada is preparing to launch an all-new loyalty programme next summer, but ahead of this it has amended its current Aeroplan scheme to offer what it says are “the most flexible flight reward policies of any Canadian loyalty programme”.
Among the changes is the ability to cancel and refund flight rewards in full and for free, within 24 hours of making the booking.
Members can also now refund reward bookings up to two hours before the departure time of the first flight in the reservation. This is a vast improvement on the previous 21 days limit, and Air Canada says that “This will apply to all bookings, including those made prior to the new policy coming into effect”.
The carrier adds that “Rather than keeping cancelled tickets open for future travel, Aeroplan Miles, taxes and fees will be refunded, and members may book new tickets anytime in the future, delivering greater convenience than before”.
Cancelling reward bookings outside of the 24-hour free grace period has also become cheaper, with the fee reduced from $150 to $125 when completed via aeroplan.com.
Finally Air Canada Altitude Super Elite 100K members can now get complimentary changes and refunds for all flight reward bookings.
Thailand is the perfect place for the Digital Nomad
Thinking of becoming a digital nomad? It’s not as easy as it sounds writes Courtney Lambert for the Huffington Post, but some destinations are friendlier than others when it comes to working on the road.
“Thailand tops the charts as a favorite destination for digital nomads, and it’s a no-brainer as to why,” writes Lambert. “Not only is it a country of incredible beauty with a fascinating culture and friendly people, but Thailand offers digital nomads affordable living and plentiful work resources that can help beginners find roots in a foreign country while making the transition to working independently.”
Top factors that make Thailand great: climate, affordability, Internet speeds and city sizes. Essentially, in Thailand, you can find all of the comforts of home.
Visa requirements are fairly lax in the country, making it easier to stay for both the long and short term and there are a number of different types — from the educational to the instructional. But while Thailand may be an easy place to settle in, don’t overstay your welcome.
Cutting just 300 calories per day may keep your heart healthy
Heart disease is the leading cause of disability and death worldwide. About 2,200 people in the U.S. die per day due to cardiovascular problems, or one every 40 seconds.
With that in mind, if you knew that you could help keep your heart healthy by eating just a little bit less every day — about six standard-size Oreos’ worth of calories — would you?
Researchers have found evidence that just a modest reduction in our daily caloric intake could have protective benefits for our hearts, according to a paper published this week in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology.
The paper drew on data from the Comprehensive Assessment of Long-term Effects of Reducing Intake of Energy (CALERIE) study. That landmark project, supported by the National Institutes of Health, was one of the most in-depth efforts to measure the long-term impacts of caloric restriction in humans. Researchers have published numerous analyses drawing on data from the two-year study, examining various factors associated with life expectancy and longevity.
This paper, the latest to draw from the data, primarily examines how moderate caloric restriction impacts heart health and how it may potentially prevent aging-related decline.
The experiment began with 218 participants, all of whom were normal weight or just slightly overweight and between ages 21 and 50. Researchers started 143 participants on a diet that reduced their caloric intake by 25%; 75 others were assigned to a normal diet. In the end, 188 participants completed the study — 117 with caloric restriction and 71 without.
For the first four weeks of the study, people in the calorie-cutting group were fed in-house at one of three clinical centers. During this time, they were instructed on how to reduce their caloric intake and gradually fell into one of six eating plans based on their own preferences. More at NPR.org
Orlando’s best restaurants
Orlando might be the world’s theme park capital, but it’s quickly emerging as Florida’s culinary capital too. You’ll find everything from gastro-pubs specialising in farm-to-table produce, to fine dining restaurants founded by America’s best chefs. Here are ten amazing eateries guaranteed to get those taste buds tingling.
Slate, Sand Lake Road
Head to Slate for classic American cuisine which is also wonderfully fresh – there’s a real passion for local ingredients. Beyond the welcoming gaslights by the front door, it’s all fantastically modern, with a sleek open kitchen and a quirky cocktail menu. One of the most popular tipples is the Thyme Traveller, a thyme-infused concoction made with citrus vodka, Matcha Green Tea and plum bitters. “My favourite dish is the hearth-roasted snapper with lemongrass emulsion,” says manager Leslie Johnson. “Ideally paired with a glass of our La Cana Albarino – it really brings out the pure flavours of the snapper.” If you’re going to indulge on this wonderful selection of cocktails, make sure you plan ahead to get that all important transport home.
Luma On Park, Winter Park
The food served at Luma on Park – a brightly-lit fine dining restaurant in chic Winter Park – is referred to as “progressive American,” and a love of fresh, local produce means the menu changes from day to day. Chestnut agnolotti with lobster is one of the latest additions, along with tilefish with tangerine-fennel broth and duck breast with kale, toasted pine nuts and parsnip puree. Diners will also find one of Orlando’s most extensive wine lists – there are over 7,000 bottles to choose from.
Soco, Downtown Orlando
Downtown Orlando has recently emerged as Orlando’s culinary heart and Soco is one of the restaurants behind this area’s new-found fame. Food has a distinctly southern twist – expect dishes such as cornmeal crisped oysters and tomato bisque – and it’s a great people-watching spot, thanks to the large windows looking out onto lively Thornton Park. “Soco stands for Southern Contemporary,” explains executive chef Greg Richie. But comfort food reigns supreme here, and while Richie won’t be drawn on a favourite dish, he’s happy to reveal the most popular. “It’s the grilled meatloaf on lobster mashed potatoes,” he says.
The Rusty Spoon, Downtown Orlando
William and Kathleen Blake are the owners of this restaurant, and Kathleen is also head chef. The restaurant is regarded as one of Orlando’s best – it won seven highly sought-after Silver Spoon awards within three years of opening. Located on lively West Church Street, it feels homely and welcoming, with large windows, beautiful wooden flooring and walls heaving with black and white photos. Carnivores are well catered for – there are delicious chicken hearts and super-sized lamb shanks – but it’s not all about the meat. Other must-try dishes include handmade farfalle pasta with local mushrooms and charred squid served with pickled peppers. Kathleen’s favourite dish? “It’s got to be the Jamison Farm lamb shank with couscous and chermoula,” she reveals.
Morimoto Asia, Disney Springs
This fantastic restaurant specialises in authentic food from all over Asia – from Japan, Singapore, China, South Korea and Thailand. The founder is Masaharu Morimoto – a Japanese chef whose restaurants can be found in Mumbai, New Delhi, Philadelphia, New York and Mexico City. One of the most popular spots is the 14-seat sushi bar, but the view is breathtaking wherever you sit – the two-storey dining room has enormous chandeliers and there are wonderfully snug circular booths carved out of dark wood.
K Restaurant, College Park
Don’t be fooled by the name of this neighbourhood – the food served up here is anything but student grub. K Restaurant was one of Orlando’s first chef-owned and operated establishments, and it’s all about seasonal cuisine here, with herbs and vegetables freshly-picked by the staff every morning. “My favourite dish is the wild mushroom dusted filet with potato gratin, black truffle, cabernet sauvignon sauce and bone marrow butter,” reveals founder and head chef Kevin Fonzo. Keep an eye out for the regular events, which include wine tasting evenings and opportunities to dine at the chef’s table.
4 Rivers Smokehouse, Winter Park
John Rivers, the founder of this restaurant, set out to create Florida’s most successful barbecue chain and the general consensus is that he’s succeeded. He described brisket as the biggest love of his life and today, it’s the restaurant’s bestseller. The concept is simple – food is eaten at long, communal tables after being ordered at the counter, where you can also choose your side order – whether it’s the restaurant’s famous fried okra or sweet potato casserole. When it’s time for something sweet, head to the dessert bar to sample one of the delicious cakes – if you’ve got room.
CowFish, Universal CityWalk
Burgers and sushi might sound like an odd combination but that’s exactly what you’ll find at CowFish Orlando. Dine at this colourful restaurant on Universal CityWalk and you can chow down on burgers served with everything from fries to seaweed salad, and there are beef, vegetable or turkey options. The sushi-related offerings include nigiri and makimono rolls alongside less predictable fare: sushi made with tuna, coconut shrimp, shiitake mushrooms and crabmeat. Can’t decide? Opt for a bento box, which includes a slider burger and sushi roll. “The items I love the most are the burgushi rolls – a fusion of burgers and sushi,” reveals Steve Jayson, corporate executive chef at Universal Parks and Resorts. “My favourite is the barbecue-inspired High Class Hillbilly – it’s just so unique!”
