Recently an astrophysicist working with Fermilab tested various methods of plane boarding in order to determine the fastest way to get everyone on board and ready to go. Here are the methods he tested.
1. Block row boarding, the standard method used by airlines
2. Back to front
3. Window seats then middle and aisle seats
4. Alternating rows
5. Completely random boarding
Which method do you think resulted in the fastest boarding time? Which method was the slowest?
The slowest time (by far) is the standard block boarding method used by airlines. I know, shocking. The fastest time (dubbed the Steffen Method, after the chief author) is the alternating rows method. Based on experimental data, the Steffen Method was nearly half as fast as the standard method. Even the random method (which I picture to be similar to the panic scene from the movie Airplane!) was fairly quick, comparatively.
Will the airlines change their methodology? Time will tell, but we all know that airlines are notoriously slow to update. But here’s hoping – it doesn’t take an astrophysicist to see that the current system doesn’t work too well.
After KLM announced a new route from Amsterdam to Miami, some Dutch music industry types got together to get KLM to agree to go a week earlier (in time for a very popular dance party in Miami). KLM agreed, and even got airline and FAA regulators to agree to let them start the party on the way! The rest, as they say, is history (and awesome)!
Wait, that title doesn’t sound quite right. Let me explain. Richard Simmons is the star of the in-flight safety video from Air New Zealand, and it’s actually entertaining. Good work, Air New Zealand! I actually watched an entire safety video, and I’m not even on a plane!
If you haven’t signed up for the new Southwest Airlines mileage program, now is the time. For a limited time, sign up for the new program and get 250 free miles!
Both Delta Airlines and Southwest Airlines recently announced changes to their frequent flier programs, aimed at getting a bigger share of business travelers and trying to compete with United Airline’s program.
Delta Air Lines announced yesterday that SkyMiles, their frequent flier mileage currency, no longer expire. Up until now, SkyMiles expired after 24 months of account inactivity. But starting on Jan. 1 of this year, SkyMiles no longer expire, regardless of account activity.
Delta’s announcement comes on the heels of major changes to the Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards program. Rapid Rewards were always given regardless of the flight length, one credit per flight. When the traveler earned 16 credits, Southwest Airlines issued a free flight certificate. With the new system, travelers earn points based on the cost of the ticket, with bonuses given for elite members and full fare tickets. Plus, the amount of points needed to earn a free ticket depends on the cost of the ticket. And in even better news, the points don’t expire if you have any activity in the previous 24 months. With their old system, points expired after 24 months regardless.
The changes to both Delta and Southwest are probably good news for travelers, but it still isn’t the easiest trick in the world to redeem your miles. Hopefully that will improve, too.
After much work and much fun, we’ve finally launched our first travel quiz, the Airline Knowledge Quiz. There are 24 questions of varying difficulty, and all you have to do is guess the airline from a small snapshot of their tail.
There are some outstanding airfare deals to Mexico currently being offered by Mexicana Airlines, but unfortunately they end today. But at least you can fly through Dec. 10, 2010! Here are some of the deals:
Chicago to Acapulco $223
Chicago to Guatemala from $208
Dallas Fort Worth to Mazatlan $225
Denver to Huatulco $240
Fresno to Cancun $247
Las Vegas to Zihuatanejo $223
Los Angeles to Costa Rica from $259
Los Angeles to Acapulco $223
Miami to Puerto Vallarta $228
New York to Guatemala from $198
If you miss the sale, don’t worry. Just sign up for the The Beach Senses Sweepstakes at Mexicana.com through April 30. You could win two tickets from the airport nearest you to anywhere that Mexicana flies in Mexico. Free is the ultimate cheap!
Fly from San Francisco or Los Angeles to Australia for an almost unheard of price – starting at $339 each way! You have to book by March 31, but you can fly between now and the end of September (there’s a blackout window that takes up most of June, however). Plus you get to fly Qantas, a great airline. Seats are limited – hurry and take a look!
So Southwest.com just launched their new site. What do you think? I like it – the information is easy to get to, and you can quickly get prices. Good job, Southwest
A new Winter Fare Sale from Southwest is out, and the prices a great – and they have a bunch of available options, too! I checked a few different flight options and found many non-stop flights for $69 each way. If you are planning any travel this Winter, it’s worth checking out! You have to book by Oct. 15, but you can fly through Feb. 11, 2010!
Airfare Deals
Hotel Deals
Rental Car Deals
Vacation Deals
Cruise Deals
