Christmas has come a bit early for those of us that live in Seattle. All Nippon Airways (ANA) has recently announced that they will start service from Tokyo’s Narita Airport (NRT) to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) a bit early this year.
Previously, ANA announced starting service between NRT and SEA using a Boeing 787 Dreamliner during the second half of financial year 2012 (October 2012-March 2013), but now they will start the service on July 25th using a Boeing 777-300ER. According to a press release, the airline, “has decided to launch the route ahead of schedule in order to capture passenger demand over the busy summer season.” ANA is still planning to change the route to a 787 Dreamliner later in the fiscal year.
The initial Boeing 777-300ER aircraft will be configured with a total of 247 seats (85 business class, 162 economy). ANA will configure their 787 on the route with 158 seats – 46 business class seats and 112 economy class seats.
ANA currently operates eight US daily routes and Seattle will become the ninth. ANA will be the first airline to operate the 787 Dreamliner out of Seattle.
United Airlines, a Star Alliance partner of ANA, currently operates a daily flight from SEA to NRT using a Boeing 777-200 and some have questioned if United would reduce or eliminate their service. When I asked United about their future plans for the route, they replied with, “No changes planned.”
To be honest, when I received an email saying a frustrated passenger made a music video to let off some steam after an airline lost his bag, I was very close to deleting it. First off, this concept as been done and secondly — well — sometimes bags get lost and it is by no means is it a good thing, but surely not something to write a story on.
However, I am glad I took the time to click on the link and watch the video. Turns out the bag lost held quite a bit of video equipment worth good money. This meant that the passenger was out his stuff, but he still had the skills to make this classy music video.
Hopefully someday his bag will show up, but until then, enjoy the music.
View from inside the terminal at London Stansted International Airport, Feb. 1999. Photo by Hunter Desportes.
Story from London Stansted Airport / Reuters
Today’s travellers aren’t up to speed when it comes to airport security liquid allowance, with nearly half (44%) admitting they don’t know the 100ml rule, according to London Stansted Airport.
Despite the 100ml law coming into force nearly six years ago, an alarming number of Brits (36%) still don’t know what constitutes a ‘liquid’ under airport regulations. Three in five (60%) believe baked beans are exempt while a staggering (28%) don’t think water counts as a liquid.
Cosmetics are also a source of confusion, with many believing everyday make-up items don’t need to be placed into a plastic bag for security checks, including lipstick (82%), mascara (60%) and foundation (47%).
Two in five (40%) think the airport security rules are confusing but the uncertainty doesn’t stop with just liquid; travellers are trying to take a number of weird and wonderful items through security.
Top ten most bizarre items confiscated at London Stansted security:
1. Crustaceans
2. Love cuffs
3. Human body fat
4. A sweet jar containing live goldfish
5. Machete
6. Snow globes
7. Drills and sanders
8. Sling shot
9. Dirty nappies
10. Air rifles
The research highlights that this lack of security know-how means that customers are holding up queues at security to declare items. While more than one in five (27%) admit to having had items confiscated once, 20% have been stopped on more than more occasion.
Of those that had to handover items at security, many tried to talk their way out of it with excuses such as “I forgot they were in my bag” (47%), followed by “I didn’t know what the legal size limit was for liquids (26%)” and “I didn’t realise they were actual liquids” (23%).
John Farrow, Head of Terminal at London Stansted Airport, said: “We’re constantly amazed by some of the bizarre items that people try to take through security – some of which simply can’t be mentioned here! With an increasing number of people opting to travel with only hand luggage, we are urging travellers to make sure they take time to understand the security regulations before leaving home.
“As London’s most punctual airport, we pride ourselves on having processes in place that ensure a fast and efficient journey through the airport. However, no one likes to stand in queues so make sure you are ready for the checks at the time of packing to avoid any unnecessary delays in the airport.”
A reminder of the restrictions on the quantity of liquids:
* Liquids may only be carried in containers holding 100ml or less.
* They must be carried separately in a single bag which is:
* Transparent and re-sealable
*No larger than 20cm x 20cm (8in x 8in)
* Able to close properly with all the items inside
* At security control, place the bag in the tray separate from
your other items
* Liquids in containers over 100ml will not be permitted through
security – please pack them in your hold baggage instead
An EA-18G Growler sits at NAS Whidbey. Photo by Alex Jossi.
