Space tourism moved one flight closer to reality Monday when Virgin Galactic took its maiden "captive carry" test flight over the California desert.
Virgin Galactic announced a passenger spaceship, the VSS Enterprise, took to the skies yesterday piggybacking off her proud mother ship, the VMS Eve.
The duo -- dubbed SpaceShipTwo -- reached an altitude of 45,000-feet during its two hour, 54-minute flight. In future tests, the pair will increase their height to 50,000-feet, where the spacecraft will blast off from under the wings of its carrier and into space.
The VSS Enterprise will shuttle six passengers and two pilots into space, where they will experience weightlessness while viewing the earth and stars from two large windows: one at the side of the plane and another overhead.
Virgin Galactic, part of billionaire business mogul Richard Branson's Virgin Group, said they expect the first passenger flight will be completed by 2011. The company claims to have already collected around $45-million in deposits from over 330 people willing to fork over $200,000 for the suborbital experience.
Private islands, tours of ancient ruins, riverboat rides down the Amazon -- it seems there's a shore excursion for every cruiser. Now, Norwegian Cruise Line is adding an outing that keeps brandy lovers in mind.
Starting this summer, NCL will offer an all-day "Cognac & Hennessy" shore excursion for cruisers sailing the French coast aboard the Prinsendam.
The outing includes a visit to the French city of Cognac, namesake of the world famous brandy. Cruisers will visit Hennessy, one of the foremost producers of Cognac, where they will walk through cellars while learning about the Cognac making process. Visitors will also get to sample some of the spirit, which the French refer to as "the healing drink."
The 7½ hour excursion departs from Bordeaux and includes transportation to Cognac, which is located two hours away. After the tour, travelers will eat lunch at a local restaurant before driving back to Bordeaux, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to return to the ship.
The jaunt will cost $154 for adults, and $119 for children.
The outing is only one of 55 new shore excursions NCL recently unveiled for its 2010 summer season. Other options include a nostalgic steam-hauled train ride across the Glenfinnan Viaduct in Scottland -- a span made famous in the Harry Potter film series -- and flightseeing safaris through the Chugach Mountain Range in Alaska in search of beluga whales.
After last February's warning, Carnival Cruise lines today implemented an across-the-board price increase for summer sailings.
Fares for every voyage between June 3rd and August 24th swelled up to 5 percent, depending on departure date.
The fare hike comes in the wake of bookings at "unprecedented levels" as the economy begins to recover. "We're seeing significantly increased volume as consumers are taking advantage of the incredible value that a Carnival cruise provides," said Carnival President and CEO Gerry Cahill in a February press release.
Carnival spokesman Tim Gallagher told USA Today the company has "been raising prices through traditional yield management techniques." For example, an outside cabin on a seven-night voyage on the Carnival Splendor out of Los Angeles on July 18 was priced at only $909 per person on February 24th. Last week, the price rose 5 percent to $959 per cabin, and today the price jumped another 3 percent to $989.
In February, industry watchdog Cruise Critic predicted cruise prices would be on the rise this "Wave Season" because new ships are propelling price increases and "people who skipped their big vacation in 2009 are getting ready to hit the road again."
Carnival's price increase is sure to have a ripple effect across the cruise industry. Earlier this month, Norwegian Cruise Line announced they will be raising cruise prices 7 percent on April 2nd. In a press release from March 8th, the cruise line confirmed they had seen group business bookings increase nearly twofold. The company has also seen a very strong interest in its new ship, the Norwegian Epic, as well as the line's Hawaii-based ship, the Price of America.
According to Cruise Critic, as fares increase across the cruise industry, deals are also drying up. However, cruises still offer a "great value vacation" that includes accommodations, entertainment, and all-you-can-eat food. "Ultimately, cruise lines are trying to find that balance where their business can be profitable, but as many people as possible will be able to afford to cruise."
After lying dormant for nearly 200 years, Iceland's Eyjafjallajökull volcano erupted over the weekend.Authorities declared a state of emergency, prompting the evacuation of around 500 people and the closure of the country's two main airports.
Shortly before midnight on March 20th, a one-kilometer (about 0.6 miles) fissure opened and the volcano spewed "red-hot molten lava high into the sky," according to UK's Times Online.
Due to the risk that volcanic ash could interfere with airplane visibility, three flights bound to Reykjavik from the United States were ordered to return to Boston and domestic flights were suspended, reported the BBC yesterday. Airport service has since resumed.
Watch a video of the Eyjafjallajökull Volcano erupting here:
The volcano sits near the Eyjafjallajökull glacier, just 75 miles southeast of the capital, Reykjavik. Many feared the volcano had erupted directly below the glacier, which could have caused "glacial melt, flooding and mudslides," according to The Times. The volcano spouted between Eyjafjallajökull and Myrdalsjoekull, a much larger glacier. Some fear the recent eruption will trigger a far worse rupture from Katla volcano, which sits beneath Myrdalsjoekull.
"That has to be on the table at the moment," said Dr. Dave McGarvie, senior lecturer at the Volcano Dynamics Group of the Open University to The Times. "Eyjafjallajökull has blown three times in the past thousand years
Think all-inclusives are the home of bad buffets and who-cares-my-tip-is-already-paid service?
Think again. These resorts are not only raising the bar on service and amenities, they're also lowering their prices. Restaurants are now helmed by award-winning chefs, activities offerings are expanding to include everything from kayaking to trapeze instruction, and accommodations have gone from cinderblock dorm-style to architectural masterpieces with lavish gardens and thoughtful interior flourishes.
Think all-inclusives are the home of bad buffets and who-cares-my-tip-is-already-paid service?
Think again. These resorts are not only raising the bar on service and amenities, they're also lowering their prices. Restaurants are now helmed by award-winning chefs, activities offerings are expanding to include everything from kayaking to trapeze instruction, and accommodations have gone from cinderblock dorm-style to architectural masterpieces with lavish gardens and thoughtful interior flourishes.
There's no lolling around for resort staffs, either: all-inclusives must now provide notable service to battle stiff competition from à la carte hotels and cruise ships (that other fixed-price vacation option). To stay in the game, they've created innovative spas; hired butlers, concierges, and sommeliers; begun providing professionally trained nannies and kids' club counselors; and started offering services like 24-hour room service, in-room candlelit dinners, and breakfast in bed.
Here are the best -- and most affordable -- options out there.
