Looks that way — and early next year — Brits have approved space for the popular US carrier at London’s “once” over-crowded Heathrow — looks like service will be from US gateway Boston and New York’s JFK — with the Blue folks using new A321 aircraft — a blow to Boeing but nice mega aircraft order for Airbus … tally ho!!!
The popular U.S. based ride sharing service has FINALLY won approval to operate — actually continue operating — in Britain! A British judge approved the service calling them “a fit and proper” operator in one of the largest UBER markets outside the US. London’s popular “cabbie” group had opposed the service and called the ruling “appalling” … it’s an “Uber-iffic” day for Uber wouldn’t you agree?
Big business — NYC HELICOPTERS — is finding upscale folks who have moved from the city to the burbs around New York — are now doing their daily commute via executive chopper! NYC Helicopters did a flash sale and pre-sold 250 spots in just a few hours on their daily service — prices range from $295-$400 each way — with the average flight around 35 minutes for a 90 mile ride to the office. What a nice way to be off to the office — weather permitting!!!!
Yup — looks like lots of New York City residents are tired of the clutter around town, high taxes and less service — so they’re moving out — and heading south to Florida and west to Los Angeles — “round em up and head em out” as the folks on RAWHIDE would say!!!
Maybe — new travel industry forecasting says the US travel will be back to about 70% of pre-COVID travelers; with average pre-COVID plane loads at 104 passengers a flight, dropping to maybe 10 per flight during COVID’s darkest days — with the remainder of 2020 looking to run 58 passengers per flight. Low fares and some schedule increases, maybe to include some popular international destinations, might even bring average flight traffic higher — we’ll see??
The National Restaurant says that 43% of restaurants and food service outlets WILL NOT OPEN post COVID — that includes nearly 30% of all New York City dining and food operations. Total $$$$ loss to-date for the entire country is estimated at more $185 million dollars — and counting!!!
What to expect once we conquer the COVID with air travel? According one Travel Curmudgeon’s “reliably unreliable” sources the cost of air travel will double, airline seats – already way too close together – will get even closer making for even more uncomfortable travel, when full food and beverage services return expect big changes and maybe even extra onboard costs for anything to eat or drink, baggage fees are sure to increase, and fewer choices with international travel as many travel adventurers will opt to stay closer to home. As travel opens up — do it now before changes set in late 2021!!! I’m planning toooo!!!
Hot new travel and at home trend — GEOCACHING is a global scavenger hunt that that can be accomplished on your own or as part of a “global” group — all you need is a smartphone and you can be off tracking down hidden treasures and trinkets with 7 million other hunting participants — geocaching.com — the world’s largest treasure hunt!
First Class travel on all major US airlines is off more than 95% — meaning there’s always lots of First-Class empty seats on most flights to “ANYWHERE” … so why is it they go empty? Would be easy to offer “any traveler” the opportunity to purchase a FC-upgrade at check-in or at the gate — with a charge of $10-$100 depending the length of the flight. Would be easy to make them available with a special day of departure text to the airlines very frequent flyers or just about anyone with a mileage charge. Would seem like good customer service – would seem?
Only in a positive way — TAMPA AIRPORT will become the first US airport in the nation to offer all travelers —- in or out bound — the opportunity to COVID test — tests will be offered on a “walk in basis” with prices from $57 to $125 — could this be a trend making its way to more US airports?????? Maybe!!!!
