Airline fees 101: Part 2 In-flight services

Remember the day where you got on the plane, got greeted with a friendly smile, were handed a baby blue stethoscope-lke headphone set, a pillow, blanket and possibly a meal all for the cost of the flight?  Sure, the small screen was in the front, people smoking could make it hard to see and the food was worse than what they serve in a hospital cafeteria but it was included.  Those days are over.  Airlines are getting themselves out of the red and once again seeing record profits all because they are charging for things that are other than the seat reservation.  Travelers can’t complain because airfares used to not be as “cheap” as they can be today and things like cost of living expenses, airline employee wages and price of fuel will always continue to rise.

Here’s a list of the fees broken down by airline straight from their sites.  I have linked the menu pages of each airline for more details on the menu not included.   If these options don’t excite you or you happen to have time to grab something beforehand than least the restaurant choices in most airport terminals have come a long way.  Much better then the old days usually, but there are usually no bargains.  I would also like to note that most airlines no longer except cash, so have your credit card handy if you do decide to purchase a meal, snack, drink, pillow or blanket on board.

American:

Passengers traveling domestically (flights 2-3 hours in length)  in the U.S. can purchase snacks, meals and alcoholic beverages at their seat by credit card only.   Nonalcoholic beverages are still complimentary.   Breakfast items for flights over 2 hours cost $3.99-6 and lunch/dinner items go for $10 and snacks at anytime cost anywhere from $3-4.  If passengers are interesting in an alcoholic beverage then it will set them back $7-8 per cocktail.

Pillow and blanket:  $8 (hopefully this means they clean them now)

Continental:

This airline is the only big player left that is offering complimentary nonalcoholic beverages, snacks and meals (domestic flights over 3 hours).  This may end at some point but for now love them or hate them…they are free.

Pillows/blankets:  complimentary still 🙂

Delta:

For flights over a half an hour there are complimentary peanuts or Biscoff cookies for a snack and a selection of complementary nonalcoholic beverage is available.

In addition to the complimentary snacks and beverages Delta offers a selection of high quality snacks for purchase from the All Day Goodies section of our EATS menu on flights from about 1.5+ hours.

For flights about 3.5+ hours,  the EATS menu and snacks are available for purchase, is available on Domestic (U.S. and Canada), Latin American, and Caribbean flights greater than 1,500 miles, or about 3.5 hours, during meal times. Breakfast is available from 5am-9:45am and lunch/dinner is available from 9:46am-8pm. They advise on their website that you print the entire EATS menu and order your selections from your flight attendant.

Please note that snack and beverage choices may change at any time and not all items are available on all flights.

Breakfast choices:  $3-6
Lunch/Dinner Choices:  $6-8
All day choices:  $3-5

Pillow/Blanket:  FREE

Jet Blue:

This airline is pretty straight forward and has been consistent from the start.  There are no meals but snacks and nonalcoholic beverages are complimentary.  Cocktails go for $6.

Pillow/Blanket:  $7 but it comes not only with a $5 coupon for Bed, Bath and Beyond but it comes in a carrying case so you can take it home with you.

Southwest:

This low-cost airline has offered complimentary snacks and nonalcoholic beverages from the beginning.  Cocktails will set you back $5 and they only take credit cards.

Pillows/Blankets:  not available so you have to bring your own.  They pulled them off after the H1N1 scares.

United:

They followed suite and do offer complimentary nonalcoholic beverages on all flights but charge for snacks and meals.    On flights less than 2 hours you can only purchase cocktails and no food (interesting)  On flights 2-3 hours in length passengers in economy can purchase:

A la carte snacks ($3) offered on all flights over 2 hours

Snackboxes ($6-7) offered on all flights over 2 hours

Fresh Food Offerings ($3-9) offered on flights over 3 hours along with the above snack options.

Pillows/Blankets:  not available on domestic flights

The thought of having to pay for things like food, pillows and blankets doesn’t actually really bother me.  I usually am not to bold over by the quality and/or taste of the free offerings of the past.  The additional charge for the pillows and blankets are acceptable as well.  I mean, who knows where they have been hanging out.  The ones you see tossed on the floor in business and first class most likely will be picked up and neatly folded back into a clean plastic bag.  Ready to be used by the next passenger as a napkin, face wipe or worse.

