Comtel Air Forces Passengers to Pay More On Board in Order to Continue to Destination

Hundreds of passengers were stranded for six hours in Vienna on a flight from India to Britain when a Comtel Air flight stopped for fuel on November 15. The chartered plane demanded passengers pay a collective 20,000 GBP (about $31,000) in order to pay for fuel, airport costs, and other unexplained costs in order to continue on to Birmingham, U.K.

For passengers that didn't have enough cash on board, the flight operators were nice enough to make them get off the aircraft, go inside to visit an ATM, and re-board the plane in order to contribute money. Children under two were free, so I guess that is nice of them.

It seems curious why the flight crew would need to collect so much cash from passengers after the flight had already begun it's journey. I didn't know that pilots delivered a briefcase of non-sequential, unmarked bills to the airport before take-off could ensue, but I suppose you do learn something new every day.

According to AP, "Bhupinder Kandra, the airline's majority shareholder, told the Associated Press from Vienna that travel agents had taken the passengers' money before the planes left but had not passed it on to the airline."

It will be interesting to keep an eye on what the consequences- if there are any- of these actions (and the other related incidents that can be found in the article below) are.

View the video captured on the aircraft and read more here: http://news.yahoo.com/airline-passengers-asked-extra-cash-fuel-115831926.html

5 Awesome Airport Lounges

Thai Airways First Class Lounge, Bangkok

Passengers begin their journey at an exclusive check-in area, so there is virtually no waiting for security and passport control. Once all formalities are complete, golf carts whisk them inside the lounge, where they can relax in semi-private rooms. Travelers can book a spa treatment -- including a 30-minute neck and shoulder or foot massage, or an hour long full body massage -- in their own private spa bungalow.

Lufthansa First Class Terminal, Frankfurt

This separate terminal, which the airline likens to a small luxury hotel, also has its own exclusive check-in and security checkpoints. Passengers can while away the time before their flight in leather armchairs and sofas or nap in comfy daybeds. Those who wish to relax with a spirit have plenty to choose from, including 80 different brands of whiskey. There is a top-quality restaurant, a cigar lounge, and wonderful shower and bath facilities. Every passenger also gets his or her own personal assistant. Guests are chauffeured to their plane in a Porsche or a Mercedes-Benz.

Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse, London

Order a colorful cocktail from the 14-meter (45-foot) bar or indulge in menu selections such as potato and watercress soup, smoked salmon and scrambled eggs, or duck à l'orange. The cool decor includes a ceiling to floor Japanese water wall and a den with a pool table and video game consoles.

JetQuay Terminal, Singapore

This lounge at Singapore's Changi Airport is not airline-affiliated, so access to it isn't included in the price of your ticket. Rather, it is available to passengers traveling in any class for an extra fee. If you're departing from Singapore, staffers will take care of your baggage, help you with travel formalities, and when it's time for you to depart, drive you to your gate in a buggy. If you're flying into Changi Airport, they will meet you on arrival and help with immigration clearance and luggage. The lounge's amenities include a business center, private meeting rooms, board room, massage chairs, showers, nap rooms and free Internet access.

The Wing, Cathay Pacific First Class Lounge, Hong Kong

This spacious lounge overlooking the terminal and the runway includes The Library, for quiet reading, and The Haven, for dining. The Cabanas offer private bath and shower suites complete with lounge chairs.

Adapted from CNN Travel, visit for more info and pictures: http://www.cnn.com/2011/11/10/travel/luxurious-arport-lounges/index.html?hpt=tr_c1

Original article by A. Pawlowski

Survey: Best Hotels for Business Travelers

Business travelers: check out this survey, which ranks chain hotels on a number of key criteria as reported by different demographics of travelers. It is definitely worth checking out- especially if you are a road warrior.

http://www.businesstravelnews.com/uploadedFiles/Research/2011hotelSurvey.pdf