I grew up knowing the Navy’s EA-6B Prowler very well — my father flew them for about 20 years. The aircraft was made tough, but all planes need to be replaced sooner or later. Recently, the Navy has started the transition from the EA-6B Prowler to the FA-18 based EA-18G Growler. Reader Alex Jossi had the opportunity to do some photography of the new Growler and was willing to write up a story on the aircraft. Here is his story in his own words:
Thanks to a friend and local aviation photographer, a handful of us guys were able to take photos at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island. It was a treat to get some of the CAG birds, many of which have already been retired in the five weeks since we made the trek up north from the Portland area. I have it on pretty good hunch that they had us photograph those particular Prowlers for a reason. It was like saying goodbye to an old friend. But all good things eventually come to an end. For those of you who may not know, CAG birds are aircraft for a unit with special paint jobs, either on the entire aircraft itself or a special design on the tail. Typically, but not always, these aircraft are flown by the commander of the unit for which the aircraft belongs to. Similar terms for CAG birds include: ’œShow Bird’, ’œEaster Egg’, ’œBoss Machine’, and ’œHead Nuts’.
An older EA-6B that is being phased out. Photo by Alex Jossi.
The United States Navy is slowly phasing out the EA-6B Prowlers in favor of the newer and more advanced EA-18G Growlers. The Prowler’s initial deployment was in 1972 in Asia. It also saw combat later during Operations Desert Storm and Iraqi Freedom. In 1994, it was selected to become the sole tactical radar support jammer for all services. Today, Prowler aircraft are a high-demand, low density military asset used quite heavily in the war on terrorism.
The new ICAP III System, first delivered in 2005, has performed beyond expectations in its combat deployments during Iraqi Freedom. However, the four-crew electronic attack aircraft (one pilot, three electronic countermeasures officers) are aging, and are less fuel economic than the newer Growlers. They can’t keep getting repaired; therefore, it is necessary and feasible that they be replaced.
As capable as the Prowler is, the Growler is much newer and much more capable. The EA-18G Growler’s ALQ-218 wideband receiver and ALQ-99 tactical jamming system will be more effective in preventing ground-to-air attacks. Its Modular ALQ-227 Communication Countermeasure Set enables it to counter a wider range of communication systems and can readily adapt to current threats.
Reaching initial operational capability in 2009, the EA-18G Growler program leverages proven processes developed through the Super Hornet Program (the EA-18G Growler is a variant of the F/A-18F Super Hornet) and is recognized as an aircraft that will ensure a low-risk executable program that will remain on schedule, under weight, and an aircraft that will provide significant cost savings.
EA-18G Growler for VAQ-135. Photo by Alex Jossi.
That being said, there is still a sense of nostalgia surrounding the Prowlers that will never go away. Those who view retired aircraft of the past with admiration, know what I’m talking about. The Prowler will soon be one of those many ’œold friends’ that we will never get to see again in the same capacity that they can be seen now. It is one of those aircraft joining the ranks of ’œget them while you can’ that will soon be just another ’œairplane on a pole’ as so many aircraft have before.
The Club International Lounge is located in the South Terminal at SEA.
Recently, Delta Air Lines upgraded to a newer lounge at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), which left their old location available. The airport decided to renovate it and offer it to airlines that might not have the capacity to have their own lounge, nor are using one of the other lounges already at the airport. Emirates, which started service from Seattle to Dubai on March 1st, is currently the only airline that is making use of the lounge, but that should change in the future.
The lounge provides nice views to aircraft outside.
“We refurbished the old one and are making it available for airlines who do not have enough flights to warrant a full one of their own or do not share with another airline,” Perry Cooper, Airport Media and Public Affairs Manager with SEA explained to AirlineReporter.com. “Emirates uses it when they began on March 1st. We are looking to attract some of the other international airlines to use it as well. ”
Cooper also stated that currently the airport is not offering day passes to other passengers who are not flying on Emirates business or first class.
It might be small, but right now there is not a huge demand.
The Club International lounge has a modern atmosphere with many of the amenities one would come to expect. There are not many food options, but that they have the standard snack-type foods found in many other lounges. The club does not have its own Wi-Fi, which is fine, since the entire SEA airport has free Wi-Fi that you are able to access in the lounge.
There are free adult beverages offered and even a menu with locally inspired mixed.
Have to love the coffee machine. I used it twice.
The strange thing about the lounge is that behind the front desk, is a walled off glass area. Since it was not well labeled, I was not sure if it was a quiet area or what. I had to ask and I was informed that it was the first class section.
I understand that some first class folks don’t want to mingle with the business class, but it just seemed weird — almost zoo like. There really isn’t anything else in the glassed off area except a secondary snack area and additional seating. I guess some people just want to feel special and if that is what they are wanting, it is good to give it to them.
