United Plane on Approach to SFO Reports Laser Beam, Injury

Around 10:30 tonight while on UA155 listening to Channel 9 (Live ATC communications), someone from the flight deck reported to San Francisco Approach they were hit by a green laser beam aimed from the ground south of the airport. Upon touching down, medical assistance was requested. Medics and police were at the gate to meet the plane. An alert was issued for other inbound traffic of this hazard. I was on the opposite side of the plane and didn't see the actual incident. No official announcement was made of the incident or injury by the flight crew.

American Airlines Snips San Francisco - St. Louis Route

As part of a larger cutback in service at St. Louis Airport (STL), American Airlines will eliminate flights to San Francisco and 19 other airports around the country. The airline attributes a softening demand for business travel to St. Louis. The final SFO-STL flight will be Monday, April 5th.

United Requests to Further Postpone San Francisco to Guangzhou

According to the airline route updates blog, United Airlines has again requested to postpone their San Francisco to Guangzhou launch. The route was awarded to United back in 2007, at which time the airline said it would begin flying in the Spring of 2008. It later postponed the launch to 2009 citing a sluggish economy, and since economic conditions have yet to improve, the airline is now requesting another extension to Summer 2010.

Couple Sues United Airlines for Overserving Husband

This story was intended for today's, "Friday Fun" section, but after you read the arguments, you realize this is some pretty serious stuff. 

The case involves and husband and wife traveling on a United Airlines flight from Osaka, Japan to San Francisco. According to the lawsuit, United flight crew served Yoichi Shimamoto alcohol in 20-minute intervals, causing him to become inebriated and unable to control himself. 

The lawsuit claims that once deplaning, Mr. Shimamoto struck his wife, Ayisha, several times in the face and upper lip, as they were heading through U.S Customs. Shimamoto was arrested and charged for disorderly conduct and battery. 

Both the husband and wife are now suing United Airlines for "negligently" over serving alcohol to the husband. 

Legal analysts say if a bartender negligently served an obviously drunk patron, the bartender could be held liable. But, since the act occurred over the Pacific Ocean, International law - which sometimes conflicts with State law, may apply. Read the U.S.A Today Story. 

Looking Back: Popular inFLIGHTout posts from November

(Thanks Bonnie for this idea)

Here is a look back at some of the more popular inFLIGHTout blog entries from November 2008. 

Be sure to check back daily for a potpourri of travel-related posts just like these. 

-10% off JetBlue flights through the Winter (expired)

-Mileage Runs: Who and Why

-World's highest waterfall dive (Video)

-United Passengers injured on flight to SFO

-Oakland to Seattle $111 RT tax included (expired)
-Carol Burnett Show - "No Frills Airline" (Video)

-Images of Long Beach Airport

-Travel Tip from inFLIGHTout: Wet Naps

-Allegiant Airlines to fly from Oakland, drops SFO

-United Airlines announces 2009 Mileage Plus Program changes

-Six Ideas for peaceful flights for all

-Oakland Airport launches free WiFi

-Horizon Launches Sacramento to Santa Barbara flights

-Shutterfly: 250 Free Delta miles for new customers

-Safeway and United: Earn 1000 United miles shopping at Safeway

-San Francisco to New Orleans $155 RT tax included (expired)

-50 Travelers wanted for global scavenger hunt

-Virgin America Launches WiFi

-Parking and Waiting Options at Bay Area Airports

Looking for something more specific? Search over two years of inFLIGHTout posts by entering keyword(s) in the upper left hand corner of this page. 

Renovation Plans For SFO Released

Initial plans for the currently vacant terminal 2 at SFO have been released, and things are looking up. According to SF Gate, the 2 1/2 year project, expected to cost $383 million will include 50,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space, with a Main Street feel. Planners are also reportedly taking steps to minimize the hassle and discomfort of the security checkpoint area, including a "passenger recomposure" area post-security, allowing travelers to collect themselves after security.

San Francisco Airline Memorabilia Show & Sale Returns

The 9th Semi-Annual San Francisco Airline Memorabilia show and sale returns in September. The show is a great opportunity to buy, sell or trade airline and aviation goods - or just hang out with other like-minded aviation hobbyists.

Details:
San Francisco Airline Memorabilia Show & Sale
Saturday September 27, 2008
9am - 3pm
Best Western Grosvenor Airport Inn, South San Francisco
$5 admission (Children under 5 are free)

For more information visit www.sfoairlineshow.com

Engine Trouble Forces Jet Back to SFO

On Friday night, an engine on United flight #158, bound for Chicago, stalled in-flight forcing the plane to operate on the one remaining engine. Shortly thereafter, the pilot turned the plane around and landed about 30 minutes after takeoff. Reports from passengers stated smoke had entered the cabin while in the air. A United press release however asserts the smoke occurred only after the plane safely returned to the gate and engine turned off. No injuries were reported.

Review of the Emirates Airbus 380 at SFO

By Mike Grasso
August 1, 2008, Emirates Airlines made history by launching the first-ever, Airbus 380 commercial airliner service into the United States. The flight touched down at New York's JFK, and will continue to be operated 3 times a week JFK and the Emirates hub in Dubai.

During a little downtime in the flights, the airline shuttled the super-jumbo jet to San Francisco Airport, where media and other aviation VIP's got a sneak peak of the A380, and a taste of the world famous Emirates service.


