Curiosities
1,996 news found
CuriositiesAircraft and transport. Brussels Airport: 1000 pieces of luggage still "Orphan" after the strike
Brussels, Belgium - Brussels Airlines does not know who they belong to, and nobody has claimed them
Brussels Airlines, the most important Belgian carrier, communicated that almost every piece of luggage which were stranded at Brussels Airport during the strike of Swissport employees in the past weeks... more
CuriositiesLufthansa Cargo launches competition for ideas to give names to its aircraft in the fleet
Frankfurt, Germany - From Autumn 2013 all airplanes will be named in a very special way
Passenger aircraft at Lufthansa have for years been flying the globe with the names of cities or federal states in Germany emblazoned on their fuselage. From Autumn 2013, all the aircraft in the fleet... more
CuriositiesHookah on board: a dedicated lounge for smokers
Dubai, United Arab Emirates - Available on some Emirates Airline flights
Starting from June, passengers will not have to give up their smoking habit even while they are flying. But, dear home-bred nicotine-smokers, we're not talking about cigarettes or cigars: hookahs are the... more
CuriositiesFragments of history: turret of a B-17F airplane found in a lake
Bolsena, Italy - It had crashed 69 years ago
On Tuesday 21st May Lake Bolsena, in the centre of Italy, has returned a part of an American airplane that had disappeared in Bolsena waters during the Second World War. It is a B-17F’s ventral turret w... more
CuriositiesMobiles on airplanes: one third of fliers doesn't switch it off
New York, Usa - New study by the Airline Passenger Experience Association
The Airline Passenger Experience Association (Apex) is made up by businesses and professionals who analyze flight experiences and looks for the better solutions about several aspects of flight from the... more
CuriositiesIf you want to sleep in the airport, here you have the new pods. Strange but true
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - It is not a science-fiction tale, it happens on Earth
In Abu Dhabi International Airport, 10 Go Sleep pods have been installed in terminals 1 and 3, and 35 more are to be placed. From now on you will be able to enjoy a comfortable sleep in the airport for... more
CuriositiesEurofighter Typhoon launches amateur photography competition 2013
Hallbergmoos, Germany - This year’s winner will be announced during "Dubai Air Show" in November 2013
In 2012 a sunset image of a Eurofighter Typhoon, returning to its base at RAF Coningsby from a training sortie, won amateur photographer Gaz West international acclaim and the title of "Eurofighter Amateur... more
CuriositiesNot only Venice. The water taxi lands at Boston (USA)
Boston, USA - The street traffic often causes stress and a lot of delay. But how can we avoid in our cities long transfers by car or bus? In some cities a water taxi service to the airport is now available
Venice, the world most famous water city, is one of the first in offering to travellers a water taxi service. The city on the lagoon has a wide range of transfers via sea from the city centre, from the... more
CuriositiesAir Force One aircraft for sale
Arizona, USA - The starting price is 50 thousand dollars
This airplane served with honor the Unites States of America for three decades, from 1975 until 2005. It brought in its luxurious interior famous US presidents, such as Carter, Reagan, until the more recent... more
CuriositiesSkyscanner: survey on the most chatty people on board of the aircraft
Rome, Italy - Italians at third place, after French and Spanish passengers
The possibility of getting stuck in a conversation with the person who sits next to their seats on board of an aircraft is the worst of the nightmares for many travellers. But the modern passenger is different,... more
CuriositiesAircraft and transport. World's ten busiest routes revealed
Madrid, Spain - Asia pacific monopolizes the top ten positions
Amadeus, a provider of advanced technology solutions for the global travel industry, released the results of a survey which unveiled the ten busiest air transport routes in the world. Analysis of the... more
CuriositiesSir Richard Branson to serve as a female flight attendant on an AirAsia aircraft
Kuala Lumpur, Malesia - The British billionaire will fulfil a bet he lost with the CEO of the Malaysian carrier
If you are at Australia's Perth Airport on May 12, you might hear someone exclaiming: "Hey, that stewardess looks like Sir Richard Branson!". And someone else might answer: "She doesn't look like him:... more
CuriositiesBritish Airways: introduction of its new B-777/300ER airplane between Australia and UK
London, UK - During a high fashion event
To celebrate a new chapter in British Airways’ long history flying between Australia and the UK, the airline has partnered with Langham Hotels, London fashion label PPQ, and renowned British model Georgia M... more
CuriositiesSkyscanner on North Korea: researches of flights with a +260% to the Asiatic country
Rome, Italy - "For curiosity.. and not for real visits in this difficult moment"
Skyscanner, despite the threats of the North-Korean regime and alert status of all adjacent countries, recorded a +260% in the flight researches to the North Korea, in the days following the first alarming... more
CuriositiesSkyscanner: a -11% in the flights trend between Italy and India
Rome, Italy - And of 25% towards "Belpaese" in April and May
Skyscanner (www.skyscanner.it) makes a survey about the trend for researches of flights between Italy and India, considering the recent events and the political problems emerged between the two Governments. -... more
CuriositiesSkyscanner: 67% increase of the flights from Argentina, second in the list. Pope Francesco's effect?
