news about cheap fares and airlines from travel search engine Trabber

Italy has emerged as the most popular holiday country in the ‘Conde Nast Traveller Readers’ Travel Awards’.

A ceremony was held at the Royal Institution of Great Britain in central London on Wednesday night (August 31st) to crown the winners, with Italy taking top prize in the country category ahead of the US, Turkey, Thailand and France.

The Greek isles topped the section covering the most popular island destinations, while the Maldives, Bali, Barbados and Mauritius completed the top five.

source: travelbite.co.uk

European sanctions against Libyan Airlines have been lifted following the political developments in the North African state.

The European Union placed sanctions on Libya in a regulation dated 2 March, gradually extending the restrictions to various entities.

It included Libyan Airlines in the list on 12 April, citing the fact that it was wholly-owned by the Libyan government.

fuente: flightglobal.com

Australian airline on Monday said it had offered discounts on future travel to some passengers after a man died on their 11-hour flight from Singapore to New Zealand.

The 31-year-old New Zealander, Robert Rippingale, had been watching a movie and eating his in-flight meal on the Jetstar flight to Auckland last week when his girlfriend Vanessa Preechakul noticed he seemed to be struggling.

A doctor and two nurses who were on board rushed to help the man, but were unable to save him and he was declared dead some 90 minutes into the flight.

source: straitstimes.com

Billie Joe Armstrong, the lead singer of the band Green Day was ejected from a plane at Oakland airport after a stewardess became upset that his jeans were “‘sagging’” to reveal his underpants.

The incident took place on a taxi-ing flight bound for Burbank, in Southern California. It prompted Armstrong to vent his frustration via Twitter. “‘Just got kicked-off a Southwest flight because my pants sagged too low,’” he told 170,000 followers. “‘What the f**k? No joke!’”

When Southwest had become aware of exactly who Mr Armstrong is – Green Day has sold over 65 million records, and their album American Idiot swept the Grammys – they offered to re-seat him on a later flight.

source: Independent.co.uk

Air Australia will add a fresh twist to the Australian airline industry, as it introduces a sharp new livery over coming months.

The stylish lime branding was revealed to staff last night and will initially adorn one of the company’s Airbus A330s.

It is part of a rebranding by Strategic Airlines as it re-invents itself as a low-fare carrier with new domestic and international services. Designed by advertising heavyweight Sean Cummins, the man responsible for the original “‘anti-Qantas'” Virgin Blue livery, it aims to portray the rebranded carrier as a breath of fresh air in the market.

source: theaustralian.com.au

it’s a suite that may appeal to only the most die-hard of fans – but one London hotel reckons it can cash in on love for Jaguar cars with a dedicated ”Jaguar suite”.

Set to open this September, the Jaguar Suite at Taj Hotels 51 Buckingham Gate is a canny arrangement between the two companies, both of whom are owned by Indian giant Tata.

Measuring 170 square meters, the suite contains two bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms, a kitchen and living and dining areas, but for fans, the abundance of Jaguar paraphernalia is sure to be the highlight.

source: Independent.co.uk

Travel rewards scheme ‘AirMiles‘ is being rebranded as ‘Avios‘ following the merger between British Airways and Iberia.

The loyalty schemes from both airlines will be amalgamated under parent company International Airline Group from November 16.

Users will be required to pay taxes, fees and charges on their flights. Charges will be capped at £27. Avios will continue to be run by BA subsidiary The Mileage Company.

source: travelweekly.co.uk

In a clear attempt to make its flights more appealing to business travellers, Ryanair has announced it is to allow customers to amend their bookings even after they have checked in online.

The service, which is available from Ryanair’s telephone reservation centres at a cost of £15 per passenger, per flight, allows passengers to access to their booking to amend names or change their flight dates.

source: Travelmole

A night on a sleeper train used to be a mark of prestige for travelers in backpacking paradise Thailand, but all that could be about to change thanks to the rapid growth of low-cost airlines.

Thai Airways, the country’s main airline, confirmed this week that it is to launch another low-cost carrier (Thai Smile) in July next year, operating from Bangkok to allow travelers to travel easily within the country.

The multitude of low-cost airlines in Thailand is sure to please budget-concious travelers – but it could mean the end of a night on a Thai train as a quintessential backpacking experience.

source: Independent.co.uk
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The standard row-block method of airplane boarding isn’t the most efficient way to get passengers to their seats. In fact, it’s the worst, according to a new experiment by an astrophysicist ” yes, an astrophysicist, who works with Batavia-based Fermilab.

Based on the trials, Jason Steffen found boarding by alternating rows at once was most efficient, followed by boarding window-to-seat and letting passengers board randomly. They’re all faster than block rows, Steffen concluded.

Alternating rows gives passengers enough room to squeeze their luggage into bins while others find their seats.

source: MSNBC