The Ravenous Pig, Winter Park
The multiple award-winning Ravenous Pig gastro-pub is run by husband-and-wife chefs James and Julie Petrakis, who met while studying at New York’s Culinary Institute of America. The menu changes every day but favourite delicacies include pork porterhouse with mustard glaze and pear relish, and speckle trout with romesco sauce. All of the meat is prepared in-house – from the spiced orange salami to the game-bird terrine – and even the dessert menu has a porcine theme. One of the most popular dishes is Pig Tails – pig tail–shaped doughnuts with a chocolate-espresso dipping sauce.
Taverna Opa, International Drive
Expect conga lines, plate-smashing and table dancing at this huge – and very lively – Greek taverna, where the motto is: “the night isn’t over until the ouzo runs out.” Come here for dinner and it’s highly likely you’ll be dragged up to dance by one of the roaming belly dancers. And although it’s all fantastic fun, the food is anything but an afterthought. You’ll be treated to lovingly-prepared traditional staples like saganaki (a cheese appetizer), avgolemono (a lemon-infused chicken soup) and huge plates of baklava.
By Tamara Hinson www.avis.co.uk/inspires/
When new travel fees fly under the radar
In the travel industry, new fees and restrictions tend to have one thing in common: They are introduced without fanfare and easily overlooked. Travel companies apparently hope that you won’t notice them until you’re at the front desk or the final checkout screen.
You probably aren’t aware of these recent changes. But you should be.
In the past year, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines and JetBlue Airways have quietly upped their baggage fees. For domestic flights, many U.S. airlines charge $30 for a piece of luggage that is 62 linear inches (that is, total inches high, wide and deep) and 50 pounds or less. On international flights, travelers can expect higher fees, up to $60 for a 50-pound bag.
This year, MGM Resorts increased its mandatory resort fees by $2, to $37, at seven of its properties, including MGM Grand and the Mirage. Resort insiders report another fee increase is coming Aug. 1 at some MGM hotels. In November, Royal Caribbean will begin charging passengers between $8 and $29 for signature attractions on the Quantum of the Seas.
For years when she went scalloping, Nikola Webster stayed at the same hotel in Crystal River, Fla., always booking months in advance to secure the lowest rate.
“The last time we stayed, we prepaid, and they sent me my confirmation with all the terms and conditions,” she says. But when they checked in last summer, they discovered that the hotel had added a mandatory $17-a-day resort fee without telling her.
“They demanded that I pay,” she says. Webster, an experienced traveler who also writes a travel blog called Brit on the Move, produced her terms and conditions, which made no mention of a resort fee. She stayed without paying the junk fee.
“We’ve never been back — ever,” she adds.
Hotel guests aren’t the only ones blindsided by fees. Jason Epperson, co-host of the “America’s National Parks” podcast, says he was stunned when he recently discovered campgrounds implementing fees for additional people at the campsite, “and they aren’t always upfront about it.” These unscrupulous operators charge $5 per day per person for more than two people, which can add up to more than $100 a week for his family of five, he says.
“We’re also seeing daily resort fees like those that you see at Vegas hotels implemented more and more at campgrounds that have lots of activities,” he adds.
When travel companies introduce new rules, they seldom issue news releases. Several years ago, for example, many hotels overhauled their reservation policies, setting stricter deadlines for cancellations. They started charging a penalty for cancellations less than 48 or 72 hours before scheduled arrival, instead of 24 hours. And most customers found out about it the hard way — when they tried to cancel and were denied refunds.
Why isn’t there more outcry from travelers about restrictive rules and added fees?
Sometimes, it’s because they aren’t aware of the restrictions until after the fact.
Case in point: The recent wave of cancellations for Dominican Republic vacations. Many passengers didn’t know that their airline tickets were nonrefundable and not changeable until they had second thoughts about visiting the Caribbean island.
“Travelers don’t know how restrictive the terms of their tickets are — until they check,” says Henrik Zillmer, the CEO of AirHelp, a company that helps consumers get refunds for flight delays. “The ignorance benefits the travel industry now more than ever.”
Other times, the travelers just don’t care about the added fees or restrictions.
“My clients are willing to pay the additional fees if it means one less thing to worry about when they are traveling,” says Amina Dearmon, founder of Perspectives Travel, a New Orleans travel agency. “I find this especially true when working with families and baby boomers. They are comfortable paying the additional fee on an airplane to guarantee that they can sit together or be closer to the front of the plane.”
Maybe this isn’t apathy, but fatigue. Travel policies started to become more restrictive a decade ago when airlines were delighted to discover that passengers would pay extra for their first checked bag. The enthusiasm was infectious, leaving no part of the travel industry untouched.
But every day, I hear from many travelers who do care. When travel companies add new fees without clearly disclosing them, it makes customers feel that the companies are acting in bad faith.
There’s a responsible way to handle a new policy. Travel companies should disclose the change well in advance through every booking channel, explain the reason for the change and remind customers of the new policy every step of the way.
Sofia Shershunovich, who owns several Airbnb rentals near Los Angeles International Airport, just added a few new fees, including $10 per day to store luggage, $20 per hour for late check-ins and checkouts, $20 per stay for extra guests and $80 per stay for pets. She says that she disclosed the fees through Airbnb and that they reflect her expenses, which she used to absorb as a cost of doing business.
“When people don’t understand why should they be charged more, they will get annoyed, naturally,” she says.
So far, she says, no one has complained.
By Christopher Elliott’. His latest book is “How To Be The World’s Smartest Traveler” (National Geographic). This column originally appeared in the Washington Post.
US FAA says cellphones a flight danger on these Boeing jets
U.S. government officials in 2014 revealed an alarming safety issue: Passenger cellphones and other types of radio signals could pose a crash threat to some models of Boeing 737 and 777 airplanes, reported the Los Angeles Times.
More than 1,300 jets registered in the U.S. were equipped with cockpit screens vulnerable to interference from Wi-Fi, mobile phones and even outside frequencies such as weather radar, according to the Federal Aviation Administration, which gave airlines until November 2019 to replace the units made by Honeywell International Inc.
Today, potentially hundreds of planes worldwide are still flying with the unsafe systems cited in the FAA report. Flight-critical data including airspeed, altitude and navigation could disappear and “result in loss of airplane control at an altitude insufficient for recovery,” the FAA said in the safety bulletin, known as an airworthiness directive.
Honeywell hasn’t heard of any display screens blanking out because of cellphones or other radio interference while an airplane was in flight, spokeswoman Nina Krauss said. While airlines and Honeywell argued that radio signals were unlikely to cause safety problems during flight, though, the FAA countered that it had run tests on in-service planes – and the jets flunked.
Boeing Co. found the interference in a laboratory test in 2012 but hasn’t seen similar issues on other aircraft, a company spokesman said. Honeywell is aware of only one case when all six display units in a 737 cockpit went blank, Krauss said. The cause was a software problem that has been fixed and is currently being flight-tested, she said.
The affected 737s are the so-called Next Generation model, a predecessor of the Boeing Max, which was involved in two crashes in less than five months. Cockpit displays on the Max were made by Rockwell Collins, now a unit of United Technologies Corp., not Honeywell. Boeing’s 777s also were covered by the FAA order.
The FAA order didn’t specify the level of outside radio interference that could cause problems.
Numerous cellphones left on during any airplane flight “could be a real problem,” said professor Tim Wilson, department chair for electrical, computer, software and systems engineering at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. The greater the number of phones emitting radio signals, he said, the greater the potential for interference with a plane’s flight system.
Many airlines now permit passengers to use their phones in “airplane mode,” which allows Wi-Fi transmissions. But mobile phones operate at higher power levels, Wilson said, since the signals must reach a cell tower and not just a local antenna or router. “So cellular service is potentially more impactful,” he added.
The use of cellphones for calls during flights was banned by Congress in 2018.
Honeywell initially told the FAA that 10,100 display units – or the equivalent of almost 1,700 planes – were affected worldwide. Honeywell’s Krauss said this week that 8,000 components had been replaced and fewer than 400 still needed upgrading.
