New Bill Could Make Air Travel Marginally Less Awful

One of the many things that makes air travel so shitty these days is checked-baggage fees, which cause people to clog both overhead bins and security checkpoints with their carryons. But now, Sen. Mary Landrieu has proposed a bill that would guarantee fliers one free checked bag, force airlines to clearly advertise…
Airlines, Liver Disease, Horrible Strangers Coming For Your Pets
Good news and terrible news, pet owners. The good news is that even if your pet gets lost by an airline, there's a chance that it will be found alive, living in the ventilation ducts months later. The bad news is that once your pet gets found, it might be almost dead. And if your pet's never found, it might be because…
Man Pees On 11-Year-Old Girl During Flight From Hell
No matter what happens on your next flight, you should consider yourself lucky if you don't wind up covered in a stranger's bodily fluids. Yesterday during a flight from Portland, Oregon to New York, a father left his 11-year-old daughter in her seat while he took his other daughter to the bathroom. When he returned,…
Thai Airline Now Boasts Transsexual Flight Attendants
Thailand's ironically-named airline P.C. Air claims it's the first in the world to hire openly transsexual flight attendants. When the airline begins flying Asian routes in April, four transsexual people will be among the 30-person cabin crew, Forbes reports.
Tell Us Your Worst Travel Stories
What with body scans and TSA gropings, this promises to be an especially hellish holiday travel season. But travel has always been an opportunity for horrible and/or hilarious mishaps, and now we want to hear about yours.
Airline's Safety Demonstration Involves Lady Gaga And Choreographed Dancing
In this video, Cebu Pacific flight attendants show passengers how to use the life jackets and oxygen masks while dancing to pop music. Remember, in the unlikely event of an emergency you should... uh, "just dance"?
British Airways Decides Not All Men Are Molesters
In response to a lawsuit, British Airways has changed its policy to allow men to sit next to unaccompanied minors. And now it's time for everyone else to acknowledge that just being a dude doesn't make you a pedophile.
Southwest Lets Children Fly Unaccompanied To Nashville
Three children, ages 15 and under, bought tickets with cash and flew to Nashville in an attempt to visit Dollywood. Southwest defended employees for not questioning them, saying kids don't need ID and two were old enough to fly alone.
Why People Really Hate Facebook: It's Complicated
Facebook's customer satisfaction score is now as low as that of airlines, and while experts point to site changes and ads as reasons for this distaste, we think there's a more basic explanation: Facebook complicates your life.
"Don't Bring A Gun To A Snowball Fight" • Stolen Auschwitz Sign Recovered In Pieces
• A Washington D.C. police office was caught on video this weekend waving his gun at a large group of adults having a snowball fight. When confronted, he said he drew his gun, ''because I got hit with snowballs.''
Discrimination Lawsuit Revealed As A Joke
A recent article about an overweight woman who was told "I'm sorry, but you're too fat" by EasyJet airport security has been denounced as a hoax. However, EasyJet policy does allow workers to "suggest" fat passengers buy two tickets. [Telegraph]
Pets On A Plane
A new airline says it's inviting only animals as passengers. Beginning July 14, Pet Airways will fly to NYC, Washington, Chicago, Denver, and LA. Animals will travel in the main cabin, not the cargo hold, and, on arrival, will be dropped off at a pet lounge where owners can retrieve them. As for the human elements,…
Ready For Takeoff
Can You Match The Stewardess Uniform To The Airline?
After we posted about airline hostesses of yesteryear, someone alerted us to UniformFreak.com. Cliff Muskiet works for KLM and collects everything airline-related, including uniforms. One day he hopes to have a museum! In the meantime, all of the fun and colorful stewardess outfits of past and present inspired us to…
Flying Foxes
Wired has a story and slide show about airline hostesses of yesteryear. In 1930, Ellen Church became the world's first airline stewardess, working a Boeing flight from Oakland, California, to Chicago. The flight took 20 hours and involved 13 stops. Church was a registered nurse who later became a pilot, but the idea…
Young Women Are Dominating At NYC's Aviation High
Despite what airline ads might lead you to believe, not every woman in the airline industry is a flight attendant. In this week's Village Voice, the female students at Aviation High in Long Island City, Queens are profiled. At Aviation, students are taught to become licensed airplane mechanics, and, not surprisingly,…
Here's an angle for anyone looking to produce a sequel to Soul Plane... A German airline is offering nudist flights because the Germans have loved being naked ever since the days of Kaiser Willhelm or something. "There are a few basic rules. For example, no hot drinks will be served and there will be certain hygienic…