Why: Azul Beach Resort knows just how to appeal to first-time all-inclusive guests. The resort has just 97 guest rooms, each featuring a patio or balcony, in low-rise adobe buildings clustered along the water's edge. No activities director will rouse you from a beach bed to join a conga line (though a beach butler may ask if you'd like a cool towel or cold drink). The hotel has plenty of adult features -- a bar dedicated to tequila, live music in the bars, and menus with adventurous eaters in mind -- but also welcomes families with a daily kids' club and children's selections at its four restaurants.
The Dollars: From $207 per night, per person based on double occupancy during high season.
Why: The Club Med brand has slipped out of its '70s ooh-la-la orgiastic garb into something a little more family-friendly. Guests can practice yoga in a beachside palapa, lounge on a daybed next to the pool, sail, snorkel, or sea-kayak in the Pacific. The swinging hasn't ceased altogether, either: Intrepid guests can learn trapeze at the on-site circus school. Young visitors are kept giddily happy at Mini-Club Med (with its own pool, restaurant, sports programs, excursions, and an arts-and-crafts program designed by Crayola). A vacation here is a like visit to a swank, action-packed summer camp, with the added bonus of mojitos and comfy beds.
The Dollars: The resort is currently offering "Short Stay Specials", with rates as low as $111 per person, per night through the end of March. Kids stay free much of the year.
Who Should Go: Surfers, active couples, and families with older kids
Why: This glorious arc of Pacific beach has attracted surfers since the '60s, and when you see the ocean from this vantage point, you'll understand why. Getting in touch with nature here isn't a challenge: without any more effort than a stroll along the beach, or even across the grounds to the hotel pool, you can see howler monkeys, iguanas, raccoons, butterflies, hummingbirds, and parrots. A wild nightlife is another thing, though -- travelers in search of a lively scene should take the $5 cab ride to the nightspots of Tamarindo.
Why: While girls gone wild and their bachelor-party admirers whoop it up down in Cabo San Lucas, blissful romance prevails here. Popular for destination weddings (ceremonies are scheduled almost every day) and honeymoons, Dreams offers large suites with private terraces, three large pools, five restaurants, and lots of activities, as well as opportunities for leisurely inactivity. Special packages are available (for additional fees) if you want to play some of the big-name golf courses in the area or try deep-sea fishing.
Who Should Go: Couples looking for peace and quiet
Why: Guests at CocoBay know they're in the West Indies. The individual bungalows, painted in soft pastels, have tin roofs, gingerbread trim, and spectacular, unobstructed sunset views. The hotel has furnished the cottages (and the larger "plantation houses") with hard-carved beds and antiques, and decorated them with colorful local art. The mood at the resort is tranquil, informal, and unplugged: no phones or televisions -- and no kids under 12.
The Dollars: Doubles from $203 per room, per night.
Who Should Go: Couples looking for quiet and romance.
Why: Live like colonial gentry at Casa Velas, a small adults-only, all-suite boutique hotel in Puerto Vallarta. The attractive grounds -- manicured tropical gardens, koi ponds, a curvaceous swimming pool, inviting patios -- and attentive and discreet staff will have you convinced that you're staying at a five-star hotel. The oversized suites feature private plunge pools or outdoor jacuzzis. While Casa Velas is not on the beach, it maintains a private beach club with its own restaurant, lounge, infinity pool, and cabanas.
Why: The water's the thing in Aruba -- turquoise-tinted and so ridiculously clear you can inspect your pedicure when you're in it up to your chin. At Divi Aruba and its next-door sibling, Tamarijn, you'll spend most your time in that water. The two resorts share amenities: pools, a 30-foot climbing wall, bikes, tennis courts, a gym, children's camp, and access to a neighboring casino. Though families and honeymooners outnumber other guests, the vibe remains mellow and beach-focused, not frantic with kiddie activities or bass-thumping nightlife.
The Dollars: Doubles from $488 at Divi, and from $438 at Tamarijn. Up to two kids under 18 can stay and eat for free year-round at Tamarijn and for much of the year at Divi.
After criticism from environmentalists, Sammy, the whale shark held in captivity at the Atlantis hotel in Dubai has been released back into the wild.
According to international standards, the shark was held in the hotel aquarium illegally. The Atlantis acquired the shark after fishermen found it struggling to survive in shallow waters.Although the Atlantis did have the right to rescue the fish and help it recover, the hotel received no permit to keep the wild-caught animal. The hotel does have a permit to keep 20 dolphins caught in the wild.
The hotel announced it freed the 13-foot female shark into the Persian Gulf, but did not say exactly when it was released or provide any documentation. Several sources say the juvenile shark has been tagged for research purposes.
Gulf News takes credit for leading the campaign for Sammy's release nearly a year ago, creating badges, bumper stickers, a Facebook group, and even a jingle that demanded the whale shark's release.
Whale sharks, known for their flat head and checkerboard-patterned markings, are the largest fish in the world and are considered a threatened species. The species is listed in appendix two of the Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species, and is listed as "vulnerable" under the International Union for Conservation of Nature red list.
The enormous filter feeding sharks are seen as non-threatening to humans, surviving on plankton, krill, algae and other tiny ocean species that pass through their mouths that contain between 300 and 350 rows of tiny teeth.
Watch a whale shark feature from National Geographic below:
The $1.5 billion coral pink hotel has 1,539 rooms and is modeled after a resort that bares the same name in Nassau, Bahamas. It features an "Aquaventure" theme park that houses a 264,000 gallon tank and Dolphin Bay that is home to 65,000 marine animals.
The whale shark pictured above is one of four who live at the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta. Two died in captivity at the aquarium in 2007.
A string of steamy text messages were used as evidence in a court case that landed two Indian Emirates Airline crew members in jail.
A flight attendant, 42, and her male supervisor, 47, are facing three months in jail for "coercion to commit sin." The pair was originally sentenced to six months in prison to be followed by deportation, but an appeals court reduced the sentence after enough evidence to prove the couple was actually sexually involved could not be produced, AFP reported Dubai's daily newspaper the National as saying.
The report goes on to detail the steamy text messages were first revealed during the flight attendant's "bitter divorce battle" that began in 2007, after the attendant's husband accused his wife of an affair. Dubai's telecommunications company, Etisalat, was ordered by the court to supply the text messages.
The flight attendants sister, 25, was convicted for perjury after she told police she was the one having the affair and had sent the messages. Initially sentenced to three months with deportation, her deportation order was withdrawn on an appeal.
After the divorce was finalized, the husband gained custody of the couple's four-year-old son.
Under Emirati law, extramarital affairs are illegal. The cosmopolitan yet occasionally conservative city "allows a lenient lifestyle but can sporadically enforce traditional social codes," said the Associated Press yesterday.
