If you thought space was tight on your last flight, wait until you see the latest "ultra high density" SkyRider seating designed by Italian company AvionInteriors.
The seats have passengers nearly standing upright, but tucked back into shallow, angled "saddle-type" seats. They take up 25 percent less room than traditional seating, meaning airlines can pack more seats--and more people--onto planes. As a result, passengers will have just seven inches of space between their face and the back of the seat in front of them.
The airlines promise the extra seating will help them cut costs, which will allow them to pass savings on to customers. How low would a ticket price have to be for you to sign on with an airline using the SkyRiders?
---Samantha Maziarz Christmann
Insure.com has put together a list of the most and lease expensive cars to insure. The figures estimate national average annual insurance premiums for a 40-year-old male with a good driving record.
The least expensive 2010 models to insure:
1. Mazda Tribute I, two-wheel drive four-door utility, four cylinders: $1,070.25.
2. Honda Odyssey LX, five door, two-wheel drive, single overhead camshaft van, 6 cylinders: $1,095.26.
3. Mazda Tribute I, four-wheel drive, four-door utility, four cylinders:$1,103.29.
4. Chrysler Town & Country LX, two-wheel drive, four-door 3.3 liter wagon, six cylinders: $1,119.83.
5. Jeep Wranger X, four-wheel drive, two-door 3.8 liter utility, six cylinders: $1,124.38.
The most expensive 2010 models to insure (no big surprises here):
1. Porsche 911 Carrera GT2, two-door coupe, six cylinders: $2,943.78.
2. Mercedes S65 AMG, four-door sedan, 12 cylinders: $2,863.03.
3. Dodge Viper SRT-10, two-door coupe, 10 cylinders: $2,851.89.
4. Porsche Panamera Turbo, All-wheel drive four-door sedan, eight cylinders: $2,837.39.
5. Dodge Viper SRT-10, two-door convertible, 10 cylinders: $2,815.90.
And here are some average car insurance premiums for the top 10 selling vehicles:
1. Ford F-Series pickup: $1,492.71.
2. Toyota Camry: $1,274.61.
3. Chevrolet Silverado pickup: $1,383.10.
4. Toyota Corolla: $1,302.68.
5. Honda Accord: $1,301.20.
---Samantha Maziarz Christmann
Director Kevin Smith has brought a firestorm down on Southwest Airlines after being ejected from a flight for being too fat, demonstrating the power consumers wield with social media.
Southwest got some practice implementing crisis control in the Internet age after Kevin Smith sent out a flurry of Twitter messages to his legion of followers. Fans were furious, the media picked up on the story and the rest was history.
Southwest Airlines has apologized in blogs and defended itself in the face of furious Tweets. The fracas brought so much attention, it crashed their feedback page.
So many public relations people diligently make a daily practice of blogging, Tweeting and Facebooking, mostly to an audience of no one. Only when things fall apart is the importance of having those established networks made clear.
But the true test is whether Southwest's spin control was able to smooth the feathers it ruffled. Are you satisfied by Southwest's reaction? Do you think Smith was making a big deal over nothing? Do you think Smith got the reaction he did only because he's famous, or do you think an average consumer could have made the same impact?
Still, Smith doesn't think Southwest handled things very well. But in a situation like this, who gets the last word?
---Samantha Maziarz Christmann
Megabus.com, a low-cost, city-to-city express bus service, has announced it will give away 100,000 free seats to stimulate travel this winter.
Of the seats available, 40,000 are earmarked for travel to New York City. The rest will be split among Megabus' other routes in the Northeast and Midwest. Megabus routes from Buffalo travel to New York, Syracuse, Toronto and Rochester.
The free seats will be available for travel from Jan. 6 to March 20. You can book now using the promotional code GETAWAY. Tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis and while supplies last. There is a 50-cent booking fee.
Megabus.com offers free Wi-Fi, reclining seats and power outlets.
---Samantha Maziarz Christmann
Ever been disappointed with a hotel room that didn't measure up with its photo and description online?
In this economy, when every penny has its place and precious luxuries like vacation travel are enjoyed only rarely, that sort of thing can become more than a mere annoyance. When you finally get a chance to kick back and relax, you want everything to be just right.
As a response, a new Web site is offering travelers a more thorough look at potential lodgings with video tours of hotels in major cities around the world. TVtrip.com bundles the tours of rooms, lobbies and other accommodations with user reviews, maps and photos while allowing users to check room availability and pricing.
It's a great resource to add to your consumer toolbox when making out-of-town plans. Checking out lavish international hotels from your computer also makes for a nice, virtual mini-escape on a dreary Monday afternoon.
---Samantha Maziarz Christmann
JetBlue airlines is offering a month of unlimited travel for $599 with its All You Can Jet pass. Passholders can fly for free to any city JetBlue serves as often as they like from September 8 to October 8.
The price includes all taxes. Tickets must be purchased by August 21. The airline flies to 57 cities and has more than 600 daily flights.
The deal is an attempt to get more travelers into the air during September and October, which are the slowest months for leisure airline travel.
---Samantha Maziarz Christmann
Megabus, the deep-discount, express bus company, will temporarily increase the availability of $1 seats by 50,000. The promotion, intended to stimulate travel, encompasses trips taken from September 14 to November 19.
To book travel, visit http://megabus.com/us/ and plug in the promotional code "HOTDEAL." The $1 fare is good in all 30 cities Megabus travels and subject to availability.
Megabus buses are equipped with free Wi-Fi and reclining seats. Double-decker buses and restroom-equipped buses are also available.
---Samantha Maziarz Christmann
Southwest Airlines is discounting flights into and out of every city it serves as part of its 48-hour sale.
Trips traveling up to 400 miles are discounted by $30, flights of 401 to 750 miles are chopped by $60 and trips over 750 miles are slashed by $90.
Tickets must be booked by 11:59 p.m. July 8 for travel from September 9 to November 18, 2009.
---Samantha Maziarz Christmann
