Durango Wheel Club

Interesting: the International Air Transport Association (IATA) says there has been a world-wide decline in “premium travel” – first class and business class – and this is most likely the result of a drop-off in business travel because of the general economic downturn in the world (and thanks, Sky Talk, for the heads up).
That’s not [...]

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Los Angelenos like to think they’re pretty cool, but they seemed to melt yesterday when Dubai’s Emirates airline flew into town — with its Godzilla-like aircraft — the A380.
What’s not to like? It has onboard showers, first class suites, mini-bars, and more.

“If Ritz-Carlton Hotels put a commercial jetliner into service, it would be like the [...]

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Those huge new A380 aircraft being flown by the Emirates airline offer a special perk for first class passengers:
Showers.
You should know, though, that the showers are limited to 5-minutes. Not enough time? Oh, yes it is.
Here’s a tip from a colleague who lives in “drought country” where water-rationing is occasionally in-force: first, get in the [...]

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Did you know, that there are more than 10,000 private jets in the U.S.?
If you’re on one now, I’m delighted for you; but the Los Angeles Times quotes some new reports that claim you’re not paying your fair share toward aviation safety.
Some highlights:

A little over $2 billion of $7 billion in federal funds for airport [...]

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I know the summer sun is blazing, and you’re more likely to be thinking about a trip to the pool than what you’re doing this Thanksgiving or Christmas, but believe me, there are always reasons to start your holiday airfare shopping early. Case in point: at FareCompare, we’ve found business class seats to Europe over [...]

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The world’s biggest jet flew from Singapore to London’s Heathrow today. This was the plane’s first commercial European flight.
Up next? Godzilla goes to Tokyo (now that makes sense!).
Why do some call this Airbus A380, Godzilla?
Because it’s a monster of a plane, that’s why!
Keep reading, and I’ll explain (just click on “more”).

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Something new from Virgin (but then, isn’t there always?): Virgin Charter.
As one executive put it, it’s part Priceline, part eBAy, part Travelocity; and of course, it’s all Richard Branson.
Read about this intriguing new venture here; it just might put private planes within reach of some of the rest of us.

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I chose one of my favorite topics for my latest column on ABCNews.com: flying first class at coach prices. It must be a hot topic, because it hit the front page on ABCNews.com, and it was highlighted on the homepage of the ABCNews.com business and ABCNews.com travel sections.
I’m glad this topic is getting some [...]

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Remember the song, “Leaving on a Jet Plane”? It was a hit for Peter, Paul and Mary when it was released in 1969, and it’s a perfect anthem for the so-called Baby Boomers.
Why? Because boomers love to travel.
And that’s one of the few characteristics you can ascribe to this group of unique and adventuresome individuals [...]

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Starting today, I am a weekly columnist for ABCNews.com; you can see my first column by clicking here. It’s all about the potential merger between Delta and Northwest, and I explain how it may affect all of us financially, and in terms of the number of flights available to us, as well as the whole [...]

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