This is not the first time foreigners have gone to court for breaking Dubai's conservative laws. Just this week, a British couple was sentenced to a month in jail for kissing in a restaurant.
Seems like these days travelers have no qualms about stuffing their luggage with a few souvenirs from their hotel room. And it's not just the towels: If it's not bolted down, it will walk. Scratch that: Even if it is bolted down, it will still walk. Hotel managers report seeing flat screen televisions and even large pieces of art leave the premises, freshly unscrewed from walls by determined guests. Not to mention door hinges, showerheads, and even luggage stands.So what's the big deal? It all adds up to $100 millions worth of items every year. While hotels don't expect you to clean them out, there are plenty of goodies you can take home guilt-free. Here is our list of what to take -- and what to leave behind lest you incur the wrath of a replacement charge.
Hotels Heists
There have been plenty of strange items liberated over the years. Here are some true tales, including confessions from some sticky-fingered travelers.
o.Emily McFarlane of San Jose recounts being pursued around The Fairmont in San Francisco after relieving the coat check sign of its initial letter "C." "We ran all over the hotel while being pursued by men in blazers shouting, "Madam, the 'c!' Give us the 'c!'"
o.A Geneva lawyer admits being caught by the receptionist of a Hamburg hotel having trouble pressing the elevator buttons while attempting to make off with "an entire display of apples in a rather large fruit bowl from the hotel lobby."
o."I was in a private suite for a party and after a few drinks I decided I couldn't part with the softness of the terrycloth robe," David Wallace of Toronto confesses. "I exited the hotel wearing the robe in full view of my hosts and hotel staff. The doorman merely smiled as he held the front door open for me."
o."Once a ping pong table by the pool went missing for three days," reports Nicola Amos of L.A.'s Chateau Marmont. "They finally found it in the back yard of Bungalow 3."
o."A huge piece of blown glass by Dale Chihuly was once stolen from a table in the lobby," laments Jenne Neptune of The Alexis in Seattle.
o.According to Bill Babis of 70 Park Avenue, the most outrageous things stolen from the chic hotel were the thermostats.
o."Somebody actually bothered to tear out Michigan, Illinois, Connecticut, and New York from a rather expensive and comprehensive driving atlas we had available for all guests to consult," says Richard Maloney from Rundles-Morris House in Stratford, Ontario.
o."I have seen both a bed from an exterior corridor hotel and a TV go missing!" says Mark Shouger, G.M. of Chicago's The Wit.
o.London's May Fair Hotel was once the victim of a catnapping when an ornamental cat went missing from the Amba Bar. "A brief investigation ensued and within 12 hours of leaving the hotel the guest received a telephone call," says Mara Begley. "Twenty-four hours later, the cat was returned by courier."
POCKET: PENS AND PENCILS
Stationery? That's all yours -- especially if it is branded with the hotel's name, website, and phone number. It's basically free publicity for the hotel every time you whip out their pen. They also really want you to send those postcards. The Alexis Hotel in Seattle even lets you paint your own as extra incentive to let those at home know that you wish they were there.
OUT OF POCKET: TOWELS AND LINENS
Towels are the number one item to make their way into travelers' luggage. Holiday Inn alone estimated that they lost 560,000 towels in one year -- and that's just one chain. Duvets, pillows, sheets, and pillowcases also disappear at an alarming rate. But seriously, how big must your suitcase be to fit an entire bed's worth of linens?
POCKET: THOSE CUTE LITTLE LOTIONS
Perfectly sized to meet the 3-ounce rule, these are yours for the taking whether you've opened them or not. Some hotels even go an extra step to make it easy to bring those toiletries home. Rundles Morris House in Stratford, Ontario, provides decorative plastic covers for packing their full-size bars of Roger & Gallet soap.
OUT OF POCKET: LAUNDRY BAGS
Who hasn't snagged the plastic laundry bag out of the closet to pack still-wet bathing suits or cushion a duty-free bottle of rum? That's fine, but if the hotel uses cloth or canvas bags, beware the charge. Some hotels now attach tags to them to warn travelers the price in case they go missing. Basically if the hotel can reuse it, they don't want you to take it.
POCKET: STRESS BALLS AND SNACKS
Forget pillow mints. Chicago's Wit Hotel leaves mini Rubik's cubes, light bulb-shaped stress balls, or old school paddle ball games at turndown, and you should feel no guilt taking them to play with on the plane ride home. And a welcome basket of treats is usually fair game if it comes with a note from the staff. Still scared that in-room gift will lead to a surprise on the final bill? When in doubt, call the front desk and check before popping the cork.
OUT OF POCKET: DOCKS AND CLOCKS
It's safe to assume that the room's iHome sounds system should not be checking out with you. "The most outrageous thing to disappear from one of our rooms was a stereo," says Michael Green of Palm Spring's Triangle Inn. "And because it was in a closed cabinet we did not realize it immediately." Linda Chin, G.M. of Boston's Onyx Hotel, takes a Zen approach. "You can take anything you want from the room," she says, "but we'll charge your credit card for replacement."
POCKET: ROBES AND UMBRELLAS
It can be confusing, but while most hotels automatically bill you if the robe goes missing, some of the most luxurious hotels won't charge for the robe, slippers, or even that laundry bag if you decide to slip them in your suitcase (they prefer keeping your business rather than trifling over a hundred dollars). New York's Hotel Gansevoort even includes items such as monogrammed robes, branded eco-totes, books, and bottles of premium liquor as part of packages. But you better really want that robe, since those "complimentary" extras come at a price: Package rates are often twice as much as regular room rates.
OUT OF POCKET: BATTERIES AND LIGHT BULBS
So you're headed out for a day of sightseeing and realize that the AAs in your camera are dying. Which is just the kind in the back of the remote
After a recent string of drug-related violence, students have been warned to be cautious in their travel plans to Mexico this spring break season
In late February, the State Department issued a travel alert advising avoidance of certain parts of the country. The advisory was elevated to a warning on Sunday, March 14th-one day after three people with ties to the U.S. Consulate were gunned down by suspected drug gangsters.
Since the warning was issued, universities and local governments have been cautioning students to avoid the most violent regions, which include most border towns. According to the State Department, cities that should be avoided include Ciudad Juarez, Tijuana, Chihuahua City, Nogales, Matamoros, Reynosa and Monterrey, according to the State Department.
