One Bag, One World

How Much Room Under The Airline Seat?

Frank@OBOW — Wed, 15 May 2013 15:05:50 +0000

As the overhead bins on most flights seem to get filled faster and faster, those of us who carry soft-sided, non-wheeled bags are sometimes given the option of putting those same bags underneath the seat in front of us..

But just how much room is available? That depends on the type of aircraft and airline. On some, the middle seat has the most room with the aisle or window seat the least. On others, a video control box takes up most of the room.

Up until now, it’s been difficult to find this information. However, here’s an article that gives some information:

Dimensions Under Airline Seats.

Another way to possibly get this information is to seek out the airlines’ under seat pet kennel dimensions. If your bag isn’t bigger than the pet kennel, it will fit under your seat.

Here’s a website with some information about this:

Dogjaunt: Airline Under Seat Measurements

If you know of any more, let us know.

Hong Kong Duck Deflated

Frank@OBOW — Wed, 15 May 2013 05:21:54 +0000

On May 2, I reported on the 54 foot inflatable duck bobbing in Hong Kong harbor.

Well, I’m sad to report that the duck was found Wednesday morning somwhat deflated.

The question on everyone’s mind iis whether the deflation was part of routine maintenance or was it “fowl” play?

Airline Fee Fever

Frank@OBOW — Wed, 15 May 2013 02:28:40 +0000

Don’t look for airlines to lower their ancillary fees anytime soon.

According to a recent U.S. Dept. of Transportation press release of preliminary data, U.S. airlines earned $3.5 billion in checked luggage fees and $2.6 billion in ticket change fees.

Delta was the big winner with revenues of $865.9 million and $778.4 million, respectively.

According to one industry analyst, all but the most expensive domestic fares are basically sold at break even prices. It’s the fees that help the airlines make money.

While I want to see the airlines make money, I’d rather carry-on my bag and spend the “checked bag fee” money on a nice meal.

Another Reason to Pack Noise Cancelling Headphones

Frank@OBOW — Mon, 13 May 2013 15:33:55 +0000

It seems a woman on a recent LA-NY American Airlines flight decided to entertain her fellow passengers by singing a rendition of Whitney Houstons’ “I Will Always Love You” over and over again.

It got so irritating, a Federal Air Marshall on board placed her in restraints. But she kept on singing.

The pilot then made an unscheduled landing in Kansas City just so the woman could be escorted off. And the strange thing is, she kept singing even after being handcuffed and led off the plane

The woman was questioned and released without being charged. American Airlines, however, refused to fly her the rest of the way. Do you blame them?

Which brings up a question: What are your favorite noise cancelling headphones that aren’t so large they take up half a carry-on bag?

(Thanks to Paula Bag Less for alerting me to this story.)

Airlines Pay For Damaged Bags?

Frank@OBOW — Mon, 13 May 2013 14:37:33 +0000

After reading about how airlines use loopholes to avoid paying for damaged bags , I had two quick thoughts:

1) been there, done that

2) you’ll understand why I keep this site going and travel the way i do.

For me, the ultimate was when I had to gate check a tiny roller bag—this was over 10 years ago—on an RJ and got it back with a zipper pull missing. Of course, they wouldn’t pay to fix it. But do you know how hard it is to open a zipper without a pull?

From then on, I only wanted to take a bag I knew would fit in alsmot any sized aircraft.

No wheels, no checking, no hassles.