Mobissimo

Sometimes things are very important and you can't be bothered by hanging up the phone just because a plane needs to take off.  The ubiquitous mobile phone is indeed a boon ... and a curse.  Here's more about one guy who didn't take no for an answer.

 An Austin businessman was charged with disorderly conduct after he allegedly refused to stop using his mobile phone on a flight Monday from Austin to Dallas Love Field.

Dallas police met the plane after the pilot radioed ahead to the Love Field tower. They cited Joe David Jones, 50, president of an Austin-based environmental start-up company called Skyonic Corp., with the Class C misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of up to $500.

Virgin Airlines seems to like dwelling on the sexy theme.  From the youngish models in their ads, to the omnipresent 'fun and irreverent' attitude the airline wants to convey, Virgin espouses the swashbuckling persona of its leader Sir Richard Branson.  As part of its message to hook up and fly, Virgin is offering inflight texting capability.  More here via Budget Travel.

If its ad campaigns are any indication, Virgin America has big plans for its in-flight instant messaging service. The airline is apparently convinced that passengers will while away the hours gossiping, discussing breaking news, sharing musical recommendations—and, of course, finding true love only a few (previously inaccessible) aisles away.

Flying first class is expensive, no doubt. I've flown Lufthansa and Thai and can attest to their special service. On a connection from Geneva to the states via Frankfurt, a Benz was waiting for me on the tarmac to take me to my LH flight back to the states in Frankfurt. Small touch, but so, as Ron Burgundy would say, 'classy.' Regardless of the service, airline food, at least to me remains horrible. It's not really cooked, it's just reheated, and those cookies you smell are just heated as well. I would rather see Inga back the in the galley making them from scratch, but whatever, I always bring my own food anyway. Food is also getting an upgrade as top flight chefs and sommeliers are making the airlines the new battle ground. More here via CNN.

(AP) -- First-class airline passengers can say goodbye to mystery meat.

Prepared airplane meals are on display at the Delta Air Lines Gate Gourmet facility in Erlanger, Kentucky.

While complimentary meals have all but disappeared for most coach flights, there's a whole new culinary landscape for first class. In the latest effort to lure customers and create buzz, airlines are serving up gourmet menus cooked up by celebrity chefs.

Travelers flying to South America or Japan on United Airlines can feast on award-winning chef Charlie Trotter's appetizer of sauteed prawns and crispy short rib wontons with organic Thai barbecue sauce and chilled sweet-and-sour cucumber relish. Going to Europe on American Airlines? Try the rosemary-scented shrimp drizzled with garlic sauce and served with lemon rice and artichokes.

I like this idea, good thing actually.  Wikis are getting much press for their ability to offer 'unbiased' information about a subject because of the moderation.  Travel wikis can be a huge asset, travelers can chime in on what they like and don't like.  While on paper this sounds great, let's wait a bit, one person's Shangri-La could be another's Detroit.  Read more here via a travel wiki Travellerspoint.

We first discussed the idea for Travellerspoint in a MSN Messenger session in the middle of 2002, while Samuel was living in the Netherlands and Peter was living in Australia. What started as a mere discussion turned into serious planning: just three months later we launched Travellerspoint. Amazed, we found our humble little website turning into a rapidly growing travel community, getting great reviews and attracting thousands of new members.

Don't know if it is really possible.  After all, sitting in a metal tube at 35k feet and eating food that's been cooked 2 weeks ago is not natural.  Sitting in a chair, any chair for over 2 hours is not natural either.  But alas, designers are looking out for your lumbar, more here via Wired.

Some refer to it as economy class syndrome. To others it's know as a coach class clot. But whatever you call it, sitting squeezed into an airplane seat until you develop deep vein thrombosis is no way to die. And that's why this strange new seat is worth checking out.

The Cozy Suite (sort of a cheesy name, we know) is a staggered seat configuration designed to give passengers a better shot at getting some shut-eye during their flight. Delta just put in a big order for the seats, and surprisingly, plans to install them in the often overlooked coach class cabin.

This is a tough one, first MaxJet, now EOS.  The remaining business class only airlines out there have a chance, but it looks grim.  With the economic turn, fuel prices at an all-time high, and severe inherent competition from the majors, the business class only model really can only be sustained in a bull market.  More here Reuters.

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Eos Airlines, which offers business class flights between New York and London, said it has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, becoming the latest carrier to fail in the face of record fuel prices and a softening economy.

Eos said it would stop operations entirely on April 27, cutting most of its work force.

Eos joins a number of other carriers to shut down in recent weeks, including Aloha Airlines, Champion Air, ATA Airlines, Skybus Airlines.

Well, travel can be time consuming and often you can spend a good afternoon researching fares.  Mobissimo helps you cut through this, but we don't mind you spending time on the site, in fact, we encourage it.  Travel sites are now being blocked by employers because they do take up time and decrease productivity.  I mean, you should be focusing on growing your business, doing some competitor research, and figuring out your own market instead of planning your vacation travel, true?  More here via VNUnet.com.

Companies that limit employee use of the internet are more likely to block travel and social networking sites than porn sites, according to a report released today at Infosec Europe 2008.

A survey of 300 UK companies found that travel and social networking topped the league of blocked sites, with personal webmail not far behind.

Prominent blogger Sramana Mitra has featured Mobissimo in a recent post.  Yes, Mobissimo.  Discussed were diverse topics like astonomy (stars!), Mobissimo's competitors being acquired, market growth, and a potential exit?  Read more here via the blog.

