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Fear of flying

Vliegramp2018 was one of the safest years ever for commercial aviation, reports the Aviation Safety Network. In that year, a total of 15 fatal accidents with aircraft were recorded resulting in 556 fatalities. The accidents involve 12 passenger flights and 3 cargo flights.

5-year average

This is worse than the 5-year average of 14 accidents and 480 fatalities: 1 more accident and 76 more lives lost. Even so, as to commercial aviation, 2018 is the 3rd safest year ever by the number of fatal accidents and the 9th safest in terms...
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Safety and Security
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Apply for ESTA at least 72 hours before departure

Statue of libertyArriving in the USA is an unpleasant experience. Citizens or nationals of one of the Visa Waiver Program countries must apply for ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) prior to their travel to the USA. Other travelers will usually need a visa.

Soviet Union

If you have ever been to the former Soviet Union, this ordeal will come to mind again when you arrive in the USA. For foreigners arriving in the USA the entry process is almost the same as it was in the Soviet Union....
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Tips/Experiences
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Manila airport safe according to ICAO, not according to TSA

The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is responsible for assessing security at foreign airports with direct service to the USA. This is to ensure that they meet ICAO standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

Travel advisory for Manila Airport

In coordination with DHS and the Department of Transportation, experts from the US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) have assessed aviation security at Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila, Philippines. This airport serves as a last-point-of-departure airport for flights...
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News, Safety and Security
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An empty cockpit

Pilotless planeDriverless cars are around the corner, a development that is changing the automotive industry. Even though drivers still must keep their hands on the steering wheel, quite a few cars already have the capability to drive themselves. Will pilotless planes follow?

Remote-controlled planes

According to the Swiss bank UBS, airlines can save $35 billion ($40 billion) a year if they could operate remote-controlled planes. This is not only the result of lower wage cost, but in particular of lower insurance premiums and lower fuel cost. Carriers would undoubtedly add a large...
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Airlines
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Do not book directly with an airline

LufthansaA judge in Germany ruled on December 10, 2018 that Lufthansa cannot charge a penalty to a passenger for dropping the last leg of his ticket. This seems good news for passengers and European consumer groups fighting similar unfair practices, which are based on no-show clauses in airlines' conditions of carriage.

Promotional fares

European carriers sometimes offer promotional fares in other markets than their home market. In this case, Lufthansa offered a promotional fare on the route Oslo-Frankfurt- Seattle. However, if the fare offered is attractive enough, flyers from other...
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Fares, News
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How does Marriott treat customers?

Moxy New YorkA reader of our website shares his experience with Marriott. Due to the cancelation of his flight to New York he will arrive 1 day later than scheduled. Thus, he sends an email to the Moxy hotel to inform them of the flight cancelation and the consequence that he will not arrive until the next day. This way he hopes to avoid a no-show fee.

Automated emails

Two days later he receives an automated message that is - as usual at Marriott - meaningless because it does not address...
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Tips/Experiences
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