The lower number reflects the fact that some airlines might have had the work performed at non-Honeywell facilities, and regulators in other regions of the world might not have ordered the units replaced. In addition, some planes might have been taken out of service due to age.
Depending on how many planes are still in service, the global number flying with display units that could cause critical data to disappear could be in the hundreds. But Krauss said that “even if a blanking incident were to occur,” the units are backed up by multiple redundancies.
Both Delta Air Lines Inc. and Southwest Airlines Co. have completed their overhauls, according to the companies. American Airlines Group Inc. has 14 more jets that need refurbished units, and United Airlines still needs to replace components in 17 aircraft, representatives from those companies said.
Ryanair Holdings, the large Irish-based discount carrier, told the FAA in 2014 that its planes held 707 of the affected Honeywell units and argued at the time that changing out all of them “is imposing a high, and unnecessary, financial burden on operators.” A Ryanair spokeswoman said the airline hasn’t upgraded all 707 screens but that the carrier inspected all of its display units and “any affected DUs have been replaced.”
In just the past three years, mystified pilots flying Boeing NG or 777 jets have reported more than a dozen instances of important flight information disappearing. Calling the situations “critical,” the pilots filed their concerns with the Aviation Safety Reporting System, or ASRS, which is administered by NASA.
Last September, pilots of a 737-700 noticed that various flight information was flashing on and off, and showing different air speeds and altitudes. Then a primary display unit went blank. “At that time,” the pilots wrote, “we decided it was best to get the aircraft on the ground.”
In January 2017, pilots of a 737 flying out of Costa Rica lost all of their map displays and the flight-management computers on both sides of the plane “during a critical phase of flight in mountainous terrain,” according to the crew’s ASRS report. If the flight information had disappeared in bad weather or at night, “it could have been a potentially disastrous outcome,” the pilot wrote.
Later that year, the captain of a 737-800 reported that key flight data intermittently disappeared as the jet was climbing through turbulence and the screens blanked even more during the descent. After the plane landed, maintenance crews couldn’t find any reason for the blanking display units. “Due to no known cause for a known recurring problem,” the pilot reported to ASRS, “I refused the aircraft for the next leg.”
Two years ago, the pilot of a 737-800 reported multiple episodes of important flight information “blanking or simply not functioning,” including an incident where the plane flew into a wind shear due to lack of data. “The so-called momentary blanking,” the pilot wrote, “is a puzzle.”
The Boeing 787 is setting new speed records
The recent record-setting Atlantic crossings by Boeing 787 reminds us of the good old days of “The Sled”. For a short while, the Concorde made the connection from New York to London in just less than 3 hours, but safety concerns, cost factors and environmental issues ensured that the aircraft, which retired in 2002, never became a viable transportation option.
The most revolutionary passenger aircraft ever to fly made its first commercial flight in 1976. In flight, the Concorde flew to the edge of space, up to 11 miles high or 50 to 60,000 feet, sub-sonic commercial flights cruise at 30 to 40,000 feet above the earth. Optimum cruising speed was Mach 2.04, or 1,354 miles per hour. Its speed created so much heat that the plane would actually stretch 6 to 10 inches during the flight, and the cabin walls would become warm to the touch. In 1986, British Airways flew a Concorde around the world, covering 28,238 miles in 29 hours, 59 minutes.
Once upon a time, crossing the Atlantic Ocean meant a six-week voyage in a wooden sailing ship (14 weeks if the vessel ran into adverse weather conditions.) Then came the steamships, like those of the Great Western Line, which cut the voyage down to two weeks. By 1907, the line’s Mauretania was able to cross the Atlantic in just 4.5 days.
In 1927, Charles Lindbergh upended trans-Atlantic speeds with his record-breaking Spirit of St. Louis flight from New York to Paris, which cut travel time across the pond to a mere 33 hours.
Nowadays, the flight from New York to London usually takes about 7 hours. But by nearly all passenger accounts, that’s still way too long. With ever-shrinking seat sizes and an increasing number of onboard “emergencies,” shorter flying times are the dream for nearly every traveler.
While the idea of supersonic air travel remains alive, with NASA continuing to test models that one day might serve as super-fast aircraft, subsonic travel might also be getting faster.
Case in point, low-cost carrier Norwegian Air has claimed it has set a new world record in subsonic travel, crossing from New York’s JFK International Airport to London Gatwick Airport in just 5 hours and 13 minutes.
Utilizing a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, Norwegian flight DY7014 departed JFK on Monday, January 15 at 9:57 p.m. and arrived at London Gatwick 53 minutes early.
The airline said the flight benefited from strong tailwinds, which reached a maximum of 176 knots (202 mph) over the Atlantic Ocean, pushing the aircraft to a top speed of 776 mph.
“The 787 Dreamliner is a pleasure to fly and it’s a great feeling to know that we have set a new record in this aircraft,” said Captain Harold van Dam at Norwegian. “We were actually in the air for just over five hours and if it had not been for forecasted turbulence at lower altitude, we could have flown even faster.”
The flight comes on the heels of another super-speedy Norwegian flight which recorded a 5 hour and 20-minute flight over the Atlantic the previous day. Norwegian first introduced service to the U.S. in 2014. It now has operations in 11 U.S destinations.
Vinpearl Air is the latest airline to be launched in Vietnam
Hot on the heels of Vietnam’s latest airline, Bamboo Airways, the Vietnamese Vingroup is due to start a sixth airline in the country – Vinpearl Air.
The steady rise in tourism in Vietnam has seen the nation’s aviation industry grow by 17.4% in the last ten years, making it one of the world’s fastest growing aviation industries. In addition, Vietnam recently received a category one safety rating from the US Federal Aviation Administration. It’s these recommendations that Vinpearl Air will capitalise on prior to launching its routes.
Vinpearl Air is the latest airline to be launched in Vietnam and joins Vietnam Airlines, Jetstar Pacific, Vietjet Air, Vasco and recently launched Bamboo Airways.
The new airline has three founding shareholders according to Vietnam News. VinAsia Tourism Development owns 45%, Hoang Quoc Thuy owns 30% and Pham Khac Phuong owns the remaining 25%. The airline has registered as having a start-up capital of VND1.3 trillion, which is the amount of capital required to have a fleet of more than 30 aircraft in operation.
Vinpearl has signed an agreement to train its employees locally. This has been accomplished in an agreement with CAE which will manage two schools in the country. VinAviation School will be responsible for pilot training, while Vinpearl Air Training Centre will cater to the other aviation careers.
Garuda Indonesia tells passengers no photos or videos inside cabin
Airlines have for years been embarrassed by photographs and videos taken by disgruntled passengers with smartphones and posted on social media. Indonesia’s national carrier is fighting back, reports Bloomberg.
PT Garuda Indonesia issued a directive on Tuesday asking passengers not to take snaps or record footage inside the cabin. Days earlier, a business-class customer’s video blog had shown Garuda flight crew handing out food menus scribbled on scraps of paper. As well as menus, the plane also ran out of champagne and white wine, the blogger said.
Garuda said the circular wasn’t a response to the blog. It’s aimed at ensuring passenger comfort and privacy, and making sure the airline complies with laws governing aviation and electronic information, said Corporate Secretary Ikhsan Rosan.
“Passengers are still allowed to take pictures for personal reason such as selfies, as long as it doesn’t disturb or cause inconvenience to others,” Rosan said.
PONANT and Relais & Châteaux announce new gastronomic cruises in 2020
PONANT, the global leader in luxury expeditions and the only French-owned cruise line, and Relais & Châteaux, a beacon of excellence in hospitality and gastronomy, have come together to create all-new culinary cruise experiences for 2020. Each hosted by a Relais & Châteaux Chef, three itineraries in Europe, Africa, and Asia are currently on sale and available to book, with more to follow in 2021.
Philippe Gombert, President of Relais & Châteaux says, “Through this partnership, we are delighted to offer a unique stay and the best cuisine to our guests at sea. PONANT’s ships boast exceptional accommodation making every cruise an unforgettable experience.” He adds “More than just a sense of excellence, we share fundamental values including ethics, commitment and authenticity, which are reflected in the respect of local cultures and heritage, and the protection of the environment. We believe in ethical cuisine. The ocean must now be considered as one of our planet’s most precious ecosystems.”