Airline fees 101 (Part One: Your baggage)

The airlines seem to be in acceleration mode when it comes to adding in fees and increasing traditional ones in the late.  There are so many to sort through that I’m blogging about them one at a time.  I have compiled a list of major airlines and what they are currently charging as of February 2010.  As most travelers have come to know, these fees can go up at a moments notice so they are subject to change.  And go up they will.  Another thing, these fees are for each way so the double on a round trip ticket.  One more good reason to pack light.

American:

1st bag (50 lbs. + 62″):  $25 domestic (U.S., Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands)$15 (to/from Canada) international: free

2nd bag:  (50 lbs. + 62″):  $35 domestic (U.S., Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands)$25 (to/from Canada) international: $50

Continental Airlines:

1st bag (50 lbs. + 62″):  $23 (online check-in) $25 airport check-in domestic (U.S., Canada, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands) international: free

2nd bag:  (50 lbs. + 62″):  $32 (online check-in) $35 (airport check-in) domestic (U.S., Canada, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands) international: $27 (online)  $30 (airport)  except Europe is $45 (online)  $50 (airport)

Delta:

1st bag (50 lbs. + 62″):  $23 (online check-in) $25 airport check-in domestic (U.S., Canada, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands) international: free

2nd bag:  (50 lbs. + 62″):  $32 (online check-in) $35 (airport check-in) domestic (U.S., Canada, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands) international: $50 (online)  $55 (airport)

Trips to the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Australia allow 2 checked bags for free

Jet Blue Airways:

1st bag (50 lbs. + 62″):  free (U.S., Canada, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands) international: free

2nd bag:  (50 lbs. + 62″):  $30 domestic (U.S., Canada, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands) international: free

Southwest:

1st bag (50 lbs. + 62″):  free domestic and no international flights as of now

2nd bag:  (50 lbs. + 62″):  free domestic and no international flights as of now

United:

1st bag (50 lbs. + 62″):  $25 (U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands) international: free

2nd bag:  (50 lbs. + 62″):  $35 domestic (U.S., Canada, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands) International U.S. to Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean: $27 (online check-in) $30 (airport check-in)  International U.S. to Europe, Russia and India: $45 (online check-in) $50 (airport check-in) International (everywhere else) allowed 2 checked bags for free

Virgin Atlantic/America

1st bag (70 lbs. + 62″):  $25 (continental U.S only)  international: free

2nd bag:  (50 lbs. + 62″):  $25 domestic (continental U.S. only) international: free


Valentine’s Day around the World

Tomorrow is Valentines Day.  Many lovers around the world will be scurrying to pick up last-minute chocolates, flowers and cute stuffed animals to show there love and affection they feel for one another.  Many countries around the world celebrate this day in their own way.

The traditional Valentine’s Day card industry began in my home state of Massachusetts.  A woman by the name of Esther Howland of  Worcester, MA decided to replicate the fancy hand written cards she had received from Britain.  The holiday just took off from here.   Today, Valentine’s Day cards represent the second biggest card-sending holiday of the year.

A similar situation occured when the Conversational fruit flavored Hearts were invented. They were originally made in Glasgow, UK by the brother of the Necco Company (based in the Boston Area of Massachusetts) and called Sweethearts in the 1860’s.  The Sweethearts were originally used for weddings since the heart candies inscriptions traditionally were “Marry Me” themed messages.  The UK-based Swizzels began producing their Love Hearts in 1933 and the US-based Necco began producing their Sweethearts line earlier in 1902.

Many other countries around the world have adopted this holiday even though todays version has a much different from its original version.  Saint Valentine was a Roman priest who was found guilty of marrying Christians and later executed for the crime.  The day of his death was February 14th and feast is held on this day to commemorate his death.  It was later when Chaucer associated this saint with romantic love.

Día del Amor y la Amistad

In Mexico, Ecuador, El Salvador and Costa Rica call the holiday Dia del Amor y la Amistad or day of love and friendship. Finland and Estonia do the same.  The celebrations are pretty much similar to ones in the US but they incorporate friends in as well.  The flowers are a must along with lingerie.

White Day

In Japan and South Korea February 14th is a day where women traditionally give men chocolates.  The men later reciprocate the offer on March 14th by giving a non-chocolate give to women.  This holiday is known as White Day.  On April 14th in South Korea its traditional for those who didn’t receive anything on either days to go to a Chinese restaurant and eat themselves silly with a huge meal of black noodles.  This is known as Black Day there since they are mourning that they are single status.