"A number of areas along the border continue to experience a rapid growth in crime," reads the warning from the State Department. The statement goes on to cite an increase in robberies and homicides across all of Mexico, and public shootouts during daylight hours in Ciudad Juarez, Tijuana and Nogales. Additionally, travelers on highways have been targeted for robbery and violence-situations "more likely to occur at night but may occur at any time."
Earlier this month, the Texas Department of Public Safety warned college students to avoid crossing the border into Mexico during spring break. "Parents should not allow their children to visit these Mexican cities because their safety cannot be guaranteed," said Director Steven C. McCraw, according a report by the Wall Street Journal released today.
The Journal goes on to cite several universities that have alerted or plan to alert students about the State Department's warning, including Northwestern University; Arizona University in Flagstaff; University of California, Los Angeles; University of Wisconsin-Madison; and University of California, Riverside.
Well-known spring break party zones and resorts are easing travelers concerns by increasing security. After at least 17 drug-related killings occurred last weekend in Acapulco, MTV is heightening security for the television network's Spring Break 2010 event, according to the Journal. Additionally, police are flooding the tourist strip in the area and stationing themselves along the beach, according to a report run yesterday by MSNBC.
Acapulco has seen smaller-than-normal crowds this year, with tour operators predicting the number of college students to drop 30 percent this year to 17,500, according to a report released today by Business Week. "The economic crisis is still hurting us a little bit, and we've been affected by so much news about violence in Mexico," said Piquis Rochin, director of international promotions for Acapulco's tourism marketing agency.
According to Business Week, tourism is the third largest source of dollar inflows for Mexico, after oil and remittances. International tourism began to fall for the first time in a decade last year, losing around $2 billion amid the swine flu scare and a weakened economy.
Christina Ferraro, event organizer for travel service StudentCity, told Business Week the U.S. unemployment rate of 9.7 percent could be more of a factor for the drop in visitors than drug violence. "The war is not with tourists or Americans," said Ferraro.
The State Department is encouraging those who travel to Mexico to stay close to tourist areas, leave a travel itinerary with a friend or family member back home, avoid traveling alone, ensure their cellular phone will work on an international network prior to departure, and avoid carrying large amounts of cash or expensive-looking jewelry.
Great Stirrup Cay, Norwegian Cruise Line's private island in the Bahamas, will soon receive its first comprehensive makeover in more than two decades.
The line announced the renovations yesterday at the annual Seatrade Cruise Shipping Miami convention, noting that they would spend $20 million to overhaul the 250-acre island.
Renovations will be done in a two-part process, and are expected to be completed by the end of 2011. Over the course of 22 months, the island will receive an expanded beach front, new restaurants, private beach side cabanas, and a new play area for children.
"We have one of the best private islands, particularly for swimming and snorkeling," NCL's chief executive officer, Kevin Sheehan, said in a press release. "With these improvements, we can provide an even more enjoyable island experience for the more than 9,000 guests who visit Great Stirrup Cay weekly during the height of the season."
Improvements are already underway, with the island's entrance currently being excavated to create a new passage for ships, complete with marina basin and a welcome pavilion.
New island activities and shore excursions will also be added during the renovations. Visitors will be able to splash at a floating aqua park, get up close and personal with stingrays, and even take kayak tours on man-made rivers that stretch throughout the island.
When was the last time you listened to the true sounds of silence? Not the absence of all noise, but the tune of Mother Nature in her purest commune with the earth? If you think that all sounds a bit hippy dippy, think again. In modern life we are constantly assaulted by unnatural noises and according to Gordon Hempton, who is known as the Sound Tracker for his efforts to record and preserve natural sounds, we are losing the ability to listen to nature.
Hempton's gold standard for a noise-free environment is a period of 15 minutes or longer between intrusions and transportation. In particular, the spaces avoid overflights by commercial aircraft, the number one noise polluter according to Hempton. "Modern life is a barrage of intrusions," he says, "and listening is essential for maintaining a sense of place in our lives." Scroll below to see (and hear!) Hempton's picks for the 10 most inspiring places to listen to silence in America. You'll never guess which park he calls the country's "last great quiet place."
10. Everglades National Park, Florida
Home to alligators, panthers, black bears and an extremely rich collection of birds, Everglades National Park offers incredible wildlife viewing opportunities for even the most casual day-tripper. The chorus that rises from the park's dense population of frogs, toads and bellowing alligators makes for an impressive acoustical backdrop to the spectacle of the River of Grass (also listen for songbirds, such as the eastern meadowlark).
SILENCE UNDER SIEGE: Air traffic from Miami and Fort Lauderdale, South Florida's busiest airports, is a major intrusion. Road noise is another problem in the park, but boat babble is particularly bothersome as sound carries further over water than land.
LISTEN:
9. Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina/Tennessee
The beautiful melodies of small birds, including the winter wren and the wood thrush, are among the most magical listening experiences at Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The park's hardwood forests and temperate zones are extremely bio diverse, and waterfalls create a soothing soundtrack for wildlife viewing as well.
SILENCE UNDER SIEGE: The park's proximity to major population centers in surrounding North Carolina and Tennessee make true silence extremely elusive. Near continual noise from commercial jets during daylight hours and the sound of traffic from nearby roads pulse through much of the park.
LISTEN:
8. Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park and Haleakala National Park, Hawaii
Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park and Haleakala National Park host volcanic craters in high-elevation landscapes-settings far removed from unnatural noise. These hiker-accessible areas are among the most silent terrestrial places on the planet, with extremely low decibel readings. Natural sounds to listen for include the call of the nēnē (a goose that is the state bird oh Hawai'i) and rare native birds in the fern forests as well as the sound of Pacific Ocean swells pounding cliffs made of igneous rock.
SILENCE UNDER SIEGE: Jetliner traffic is frequent over Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, but an increasing number of helicopter tours are a more omnipresent threat to the silence.
LISTEN:
7. Cape Cod National Seashore, Massachusetts
The layered sand dunes and broad expanses of sandy beach that define Cape Cod National Seashore make it one of the best places on the East Coast to hear the sound of surf on sand--an acoustic effect that's very different from the sound of waves over pebbled shore. Hempton also suggests walking back from the water's edge into the dunes and listening to the wind blowing through the dune grass and the sound of the crickets as the ocean beats away.
SILENCE UNDER SIEGE: The dunes provide good insulation against road noise, but commercial flights occasionally intrude on the silence.
LISTEN:
6. Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota
Named for the traders that paddled their birch bark canoes through the region on their journeys north to Canada, Voyageurs National Park is a glacier-carved lake scape that's still best explored by boat. Sounds to listen for include the eerie yodels of loons and the howling of wolves. "They're two entirely different voices, both of them calling cards for true wilderness in the lake region," Hempton says.