“Showcasing French excellence on the seven seas… This philosophy, which has driven PONANT for 30 years, finds its full meaning in the exclusive partnership that we have developed with Relais & Châteaux. Our shared values in the protection of the environment, a thrive for excellence in service and gastronomy, the concept of ‘boutique hotel’ that echoes the intimate size of our ships… we have a lot in common enabling us to provide our guests with a unique and refined experience,” says Jean Emmanuel Sauvée, President and co-founder of PONANT.
Three Exceptional Gourmet Cruises
Hosted by the Relais & Châteaux chefs on board PONANT EXPLORER ships, the journeys will include two gala dinners featuring two new signature dishes that the respective Chef has created for the occasion. The acclaimed chefs will also host culinary demonstrations, cooking classes, and lectures for guests throughout the journey. Depending on the ports of call, guests can also join the Chef for market tours to meet local producers.
Treasures of Brittany
On September 20, 2020, the two Michelin-star Relais & Châteaux’s Chef Mathieu Guibert (Chef of the restaurant Anne de Bretagne, la Plaines-sur-Mer) will be onboard Le Jacques Cartier for an eight-day/ seven-night cruise along the Breton coastline. This French-focused itinerary will reveal historic port cities and wild Atlantic coasts. Among the most beautiful sites of the Breton region are the Ponant Islands, the Gulf of Morbihan and Port-Navalo as well as Houat, Hoëdic, Ouessant, and Belle-Île-en-Mer.
From Saint-Malo to Nantes | 8 days / 7 nights | Aboard Le Jacques-Cartier
Departing September 20, 2020
Prices start from approximately $5,560, based on double occupancy.
Canary Islands & Cape Verde
Guests will set sail from Portugal to Senegal for a nine day, 10-night itinerary aboard Le Dumont-d’Urville with Relais & Châteaux’s Chef Federico López Arcay (Chef at A Quinta da Auga, Santiago de Compostela). Ports of call include the historic city of Funchal, Madeira, the island of eternal spring; the Canary Islands with stops in Tenerife and Gran Canaria; and Cape Verde’s Mindelo, the cultural cradle, and Santiago, the archipelago’s most inhabited island.
From Lisbon to Dakar | 11 days / 10 nights | Aboard du Dumont-D’Urville
Departing October 11, 2020
Prices start from approximately $5,380, based on double occupancy.
Learn more about this cruise
China and Vietnam
Guests will embark on Le Lapérouse in the Chinese megalopolis of Shanghai for an eleven-day/10-night cruise that will journey all the way to Halong Bay. An exceptional cruise during which passengers will discover the UNESCO World Heritage sites of the Yandang Mountains, Gulangyu, and Bay of Ha Long as well as the wander the shopping malls and street markets of Hong Kong.
From Shanghai to Haiphong | 11 days / 10 nights | Aboard Le Lapérouse
Departing October 28, 2020
Prices start from $5,620, based on double occupancy.
Learn more about this cruise
ABOUT PONANT
Created 30 years ago by a dozen officers from the French Merchant Navy, PONANT has made the bold move of proposing a new style of cruising, under the French flag, through a unique conception of sea travel. Accessing exceptional territories aboard yachts combining refined design with an intimate atmosphere, on which the art of living, discretion, attentive service and excellent cuisine take pride of place: such is the promise of a unique and authentic PONANT voyage.
Not only does PONANT take its profession and its commitment to promoting sustainable tourism seriously, it also wanted to further its efforts by creating, in 2018, a Foundation whose goal is to preserve the oceans and the polar regions and to encourage exchanges between peoples.
www.ponant.com
ABOUT RELAIS & CHATEAUX
Relais & Châteaux, established in 1954, is an association of 580 unique hotels and restaurants throughout the world, owned and operated by independent entrepreneurs – most often families – who are passionate about their craft and deeply committed to forging warm, lasting relationships with their guests.
Established on five continents, from the Napa Valley vineyards to Provence to the beaches of the Indian Ocean, Relais & Châteaux invites people across the globe to savour delicious journeys, to discover the inimitable art de vivre engrained in each local culture and to share an incomparable, unforgettable experience.
Relais & Châteaux members protect and promote the wealth and diversity of the world’s culinary and hospitality traditions, to ensure they continue to thrive. They are equally dedicated to preserving local heritage and the environment, as articulated in the association’s Vision presented to UNESCO in November 2014.
www.relaischateaux.com
Boy slips through London Heathrow security to board British Airways flight to Los Angeles
The unaccompanied child, who had no travel documents, mingled with passengers getting on the flight and was only spotted when cabin crew asked to see his boarding pass in order to direct him to his seat, reported AP.
Police at Heathrow Airport are investigating how a 12-year-old boy slipped through security and managed to board a British Airways flight to Los Angeles without a ticket or boarding pass.
The unaccompanied child, who had no travel documents, mingled with passengers getting on the flight and was only spotted when cabin crew asked to see his boarding pass in order to direct him to his seat.
The mystery youngster, who is thought to be Dutch, was not travelling with his parents, and refused to cooperate with cabin crew when he was challenged.
Fellow passengers said he refused to leave the aircraft and was eventually removed by police officers who boarded to assist aircrew.
As a result of the security lapse, the aircraft had to be cleared and all the passengers were forced to undergo a second security check, delaying the flight by more than four hours.
Detectives were working to establish where the boy was originally from and how he had managed to pass through strict security cordons, without being spotted.
One theory is that he was a transit passenger who had arrived at Heathrow with a ticket to an onward destination, but had then attempted to see if he how far he could get with our being challenged as part of an elaborate dare.
The lapse also raises concerns over the effectiveness of security checks at Britain’s busiest airport, although a spokesman for British Airways insisted the boy had been through the same controls as all other passengers.
A spokesman for Scotland Yard said: “A 12-year-old boy boarded a BA flight from Heathrow to Los Angeles at around 17:15hrs on 14 July.
“He was identified by cabin crew during pre-flight check. He did not have a ticket or any travel documents.
“The boy was an unaccompanied minor. He is not a UK national. As a security precaution, passenger de-planed following a discussion between police and the captain.
“The child is believed to have arrived at Heathrow as a transit passenger.”
A Heathrow spokesperson said: “We are working with our police colleagues and British Airways to understand how an unauthorised passenger boarded the incorrect aircraft. The individual did not represent a security risk and, purely as a precaution, the aircraft in question was re-screened and has since departed. We apologise for the disruption and will continue working closely with the authorities and our airline partners to keep the airport safe.”
Outstanding locations in exotic Indonesia
Anchor under puffing volcanoes in Volcano Alley, with gentle breezes blowing through the palm fronds. Swim deep into a mountain cave with the cave entrance guarded by the ancient graves of village elders. Hike inland to a local village to see how Ikat Textiles are created from cotton bolls that are carded, spun, dyed, and woven by hand. See the Komodo Dragon in its natural habitat in its only known home on earth. Swim in clear warm waters with gentle huge whale sharks. All of this and more is possible in the diverse huge country of Indonesia on private yacht charter where exotic, exciting, and outstandingly unique experiences are available from the decks of your luxury charter yacht, your home away from home, your 5-star hotel with top-level service and outstanding cuisine, that you bring with you to every remote anchorage for these experiences of a lifetime, blogs Missy Johnston.
Sail down Volcano Alley looking to the left and the right and on either side see volcanos each with smoke gently puffing from each peak. Anchor for the night in the shadow of a puffing volcano and watch as the sunsets. On the usual perfect clear day, as the sun sets into the night, the reflection of the sun against the smoke particles gives a unique orange glow to the sky. Meanwhile, the world is your own, with no one else around as it is extremely rare to see another yacht, even another boat unless perhaps it is a dugout canoe belonging to a villager or the ingenious dugout canoe “fishing boat” with “outriggers” weighted by stones lashed onto lengths of bamboo. Here there are miles of deserted sandy beaches and little cays, filled with seashells, sand dollars, and sea urchin shells. Here there is a glorious view of nature unlike anywhere else where one is easily reminded, at the same time, of both the strength and fragility of nature and what it really means to be perched directly on “The Ring of Fire”.