Valentine’s Day banned?

Valentine’s Day has caused some outrage in countries where many see it as blasphemous.   The day sparks skirmishes between some Hindu extremists and non-hindu indians.  They usually threaten to attack Indian couples celebrating the holiday since they see it as encouraging obscene sexual behaviors.  These are the same people who strongly oppose Bollywood films.

Saudi Arabia has banned the holiday and any selling of flowers, chocolates and  even wrapping paper on February 14th just because it is a Christian holiday.  Pakistan also bans the holiday saying that it is a “shameful day” and an insult to Islam.

Valentine’s Day has been and will always be a Hallmark holiday.  For some, they need to be reminded to celebrate those they love and show them by showering them with gifts of chocolate, flowers, cards and jewelry. What’s so bad about that?  Happy V-Day!

A little slice of paradise

wo years ago this week my husband and I we stuck in Phuket, Thailand.   For most being stuck in a tropical resort beach with nothing to do but looking at naked Europeans and ladyboys playing volleyball in 70-80’s F temperatures is heaven.  For us it was just killing time and itching for something with more adventure.

We had arrived in Hong Kong at the end of 2007. We had unfortunately applied for our visas to China after the unforseen Tibetan riots occurred in Tibet, so this ment we could only be issued a single entry 30 day visa.  The Chinese government had totally messed up our plan.  We had not only planned to stay in China for 6 weeks but our travel path would have taken us over the Himalayas and into a whole different part of Asia and not Thailand.  We love south-east asia but had been to Vietnam and Cambodia a few years back and wanted to see experience traveling in northern India, Burma and then way down to Malaysia and Bali for some beach time.

I’m not saying that Thailand isn’t a great place to visit.  The people seemed very friendly but since they were still in recovery mode and most of the visitors to the area were those from the Euro zone countries prices were incredibly high and I could have been on any island in the Caribbean for the experience I got there.  Very commercialized and tacky.  The only good feeling I got was that I was helping a cause when I was there.  The hotel we stayed was rebuilt and run by a family who had most likely been a victim of the tsunami two years earlier.  We selected places to eat based not on popularity but whether it was locally owned and run.  There were no trips to Starbuck’s, McDonald’s or any of the chain restaurants that had re-established themselves there.

The only sadness I had in leaving was knowing that this area had a tough road ahead of them.  We had spent our days hiking up either side of Patong Beach to the outskirts of town.  These areas where either abandoned or being turned into very high-end condominium developments in the hills overlooking the beach that was once a place of very high devastation.  The only reminder of the tsunami was a small memorial located not far from the beach area.  It’s a simple construction which people have placed small elephant figurines and other mementos on it to show remembrance of love ones lost.

The early morning we left behind the cheap massages on the beach, the overzealous prostitutes, the noisy waterfront and the ladyboy that was ironically waving at our taxi as we skipped town.  He/she in her/his magenta wig pretty much summed up the place.  I don’t mean to discourage those in going to Phuket but know that it’s not like Leonardo’s movie.  If you are in for a place where you can recover from your hangover on the beach, ride an elephant through the jungle and get a cheap massage it’s a great place to go.  I only wish them well in there own journey to full recovery and hope they are better prepared next time.

Please let me know your thoughts on the matter of Phuket or other places like it.  I would love to hear other travelers comments.

Some NYC Central Park Blizzard of ’10 pics

It’s pretty hairy here weather wise.  I got a late start but wanted to get some pics of the city while the snow was fresh.   Central Park is beautiful in any weather.   It was hard keeping the lens snow free.  The snow continues.  Luckily,  I made it back without getting scooped up by the snowplows or becoming a meal for the coyotes, bald eagles and  rabid raccoons that are out there. I love this city… Enjoy!

Short List of Subway train fares in the U.S.

Here’s a breakdown of current subway fares which will all probably be going up soon.  This isn’t a complete list but the most popular and interesting routes in the U.S.

