Consumer Traveler Today: Jan 22

 
 
Highly polished Silver Spirit
What we’re reading: Ryanair lists on Kayak, Icahn wins big Vegas casino, California high-speed rail
Air traffic delays cost U.S. more than hurricanes
Air France-KLM denies obesity surcharge
Help, I’m in New York, my carry-on bag is in Philadelphia
Highly polished Silver Spirit
Posted: 22 Jan 2010 03:13 AM PST
“Champagne?” the tuxedoed waiter asks, “Yes, that would wonderful,” I reply. I have just boarded the brand-new Silver Spirit in Monte Carlo for its first sailing with passengers. The moment is surreal and a far cry from my previous voyage a few months earlier during Silver Spirit’s sea trials when the vessel was still under construction and where instead of champagne I shared breakfast pizza and espressos with the shipyard workers onboard.
       

What we’re reading: Ryanair lists on Kayak, Icahn wins big Vegas casino, California high-speed rail
Posted: 22 Jan 2010 03:00 AM PST
Ryanair lists flights on Kayak, Icahn wins big Fontainebleau Vegas casino project for a bargain, Californians get to see high-speed rail plans
       

Air traffic delays cost U.S. more than hurricanes
Posted: 21 Jan 2010 03:43 PM PST
A study conducted by the Joint Economic Committee of the U.S. Congress noted that U.S. air traffic delays in 2007 alone cost the economy as much as $41 billion. This figure included $12 billion worth of lost time costs for passengers and $19 billion in increased operational costs for the airlines. Over time, these losses        

Air France-KLM denies obesity surcharge
Posted: 21 Jan 2010 08:15 AM PST
After news reports circulated yesterday about Air France-KLM beginning to charge for obese passengers who needed more than one seat on aircraft, the airline denied the reports. However, they claim to be even more obese-friendly. Overweight passengers who purchase an extra seat will get a refund if the flight is not full.
       

Help, I’m in New York, my carry-on bag is in Philadelphia
Posted: 21 Jan 2010 06:15 AM PST
The lesson, if there is one, is probably that anything can happen while traveling. While there are no guarantees even at home, travel introduces new risks that can result in you being separated from something you care about.