The Travel Kitchen

Delta Airlines - Goin’ Straight to the Source

With its purchase of a Pennsylvania refinery from ConocoPhillips, Delta Airlines will become the first known airline to own, nay, MAKE(!) its own fuel.
Analysts remain outwardly cautious towards Delta’s attempt at curbing potentially runaway fuel costs. And we thought those ancillary fees for checked bags, premium seating, and the like weren’t going anywhere!
It remains to be seen whether Delta Airlines’ $150 million gamble will yield dividends but you gotta love’em for trying.

The Trainer, PA oil refinery.

Social media + seat map mash-up? KLM does…

Holland’s flag carrier KLM introduced its “Meet & Seat” program earlier this year allowing passengers to effectively see who is on their flight AND where they’re sitting utilizing their Facebook and LinkedIn profiles.

Its really quite simple:
>book your ticket
>share your booking via Facebook or LinkedIn
>see where other people are sitting
>VOILA! Meet & Seat!
This should take “business networking” to an entirely new level……the video says it all

The Next Wave - My carry on bag will cost me what??

To a flying public reluctantly dealing with the bitter taste of fees for checked bags, the news yesterday that a U.S. carrier would begin charging for CARRY ON bags should act as the perfect chaser!
Spirit Airlines became the first U.S. carrier to begin charging for carry on bags. The Miramar, FL based discount carrier announced yesterday they will charge $45 per bag at the gate while the cost would be $30 if passengers choose to pay in advance.

As a gesture of goodwill to members of Spirit’s frequent flier program, the cost is $20 per bag when paid in advance.
According to Spirit, these customer friendly moves will mean the carrier will be able to offer lower fares; says Spirit Chief Operating Officer Ken McKenzie, “Bring Less; pay less. It’s simple”.
These new fees will apply for tickets purchased on April 5 and onwards for travel beginning August 1.
No other U.S. carriers have followed Spirit’s trailblazing stance but we can all be certain they will be monitoring the public’s reaction.

The Kitchen’s Top 5 iPhone Travel Apps

iPhones - they’re everywhere! Steve Jobs modestly opined that his goal was to sell 8 million of these little hand held do-it-alls a year in 2008 and 2009. He was juuuuuust a bit off on his projection. 45 million (!) iPhone sales later, we are surrounded (and gladly so) by the organic explosion of iPhone applications.

From simple gaming applications like the venerable solitaire to more complex ones like Schlage LINK (that allow you to control light switches in your home when on the road) iPhone apps are inexorably a part of our ever day lives it seems.

Now this is no social commentary by any means, just a little backdrop for a ranking of iPhone apps that are making travel easier and more fun. So enough sermonizing and let’s get to it! Take a gander at the humble rankings below and gladly chime in with your favorites…

#5. Seat Guide. I couldn’t let a “Top 5” list escape without at least one seat guide and this one tops the list. With over 100 airlines and over 1,200 aircraft cataloged, you now have access to information on the best or more importantly the worst seats before making your seat choice on your next flight.

#4. Wikitude World Browser. Wikitude World Browser presents the user with real-time data about their surroundings, nearby landmarks and other points of interest by overlaying information on the screen of the iPhone. In English? How about: Point your iPhone’s camera in any direction and watch as Points-of-Interest begin displaying over the images your camera is focusing on. How cool is that?!

#3. Flight Update Pro Flight Update Pro allows you to enter any flight and track that flight’s status and location. With over 1,400 airlines in its data base, chances are the flight times, routing and gate information for the flight you need are there. Voted “..one of the best apps of 2009” by Apple. A favorite for travelers AND professionals alike.

#2. Flightcaster.“Not another flight-tracking app..” you cringe? Well ….this app PREDICTS flight delays! How you ask?? It’s pretty simple really … by deploying advanced algorithms that scour data on every domestic flight over the last 10 years and match it to real-time conditions. See? NOTE: I do NOT endorse the use of this product to create betting pools on flight delays..

And drumroll ……..

#1. Gate Guru. Ever find yourself wondering where to get a decent meal at an airport? Not sure if it’s before or after security? Not sure where to find a souvenir on a long layover? Well, with Gate Guru fret no more! This user friendly airport guide is the most comprehensive up-to-date-in-airport guide available. Like Yelp but for airports!