SILENCE UNDER SIEGE: The natural silence that largely pervades in Voyageurs National Park is sometimes interrupted by commercial aircraft.
LISTEN:
5. Yosemite National Park, California
The diverse music the wind makes as it blows through different trees in Yosemite National Park was first described by naturalist John Muir in the 19th century. Muir was able to navigate the valley at night simply by calculating the changing sounds the wind made as the elevation and tree species changed--the longer the needle of a pine tree, the lower the pitch. Other sounds to still listen for today include the song of the ouzel. This small bird dives into frigid streams to pluck insects from rocks. Hempton describes the ouzel's song as "a perfect Arabesque of melody." The park's myriad waterfalls also sing their own unique tunes.
SILENCE UNDER SIEGE: Noise from Yosemite Village, including dumpster service in the early hours and tourist traffic, intrude on the park's natural silence. Here, too, commercial aircraft routed by the FAA over the park are a regular noise interruption, even in the park's back country.
LISTEN:
4. Canyonlands National Park, Utah
Mesas, canyons and buttes sculpted by climactic effects and the Colorado River have created a unique acoustical environment at Canyonlands National Park. Listen for the wind sighing through the sculpted earth here. The semi-parabolic ancient cliff dwellings of the Anasazi Indians in the park also serve to collect and amplify the sounds of the valleys they face. Also listen for the sounds of songbirds, including the canyon wren and Bewick's wren. The latter is best heard in the quiet of early morning from a listening perch in the flats below the canyon wall-position yourself as close to the wall as possible to hear a lovely reverberation of the birdsong, says Hempton. He has found that Canyonlands offers a far better listening experience than Grand Canyon National Park, where the silence is continually invaded by as many as 90,000 annual sight-seeing air tours that come from as far away as Las Vegas.
SILENCE UNDER SIEGE: Commercial aircraft routed over the park produce a sound that is deafening, particular in the late night and early morning hours when it contrasts starkly with the profound silence.
LISTEN:
3. Organ Pipes Cactus National Monument, Arizona
Organ Pipes Cactus National Monument in the remote Sonoran Desert is home to 26 species of cacti, as well as many unique creatures that have adapted to the harsh heat and parched conditions. The listening lure here is the delicate sound the wind makes as it blows through cactus needles. Dawn is the best time to hear the cactus wind, which Hempton says creates "such a beautiful and delicate humming sound." Spring is the prettiest time to visit, with migrating songbirds on their journeys north and desert wild flowers in bloom.
SILENCE UNDER SIEGE: This park is one of the most ideal places in the US to appreciate the uninterrupted sound of nature, though that silence can be broken by air traffic.
LISTEN:
2. Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming/Montana/Idaho
The churning, bubbling and popping sounds resulting from geothermal activity at Yellowstone National Park make it a prime place to revere natural silence. The music of mineral springs and natural geysers erupting from the earth is best appreciated at night, says Hempton, who calls the experience a "fountain of sounds, with each spring spouting a different tune."
SILENCE UNDER SIEGE: Sizeable periods of quiet can be enjoyed here, but snowmobiles, air tours and commercial air traffic are reliable intrusions.
LISTEN:
1. Olympic National Park, Washington
Hempton gives Olympic National Park the seat of honor for America's finest place to enjoy the natural sounds of silence. And he's working to keep it that way. His non-profit organization, One Square Inch, is devoted to passing legislation that would designate the park a no-flight zone for civilian aircraft. The one-million-acre park is the Northern Hemisphere's best example of a temperate rainforest. Some of the planet's tallest Douglas fir and cedar trees tower over 300 feet here, "[creating] a beautiful acoustic structure similar to our finest cathedrals," says Hempton. Other sounds to listen for include the bugling echoes of Roosevelt elk and the call of the winter wren. Accordign to Hempton, one of the most incredible listening experiences a visitor can experience comes by sticking your head inside one of the huge Sitka spruce logs that wash ashore at the park. "The acoustic energy of the surf pounding on pebbled shore is enough to excite wood fibers inside nature's largest violin," he says.
SILENCE UNDER SIEGE: While Olympic National Park is the least noise-polluted park in the nation, the FAA has designated commercial jet routes over the park, according to Hempton. Still, natural quiet periods between overflight intrusions commonly approach an hour or longer.
If you associate cruise ship interiors with tacky design, you'll be glad to know the industry is working hard to lose its reputation for turquoise bedspreads, frosted glass, and abundant brass fixtures. Mega cruise ships such as the Oceania Marina, launching later this year with stylish decor by designer Ralph Lauren, and the largest passenger vessel in the world, the Oasis of the Seas, with its massive glass-domed atrium, prove it's possible to be big and beautiful.
If you associate cruise ship interiors with tacky design, you'll be glad to know the industry is working hard to lose its reputation for turquoise bedspreads, frosted glass, and abundant brass fixtures. Mega cruise ships such as the Oceania Marina, launching later this year with stylish decor by designer Ralph Lauren, and the largest passenger vessel in the world, the Oasis of the Seas, with its massive glass-domed atrium, prove it's possible to be big and beautiful. Smaller ships can offer more boutique-style elegance -- the recently renovated Road To Mandalay, an 82-passenger cruiser, features teak carvings and silkscreen pillows in muted shades, while M/V Aqua, a 24-passenger ship that sails the Amazon, has 12 lavish suites, enormous picture windows and curated nature photography. "It used to be that the interiors made you seasick," says Valerie D'elia, NY1's travel commentator and veteran of 80 cruises. "What's happening now is that ships are becoming more like resort destinations. They are no longer simply a means of transportation from point A to point B." And if that means nixing the Love Boat gaudiness of old, we're all for it.
If you're not familiar with Rudyard Kipling's poem Mandalay (and it's repeated refrain 'On the road to Mandalay'), the name of this luxury cruiser might seem a bit of a misnomer, considering it follows Myanmar's winding Irrawaddy River. What is unmistakable, however, is that its beautiful interiors play up the golden age of exploration. The vessel's 45 newly refurbished cabins, designed by French Laotian Architecture Firm Ateliers de la Péninsule, are filled with Burmese jade wall tiles, custom lacquerware, teak carvings, and steamer style furniture upholstered in Jim Thompson silks. Huge picture windows allow passengers to admire the ancient UNESCO monasteries and ornate pagodas passing by, while flat screen TVs, an exercise room, piano bar, pool, and a recently added teak deck strewn with cane furniture are touches of modern comfort. And if you're inspired by Road to Mandalay's décor, it's possible to pick up some collectables on excursions to regional markets, temples and villages.