Rome, Italy - Despite his invitation to not arrive in Rome
The Argentinian traveller people, despite the invitation by the Pope to not arrive in Rome, has increased the researches of 67% to the Italian capital city. But Argentina is not at the first place in the... more
CuriositiesLondon City Airport: more young women are travelling by aircraft than counterparts
London , UK - This trend has been increasing over the last two years
Research published to mark International Women’s Day [8th March 2013] shows that more young women are travelling by air than their older counterparts for the first time. The trend has been increasing o... more
CuriositiesSkyscanner: quintupled increase of the flight researches to Rome
Rome, Italy - During the period from February 22 to 28
Skyscanner unveils that the researches of flights to Rome are quintupled this year, compared to the same period of last year (February 22-28), in the occasion of the last "Angelus" by Pope Benedict XVI... more
CuriositiesAircraft and transport. Quito: the world's most dangerous airport is now closed (VIDEO)
Quito, Ecuador - But controversies have been raised as well on the new hub of the Ecuadorian capital
Quito's "Mariscal Sucre" International Airport terminated its operations tonight: the last flight, operated by TAME, took off on Tuesday 19 February 2013, bound for Guayaquil, at 6:55 pm local time (11:55... more
CuriositiesFrance: solidarity tax on air tickets gathered more than 1 billion Euro in six years
Paris, France - It was imposed in 2006 to support health funding for underdeveloped countries
Frances' DGAC (Directorate General for Civil Aviation) communicated that the solidarity tax which was imposed in 2006 for every air tickets for aircraft departing fro France in six years to 2012 gathered... more
CuriositiesNo pilots available, Air India aircraft remains grounded
Mumbai, India - The airline is facing a shortage of cockpit crew
The 260 passengers which were supposed to fly on an Air India Singapore-bound aircraft from Mumbai, Flight AI342, were stranded, since the airline cancelled the flight due to a lack of cockpit crew. The... more
CuriositiesUSSR utilized civil aircraft as spy planes over the UK, released documents claimed
London, United Kingdom - The Defense Secretary informed Margaret Thatcher about these activities
According to some documents of the United Kingdom National Archives which have just been released, the Soviet Union utilized civil airplanes to spy American and British installations in the 80s. The... more
CuriositiesBAE Systems closes Filton Airport, the home of the British Concorde aircraft
Filton, United Kingdom - The English firm will contribute to the creation of a museum on the site
The place where the ten English Concordes and other historic aircraft like the Bristol Barazon or the Bristol Type 175 Britannia were assembled and flew for the first time: these are some of the reasons... more
CuriositiesBritish Airways: over 2,5 million choose London for the Christmas season (VIDEO)
Milan, Italy - Mark Rainbow, a BA crew member, explains the city's attractions
With just one week to go until Christmas, over 2.6 million people have already booked to travel with British Airways airplanes to London over the festive and new-year period. Friday, December 21 is the... more
CuriositiesA FAS' Bell 412 helicopter flew above Abu Dhabi with the world's largest aerial banner
Fort Worth, Usa - In occasion of the UAE's National Day on December 2
Bell Helicopter announced on December 10 that a Bell 412, owned by Falcon Aviation Services (FAS) of Abu Dhabi, flew along the shore of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) while displaying the world’s largest a... more
CuriositiesAircraft crash in Zambia causes panic, but it is just an exercise
Lusaka, Zambia - Some media "Mocked" by the fake accident
A McDonnell Douglas DC-10 aircraft crashed in the evening of Monday 10 December 2012 at Lusaka "Kenneth Kaunda" International Airport (Zambia) with 93 persons on board included 8 crew members. It seems... more
CuriositiesSkyTeam reaches a total of 1,000 destinations on its global route map
Amsterdam, Holland - A new game has been launched to celebrate this important milestone
SkyTeam (ST), the global airline alliance, has reached a total of 1,000 destinations on its global route map. The alliance and its 19 members now offer customers a combined worldwide network that has grown... more
