Air Travel News 3.27.12

Air Travel News, Health & Safety, Travel Products & Services — By Nancy Y on March 27, 2012 at 6:00 am

by Nancy Yeomans

LG Air Travel Editor

Look up in the sky! It’s a bird….it’s a plane! No….it’s your weekly air travel news! Here’s what’s happening in the world of aviation, from the ground up.

Pay Or The Seat Stays Empty

Ryanair, the Irish airline we all love to hate, is at it again. In order to secure an exit row seat on one of their flights a passenger must pay a premium fee. That’s not so unusual; lots of airlines are playing that game. But, in typical Ryanair fashion, they are taking it a step further. If no passengers are willing to shell out the extra pounds, those seats will stay vacant. No one to operate the emergency door should the need arise. No requirement for the passengers in nearby rows – the ones who will be taking on the exit-row job – to understand crew instructions and be physically capable. Why does anyone fly this airline?? Source: Smarter Travel

No Need To Power Down

The FAA is considering testing to make it possible for airline passengers to keep some of their electronic devices in the ‘ON’ position during all phases of flight. Much testing is needed before this is anywhere close to a reality, but at least it appears there are some baby steps forward being taken. Source: Washington Post

In Flight Entertainment

A new source of diversion for your flight has hit the airport. It’s from a company called Digiboo and is hoping to make your flight go by more quickly. Similar to a Redbox DVD rental, but without the physical DVD to return, Digiboo has rolled out at the Minneapolis/St. Paul airport with Seattle and Portland soon to follow. All you need is a credit card, a flash drive and a Windows-based computer. Sorry Mac fans, not yet for you. Source: Los Angeles Times

Grandma Can Keep Her Shoes On

In a new program implemented by TSA, passengers 75 and older will be able to stay fully dressed during their airport security screening. This new approach to the current cookie-cutter screenings where every passenger is considered a threat until proven otherwise is being tested at 4 US airports. Of course, if an elderly passenger seems to be cause for concern they will still be required to undergo the standard screening. Source: Chicago Tribune

New Routes

This week’s new routes come to us from Caribbean Airlines, Lufthansa, US Airways, Porter Airlines and Icelandair. Source: Jaunted

Photo credit: aromano,BrentDPayne/flickr