Do you know where your bag is at? If you are on Delta, you can know. Photo by Kenny Ganz.
Earlier this year Delta Air Lines started experimenting with being able to track your checked bags via the internet. Although you could check the status of your bag using a browser on your smart phone, it wasn’t the best. Now, Delta has expanded the capability to use their app to check on your bag.
Once you enter your bag’s code (with the iPhone you can scan it) you are able to watch it board your plane and find out what carousel it will show up on after you land. Or you might also be able to watch as it goes to Hawaii as you fly to Ohio. Even though that would be a negative experience overall, at least, it allows you to plan ahead of time. You won’t have to stand at baggage claim for an hour waiting for your bag, just to find out that it did not make it. You can go straight from your flight to a customer service representative.
’œDelta’s baggage tracking feature on our mobile applications is part of our ongoing investment in technology to bring greater convenience to the travel experience, said Bob Kupbens, Delta’s vice president ’“ eCommerce. ’œWe’ve added features that help put our customer’s minds at ease, simplify their journey and put them in control.’
Currently, the bag tracking is available on the iPhone and Android. Apps for Windows and Blackberry phones will be coming online in the next few weeks.
So, with many of your traveling has anyone been able to try out this service yet?
Learn more and see a video on Delta’s blog.
Do you know these liveries and aircraft types?
Alright, here are the answers for my fifth Ultimate Airline Livery Contest:
#1 Air Canada Boeing 747-100 by Bob Garrard
#2 TWA Lockheed L1011 by Dean Morley
#3 Cubana IL-62M by Chris Chen
#4 Avior Airlines Boeing 737-200 by Aero Icarus
#5 Aero California DC-9-15 by Ron Monroe
#6 Royal Air Maroc Boeing 787 Dreamliner by Jon Ostrower
#7 Pakistan International Airlines Airbus A310 by Osdu
#8 CP Air Douglas DC-8 by Jim Bavin
I had a record number of you give you best shot with guessing all the liveries and aircraft types and it is time to give some props (or jets) to those who “won” the contest and will receive AirlineReporter.com stickers:
THOSE WHO GOT ALL LIVERY AND AIRCRAFT TYPES CORRECT:
* Gordon Werner, who is ultimate champion and only person to get all five ultimate livery challenges correct
* Keith Goodman (@airplanegeekcom)
* Daniel Jones
* Paul Cavallo
* Kyle Duncan
THOSE WHO GOT ALL THE LIVERIES CORRECT:
* Tim Sieber
* Andy Wade
* Francesco Favazza
* Antonio Tantalo
If you did not win this time, do not worry. If you tried, you are really a winner in my book. I have said before that I probably couldn’t get these 100% myself, so do not feel bad. It seems that the one that people had the most trouble with was the Royal Air Maroc Boeing 787. Stay tuned for the next one!
Have you ever flown Turkey Airlines? They are okay I guess.
I hope everyone has a safe and great Thanksgiving. Travel safely!
Original Photo by: Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren
Boeing painter Bill Pearson applies chrome-free primer to the 777-300ER that was delivered to Air New Zealand in November 2011. Photo from Boeing.
Boeing has announced 10 initiatives on the 777 program that will help to eliminate 5.5 million pounds of CO2 and 300,000 gallons of jet fuel per year just in the 777 delivery process.
A lot of attention is given to how airlines can save money and the environment when flying them, but how about aircraft manufactures saving a little green (money and environment) before an aircraft is even delivered?
Before each 777 is delivered, there is a 20-day process of paint, tests and flights before Boeing hands over a brand plane to a customer. Boeing has been working on creating a more efficient process with Air New Zealand, which took delivery of a 777 using all ten initiatives.
“A team of employees identified redundancies in testing,” said Jeff Klemann, vice president Everett Delivery Center stated in a press release. “One idea was to eliminate engine-run tests already performed by GE, the 777’s engine manufacturer. This will result in a reduction of 1.4 million pounds of CO2 in 2012 as well as less community noise and emissions.”
In December 2010, Air New Zealand took delivery of their first Boeing 777-300ER. Photo by AirlineReporter.com.
A team of employees identified redundancies in testing and new more sustainable processes.Through out the 777 delivery process the team implemented the following 10 initiatives:
* Eliminated redundant fuel test in pre-delivery flight test
* Reduced the amount of times hydraulic filters are changed
* Eliminated engine-run tests already performed by GE
* Used waste fuel carts
* Reduced the number of times potable water is changed
* Reduced the amount of times engine fuel filters are changed
* Enhanced recycling throughout the delivery process
* Used electric carts instead of gas-powered vehicles
* Improved flight planning efficiency for pre-delivery flights to reduce fuel loads and flight times
* Used chrome-free primer
Nine of the initiatives will come standard with all future 777 deliveries. Usage of the special chrome-free paint will be an airline option.
MORE AIR NEW ZEALAND 777 STUFF:
* Behind the scenes of an ANZ 777-300ER delivery
* Checking out the interior of ANZ’s 777-300ER
In the unlikely event you have a very crazy flight, these flight attendants are making sure you will be prepared.