CuriositiesResearch by London City Airport: when the time is money
Milan, Italy - The research looked at all elements of a passenger’s experience in the airport
It’s a well-known saying that time is money, and now we know how much for business travellers. Research by London City Airport [LCY] has found that the average person travelling through the airport values o... more
CuriositiesAircraft and holidays. Half jokingly, here are Skyscanner's suggestions for the "Perfect traveller"
Rome, Italy - Hints precious everywhere in the world
Is travelling your passion? Follow these simple suggestions which will help you to become champions of travelling! Pay attention to the language Of course it is not needed to attend a one-year course... more
CuriositiesLess luxury on the aircraft: the slow decline of the First Class
Rome, Italy - "Demand has evaporated", Qatar Airways CEO claims
"Demand for First Class has evaporated": that is how Akbar al-Baker, chief executive officer of Qatar Airways has commented a generalized trend in the aviation industry, with a progressive disappearance... more
CuriositiesPassenger legs on an aircraft could be dangerous
Las Vegas, USA - Flight assistant stumbles and fractures his feet
The US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the American authority which superintends transport security in the United States communicated the details of a weird "Aeronautical" incident. A flight... more
CuriositiesMathematicians study a method to speed up aircraft boarding
Beijing, China - Chinese researchers try to define a "Third way" to improve the operations
Some researchers from Beijing's Curtin University and Beihang University claim they have worked out a procedure able to speed up the aircraft boarding operation: Tie-Qiao Tang, head of the project, declares... more
CuriositiesThe only airworthy Vulcan aircraft will perform its last flight in 2013 (VIDEO)
Sheffield, United Kingdom - By the next year the engines will reach the end of their lifespan
2013 will be the last year in which it will still be possible to see the last airworthy Vulcan aircraft in the sky: Robert Pleming, chief executive officer of Vulcan to the Skies, the trust which restored... more
CuriositiesSkyscanner on city holidays: Istanbul, Prague and Madrid are the cheapest destinations
Rome, Italy - Rome is the most expensive: the cost of hotels makes the difference
According to the research conducted by the flight search engine Skyscanner, Istanbul, Prague and Madrid are the cheapest European cities for a three-day holiday. The title of "Most expensive city" goes... more
CuriositiesPutin pilots motorized hang glider aircraft (VIDEO)
Moscow, Russia - The Russian premier guided a flock of Siberian cranes
The Russian Premier Vladimir Putin often tries "To burnish his public image as a caring outdoorsman, or macho man of adventure". Every event is largely recorded by press agencies. The latest adventures... more
CuriositiesSupposed Vueling aircraft hijacking (7): the same flight involved in a scramble one year ago (VIDEO)
AMsterdam, Netherlands - Also in that occasion the reason was a radio problem
The episode of the supposed hijacking of a Vueling Amsterdam-bound aircraft departed from Malaga fortunately ended without any consequence: radio communications between the airplane and the control tower... more
CuriositiesForklift driver who caused 1.2 million pounds in damage to an aircraft fined 250 pounds
London, United Kingdom - The collision happened in June at London-Heathrow Airport
A forklift driver at London-Heathrow Airport was fined 250 pounds (roughly 314 Euro or 394 dollars) after crashing his vehicle into a Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) aircraft, causing 1.2-million-pound worth... more
CuriositiesUK passengers are inattentive: 2% have lost an aircraft because too busy shopping
London, United Kingdom - More than 60% of travellers buy something at the airport
A walk between the shop windows and maybe a snack in a bar: when waiting for the departure of your aircraft airport's commercial activities are usually the most common way to spend some time, but some... more
CuriositiesShe falls asleep on the aircraft from Pakistan to Paris and gets carried back home
