PurplePassport: kids kicked out of quiet zones and Ryanair goes back to basics
Middle of the World not quite in the middle of the world
The Middle of the World theme park has been shockingly exposed as not being in the middle of the world after all. A report by the New York Times revealed the Ecuadorian govenmernt owned park which features a yellow line claiming to be 0 degrees latitude is actually a few hundred feet away from the actual middle of the world. Drawing up to 500,000 tourists per year, the park says it will now rectify the mistake. Not only that, but it plans to throw in the building of the world’s tallest man made structure to make up for the error.
Quiet zone kicks kids out
A Malaysian low cost airline has decided to kick children to the back of its planes in a bid to let passengers avoid screaming babies or small children. AirAsia X is introducing a ‘quiet zone’ which incorporates the first seven rows of seats on its Airbus A330 and even features soft lighting to really help you relax. The new booking system means passengers can reserve a seat in the designated area at no extra cost and any group with travellers younger than 12 years old will not be able to book them.
Wi-Fi on the go
If you simply can’t go without Wi-Fi when you travel, check out Mashable, which has some handy tips for 1) booking flights with Wi-Fi on board and 2) if you’ve already booked, where to find out if you can get online on your flight. It’s a great way to catch up on work emails, or simply check in to show off to your friends that you’re on holidays!
Low Cost Back To Basics
Ryanair has decided to go back to basics, by opening its first shop. The low cost airline has opened a unit in Manchester, which will operate for four weeks. Bosses say if a customer finds a cheaper flight to or from the city; it will pay double the difference back to the customer. If you fancy seeing it for yourself, head to Unit C, 111, Piccadilly.
Check in, without checking in.
British Airways says it’s running a trial version of a new check in system that will revolutionise checking in. For anyone who is signed up for the trial course, passengers will be automatically (automagially!) checked in without even lifting a finger, or clicking a mouse. Twenty-four hours ahead of flying passengers will be checked in and will receive their boarding card electronically. If the trial run is successful, it could be rolled out to all customers by the end of next year.