It may be the world's largest cruise ship, but the Oasis of the Seas could also be considered the West Indies' newest island; with space for 5,400 passengers and 2,791 staff, it's big enough to house the entire population of St. Barts. At the ship's core is a 27,000 square foot atrium called Central Park -- an impressive design feature under a crystal canopy and sculptured glass domes festooned with 12,000 plants including butterfly lilies and jasmine, not to mention edible species like cocoa trees and dwarf bananas. While the ship's 28 tasteful blue and green loft suites have modern chaise lounges and sofas, it's the public areas that really impress, with stand out attractions including a Coney Island-style boardwalk and a handmade carousel. If you're looking for other launches on a grand scale, Oasis of the Seas' equally gigantic sister ship, the Allure of the Seas makes her debut in November 2010.
Style hasn't been sacrificed for adventure on the M/V Aqua's Amazon cruise ship in Peru. This decor-forward vessel features 12 airy suites (starting at 230 square feet) designed by Peru's top architect/designer Jordi Puig and decorated with photographs of local nature by French photographer Jean Claude Constant. The ship's modern, wood-paneled exterior is just as striking as the contemporary décor inside. Cabins have been done out in light tropical woods and dark stone materials accented by red club chairs, California King sized beds topped with 280 thread-count Peruvian sheets, and bathrooms separated from the main suite by Brazilian slate walls. But it's the cabins' floor-to-ceiling windows that have the big wow factor, offering passengers sublime views of the Pacaya Samiria Reserve and wildlife, including pink dolphins and red macaws.
Launched in 2009, the Amirat is modeled on a Dahabeya -- the long double sail ships originally designed in the early 20th century to transport royal families down the Nile. Today, it cruises in serious Nile style and features six cabins and two spacious suites. Décor includes netted beds, parquet floors, copper sinks, warm amber wall sconces, chairs made of rope and other nautical touches that were dropped from cruise interiors during the 1960s jet age. The open-air whirlpool tub and plasma TVs are reminders that you're in the 21st century. A wooden rooftop sundeck with cream colored tents and day beds and a partially shaded lounge serve as elegant common areas to kick back in when you're not on excursions to Egyptian temples, ruins, and tombs.
"My, she was yar." You'll want to quote Katherine Hepburn from Philadelphia Story when you hop aboard the Sea Cloud, a vintage 32-cabin, 30-sail yacht full of over-the-top opulence (oh, and 'yar' means easy to handle). This dazzling, four-masted barque was originally commissioned by Wall Street mogul E. F. Hutton in 1931, while his wife Marjorie Merriweather Post was brought on board to design the interiors. The current cabins have been refurbished in the same vein, with Louis XIV-style beds, gleaming Carrara marble baths, antique fireplaces, bidets, walk-in closets, and golden showerheads. Dinner is served in an elegant dining room marked by exposed beams, beveled windows, rich wood paneling, chandeliers, and paintings of other 'yar' ships. The MS Sea Cloud sails in the Caribbean in the winter and the Mediterranean the rest of the year.
When you opt for a cultural cruise between Luxor and Aswan, it seems only fitting that your surroundings should be up to par. The Oberoi's Zahra has been custom made for the job, with timber floors, large windows, and luxurious modern furnishings that take it to the top of the design class. Cabins on this 54-passenger ship come in sophisticated muted beiges and light earth tones, paired with dark wooden chairs and desks and angular wicker loungers. Deep tubs in the mosaic-tiled bathrooms are an extra few vessels of this size offer. In the public spaces there are outdoor wooden hot tubs, a compact pool, and a subdued holistic spa with four spa suites and steam showers. In keeping with the laidback surroundings, Oberoi times its excursions so they don't overlap with other tour groups, and there's a fleet of Mercedes onshore waiting to chauffeur guests off the beaten track.
Greece and Turkey
br/>This sturdy Gulet -- a two-masted vessel from Turkey -- sports four sails and five staterooms and is the perfect option for those looking to sail the Aegean Sea in traditional style. Each cabin features wall-to-wall wood paneling and en suite bathrooms with hydro massage showers (book the stateroom with ensuite Jacuzzi). As well as an inner saloon, the beautiful teak deck is ideal for dining under the stars and relaxing after hard-core excursions, such as walking the dramatic Turquoise Coast in southwest Turkey. But be warned, while there are plenty of lounging spots on the Queen of Karia, Butterfield + Robinson Cruises are designed for active types rather than those seeking a laidback getaway.
The streamlined aesthetic of M/S Le Boreal is a striking example of just how sharp your transport can be these days. Its 132 staterooms and spacious suites, created by French designers Compagnie du Ponant, are done out in various shades of gray and white, with sparing use of orange accents. Together, the monochromatic leather furniture, marble baths and flat screen TVs create a sanctuary as hip as any design hotel room. Though many ships in Tauck's fleet stand out for their sheer good looks, Le Boreal, poised to launch in May 2010, is the most tasteful of the bunch -- the piano lounge with white pedestal chairs and swimming pool linked to the upper decks by a spiral staircase, have a distinct retro feel. Initial sailings will be around Europe to locations like Reykjavik in Iceland, as well as more mainstream spots such as Venice in Italy; undoubtedly, the perfect way to arrive Bond style.
Oceania's 1,258-passenger Marina, launching late 2010, looks likely to be one of the most impressive design-oriented cruise ships to hit the high seas. The 2,500 square feet Ralph Lauren furnished Owners Suites with pianos, zebra patterned chairs, and vaulted ceilings will undoubtedly become the most coveted cabins. However, the other 629 rooms are nothing to sniff at, with ivory wainscoting, Bel Air beds in dark mahogany, accented with blue mohair and polished nickel, caramel leather Clivedon chairs and fancy chandeliers. An ornate Lalique grand stairway is the first of its kind aboard a cruise ship, while a Canyon Ranch Spa, culinary arts center, and leather chairs and wool carpets in the public areas promise a much needed break from tasteless squiggly lines and patterned rugs still found on too many ships.
Virgin America announced new daily service to Orlando and the intent to fly daily to Toronto this summer from both San Francisco and Los Angeles.
In a press release issued today, the airline also announced the addition of six planes to its fleet this year, with three scheduled to debut in the beginning of 2011 -- expanding the airline's roster by almost one-third.
"Both cities are major travel destinations from the West Coast, and we're looking forward to introducing our service to travelers in these and other new markets in 2010 and beyond," said Virgin America President and CEO David Cush.