In the Eastern Flores Archipelago are many little villages where the women have perfected making natural dyes from the surrounding forest. After growing their cotton, harvesting, carding, spinning, (using a spindle and their toes) and dying the strands, the women weave unique Ikat Textiles by hand, where warp and weft cotton strands are “lost” to coloring by natural homemade
dyes, through wrapping those strands in resist fibers such as the fibers of palm leaves. Weaving is done on small looms made from wood and tree branches, with women sitting on the ground. Anchor nearby and visit Ikat Textile Weaving Villages for weaving demonstrations, dancing exhibitions, and the chance to purchase beautifully hand-dyed, handwoven textiles from the hands of the weaver.
On the other end of Flores Island in the Komodo Archipelago, part of which is a National Park, is the only known home of the Komodo Dragon on Komodo Island reachable only by water. For centuries, the Komodo Dragon has made this island it’s home. How the Komodo Dragon evolved and ended here is a mystery, but here the Dragon is and remains. As the Komodo Island is a National
Park, a National Park Ranger will guide you around the island to see the Komodo Dragon via either a short trail or longer trail, your choice. All visitors walk single file behind the Ranger, who will have in his hand a long stick with a fork at the end to shove in the nostrils of any charging Komodo Dragon to ward off the attack. Up to you how close behind the Ranger you choose to walk. You will see Komodo Dragons and smell the Komodo Dragons as they are quite odiferous. There are several Dragons that just loll all day around the Ranger Station. Others are out and about the island hunting, mainly around the watering hole, lying in wait for another island wildlife that also need water to survive. The Komodo Dragon does not actually kill its prey immediately but rather bites its prey with its many rows of teeth sunk into its gums filled with bacteria. The Komodo Dragon then waits until the stricken animal dies from a bacteria-infested bite wound before feasting. Komodo Island is but one island in the Komodo Archipelago, all of which are lovely, with beautiful beaches, including a pink sand beach, surrounded by orange, red and copper striated mineral-filled mountainsides and lovely water.
In Raja Ampat, guarded by two-centuries-old graves of Village Elders is a deep water-filled cave that disappears into the bowels of the mountain, while on either side of the cave entrance, in various little cubby holes washed into the limestone cliffsides are graves of other villagers from long ago, where today only skeletons remain. At the cave entrance, pass by the two ancient
graves of the Elders of what was assuredly a resting place of honor and down a set of very rickety steps to plunge into the cool waters to either swim or sea kayak far into the depths of this cave. The watercolors created from bits of sunlight that peek through various places in the mountainside are beautiful and it is a unique even if somewhat eerie experience to swim or paddle way back into the middle of the mountain and wonder just how many others, for how many centuries have done the same. Certainly, those buried at the mouth of the cave and in cubby holes around the cave entrance were well aware of and spent time in the cave. It is a refreshing change to spend time inside the cave as a relief from the hot sun outside reflecting off of the white limestone cliffs. This is a long deep cave taking a good hour to swim to the end and back out again.
On the northern side of Papua and West Papua, New Guinea is the very large Cenderawasih Bay. Included in the Bay is Teluk Cenderawasih Bay National Park, the largest marine National Park in Indonesia. Also, in the bay area Biak, the Padaido Islands, Supiori and Numfor, Yapen Island, and the smaller islands of Num, Rumberpon , Waar, Roon, and Kurudu. The area is lovely and excellent for cruising with beautiful and extensive coral reefs and an enormous amount of natural and marine life.
However, the real draw of Cenderawasih Bay is to be able to swim with the whale sharks in the southern area of the bay near Nabire. Here the whale sharks live year-round, gathering nearly every single day to circle under fishermen platforms called “bagans”, in the hopes of sucking some fish out of their storage nets for a snack. This is the location to swim with the whale sharks as the whale sharks are far more interested in dining on the fish they might be able to steal than dining on you. Swimming with these huge creatures is an extraordinary experience. This is a remote location however where the best accommodation and restaurant will be your private charter yacht. While swimming with the whale sharks is outstanding, the area also offers excellent cruising in a remote pristine location where few others have ever been.
Indonesia is a country where private yacht charter is often the best and maybe the only way to experience that which is unique, and exotic, creating once in a lifetime memories. Luxury yacht charter offers the opportunity to explore Indonesia, a country offering extraordinary yacht charter itineraries, in comfort, style, and luxury from the decks of your 5 star floating hotel and restaurant.
The best travel documentaries on Netflix
Escape into the real world with some of our favorite travel documentaries showing on Netflix. Our globe has more adventure and magic than any fictional show. We have delved into the world of wanderlust to discover astonishing sights waiting to be explored. From the islands of Japan to treasure hunting in South India’s Golconda diamonds mines, ignite your imagination and let the tales below be a catalyst for planning an adventure of a lifetime, blogs James Jayasundera.
Children of the Snow Lands
Telling the moving story of children in the High Himalayas of Nepal, this documentary follows the footsteps of young students returning to their mountain homes after over a decade spent away at schools in Kathmandu. Filmmakers Zara Balfour and Marcus Stephenson tread lightly alongside this emotional pilgrimage home, never moving from sensitivity and a deep bond forged with the subjects.
We meet one girl who was carried on her aunt’s back to Kathmandu aged four and her emotional reunion, now aged 16, with her mother, alongside 17-year old Nima whose journey home is fraught with danger, traveling through high avalanche-risk valleys to his village in the highest inhabited region on Earth. This is an unforgettable story, called “incredibly inspiring” by Bear Grylls, of hope, endurance, family, and sacrifice played out against the starkly breathtaking scenery of the Land of the Gods.
Parts Unknown: Myanmar
The late, great Anthony Bourdain set off on a journey with CNN to sample some of the best dishes to be found in lesser-known regions of the world. His unique style, infused with wit and a deep passion for food, takes us on a magic carpet ride of ingredients and personalities.
Traveling through the still relatively undiscovered landscape of Myanmar, Bourdain has a series of breakfast and lunch dates with an intriguing cast of characters as a backdrop to the highlighted dishes. From a breakfast of mohinga (fish-based soup with rice noodles) with a veteran Burmese journalist to savoring chicken necks and cold beer with New York restauranter Philippe Lajaunie, and tea leaf salad in Yangon with renowned astrologer and ex-prisoner San Zarni Bo, this smorgasbord of stories brings Myanmar alive in a most memorable way.
Chef’s Table: Asma Khan
Asma Khan is nothing if not a one-woman phenomenon. From first ventures into the world of food, hosting successful supper clubs at her Kensington home to opening a string of critically acclaimed Indian fusion restaurants across London, the lawyer-turned-entrepreneur is passionate about both sharing her culinary heritage and empowering women. Her kitchens are all-female and Khan travels the globe supporting and sharing the cause of women’s rights.
As the first British chef to be featured on Netflix’s famed series Chef’s Table, Khan takes us to her native city of Lucknow, India. We sit in the arching drawing room of her family palace and travel through time to worlds of purdah, dignity, family pride, and a deep-rooted sense of belonging. “When you share food, it builds a bridge between you and the other person, who may be from a different cultural background from you,” says Khan. We delve deep into the nuanced layers of Muslim Indian society led hand in hand by the gracious and warm chef who brings an effortless magnetism to the screen.
David Attenborough’s Our Planet
Opening with a line from one of the most famous voices on earth, David Attenborough, “For the first time in our history, the stability of nature can no longer be taken for granted. All across our planet, crucial connections are being disrupted, the stability that we and all life rely upon is being lost. What we do in the next 20 years will determine the future for all life on Earth”.
Newly released and a heart-cry for the urgency of conservation, David Attenborough’s Our Planet is an 8-episode explosion of some of the most awesome photography ever seen. At its core is a message we all need to hear – every species on earth, including humans, are interconnected and the destruction of any poses a grave risk for all. Weaving the issues of today’s planet, including global warming and environmental degradation is deeply impacting and a bold move away from the familiar cozy Attenborough narrative into darker territory. Lines such as “we have destroyed half the forests on earth” cannot fail to shock. This series has a clear purpose to shake all of us out of passivity and engage with the struggle to help our planet rebalance itself for future generations. A must-see!
Wild Japan – BBC Earth
Michelle Dockery, of Downton Abbey fame, takes the viewer on a memorable trek through some of approximately 6,800 islands of the sometimes mysterious Japan. Beginning at the largest island Honshu, home to Tokyo, where 100 million people live in an area one-sixth the size of France, we discover the central Japanese Alps, balmy summers, and sub-zero winters alongside Black Bears and unique species.