First Class

The 14 First Class Suites (pictured left) exceed a private jet experience. Electronically controlled double-doors open to an adjustable bed extending 86" in length. The suites provide the opportunity to customize a level of service depending on your needs. Simply relax in your suite with the accompanying mini-bar and refreshments, vanity mirror, 23" digital TV, including 1100 channels of programming, and request flight crew service on an as needed basis.

Or, pamper yourself with the award-winning service Emirates is known for. Indulge in a seven course meal, with a variety of options to please all tastes. First class passengers may order limitless menu items, including a complete range of sundries and premium liquors by simply informing the nearby cabin attendant.

First class passengers receive complimentary access to two full-service bathroom spa's (pictured above), including hot steamy showers, to freshen up after a long journey. Although showers are limited to 5-8 minutes in length due to water restrictions, guests are permitted to use the remainder of the bathroom for a longer duration. And who wouldn't, with heated flooring, premium grooming products, a hair dryer, and a 15.4" LCD monitor.

Although the suites provide a high level of privacy and comfort, they are not floor-to-ceiling enclosures you might expect when you hear the term, "suites." The surrounding wall to the walkway stands about 3-4 feet in height. Nevertheless, the luxurious first class suite on the Emirates A380 is one not to be missed, and certainly surpasses most other first class aviation products available.

First and Business Class, both which cover the entire second level of the A380, share a lounge area near the rear of the aircraft. Two nearby leather couches invite friends, new and old, to truly enjoy the experience of flying - outside of the assigned seat. A few steps away, a full-service bar (pictured above), featuring warm and cold canapés, premium liquors, and service with a smile, are all available at your leisure.

Business Class

Business class (pictured above), includes 76-lie flat beds which vary between 70" and 79" in length, depending on your seat. Although business class does not feature enclosed suites, high quality food and service, much like in first class, remain available to guests. On-demand media programming is available with a 17" personal digital TV in each unit.

An important consideration when flying Business Class on the new Airbus 380 is the staggering layout of the seats affecting your experience. Some rows for example are designed for two passengers travelling together, but still with the option of putting up a privacy wall in-between, while other rows are built with a large amount of space between the seat next - not particularly warming for a couple traveling together. An Emirates purser I spoke with indicated that the varying layout reflects the needs of the traveler, and often times, those traveling in business class are flying solo. Bottom line here. not all business class seats are equal, and be sure to know this when selecting them during the reservation process.

The business class product itself appears to be of superior quality and will most certainly makes for a wonderful flying experience.

Additional First & Business Class photos can be found here.

All Classes

Ring-ring, who is that calling? It's a friend sitting back in row 86K. (That is, economy class of course). A feature available to all passengers on the plane is the seat-to-seat calling. Can't sit together? Too lazy to go visit them? Call them. The quality of the voice comes through quite clear on the receiving end.

Another great element of the Emirates Airbus 380 are the three mounted cameras. The tail-mounted cam (pictured above) makes for hours of viewing pleasure, particularly during take-offs and landings.

The entire aircraft is equipped with the latest and greatest in technological developments. Each seat features a USB port whereby you can upload and work on important business tasks, or entertain yourself with music and movies you brought from home. ICE, the onboard entertainment system offers over 1000 channels of on-demand entertainment, as well as live BBC news headlines.

Each cabin has crew-controlled mood lighting and sounds. As night falls, the cabin dims and stars fill the roof of the cabin; by morning, light begins to fill the cabin, with the sounds of birds chirping, softly in the background.

Emirates has incorporated even these small details to ensure a premium travel experience for all passengers, regardless class of service.

Please check back later this week for a review of Emirates A380 Coach class.

United Airlines Makes Bay Area Cutbacks

According to USA Today, United Airlines will be trimming several nonstop flights from the Bay Area this coming Fall. If you have confirmed reservations for any of these nonstop flights, contact United immediately (don't wait for them to call you) to receive priority status in choosing alternate routings.

San Francisco to:
-Atlanta - will be discontinued on 11/2/08
-Toronto - effective 11/2/08

San Jose to:
-Washington, Dulles - eff 9/2/08
-Chicago O'Hare - eff 11/11/08

Oakland to:
-Los Angeles - eff 11/11/08

United Express To Launch San Francisco - North Bend Service

United Express/Skywest Airlines will launch service between San Francisco (SFO) and North Bend (OTH) later on Monday, July 7th. The twice-daily flight will be operated by a 30-passenger Embraer-manufactured EMB 120 Brasilia aircraft. Travel time between SFO and North Bend, located in Southwest Oregon is just under two hours.

Storm Highlights from Greater Bay Area Airports: (Updated 12:20 pm) San Francisco Airport - Microburst Alert temporarily issued at 11:30am, followed by wind-shear alerts (cancelled at of 12:20p)
SFO reported peak wind of 67mph at 8:47am
Sacramento Airport 52mph at 8:52am
San Jose Airport 58 mph at 6:53am
Golden Gate Bridge 70mph at 9:19am
Angel Island 78mph at 9:00am
Kregor Peak 107mph (elevation 1900 feet) at 9:41am

Nearly 500,000 people in Bay Area without power.
San Rafael Bridge closed, BART service temporarily stopped from 24th Street Station Outbound.

-San Francisco International has cancelled 30% of flights (67 total) so far today. Most are departing, just quite delayed.
-Oakland, San Jose & Sacramento Airports report 6-25% of flights cancelled thus far.

Weather conditions expected to gradually improve later today.