SM: What are your thoughts in terms of a potential exit?

BT: I am not too focused on the exit. We are building a strong company and brand in a growing market, so the vision and execution is what we focus on the most. I spend my time working to improve Mobissimo, whether through its technology, new partnership opportunities, or new ways to reach travelers and prospective users.

The market condition in the travel industry gives us many opportunities. Mobissimo is not a “feature”, but a standalone company, thus we could go public if revenues and financial climate where permitting. We are also one of the best types of partners to have for companies that want to grow and that need international expertise in content, contacts and marketing.

The things to do for Earth Day are varied, 22 April, I think that the primary day for PA, so obviously an important day politically.  There are a myriad of things to do on the 22nd of April, find something in your neighbourhood and make a difference.  More here via Planet Love.

Earth Day 2008 is just around the corner. Join the global celebration for a healthy planet!

On April 22, 1970, 20 million people celebrated the first Earth Day, the brainchild of Senator Gaylord Nelson, one of the most environmentally aware men to ever grace the United States Senate floor.

Senator Nelson observed “teach-ins” on college campuses against the Vietnam War, and believed the same approach could work to bring environmental concerns to the forefront of American politics. He announced his idea during a speech in Seattle, Washington in 1969.

I've been to San Sebastian probably around 10-12 times now.  A usual stop for me in the summer, San Sebastian is always a welcome respite from the heat of Spain, the crowds of Italy, and the food of the UK.  A convenient stop from Paris to Madrid, San Sebastian is a worthwhile stop, one visit and you'll 1) never leave 2) plan your next trip back 3) find every excuse to visit again.  I'm not the only one who believes such, here's more via New York Magazine.

Unlike other beautiful, dramatic coastal regions in Spain and France, Basque country has always maintained a certain mystery. There’s the incomprehensible language, full of p’s, x’s and k’s, of course, and the four-decade menace of the violent separatist group ETA. But against that there’s a strong, sophisticated culture that’s retained its own identity, even in the face of increased EU-ization. Now ETA has declared a cease-fire, Basque chefs are setting world standards for adventurous food, days are balmy but breezy, and the European hordes haven’t yet overtaken the beaches—so it’s the perfect time to spend four or five days in the region’s cultural epicenter, San Sebastián.

Ja, I've heard it all. Does a premium seat equal a premium flight? I don't think so, while booze may pass the time and more legroom is, well, negligible, you're still on the same airplane with everyone else, that never changes. However, some of you may find that this is worth an extra spend. More here via Travelrants.com and the inner workings of each premium economy offering via SeatGuru.com.

One question I get asked a lot is what are the advantages of booking a premium economy seat and my reply is that it depends on which airline you are flying with. All of the airlines offering premium economy give you extra leg room, and more reclining space but some offer a number of extra benefits.

Advantages of booking a premium economy seat

Virgin give you a pre-flight drink, dedicated boarding and luggage reclaim, compare this with BMI who offer free alcoholic and soft drinks plus advance seat selection at time of booking. Personally, I don’t think that the extra cost is worth the money, but that’s my personal opinion.

Well, not like this one is a major surprise.  Why do all the hard work when you can just pick up a competitor's guide book and Xerox to your heart's content?  I mean c'mon, how many different restaurants/hotels/sights are there in the world?  Also, contrary to journalistic practice, he received freebies along his travels.  More here via Reuters.

MELBOURNE (Reuters) - An author for the Lonely Planet travel guidebook series has claimed that he plagiarized and made up large sections of his books, an Australian newspaper reported on Sunday.

Author Thomas Kohnstamm told the Sunday Telegraph newspaper he had worked on more than a dozen books for Lonely Planet, including their titles on Brazil, Colombia, the Caribbean, South America, Venezuela and Chile.

The Lonely Planet guidebooks sell more than six million copies a year.

The Sunday Telegraph said Kohnstamm also claims in his new book "Do Travel Writers Go To Hell?" that he accepted free travel, contravening company policy.

Bleh, we all know travel is tough when your currency exchange is low.  Well, not in your favour.  After decades of the reverse, Americans are getting a taste of what most of the world has been experiencing for that past few decades.  5 tips here on how to stretch that dollar - and these are pretty good ones.

Your resolve is strong!  Despite the ever weakening of the dollar you will see Europe no matter what it takes.  Student loans, credit cards maybe even selling candy bars door to door (buy them at the dollar store at 4 / dollar and make a huge profit) are ways to get the extra money but how do you make it last once you are there.  Here are a few tips to stretch what money you do have during your journey while not giving up any of the adventure.

We could add to the woes of American Airlines and their cancelled flights, but we won't 1) because we really like American Airlines and 2) fixing potentially unsafe airplanes is the main priority.  China.  What can you really say?  The torch relay problems, Tibet, recalls - China needs to hire Paris Hilton's Elliot Mintz to handle their PR.  Here's one that I really like though.  China has no unions, obviously since there is no need in a communist country.  A recent act by several pilots to protest labour policies is indeed a major occurence for China.  Expect these upstarts to be 'vanished' shortly.  More here via The International Herald Tribune.

SHANGHAI, China: China Eastern Airlines has suspended two executives and some pilots who allegedly disrupted flights to express grievances over labor policies.

The Shanghai-based airline issued a statement late Monday confirming that 21 flights in southwestern China's Yunnan province were intentionally disrupted on March 31, a rare show of defiance in a country that bans unauthorized labor organizing.