Further afield lies a jewel box of scattered islands, each with a unique quality and identity, Kyushu has an active volcano, Yakushima sports millennia-old cedar tree forests, utterly magical and given UNESCO world heritage status while Okinawa has the world’s smallest wild boars, green turtles, and hauntingly beautiful Iriomote mangrove forests. Hokkaido, once part of Siberia, is another intriguing subject explored, formerly ruled by the indigenous Ainu tribes until 19th-century Japanese settlers created an agricultural paradise. These far eastern islands are scenic and dramatic destination with many stories uncovered.
Street Food – Netflix Original
There is surely no better way to get under the skin of another land and people than through the scents, tastes, and zing of street food. Called “a chaotic paradise of food”, this fast-paced and emotive Netflix Original series, from the creators of Chef’s Table, traverses the lanes and alleyways of Hanoi, Mumbai, Manila, Bangkok, and other pulsating cities.
Real stories are shared through the lick of flames, the cracking of beer bottles, and the joyful smiles of nocturnal street diners. This is humanity stripped of pretense and barriers, coming together to share the olfactory and taste pleasures of some of the most authentic and best food on the planet. Voices and eyes narrate tales of hardship, perseverance, and success against all odds. This is an inspiration and the purest form of travel – that of sharing a plate with a stranger and joining in his journey. A star!
Tales By Light
“Behind every powerful image is a powerful story”. This is the premise behind this extraordinary documentary by Sydney cinematographer Abraham Joffe who spent 12 months traveling the world with five prominent photographers as they journeyed in search of the perfect image.
From Buddhist monks and fire ceremonies in Bhutan to tribal life on Papua New Guinea’s remote Sepik River, Humpback Whales in Tonga, and lions in the African deserts, this is an enthralling and sometimes heartstopping reveal into what it takes to be a travel photographer. Following the likes of National Geographic’s Art Wolfe, Lonely Planet’s Guide to Travel Photography author Richard I’Anson, Tales By Light is a true showing of masters in action.
The Lost Treasure Hunters: Golconda
Imagine embarking on an Indiana Jones-style escapade in search of diamonds at the world’s former greatest mine. This is exactly what Sam Speerstra does in the Discovery Channel show “Lost Treasure Hunters” as he ventures into the heart of India to the famed Golconda Mines, a place of legend, curses and untold wealth.
Along with Rob Towner, an expert gold miner and diamond hunter, Speerstra takes on deadly vipers, cobras, local superstition and an impending monsoon to search for the precious stones at a source that has produced more diamonds than anywhere on earth. From vacuuming diamonds off the bottom of the Krishna River, one of the longest rivers in India, to dredging waters with an elephant barge, translating Sanskrit maps and overseeing an animal sacrifice to appease river gods, this is an action-packed, compelling and occasionally close to the bone glimpse into the world of extreme prospecting and India’s real-life lost jewels.
Jack Whitehall: Travels With My Father
Comedian Jack Whitehall kidnaps his conservative father, theatrical agent Michael Whitehall, for a true “odd couple” escape across the glorious landscape of Southeast Asia in this six-part travelogue. A joyful, madcap whirlwind where Whitehall senior packs his Garrick Club tie “in case I meet an ambassador” and confesses that his idea of an odyssey is crossing Putney Bridge.
The episodes reveal as much about the father and son dynamic, reveling in their contrasting characters and a shared sense of the ridiculous, as the pair navigate the landscapes. From elephant polo to ladyboy entertainers, the Orient Express and the mystical Angkor Wat, Jack and Michael are game for anything, and the cultural differences are made even more hilarious by the soundtrack of dry British humor.
All Nippon Airways (ANA) has redesigned its Boeing 777-300ER aircraft cabins
All Nippon Airways (ANA) has collaborated with highly regarded Japanese architect, Kengo Kuma, and leading British designers, Acumen to completely redesign the cabins of 12 of its Boeing 777-300ER aircraft.
As background, with the Tokyo 2020 Olympics less than 12 months away, these 777-300ER aircraft will serve Tokyo to London routes and act as the gateway for visitors coming to Japan to experience its culture and heritage. This five-year project has seen Acumen lead the redesign of ANA’s customer and brand experience, including the design of all the seating, galley entrance areas, social spaces and cabin interior design across all four cabin classes. ANA approached Acumen to bring a western perspective to the carrier’s design approach and customer experience, and the design team worked closely with Kengo Kuma to combine the best of Eastern and Western design traditions.
The Japanese ‘Omotenashi’ philosophy of hospitality has been considered throughout the aircraft, with the popular trend for hotel-like reception areas setting the tone for boarding passengers, a new food service area, and a redesigned self-service bar area with mini-fridges stocked with beverages and snacks.
First Class – “THE Suite”
While many airlines are quietly dropping first class in favour of business class suites, ANA’s 777-300ERs will offer both. Modestly named ‘THE Suite’, each of the eight first class seats, located at the front of the aircraft, represents the most spacious fully enclosed seating ever installed in an ANA plane. The trim and finish is subdued, echoing ANA’s lounge schemes with charcoal grey textiles and dark wood finishes, inspired by the understated décor of luxury Japanese hotels. For passengers travelling together, the centre doubles feature movable partitions which can be stowed upon request to create a large, shared suite.
Passengers in both first class and business class will be offered seat mattress and bedding designed in partnership with Japanese mattress specialist, Nishikawa. The unique product is tailor-made to the seat cushion for optimal seating and sleep comfort.
The central dividers in the first class suites can be lowered to create a shared space. The suites feature 43in IFE monitors, the world’s first 4K displays fitted in a commercial airliner, complemented by universal PC and USB ports – useful as passengers can use their personal mobile devices to control the programmes playing on the seat monitor, as well as using their devices as second screens for entertainment content. ANA has beaten Emirates to launch with 4K IFE displays, with the UAE carrier due to fly the technology on the 777X in 2020.
First class features a 43in 4K IFE display. Personal seat monitors in all classes are powered by ANA’s ‘My Sky Channel’ application to create a customisable entertainment experience. The Android and iOS app allows all customers to browse IFE content before the flight and create a favourites list that can be accessed through a paired seat monitor.
Business Class – “THE Room”
At the heart of ANA’s new product investment is a new business class seat design named ‘THE Room’. The 64-seat cabin is located aft of first class, and has a lighter appearance than first class, with the charcoal seat textiles complemented by rosewood, light Japanese ash and dark Japanese ash finishes, inspired by modern, multifunctional Japanese living spaces.
As architect Kengo Kuma stated, “The design process is just as much about what we decided to include as what we decided to omit. My work is about understanding how space is used and creating the most comfortable conditions in any environment. I enjoyed working with ANA and Acumen to combine the best of Eastern and Western design traditions and create a finished product that sets a global standard by embracing Japanese heritage and international outlook.”
With a design focus on simplicity without clutter, the business class seat offers a ‘place for everything’, including discreet areas for personal belongings, with deep blue accent hues inside each in-seat stowage compartment. The vertical surface applications in both the first class and business class cabins were supplied by Tapis, with custom Ultraleather 9 Series on the feature leather panels, headrests and armrests in first class cabin, as well as the business class armrests, armrest cavities, headrests, seat backs and armrest faces.
The forward and rearward seat layout is familiar territory for Acumen, which designed the Business Class Studios for Etihad’s Boeing 787 and A380 fleet. According to ANA, THE Room is one of the largest business class seating environments in the world, with a sofa which is double the width of the airline’s previous business class seats.
The first class and business class seats will feature new lights made by Panasonic, which have been custom-designed for ANA. Inspired by natural sunrises, the lights have been crafted to improve comfort and convenience, whether sleeping, reading or dining. Each suite also features flexible doors, which enable adjustable levels of personal privacy, whether enclosed for sleeping, or open for companions dining, socialising or meeting colleagues.