Steve Gardner, Executive Director of Orlando International Airport said he was pleased that Virgin America chose Orlando.
"The nonstop service to and from Los Angeles and San Francisco will offer new options and low fares," Gardner said in the press release.
Nonstop daily flights to Orlando will begin August 19th. Fares from Los Angeles to Orlando will start at $149, while flights from San Francisco to Orlando will begin at $199. Tickets are available on Virgin America's website, www.virginamerica.com or by phone at 1-877-FLY-VIRGIN (1-877-359-8474). The airline charges $25 for each checked bag.
Service to Toronto is scheduled to begin as early as June 2010, pending the approval of the airline's application with the U.S. Department of Transportation, which seeks authority to fly from the United States to Canada. This will be the first international destination for the airline, who plans to offer one daily flight and one daily through flight to Toronto from both Los Angeles and San Francisco.
Virgin America also announced they're planning for "at least three more new destinations in 2010." The airline, launched in 2007, was voted "Best Domestic Airline" in Conde Nast Traveler's Readers' Choice Awards and Travel + Leisure's World's Best Awards.
Currently, Virgin America operates 28 Airbus A320s that shuttle passengers up and down the West Coast, to Las Vegas, and to four cities along the East Coast -- Boston, Washington DC, New York, and Fort Lauderdale.
The airline differentiates itself by featuring mood lighting, wide seats, and personal in-flight entertainment on customizable seatback touch-screen monitors. Next Wednesday, Fly Girls, a reality TV show chronicling the lives of five Virgin America flight attendants will debut on the CW network at 9:30 p.m. EST. Notoriously adventurous business mogul Richard Branson's Virgin Group is a minority share investor in the airline.
Kansas, Wisconsin, and Montana topped the list of states with the best roads in the country. The findings are based on bridge conditions, amount of congestion, and fatality rate data gathered from the Federal Highway Administration.
Aside from ranking among the best, Montana also topped the deadliest roads list, which is compiled by measuring fatalities per 100 million miles driven. The list cites drunk drivers, reckless drivers, and lack of seat belt use as factors that make a road deadly. Louisiana and South Carolina followed the "Treasure State," ranking second and third on the deadliest roads list.
The lists are further broken down, with Montana, South Carolina, and Louisiana taking the top three spots for the "Top 10 Deadliest for DUI" list, and Alabama, Mississippi, and South Carolina ranking high on the "Top 10 Deadliest for Speeding" list.
California's Interstate 15, spanning from Barstow to the Nevada state line, was ranked as one of the worst roads in the country.
"You've got a lot of cross-country drivers who don't know where they're going mixing in with truck drivers and commuters who are in a hurry. It literally took my friends 13 hours to make the five-hour drive from Vegas on this road," Ginger Chan, a traffic reporter at KTLA-TV in Los Angeles told Reader's Digest regarding the California Interstate.
Other treacherous stretches include Sunset Boulevard (between Hollywood and Beverly Hills), and almost every road in Pennsylvania.
Those looking to be easy riders should head to Kansas' I-70, ranked as America's best road. I-70 can thank flat, smooth roads, as well as breathtaking sunsets, for their lofty position.
Another path made more pleasurable by the scenery is I-40, which spans New Mexico and California.
"The sunsets out there are amazing," Matt Boose, a trucker from Kansas, told the publication. "Every color you could ever think of in the sky. It's not just the western sky lit up like in Kansas. It's the whole damn sky."
Starwood Hotels & Resorts is offering up spring break savings with 25 percent off most hotels for a limited time only.
The sale covers numerous hotel chains owned by Starwood, including Sheraton, Westin, W Hotels, Aloft, and St. Regis.
Rooms must be booked by March 30th for stays between March 18th and May 31st, making the deal perfect for those looking for a last-minute spring getaway.
The sale includes far-flung locales, like Paris and Tokyo, as well as hundreds of domestic destinations that range from ski resorts in Colorado to rooms in downtown New York City. Those looking for beach-side savings in the Caribbean can book accommodations in Aruba or the Bahamas.
The limited time offer is available only on Thursday-Saturday stays for most locations, however some resorts have no arrival day requirement. The sale is valid for a maximum of seven nights.
For more details on room rates and how to book, visit Starwood's website, or call 866-924-8704 and reference promo code # 383511.
Branson, Missouri has long lured theater-adoring and country-music-loving travelers to the Ozarks. Soon, the city will take matters into its own hands and fly tourists to town on its own air service.
Branson AirExpress, a new charter service, is scheduled to stretch its wings on May 17th for a three-month trial. The airline will fly to-and-from Austin, Texas; Des Moines, Iowa; Shreveport, Louisiana; Houston, Texas; and Terre Haute, Indiana.
The new airline is operated by the same group that runs the Branson Airport, the first privately built commercial airport in the United States. The airport, which operates without using taxpayer's money, opened less than a year ago with the goal of bringing vacation dollars to Branson.
"This is a pretty exciting development," said Jeff Bourk, executive director of Branson Airport and president of Branson AirExpress to USA Today on March 10th. "We are out there to bring people here."
AirTran Airways currently operates flights out of the airport to Atlanta and Orlando, and Frontier Airlines (operated by Republic Airlines) will begin servicing Denver on April 19th.
According to USA Today, private investors funneled $155 million into the airport after being impressed with the "roughly 8 million visitors who drove or were bused to Branson in recent years." The airport hopes to get $8.24 from the city of Branson for every visitor who comes through its doors.
Branson AirExpress is contracted with regional carrier ExpressJet of Houston, who will offer "50-seat Embraer jets, crews, maintenance and insurance," said USA Today. The airport will handle booking, ticketing, and ground services.
Branson is well known for housing over 40 live music theaters, including Dick Clark's American Bandstand Theater. The city also boasts a host of music and culture museums, such as the Roy Rogers-Dale Evans Museum, the Ripley's Believe It or Not! Museum, Hollywood Wax Museum, and the Titanic Museum, the world's largest museum dedicated to the ship. Other attractions include two water parks and 12 championship golf courses.
To kick off the service, Branson AirExpress will offer one-way fares for as low as $49, plus taxes and fees. A $15 checked baggage fee will apply for the first bag, and $25 for the second. To book, visit the Branson AirExpress website, or call 1-888-FLY-BKG1.
The same plane that left 15 people ill in January has once again sent passengers and crew to the hospital. This time, two passengers and seven crew members were hospitalized Tuesday with symptoms similar to those exposed to toxic fumes.
