United Airlines gets on board

TO celebrate #California recently naming #surfing as the state's official sport, United Airlines, California's global airline, is getting on board and removing the service fees for surfboards for customers traveling to or from California. 

Effective October 5, customers traveling with a surfboard, wakeboard or paddleboard on direct United Airlines or United Express itineraries that originate or end at any California airport will not have to pay the previous $150 or $200 service fee to check these items. The regular checked-bag fee will apply.

To help preserve California's coast and oceans, United is donating $50,000 to Sustainable Surf, a California-based environmental nonprofit that operates as an innovation lab using surfing as a force for good—to solve the ocean health crisis by 2050.

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Concierge luggage service

HOLD My Luggage, Inc. is a new luggage concierge service located in #Orlando, #Florida. MCO Airport does not have luggage lockers or a luggage service for travelers to store their luggage. 

A solution with a concierge luggage service, the service encompasses picking up, storing, and returning luggage to customers at the airport. This service is for travelers who would like to see more of the city without having to lug their luggage around. 

HML, Inc.'s luggage concierge service will be available in 23 port cities in the United States, as well as tourist hubs domestically and internationally.
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Follow me . . .

INTELLIGENT robots often play key roles in futuristic science fiction films, TV series and novels. Those science fiction scenarios are quickly becoming a part of today's real world with what seems like a daily release of a new product or gadget that relies on artificial intelligence. One area which is garnering increasing attention is autonomous or robotic luggage.

Airwheel recently launched the Airwheel SR3, a smart robotic suitcase with a host of helpful features including auto-follow, intelligent obstacle avoidance, a removable battery, an anti-loss alarm and mobile remote control. The smart piece of luggage, which comes equipped with visual tracking and sensor technology, can accurately identify its owner with real-time visual recognition and tracking algorithms and switch into auto-follow mode, while avoiding obstacles with sensor aids, in much the same way as a pet following its human owner. The suitcase's smart features can be put into action by pulling out the extendable intelligent recognition rod and switching the power on.

The Airwheel SR3 comes with multiple sensors including a camera, radar and an ultrasonic receiver coupled with simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) technology as well as visual recognition and detection algorithms, so that it can instantly identify, lock and follow the user, allowing hands-free transport of the suitcase.

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Up in the air . . .

IT is tradition for Overseas Filipinos to bring food or gifts, known as ‘pasalubongs’, from their destinations to their families and friends back home. Many Filipinos ship a ‘balikabayan’ box filled with gifts several days ahead of special occasions or ahead of their travel to the Philippines and wait for 30 to 60 days for the box to arrive.

Philippines’ largest carrier, Cebu Pacific (CEB), once again offers 25 kilograms of additional free baggage allowance to UAE residents travelling from Dubai to Manila. Starting March 1 until Nov 30, 2018, all passengers originating from Dubai travelling to Manila with pre-purchased baggage allowance of 40 kilograms will be receiving additional 25 kilograms baggage allowance, free-of-charge at check in.

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Backpack your snowboard

HEADING off to the slopes this winter then pack light with this latest backpack for your snowboard. 

Board Bootie is the lightest, most convenient protective cover for a snowboard which can also be used as a backpack for carrying the board. Developed

 to protect a rider’s investment in a snowboard and to provide a more convenient way to transport a board to the slopes.

www.boardbootie.net

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Head to the Alps with Jet2

NO better time for snow bunnies to book a flight to the slopes from London Stansted, as Jet2 have slashed the price of ski carriage on ski routes from its newest base. The offer means skiers and boarders can take 22kg of ski carriage for just £1 return on featured flights.

With flights to some of the very best skiing destinations in Europe from London Stansted to four ski destinations this winter with the French and Austrian Alps well and truly covered. Flights operate to the following destinations, and the offer applies to these routes only:

Geneva (five weekly flights)
Grenoble (one service every week)
Salzburg (three weekly services)
Lyon (two weekly services)

Must book between Friday 1st September until Saturday 30th September 2017, and travel between Thursday 30th November 2017 and Monday 30th April 2018.

www.jet2.com/ski

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Travelling with sports equipment can be costly

SPORTS-mad Brits, inspired by high-profile competitions including the Tour de France, the Olympics or the golf majors, need to read airlines’ small print before heading off to tackle one of the world’s iconic sporting challenges according to Cheapflights, the global flight search and travel deals website. Failing to do so could see them incurring hundreds of pounds’ worth of extra costs.