Business class also features 4K resolution IFE monitors, which are 24in units with adjustable lighting and viewing angles. ANA has upgraded its dining service, including new premium International cuisine tableware that will be showcased on flights starting this autumn
Premium economy and economy class
Kengo Kuma and Acumen were a little more playful in the trim and finish schemes for premium economy and economy, expressing the rich history of Japan with upholstery redesigned with Japanese patterns which tell a story throughout the inflight experience, known as ‘The Journey’. The team specified traditional prints including a tatami mat pattern which represents a Japanese welcome, and an arrow design taken from the Yagasuri pattern, to suggest movement and direction. These non-repeating patterns mean that each seat cover across both classes is unique.
The non-repeating seat cover patterns in economy add visual interest to the 116-seat cabin. Passengers travelling in premium economy and economy class will also enjoy an enhanced inflight experience thanks to improved touchscreen monitors, and six-way adjustable headrests. These are the same upgrades recently installed on ANA’s Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner fleet.
The non-repeating seat cover patterns are more subtle in the 24-seat premium economy cabin. “Our partnerships with Mr Kuma and Acumen illustrate that ANA has sought out the input of the most influential voices in the design community for these innovative new cabin designs,” said Hideki Kunugi, EVP of ANA. “In 2010, we were the first in Japan to introduce the full-flat seat with all aisle access, and in order for ANA to continue to lead and set the global standard for comfort and convenience, we knew that it would be necessary to integrate the latest insights from design professionals as we sought to redesign the flight experience and elevate every aspect of travel for our passengers.”
Flight test it
The first redesigned ANA B777-300ER aircraft will serve the Tokyo/Haneda-London route (NH211/NH212) from August 2. Daily operation of the redesigned aircraft will start from the end of August or beginning of September. Until then, the aircraft will be operated on even-numbered dates in August and odd-numbered dates in September.The schedules are subject to change.
Ten African experiences for the young at heart
Millennial travellers value gathering experiences, not things. They see life as a collection of moments to be fully enjoyed before one gets too old to care. The entire generation is redefining the workspace to accommodate the need for exploration, wandering the globe laptop in hand.
Africa offers many opportunities to satisfy this yearning for adventure – our Top 10 is sure to inspire the young at heart.
1. Hiking to the top of Sossusvlei Dunes for a sunrise photo session
To capture the iconic image of Sossusvlei Dunes with the one half shrouded in the shadows, careful planning is required. There are only two lodges and one campsite offering sufficiently early access to the dunes. Most tourists get stuck at Dune 45 which is extremely busy and not good at all for photography unless you are the very first person to arrive. Carry on all the way to Sossusvlei for sunrise, then quickly hike down to Deadvlei to capture the late morning sun and you will go home with brilliant photographs!
2. Surfing a secluded wave on the Skeleton Coast
For dedicated surfers, being alone is paramount. Although the water is cold and the mission is long, surfers on the Skeleton Coast are rewarded with a secluded surf on several beach breaks. A spirit of adventure is required, as the lodging is minimal to non-existent but that’s all part of the fun!
3. Attending Afrika Burn with outfits tailor-made by a South African designer
Burning Man has inspired several subsidiary burns, but Afrika Burn is definitely one of the best and much more manageable than Burning Man. Spend a few days with your fellow burners at a Cape Town villa, getting your outfits made by one of the incredibly talented local designers then head out with your crew for your week of adventure in the desert!
4. Craft gin and food pairing in Cape Town
Cape Town’s foodie culture is world-class, and the craft movement has hit the Mother City with great enthusiasm. A mixologist can come to your villa or hotel for an informative tasting combining craft gins with botanicals, or you can go out for a food and gin/wine pairing at one of the unique chef’s tables reserved for those ‘in the know.’
5. Road tripping Namibia with a group of friends in a 4×4
Namibia’s vast open spaces are a tonic for the soul, and a 4×4 trip through the desert is a great experience to share with friends. The distances are long, so plan for at least a few weeks to include all the incredible landscapes combined with tracking wild mammals along semi-arid riverbeds, camping along the way under endless starry skies.
6. Yoga safari retreat at a stylish private villa in Kenya
Given the proximity of wild animals, exercise is very limited on safari. A few exclusive villas in Kenya offer yoga safaris merging wellness with the wilderness. An incredibly enriching experience, clients enjoy the silence of observing wild animals combined with the stillness of yoga and fresh organic food.
7. Island hopping Northern Mozambique on a traditional dhow
The Quirimbas Archipelago is the perfect subject for postcard-perfect travel dreams. A collection of secluded islands offers the backdrop for this offbeat experience. Spend a couple of days settling enjoying ancient history in Ile de Mocambique, then set off for 5 days sailing on a traditional dhow sleeping on remote tropical islands along the way.
8. Camel riding in Samburu
Adventurous clients who tire of the safari vehicle can hop on the back of a camel, viewing plains game in Samburu Kenya from a higher perspective. This is a brief experience but makes an excellent diversion for the relatively disconnected game viewing from a vehicle. For those weary of camels, horseback and walking safaris are also brilliant ways of getting up close and personal with the wild.
9. White water rafting on the Zambezi
There is talk of putting a dam on the Zambezi, which would make the rafting at Vic Falls impossible. Rafting this river is pretty treacherous and not at all for the fainthearted, but those brave souls are rewarded with a wonderfully wild adventure on the river.
10. Dance under the stars at Rocking the Daisies
Every October, an impressive line-up of top-notch local and international bands descends on the Western Cape for a festival ostensibly celebrating the birth of spring and wildflower season. Set amidst the foothills of rolling mountains, the festival offers the opportunity to enjoy music from a lilo, by the sun, or under the stars.
Which of these experiences inspires the young in YOUR heart?
Roman gastronomic indulgences
People say that “Rome wasn’t built in a day”…this includes the city’s reputation for epicurean delights. The best eateries in Rome have one thing in common: they have decades of experience and rigorously preserve ancestral recipes – it’s like eating a bit of history. Check out these seven superb restaurant recommendations in Rome by Sean Finelli.
Trattoria “La Sora Lella”
Founded in 1959 from Elena Fabrizi, better known as the “Sora Lella”, this restaurant is probably the one that every Roman could mention if you ask for a good pasta plate or any type of Roman cuisine. Prior to opening the restaurant, Sora Lella made her fortune in the film industry where she played the role of herself. She was discovered by Roman actors who were drawn to her personality and immediately cast her.
Despite its notoriety, the restaurant has never changed locations and you can still find it situated in the Tiberina Island in the heart of the Roman neighborhood “Trastevere”. If you are new to Italian cuisine, the experience in this restaurant is the best way to begin your culinary journey. The menu offers a plethora of plates and, yes, they all look delicious. If you are thinking about a good pasta plate, there you might find something a bit less traditional such as the potato gnocchi pasta dressed with amatriciana sauce. If this is not enough, try the tonnarelli pasta dressed with a sauce made with sausages, bacon, eggs and a secret ingredient that the restaurant has never revealed.
Il Falchetto
Located near the Trevi Fountain, this restaurant opened for the first time 103 years ago, in 1916. Since then, every member of the family has respected and preserved the family traditions. The members currently in charge are Donato and his son Gerry. Notorious customers have dined here before, such as the Italian former president Sandro Pertini, the Italian poet Trilussa and even the French author Jean-Paul Sartre.
As in every restaurant in Rome, picking something from the menu might be difficult. The restaurant offers not only an enormous selection of pasta and meat, but also an excellent selection of fresh fish dishes. If you want to stick to tradition, the restaurant offers a great selection of traditional plates, from carbonara to saltimbocca alla Romana, calf meat served with Parma ham and aromatic herbs. We also recommend choosing from the great selection of grilled meats and fish, such as the famous Roman baccalà dressed with Tropea onions and Sicilian cherry tomatoes.
Trattoria Da Enzo al 29
Located in the very heart of Rome, this trattoria sticks to tradition the most, not only in terms of food, but also in terms of manners, warmness, and style. The original owner, or “oste” as you might say in Italian, was Enzo who passed away in the 80s; his legacy remains intact by those who’ve acquired the place after his death and that work every day to honor his memory.
The menu offers some of the most authentic and traditional dishes than menus presented by other Roman restaurants. At Enzo’s, the kitchen follows the weekly calendar, fashioning a particular dish for every day of the week (on Thursday, for example, it’s always gnocchi day in Rome). Their philosophy is mostly based on the realization of ancient recipes executed by using the best products that the farms around Rome can offer each day. Enzo only takes dinner reservations.
