Business Travel Tips

A survey conducted by spine-focused website SpineUniverse.com during the summer of 2008, reveals 88% of passengers who had flown in North America in the last year reported that they had neck or back pain after a typical flight on any of the major U.S. carriers.

The study shows 74% of passengers said they’d pay an extra fee for special seats with extra comfort that doesn’t give them back or neck pain. 75% of those passengers would be willing to pay up to $50 more; 20% would pay up to $100 more. (View full survey results)

SpineUniverse.com published a few tips by Alan Hedge, PhD, CPE, professor of ergonomics at Cornell University, to avoid back pain or neck pain while flying.

“Even if airlines don’t start using seats designed specifically for back and neck pain sufferers, there are some easy ways you can take care of your back and neck on a flight.

“If you are a neck pain sufferer, you can bring an inflatable air pillow with you. It won’t take up much room in your carry-on-especially important in air travel today-and it will provide good support for your head and neck while flying.”

“For back pain sufferers, try rolling a pillow, blanket, or sweater into a lower back support. It’s best if you can have one support on each side of your back. You may also want to try the BackJoy, a small seat orthotic that works really well.”

Beginning October 1 United Airlines will charge for food in its coach class cabin on transatlantic flights to Europe from Washington Dulles (IAD).

The airline is still studying the possibility to charge for food on other international routes.

Also, Travel Weekly reports prices will also go up $1 to $2 on food for sale in the cabin.
Starting from September 2, the airline will discontinue offering free snacks on its longer flights.

Book and buy no later than September 15 to take advantage of discount airfares for flights between a number of U.S. airports and Dubai (DXB), United Emirates.

United Airlines is offering fares starting as low as $534 each-way. The fares do not include taxes and fees and are predicated for a roundtrip purchase.

Below a sampling of each-way fares, based on required roundtrip purchase, United is offering to Dubai.

From:
Austin $610
Boston $543
Charlotte $585
Chicago $574
Denver $609
Kansas City $601
Las Vegas $621
Los Angeles $610
New Orleans $587
New York City $534
Orlando $583
Phoenix $612
San Francisco $610
Seattle $611
Washington Dulles $552

* Travel period: travel outbound between October 26 – December 11 or December 25 – December 31, 2008..
* Travel is valid on all days of the week; a Saturday night minimum stay is required and a maximum stay of 30 days is permitted.
* The Fares below are subject to availability.
Find out details on United website.

American Airlines launched today the mobile broadband service, Gogo(tm) provided by Aircell®.
The service turns an American Airlines flight into a Wi-Fi hotspot, enabling passengers to surf the Web, check any email, Instant Message, access a corporate VPN, and more.

Once the aircraft has reached 10,000 feet, users can simply turn on their Wi-Fi enabled devices such as laptops, smartphones and PDAs, open their browsers and be directed to the Gogo portal page where they sign up and begin surfing. The service doesn’t allow for cell phone or VOIP communication.

Passengers traveling on AA’s Boeing 767-200 aircraft can access the service on nonstop flights between New York and San Francisco, New York and Los Angeles, and New York and Miami.

Pricing: $12.95 for flights with a duration of over three hours.

Avis announced the expansion of its range of Global Positioning System (GPS) navigation device, where2®, with the addition of new slimmer portable where2 units helping people avoid getting lost while walking around.

Thomas M. Gartland, executive vice president of sales and marketing for Avis Budget Group, says about it:

“…can operate on batteries and fit comfortably in a pocket, purse or briefcase. Now, not only can people avoid getting lost while walking, but they can discover points of interest within walking distance of their hotel, to further help them make the most of their business trips.”

According to a survey about typical business travel delays, conducted among 6,000 Avis customers who consider themselves to be frequent business travelers, 20% said they reported delays because getting lost while walking around. (source)