It doesn’t pay to be spontaneous about taking sports equipment on holiday. Most airlines charge an extra £10 each way for items that haven’t been pre-booked. Equally, it is best to be decisive about which item to take when flying with easyJet, as the airline only allows one piece of sporting equipment per passenger.

Phil Bloomfield, Global Head of Communications at Cheapflights says: “Each airline has its own rules about how sports equipment must be packed to travel, and it pays to check these well in advance and be prepared. For example, Jet2.com asks cyclists to remove bike pedals, deflate the tyres and wrap bicycles in stiff cardboard; whereas Monarch demands that pedals should be padded but tyres can remain inflated. British Airways, meanwhile, asks that bikes are carried in a recognised protective bike bag. We urge travellers to research the varying regulations on airlines’ official websites and, if in doubt, double check over the phone. Most importantly, make sure that you have insurance for these items. Taking them onboard a flight is at your own risk and any damage can not only be very costly, but also ruin your holiday.”

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Take the pain out of packing

TRAVELLERS who find holiday packing a serious headache might be interested in Lonely Planet’s How to Pack for Any Trip.

On sale for £5.95, it has:

• Comprehensive packing lists 
• Tried-and-tested packing methods 
• Advice for choosing luggage 
• How-to illustrations 

http://shop.lonelyplanet.com/world/how-to-pack-for-any-trip

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Ryanair overhauls check-in bag fees

RYANAIR has cut its fees for checked-in bags as part of its 'Always Getting Better' programme. It has also simplified its bag fees structure, reducing the number of options from 108 to six. 

Passengers on domestic flights under two hours will see fees for 15kg bags cut by half from £30 to £15 and 20kg bags reduced from £40 to £25. Fees on all other flights under three hours will drop from £30 to £25 for 15kg bags and £40 to £35 for 20kg bags.

Checked bag fees will not change for flights longer than three hours, staying at £40 for 15kg bags and £50 for 20kg bags.

Chief marketing officer Kenny Jacobs said the changes would cut bag fees for 92% of Ryanair's 116 million passengers.

By using the Ryanair app, passengers can add a check-in bag up to three hours before departure at the same price as the initial booking. Passengers who add bags at the airport pay an extra £10 or €10 handling fee.

Even with the changes, Ryanair's bag fees are still generally higher than easyJet's, which range from £13 to £24 for check-in bags weighing up to 20kg.

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easyJet installs automated bag drop at Manchester Airport

EASYJET has become the first airline at Manchester Airport to install a fully automated bag drop facility for customers.

Customers are welcomed by easyJet ‘Welcome Hosts’ who guide them to the auto bag drop area where they place their bags on a scale. A luggage tag is automatically generated, passports are checked and cameras authenticate that tag information is correct. Bags are then dispatched on conveyor belt.

Ali Gayward, commercial manager at easyJet, said: ‘We recognize that our customer’s airport experience is a hugely important part of their overall journey, so we are delighted to have launched this service for our customers flying from Manchester Airport. 

‘The self-service kiosks provide a glimpse into the future of airport design and enable our customers to have unique use of the most innovative state-of-the-art facilities. As we approach the summer, our busiest time of the year, we want to ensure that customers have a seamless journey through the airport, enabling their summer holidays to get off to the best of starts.’

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Help … where’s my luggage?

AIRPORT PARKING & HOTELS (APH) has created a guide comparing airline policies for lost or delayed luggage. The research can be found in the Know Before You Go section of the APH website: www.aph.com/lostluggage. 

The research compares the lost luggage policies of 18 airlines, including British Airways, easyJet, and Ryanair and compares what to do if luggage, its contents, or any personal items on-board an aircraft go missing.

For all airlines, travellers must report lost luggage to an airline representative or airport customer service desk immediately and complete a Property Irregularity Report (PIR) prior to leaving the airport. Virgin Atlantic also recommends that travellers take a photograph of their luggage prior to travelling to help in the case of missing luggage.

Once reported missing, all 18 airlines provide online tracing services for luggage. British Airways will return lost luggage to any address in the world (with the exception of a few countries due to government restrictions) free of charge within 72 hours. For travellers flying with Air France, easyJet, Qantas, and Virgin Atlantic, travellers must complete a baggage claim form for compensation if their luggage is not located within 21 days. This time is reduced for travellers flying with Air Canada, who must file a claim if their luggage is not located within five days.