New York City MTA: $2.25

Washington D.C. Metro: $1.65-$4.50

Chicago L: $2.25

Boston T: $2.00

San Francisco MUNI: $2.00

Los Angeles Metro:  $1.25

San Juan, P.R. Tren Urbano: $1.50

Detroit People Mover: 50 cents (WOW)

The fares on the New York City Subway aren’t looking too bad are they.  It’s not the cleanest and it’s not as modern like the Tokyo Metro, but it does take riders far and does it 24 hours a day.   Chicago charges the same fare but goes a fair distance but only until around 1am like Boston which is 25 cents less.  The MUNI is a fare price if you live in the right neighborhoods.  If anything, one can’t beat the transfers they give out.  I once got one that gave me 2 hours.  Who even takes the subway in LA?  Ridership is up on LA subways so hopefully there are less cars on the road as well (doubt it).  San Juan P.R. (10.7 miles) and Detroit (3 miles) are small systems but they must help some people get to where they want go.  Can’t beat either prices.

NYC: Somewhat secret places to take a break

There’s some much constantly going on around you in NYC.  A break is all you need to take a detour and find a place to regroup that’s close by.  Here’s a list of some great places to visit and get a moment of reprieve from the noise and commotion of the city streets.

New York Public Library – Mulberry Street


This hidden oasis in the middle of the shoppers paradise known as Soho is a great place to rest the feet and catch up on some reading.  This building was formerly  the cite of  a chocolate factory and has been beautifully and thoughtfully designed with respect to the building’s infrastructure, history, and context.  The ground floor is the top and main floor of the library with two floors filled with books and rooms to comfortable browse through them below.  This is probably one of the nicest libraries and lesser known on the island.  Additionally, it provides visitors with free wi-fi and a place to relax and unwind for a bit.

Governor’s Island


Currently, there is a rumor going on the the trial of one of the mind behind the 9-ll attack may be having their court trial here.  Let’s hope not since it’s a great place to spend the day in the warmer months of the year in NYC.  The island got its name before the Declaration of Independence was signed since the british colonial assembly reserved the island for the exclusive use of New York’s royal governors.  After the U.S. Army took control and built a base and a prison on the site.  The National Coast Guard where the last organization to control the island and they left to the hands of the State of New York and the parks department.  The city and state are still trying to figure out how to further develop the island with more attractive features and activities.  For now, it’s a peaceful place to rent a bike and have a picnic while enjoying the views of lower Manhattan, the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.  Best of all…it’s peaceful, clean and it’s free.

A few reasons why the New York MTA is better than the London Tube

There is no way that the London Tube and the New York Subway System are very different from one another.  The MTA has its problems but still provides its riders with a system that goes great distances at a reasonable cost.  The article written by an ex-pat living in London has some valid but very weak points of comparison.

Let’s lay down the basic facts of the two systems (Tube Vs. MTA)

The MTA Subway system

1. Runs 24 hours a day

The Tube runs from 4:45 to 1am since they don’t have 3rd or 4th rails needed to do repairs

2. MTA consists of 468 stations covering 842 miles of track with 11 subway lines

The Tube has  11 stations covering 250 miles of track and 11 subway lines

3.  The MTA fare cost is $2.25 per trip…period

The London Underground has fare zones and the ticket fares are the pay-as-you-go variety

4.  Subways are roomy with high ceilings

The London Tube has much smaller train cars then the one found in New York City.  As the picture shows, there isn’t much room between the aisles so if it’s hard to get one of those comfy cushioned seats then a rider is left standing.  It is especially difficult to travel from the airport to the center of London on the trains because there is very little room for luggage no matter how light you pack.  There aren’t even any overhead racks like those found in the Japanese subways and trains.


The Tube has nice cars with comfy seats but when there is no air-conditioning in the warmer months then it’s not so pleasant and never mind the odor.  The MTA platforms are not the most comfortable on a steamy summer day in NYC but it’s nice to know that you will most likely have some relief when the train does come.

The MTA has many shortcomings but what do you expect from a system that covers great distances 24 hours a day at one flat rate.  The fare may seem high to some but if you are coming into work everyday from all the way out near the airports or the Far Rockaways then $2.25 isn’t so bad.   The unlimited cards are still economical even though the prices have gone up a lot in the past few years.  There is much room for improvement when it comes to MTA signs and how they communicate service changes and advisors to riders.   All I can say is that I take the subway almost everywhere in the metro area and as a regular user I have some complaints but I know that it’s not perfect. I haven’t needed to own a car since I have moved here 10 years ago.  That says something.