Couldn't pass up posting this latest airline information for those planning on traveling in the future. Thought you had it bad now?
By Rob Lovitt, msnbc.com contributor
If you’ve been feeling cramped on some of your recent flights, hold on to your armrests.
Several airlines are currently considering aircraft that will hold 900 to 1,000 passengers, according to a report in Australian Business Traveller (ABT).
The "super sardine cans," as ABT dubs them, represent the latest variations on the Airbus A380. Already the world’s largest commercial airplane, the double-decker plane carries 525 people in a typical, three-class configuration.
But in the fractured world of air travel, individual airlines are ordering planes with different configurations to suit their specific needs. This week, Korean Air became the sixth carrier to take delivery of an A380, a surprisingly spacious model with just 407 seats. Amenities include an upper-deck-spanning business class and the world’s first onboard duty-free shop with actual products on display.
Compare that to the two A380s on order for French carrier Air Austral. Forgoing first- and business-class sections, the carrier plans to squeeze in 840 passengers in a cheek-by-jowl, all-economy configuration. They’re set to go into service on the carrier’s La Reunion–Paris route in 2014.
But even those winged whoppers are expected to lose their XXL status if Airbus starts producing its proposed A380-900. Featuring 650 seats in three classes and around 900 in an all-economy set-up, the plane has garnered interest from several airlines, including Emirates, Cathay Pacific and others.
Still not big enough for you? ABT goes on to say that Lufthansa and Air France "are already eyeing an enhanced 1,000-seat version that's also on the drawing board called — you guessed it — the A380-1000."
Sharon Oberritter
Premier Aussie Specialist
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
A Taste of a Kenya Walking Safari
I ran across this article and thought I'd share it with my readers. It was originally written by Janelle Cook
The Thrill of a Safari by Janelle Cook of Africa Answers.
As we trekked, enjoying our walking safari, we joked about how we had been advised to wear only beige and olive colored clothing so as not to alert the wildlife of our presence, while our Maasai guide wore brilliant crimson and red, and sparkling metallic jewelry. We'd be lucky to see a warthog with this much bling out in front.
The guide abruptly stopped and signaled the rest of us to do likewise. What? A lone buffalo had appeared over a ridge 50 feet away. Oh. No. For days we had heard that the most dangerous animal in Africa is not the lion, nor the crocodile, nor the rhino, but a lone buffalo. Nicknamed ‘Retired Generals' these buffalo have been forced from the herd by younger buffalo. Alone, they become insecure and aggressive, going on the attack without warning. Once in charge mode, there is no diversion, only a bullet can stop them. What to do? No tall trees to climb, no deep ditches to dive in. The guide raised his rifle while motioning us to retreat quietly. Gored by one of the Big Five in Kenya; what an epitaph. 60 feet…65 feet, we inched away, exchanging looks, our tension palpable.
Behind, a flock of birds flew out of a bush, startling us. We clamped hands over our mouths, suppressing shouts and nervous laughter. Busted. The General now knew we were there. He raised his nose and sniffed the wind. He peered toward us myopically. The stand-off seemed interminable. He became bigger, and bigger. Huh? He grew another head, then another, then another. Oh! Yes! He was not alone; his herd had been behind the ridge and now emerged behind him, one by beautiful one.
Were you afraid, we asked our guide, later. Yes, he said, very afraid; but not for you who wear the colors the buffalo cannot see. I was afraid I might not be a good enough shot when the General came for me.
Janelle Cook is a Product Contractor at Africa Answers, a division of Down Under Answers, and recently participated in a familiarization trip to Kenya.
The Thrill of a Safari by Janelle Cook of Africa Answers.
As we trekked, enjoying our walking safari, we joked about how we had been advised to wear only beige and olive colored clothing so as not to alert the wildlife of our presence, while our Maasai guide wore brilliant crimson and red, and sparkling metallic jewelry. We'd be lucky to see a warthog with this much bling out in front.
The guide abruptly stopped and signaled the rest of us to do likewise. What? A lone buffalo had appeared over a ridge 50 feet away. Oh. No. For days we had heard that the most dangerous animal in Africa is not the lion, nor the crocodile, nor the rhino, but a lone buffalo. Nicknamed ‘Retired Generals' these buffalo have been forced from the herd by younger buffalo. Alone, they become insecure and aggressive, going on the attack without warning. Once in charge mode, there is no diversion, only a bullet can stop them. What to do? No tall trees to climb, no deep ditches to dive in. The guide raised his rifle while motioning us to retreat quietly. Gored by one of the Big Five in Kenya; what an epitaph. 60 feet…65 feet, we inched away, exchanging looks, our tension palpable.
Behind, a flock of birds flew out of a bush, startling us. We clamped hands over our mouths, suppressing shouts and nervous laughter. Busted. The General now knew we were there. He raised his nose and sniffed the wind. He peered toward us myopically. The stand-off seemed interminable. He became bigger, and bigger. Huh? He grew another head, then another, then another. Oh! Yes! He was not alone; his herd had been behind the ridge and now emerged behind him, one by beautiful one.
Were you afraid, we asked our guide, later. Yes, he said, very afraid; but not for you who wear the colors the buffalo cannot see. I was afraid I might not be a good enough shot when the General came for me.
Janelle Cook is a Product Contractor at Africa Answers, a division of Down Under Answers, and recently participated in a familiarization trip to Kenya.
Saturday, May 14, 2011
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