With regards to expenses for essential missing items during a trip, eight of the 18 airlines researched, including Delta Air Lines, easyJet, and Monarch, offer reimbursement for essential purchases such as toiletries and clothing, with the total reimbursement figure ranging from £50 for customers with Virgin Atlantic to up to £208 for customers travelling in First Class with SWISS Air.

For items lost on-board an aircraft, all airlines recommend that travellers contact the arrival airport's lost property department immediately. For items lost at London Heathrow's British Airways' lounges or on-board a British Airways flight arriving at Heathrow, travellers can search the online database, Bagport, for their lost items. Bagport can take between up to 48 hours to register lost items and once retrieved, the system will ensure the item is kept for three months. But travellers should bear in mind that Virgin Atlantic will destroy perishable items immediately, and charge £5-£20 for postage and delivery of lost property items. 

Regardless of which airline a passenger uses, it is recommended travellers keep valuables in their hand luggage or on their person at all times as airlines will not accept responsibility if valuable items are lost.

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Hand Luggage … the pros and cons

LUGGAGE restrictions seem to change all the time, says Claim Flights, which represents passenger rights with airlines in Britain and Europe. It urges travellers to be up-to-date with current regulations of the airline with which they’re flying. 

The regulations for check-in luggage are relatively straightforward, although passengers should ensure they are aware of the weight they can check-in and the number of luggage items allowed. Don't assume that all airlines are the same.

But the regulations for hand luggage are varied, and they change. While some airlines will allow you to carry a large bag as well as a handbag or laptop, many are far stricter than this.

Travelling with only hand luggage has its benefits. It’s quicker, since there is no need to join a check-in queue on departure or wait for it on arrival. It's also safer to keep high value items – laptops, tablets, jewellery – with you. But make sure you are aware of hand luggage restrictions on connecting flights. easyJet will allow you unlimited weight on your hand luggage, but if you're connecting flight is Thomas Cook, you would be allowed only 6kg with one accessory.

And it's not just the weight that's important. Remember to check the allowed sizes for hand luggage. It might be that you have to buy a new bag to accommodate the size restrictions.

Unfortunately, it's not just about the weight and size of your hand luggage anymore. According to www.gov.uk/hand-luggage-restrictions/overview, there are other restrictions to consider, especially concerning the amount of liquids that can be taken in hand luggage.

Liquids include:

• All drinks, including water 
• Liquid or semi-liquid foods (soup, jam, honey, and syrups) 
• cosmetics and toiletries, including creams, lotions, oils, perfumes, mascara, and lip gloss 
• Sprays, including shaving foam, hairspray, and spray deodorants 
• Pastes, including toothpaste 
• Gels, including hair and shower gel 
• Contact lens solution 

If you do take liquids in your hand luggage:

• Containers must hold no more than 100ml, and must be in a single, transparent re-sealable plastic bag, which holds no more than a litre and measures approximately 20cm x 20cm 
• Contents must fit comfortably inside the bag, so it can be sealed 
• The bag must not be knotted or tied at the top 
• One plastic bag per person 

Claim Flights CEO, Dr. Mirko Ulbrich, says: ‘Have a great holiday, but don't forget to check out the hand luggage restrictions for the airlines you are travelling with to avoid fees and frustrations. Also, if you plan on doing some shopping when abroad, do make sure your luggage is still within the weight allowances or you could be in for an unpleasant surprise at the airport.’

 www.claimflights.co.uk/blog

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Airlines reach agreement on standard carry-on bag size

AIRLINES have agreed an ‘optimum size’ guideline for carry-on bags designed to make the best use of cabin storage space.

A size of 21.5 x 13.5 x 7.5 inches (or 55 x 35 x 20 cm) means that ‘theoretically’ everyone should have a chance to store their carry-on bags on board aircraft of 120 seats or larger, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) .

An IATA Cabin OK logo to signify to airline staff that a bag meets the agreed size guidelines has been developed. A number of major international airlines will soon be introducing the guidelines into their operations, and bags carrying the identifying label are expected to be available to buy later this year.

Recognition of the logo is expected to grow with time as more airlines join the initiative, while several major baggage manufacturers have developed products in line with the optimum size guidelines.

IATA senior vice president for airport, passenger, cargo, and security, Tom Windmuller, said: ‘The development of an agreed optimal cabin bag size will bring common sense and order to the problem of differing sizes for carry-on bags. We know the current situation can be frustrating for passengers. This work will help to iron out inconsistencies.’


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