HRH Sites

YEah

Hi

AirBus Finally Gets Off the Ground (Sort Of)

The AirBus A380 took off today with a full load of 474 passengers for the first time.  The flight came in the wake of management changes, costly delays, and a temporary hiring freeze.  The new jumbojet is designed to make traveling more efficient and decrease airport congestion.  However, the tremendous wake of the A380 has caused the International Civil Aviation Organization to set a much larger minimum exclusion zone than Boeing's 747 jumbojet, which would greatly decrease the plane's effeciency.

Bored at the Airport?

I have had to deal with about a dozen multi-hour layovers and delays this year, and I usually enjoy it until I get tired of playing FreeCell  Then comes the boredom.  However, if you know in advance which airport you will be spending a few hours in the near future, a little research on the airport may make your time more enjoyable.  Many large airports now offer entertainment services ranging from wireless internet to art exhibits to saunas, and list their services on their websites.

Feeling Guilty About Global Warming? Not While You're Flying.

Travelocity and Expedia recently released services allowing travelers to make a tax-deductible donation to The Conservation Fund, a nonprofit that then plants trees.  The carbon dioxide released by the trees offsets the fuel emissions given off as a result of your flight and rental car use.  For example, a ten-dollar donation can make a two-trip "carbon zero".  This service is just starting, but is expected to take off very quickly.

Delayed? Envoke Rule 240 and Reap the Benefits

An increasing number of flights have been delayed over the last few months, and travelers are becoming increasingly frustrated.  There are some things a traveler can do to avoid delays, such as scheduling flights in the morning or the middle of the week.   However, if a delay does occur, it is not necessarily a cause for dismay.  Nearly all airlines have Rule 240, which is a guarantee of certain accomodations airlines will make if a passenger is delayed or stranded.  These may include free meals, hotel stays, vouchers, etc.  Awareness of your rights could turn that two-hour delay into a free meal and 50-dollar voucher for the well-informed flier. 

Overseas Cellphone Use

If you plan on doing business overseas for an extended period of time, be weary of the charges you may rack up on your cellphone.  International calls can cost over a dollar per minute, and service may be spotty.  Renting or buying a new phone may prove a cheaper and more reliable option.  However, if you are planning on spending a long period of time in an area with good service, one way to save money is to buy a local SIM card.  With a local number, you charged for sending calls but not receiving them, as opposed to an international number, where you are charged for both.  Local SIM cards can be purchased very easily and cheaply off e-Bay, and have the potential to save hundreds of dollars in phone bills.

Face-Saving Tips For Business Traveler's

Dr. Jeannette Martin's recent book, Global Business Etiquette: A Guide to International Communication and Customs,  offers some important advice to business travelers. These include:

- In Japan, a pat on the back means you are doing a bad job.

- In Germany, don't bring up business at a meal until the last course.  And don't open with a joke.

- In China, it is polite to state your company's name before your own.

- In most countries, don't eat with your hands.  This includes fruit and sandwiches.

- Above all, if you have your business cards translated, make sure to double-check what the new translation means.

Oil Prices Expect to Drop

While there has been a great deal of worry that oil prices, having tripled from $25 a barrel to $75 since 2002, will continue to soar indefinitely, many analyst are now expecting oil to fall back to $50 dollars a gallon over the next few years.  Increasing speculation over turmoil in Iraq, Iran, and Nicaragua have alleged driven prices over their actual value, while simulationeously spurring significant increases to development in places such as Saudi Arabia.  Given that the airline industry expects to lose $3 billion dollars in 2006 due to fuel costs, this could be very good news.

China Opening Shorter Routes

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) is currently negotiating with China to add more air corridors.  The additional routes would significantly reduce fuel costs, delays, and problems with operations.  Airlines expect air travel to the host of the 2008 Olympics and 2010 World Trade Expo to double within the next ten years.

Terrorism Fears Boost Luxury Air Travel

Increased fears over terror acts on commercial airliners has led to a major increase in luxury airtravel.  Eos, which flies Boeing 757 jumbo jets that seat just 48 passengers, has reported an increase in reservations by over 30 percent over the next three weeks.  The jump has been largely attributed to frustration and fears caused by the recently foiled terrorism plot. The airline currently flies only from London to JFK, but plans on adding fourteen more routes by 2010.