Al Pompiere
Parts of the Roman cuisine are deeply connected and influenced by Jewish cuisine. In Trastevere, you’ll discover a quaint Jewish neighborhood with plenty of restaurants that respect the kosher tradition.
One standout restaurant is Al Pompiere, or in English, the Fireman. The name comes from former customers of the restaurant – the very spicy arrabbiata pasta that the first owner used to serve was so spicy that it was necessary to call the firemen! Opened in 1962, Al Pompiere is inside the former mansion of a noble Roman woman, Beatrice Cenci. On the walls, people can admire the colorful and spectacular frescos from the 16th century. Once there, it’s impossible not to try the Jewish recipe for artichokes, a classic of the Roman cuisine, not to mention the baccalà fish and fried pumpkin flowers.
Sora Margherita
Placed in the iconic Piazza delle Cinque Scole in the middle of Trastevere, Sora Margherita is another lovely and historical Roman restaurant. This tiny restaurant has only 20 tables and has remained the same since the very first opening. From the outside it still looks like an ancient Roman trattoria as the family has chosen to keep everything original.
At Sora Margherita you will find a full menu of hand-made dishes. From hand-made meatballs to hand-made pasta, everything is prepared using organic ingredients, classic elements from the Roman countryside, and seasonal products. A selection of kosher recipes is mixed with Roman tradition and shows how these two cultures are now deeply connected.
Fiaschetteria Beltramme
Previously named “Da Cesaretto”, Fiaschetteria Beltramme’s new owner changed its name in the late 90s. This Roman Osteria has said ‘no’ to modernity… you won’t be able to use a credit card so bring cash with you.
There’s no menu either. Diners eat what the kitchen has to offer. This way, the restaurants always serve the freshest products that the market offers. In any case, you won’t be disappointed; everything is delicious and sticks to traditional recipes. Visit Fiaschetteria Beltramme in via della Croce 39 if you really want to live a real Osteria experience.
Things you’ve probably never done in Japan but should!
In case you didn’t know, I love Japan. I studied the culture extensively in college and grad school, lived there twice, used to travel to Tokyo 1-2 times per year over the course of a decade in my last career, and continue to travel to Japan often. Even after numerous visits, I continue to find new, dynamic experiences to have there. Here are a few of them, blogs Tisha Neufville.
1. Visit Niseko on the island of Hokkaido (Japan’s northernmost island)
With its gorgeous scenery, the highest quality of food in Japan due to its vast number of farms, and calm feel, Niseko is a hidden secret typically frequented by Japanese residents. After visiting Niseko for the first time in May of 2019, I see the draw locals have to the area and I encourage any visitor to make a stop here if you have the time. The luxury hotel brands have already caught wind that this is an up-and-coming destination, as evidenced by the number of heavy-hitting luxury hotels close to completing construction there.
While there, I had a chance to visit the construction site for the Park Hyatt Niseko – set to open soon. This will be a fantastic property; it will have grounds for numerous outdoor activities year-round; and will, of course, have Park Hyatt’s beautiful design and excellent service. Also not to be missed in Niseko is Zaborin. Zaborin offers a contemporary approach to the ryokan (traditional, Japanese inn). This is undoubtedly the best place I’ve stayed in all of Japan ever and currently one of my favorite properties in the world! When planning a visit to Niseko, I’d recommend spending a couple of nights enjoying the activities at the Park Hyatt Niseko, followed by two nights of peaceful surroundings, exceptional hospitality, and beyond phenomenal food at Zaborin. P.S. If you’re a skier, you’ll definitely want to visit Niseko as it is known for having the best powder in the world – even according to some avid skiers from Aspen.
2. Take in the art on Naoshima
Another Japan first for me was visiting Naoshima in 2017. The island has become famous for its outdoor art installations, galleries, and unique architecture. Artists and architects featured here are the likes of Yayoi Kusama and Tadao Ando. The island’s concept of blending nature with art and creating an atmosphere in which the viewer has more physical interaction with the art has gained in popularity so much that it is starting to be incorporated into communities as far west as Potomac, MD (a community very close to where my own family lives in the Maryland-DC area).
In this area you will find Glenstone – a contemporary art museum which marries the art and its surroundings to create a more contemplative experience. If you can’t make it to Japan, Glenstone is worth a visit the next time you are in the DC area. But definitely add Naoshima to your list when you do get to Japan!
3. Stay in Furano in the Summer
Furano is at the heart of farm country on Hokkaido. You’ll find the most delicious ice cream, cheese, and beef in this area all coming from the nearby farms. In addition to the food, this part of Hokkaido has some of the beautiful landscapes in the summer… land filled with flowers.
A significant number of the flowers grown here are lavender. You’ll find farms making lavender candy, lavender soaps, and even lavender ice cream (which is surprisingly delicious). While in Furano, stay at Furano Resort Orika. Here you can play golf and enjoy hot spring baths overlooking flower fields.
4. Eat ramen and drink beer in Sapporo
By now you are most likely familiar with the ramen craze and its close ties to Japan. While you can certainly eat ramen in any number of restaurants around the globe, in big cities in Japan, and even in your home, it’s worth it to eat it in the city of Sapporo, where many Japanese believe ramen is at its best! It’s so delicious and popular in Sapporo that they even have a ramen festival (which we managed to catch while we were there). We were able to squeeze in two bowls of ramen during our one-night Sapporo stay, and it was worth it! Before or after having ramen, visit the Sapporo Beer Museum for a Sapporo Beer tasting. After all, you ARE in Sapporo!
5. Have a cocktail from a cocktail cart in Tokyo
Sure, you’ve visited bars and lounges in your hometown and you’ve hit a couple when you’ve traveled too. But have you had cocktails from a cocktail cart (like a food cart)? Shotaro Kamijo has a contemporary, boutique-y-feeling cart named Twillo, which he takes out almost nightly and uses to create a cocktail lounge-like ambiance on the streets of Tokyo.
Complete with actual crystal (no plastic cups here), a disco ball, and the company of a mixologist sporting a faux fur coat, you have everything you need for a nightcap (as it was for us) or a drink to kick-off your evening. Check Shotaro’s tweets nightly (@twillo0) at approx 10-11 pm Tokyo time to determine his location.
Delta flight crew restrains passenger claiming to be ‘God’
Delta Air Lines flight attendants restrained a passenger on a flight from Puerto Rico to New York after he shouted “I am God!” and claimed he would save the world, forcing the plane to return to the airport in San Juan, Puerto Rican police and the airline said on Wednesday.
Delta credited passengers with helping subdue the man who “became unruly on board.”
Puerto Rican police then took custody of a man identified as Carlos Ramirez, 30, and the case was taken over by the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation, police said in a statement.
The suspect “was aggressive and shouted ‘I am God! San Juan is going to disappear tomorrow. I came to save the world and I am going to end terrorism,’ and he also tried to enter the main cabin,” the statement said.
The cockpit door remained closed and secured throughout the incident, Delta said.
“Delta applauds the quick action and professionalism of the crew of Delta flight 579,” the airline said. “The flight attendant crew swiftly restrained the individual with help from some customers.”
The flight ultimately arrived at John F. Kennedy International Airport two hours late, Delta said.
Boeing to pay $100m to families of 737 Max aircraft victims
US aircraft manufacturer Boeing has said it will pay $100m (£80m) to families and communities affected by the two crashes involving its 737 Max aircraft, in which 346 people were killed.
Boeing, which is facing dozens of lawsuits over the accidents, said some of the money would go towards the living expenses of the families of those involved in the fatal crashes and to alleviate any financial hardship they were facing.
The payouts, phased over several years, will be independent of any lawsuits relating to the accidents, Boeing said.
Relatives of passengers on a Lion Air flight that crashed off the coast of Indonesia in October 2018 have agreed to try to settle with the company through mediation but families of passengers killed in an Ethiopian Airlines crash just over four months later are waiting until more is known about the cause of the accident.
The $100m fund will also be spent on education and community programmes, as well as economic development in communities that have suffered, Boeing said in a statement.
The plane manufacturer promised to form partnerships with local governments and non-profit organisations “to address these needs”.
The company said in April that it expects the crashes to cost it more than $1bn, as the firm cancelled its financial outlook for 2019 and scrapped plans to reward shareholders by offering to buy back some of their stock.