NASA Finally Unveils Controversial Study
Norovirus Outbreak on “Cursed” Queen Victoria
Aviation Deaths Down, Fewer Crashes in 2007
Airlines and Airports Likely to Strike
Round the World on a Single Ticket
NASA FINALLY UNVEILS CONTROVERSIAL STUDY - MSNBC
NASA has released results from a federal air safety study that it previously withheld from the public over concerns that it would undermine fliers’ confidence in airlines. The $11.3 million study conducted over four years shows that airline safety issues, such as near collisions, happen more frequently than previously thought. NASA was blasted by Congress and members of the travel industry for withholding this information. The study will be available on NASA’s Web site on Wednesday.
Link: MSNBC
NOROVIRUS OUTBREAK ON “CURSED” QUEEN VICTORIA - Fox News
Has Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, cursed the $600 million Queen Victoria cruise liner? Dozens of passengers aboard Cunard’s brand-new ship came down with norovirus, aka the “stomach flu,” on the ship’s maiden voyage. The liner was just days into at 16-day cruise around the Canary Islands when 78 passengers got sick with the highly contagious norovirus bug, which causes vomiting and diarrhea. During the ship’s naming ceremony, Camilla failed to smash a bottle of champagne against the bow, traditionally thought to be a sign of bad luck.
Link: Fox News
AVIATION DEATHS DOWN, FEWER CRASHES IN 2007 – NBC News
An independent study shows that 2007 was one of the safest years in aviation history. The Geneva-based Aircraft Crashes Record Office found that there were 136 serious aviation accidents in 2007, the lowest since 1963. The organization found that 965 people died in plane crashes last year, which was 25 percent fewer than the previous year. Almost a third of all crashes occurred in North America, with 34 accidents in the United States alone.
Link: NBC News
AIRLINES AND AIRPORTS LIKELY TO STRIKE – Global Traveller via Upgrade Travel Better
If you’re planning a European vacation over the next few weeks, arm yourself with information before you go. Seven airlines and airports, including BAA, Virgin Atlantic and Qantas, are likely to strike, which may impact your travel plans. A few tips on how to cope with this disruption: Find out which alternate routes and carriers are available; be flexible with your dates and destinations; consider buying a fully refundable back-up ticket on a different airline; and most importantly, don’t panic!
Link: Upgrade: Travel Better
ROUND THE WORLD ON A SINGLE TICKET – The New York Times
Want to travel around the world the easy way? Purchasing a round-the-world (RTW) ticket is easier than ever now that airline alliances have been expanding with new routes and partners. In 2004, the SkyTeam alliance consisted of nine airlines and served 658 destinations in more than 130 countries. Today it has 11 airline members and three associate members and covers 841 destinations in 162 countries. In the past year alone, the oneworld alliance has expanded its network by almost 100 destinations, served by more than 9,000 flights a day.
Link: The New York Times
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