Paris, France - The company: "It is also the responsibility of the passenger to disembark at the destination"
Falling asleep on an aircraft is very common, especially when flying on long-haul routes. And if it happens to sleep sleep when the plane arrives, almost always the contact between the undercarriage and... more
CuriositiesSkyscanner survey: the most polite and impolite airports in Europe
Rome, Italy - The Roman hubs are at the bottom of the ranking
Skyscanner, a popular flight search engine, periodically conducts surveys among its users on several topics of air transport. This time the website has compared several Italian and European airports about... more
CuriositiesThe mistery of Amelia Earhart solved? Scattering of man-made objects found
Nikumaroro, Kiribati - New hope for the castaways theory
"TIGHAR", the research team which is trying to locate and recover the wreckage of the aircraft of Amelia Earhart and Fred Noonan (who disappeared 75 years ago), recently declared its last research mission... more
CuriositiesVietJet Air fined for its "Bikini show" on an aircraft (VIDEO)
Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam - "We wanted to make passengers happy"
VietJet Air, a Vietnamese airline, has been fined by the local civil aviation authority for violating the aviation regulations by organizing a show with girls in bikinis on one of its aircraft: the fine... more
CuriositiesTripAdvisor survey: British passengers would pay more if there are no children on the aircraft
London, United Kingdom - 34% think that little travellers should not be admitted in First and Business class
When a baby comes into the life of somebody he, or she, can certainly change it: the joys of parenthood are undeniably among the greatest satisfactions life can offer. But when a baby comes into the cabin... more
CuriositiesGoogle celebrates Amelia Earhart and her aircraft
Mountain View, USA - "Doodle" dedicated to the aviation pioneer and her Lockheed Vega 5B
Google, the most famous search engine in the world, often celebrates particular dates modifying its typical logo, the one with the letters forming the word "Google" written in different colours, with its... more
CuriositiesUS Air Force C-17 aircraft lands at the wrong airport (VIDEO)
Tampa, USA - Ongoing investigation about the causes of the mistake
A US Air Force C-17 Globemaster III aircraft landed by mistake at "Peter O. Knight" airport, a little facility in Tampa, Florida, USA, instead of on the runway of the McDill Air Force Base, its real destination,... more
CuriositiesSkyscanner survey: 2 out of 3 travellers forget something on the aircraft
Rome, Italy - Among the most singular items: wedding rings and a trombone
Nowadays passengers tend to be pretty absent-minded, as demonstrated by the last survey conducted by Skyscanner: 66% of the interviewees admitted they have forgotten some object on the aircraft at least... more
CuriositiesIndia: aircraft aborts takeoff procedure, there is a scorpion on board
Chennai, India - The animal stung a passenger, who suffered no consequences
An unusual inconvenience occurred today 02/07/2012 in an aircraft which was taking off from Chennai, in southern India: there was a scorpion in the cabin. The Bahrain-bound flight was meant to depart... more
CuriositiesAircraft debris on Alaskan glacier identified
Anchorage, Alaska - The plane is believed to be an Air Force Globemaster crashed in 1952
Some weeks ago an Army National Guard UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter spotted a wreckage on a glacier in the mountains east of Anchorage, Alaska (AVIONEWS). Investigators said the aircraft wreckage came... more
CuriositiesIndonesia: Sukhoi must look again at their preparation for demonstration flights
Moscow, Russia - This recommendation comes as another alleged sign of pilot mistakes
The Sukhoi Superjet 100 accident during a demonstrative flight in Indonesia (AVIONEWS) continues to make people talking about it. As well-known, according to declarations, the accident was caused by human... more
CuriositiesServicemen sentenced in Moscow for stealing MiG systems
Moscow, Russia - They tried to escape in 2011. Once captured, both asmitted their guilt.
Yuri Shcherabakov and Igor Solokhin, two former servicemen from Rostov-on-Don, Southern Russia, have been sentenced to three years in a penal colony for stealing navigation systems from Mikoyan Gurevich... more