US Airways flight 985 was taxiing at the Charlotte/Douglas International airport when a foul, electrical smell infiltrated the cabin. The plane, scheduled to depart for Jamaica at 9:35 a.m., returned back to the gate.
Paramedics were called to the scene, and two pilots, five flight attendants and two passengers sought medical attention. "Some people had respiratory problems and eye irritation," said paramedic Bob Francis to NewsChannel 36, a local station in Charlotte. All but one of the nine people had been released from the hospital by 5:30 p.m. Tuesday.
US Airways spokeswoman Michelle Mohr said a HAZMAT team did not find any air contamination. The remaining passengers were sent to Jamaica on a different plane with a new crew later that day.
This is the fourth time the same plane, a Boeing 767 with the tail number 251, has been grounded for similar issues. In January, eight passengers and seven crew members sought medical attention for headaches and nausea caused by exposure to a foul odor, which was later identified as an engine oil leak. Maintenance records maintained by NewsChannel 36 show the same plane was also grounded on December 28th and 30th, 2009 due to similar complaints. According to the news source, US Airways said those incidents "were later traced back to a leak of the hydraulic fluid Skydrol in the engine."
Concerns over the plane's history have been expressed by both the USAPA and the Association of Flight Attendants. In a letter to US Airways from February, union representatives demanded better filtration systems be installed on the aircraft, as well as the use of less toxic engine oil. "It is unacceptable to expose crew members and passengers to these toxins, and it is also unacceptable to deny associated workers' compensation claims and keep passengers in the dark," read the letter, according to NewsChannel 36.
The Federal Aviation Administration is looking into these incidents.
Last year, air travel numbers in the U.S. dropped to new lows. Out of the 50 largest U.S. airports, only four showed growth in passenger traffic, according to statistics from the Department of Transportation.
Nearly 704 million passengers flew on U.S. airlines last year, a 5.3 percent drop from 2008. The number of flights also dipped 6.6 percent from the previous year.
Of the top 50 airports, Cincinnati faced the worse traffic decrease, due in large part to Delta cutting service last year. Just this morning, the carrier announced they would be consolidating flight operations further, resulting in 800 lost jobs at the airport, according to local news station WCPO.
In the top 20 airports, only San Francisco International saw an increase in traffic last year. USA Today reported today that the increase from 15.8 million in 2008 to 16 million in 2009 was due to low cost carriers expanding service at the airport, as well as United Airlines adding more flights.
Other airports reporting growth were Baltimore/Washington, Chicago Midway, and Milwaukee-all airports that house competing low-cost carriers.
Detroit Metro was the only international airport that saw a double-digit decline, at 10.1 percent. Additionally, Las Vegas saw a decrease of 7.8 percent, and traffic at Chicago O'Hare fell 7.4 percent.
In its annual forecast, the Federal Aviation Administration predicted air travel will begin rebounding in 2010 and grow slowly over the next two decades. The FAA predicts a 0.5 percent increase in air traffic in 2010, and an average growth of 2.5 percent per year until 2030. The agency also predicted relatively small increases in airfare over the next two decades, but warned more flights will likely crowd busy airports-operations at the 35 busiest U.S. airports are expected to increase 60 percent by 2030.
Still, February storms along the East Coast halted early recovery for airlines in 2010. The Wall Street Journal reported on March 5th that Southwest lost $15 million in passenger revenue due to flight cancellations, and U.S. Airways lost $30 million. Luckily, both airlines still saw an increase in traffic in February over the same time last year.
Shanghai's Hongqiao Airport opened a new terminal today as part of a major overhaul intended to ready the city for the Expo 2010, a 6-month event in the tradition of world fairs that will kick off on May 1st.
The renovated terminal -- which spans four levels, making it four times larger than the old facility -- welcomed its first flight early Tuesday morning, according to a report by the Agence France-Presse.
Hongqiao received 2.2 billion dollars of government money to prepare itself for the coming World Expo. Over 70 million visitors are predicted to attend the 6-month event, with a majority of the visitors expected to visit from within China.
While Pudong Airport is Shanghai's main airport for international flights, Hongqiao caters largely to domestic flights. Previously the airport could handle only 9.6 million passengers a year, and struggled to accommodate 25 million visitors in 2009. Thanks to the new expanded terminal, the airport expects to service 40 million passengers each year by 2015, with 75% of visitors passing through the new expanded space.
"An airport with the size of a world-class hub has taken shape, which will provide a high-quality aviation service for the World Expo," an airport representative said in an official statement.
The airport also welcomed a direct metro line today, linking the facility to Shanghai's city-center, which lies 35 minutes west, according to the AFP. Trains from Nanjing are expected to start arriving at the airport beginning July 1st, and trains from Beijing are scheduled to begin service next year.
Hongqiao is also expecting a second runway, another project resulting from the approximately 58 billion dollars invested in readying the country for the Expo, which has a theme of "Better City, Better Life." Nearly three-quarters of that money has been invested in expanding the city's subway system, according to the AFP.
Last Friday, the Federal Aviation Administration proposed $787,500 in maintenance violation fines against American Airlines.
According to an FAA press release from March 12th, the fines stem from a series of three penalties that began two years ago and affected 13 passenger flights.
The FAA is proposing a huge civil penalty of $625,000 for a single case that occurred in April 2008. In this incident, the FAA is alleging that American Airlines mechanics diagnosed a problem with a Central Air Data Computer, improperly deferred the maintenance, and then flew the McDonnell Douglas MD-82 jetliner on 10 passenger flights before replacing the computer.
In the second case from March 2008, the FAA found American Airlines "failed to correctly follow an Airworthiness Directive involving the inspection of rudder components on a certain Boeing 757 aircraft." The FAA is seeking a penalty of $75,000 for this case, where two 757s that did not comply with FAA standards were flown on three passenger flights.
The final case, from May 2009, results from a logbook error. An MD-82 was returned to service and flew on two passenger flights after several steps of a maintenance visit had not been checked off as completed, and the airline replace a landing gear door without noting the maintenance in the logbook. The FAA is proposing these discrepancies cost American Airlines $87,500.
According to a report by CNN from March 12th, American Airlines is standing by its safety record. "AA is the only U.S. airline that continues to handle the majority of its heavy maintenance with in-house, FAA certificated mechanics that have met and passed all FAA experience requirements, written tests, and practical examinations," said the airline in a statement.
According to the FAA, American Airlines has 30 days to respond to the proposed fines.
RSS 6 Home
Submit Your RSS Feeds for FREE! 
Editor Login 
Contact us 
