Category: Uncategorized

Certainly not coming to Las Vegas — since COVID landed, Vegas business is down as much as 80% from 2019 — and no sign of turning around.  To help stimulate visitor traffic, Casino’s are starting to bring back name entertainment — with the first BIG name to return — Its Magic — with David Copperfield — long time Vegas favorite.  More big names on the way— the TC suggests Vegas folks think about lowering entertainment show prices and — maybe even bring back post 9/11 room prices? And how about the airlines pitch in with low fares — instead of increasing fares which seems to be their “short sighted” means of stimulating travel?

Maybe — American is planning to put the “it’s safe-it’s not save to fly” 737 Max back into service some time in December — flying between Miami and New York — European aviation agencies have also given the plane the “green light” to start flying again by year end — not sure travelers on either side of the Atlantic are excited to be back in the air onboard the 737 Max — with most carriers pushing as many passengers as they can into the planes — most airlines feel fuel efficiency more important than traveler comfort!!!  The TC recommendations “some hesitation” on booking the 737 Max!!!

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!