Travel: Easy Come, Easy Go
How to speed through airport security, land the best seat, and otherwise enjoy business travel.
Published May 2007
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COMMENT ON THIS ARTICLEBetween long waits on the tarmac and having to pad around the security line in your stockinged feet, what's left to love about business travel? Certainly not the rundown "elite" passenger lounges, most of which resemble a forsaken Holiday Inn lobby that got its last makeover in 1989. Nevertheless, we've scrounged up some strategies and resources that make traveling something close to enjoyable. We interviewed travel experts and entrepreneurs who log more than 200,000 miles a year on business trips. On the following pages, you'll find their best tips for a better business trip.
The best of first class
Suites are the new seats in first class. And with lie-flat beds now standard, airlines are offering more than free champagne to impress jaded travelers. Treats like Singapore Airlines' Givenchy pajamas (shown below with the contents of the Singapore amenity kit) have catapulted the carrier into the highest realm of in-flight luxury. Other contenders include Virgin Atlantic's swinger-lounge-cum-massage-parlor, Emirates Airlines' private suites with closing doors and minibar, and Qatar Airways' separate terminal for first- and business-class passengers at its hub in Doha replete with a Jacuzzi and saunas. To compare the best of the best, visit Skytrax for rankings of top airlines.
Snacks on a plane
Exactly how fattening are those snack packs the flight attendants peddle? Health columnist Charles Stuart Platkin's website, The Diet Detective, lists the caloric content of the snacks offered on six of the largest domestic carriers (dietdetective.com/content/view/
1916). United Airlines received highest marks for its healthy assortments, such as the trans-fat-free and vegetarian Smartpack, which includes organic peach applesauce and Bear Naked granola. The lowest ranking went to Delta (OTC:DALRQ) for its snack basket: Platkin recommends tossing it all except for the granola bar and peanuts.
The security line fast track
The future of airport security is here and it involves iris scans, prescreened passenger lists, and biometric wallet cards. The U.S. Transportation Security Administration is in the midst of rolling out expedited security procedures, dubbed the Registered Traveler program, via five separate companies. Those who don't have time to dither in long lines can hand over about $100 and a slice of their privacy. You still have to dehydrate your carryon and remove your shoes, just in a shorter line.
The first of these, called Clear (flyclear.com), has launched express security lanes at five airports in New York, Cincinnati, Indianapolis, Orlando, and San Jose. Give Clear four fingerprints and an iris scan, and it claims to cut average wait times down to a few minutes. Another company, Fast Lane Option, or FLO (fastlaneoption.com), promises to create its own express lines later this year.
Even after this slightly Orwellian process is up and running at more locations, frequent travelers might be better off keeping their biometrics to themselves and using "elite" frequent-flier status to get shunted into more sane security lines.
Searching for a good seat
Window or aisle? If only it were that simple. Here are some websites that can help.
SeatGuru.com
This site offers strangely spellbinding details about every nook and cranny of seats on a wide array of carriers so you'll know to eschew row 16 (doesn't recline and close to lavatories) for row 12 (full recline and extra legroom). It even lists which plane models have electrical outlets, TVs, and earphone jacks.
BoardFirst.com
If you're flying Southwest Airlines (NYSE:LUV), shell out five bucks at this site to reserve one of those coveted A passes, and be the first in line to jockey for a seat.
WebFlyer.com
Angling for an upgrade? This site helps you get the most out of your frequent-flier miles and find the best way to swap, say, Amtrak Guest Rewards for miles on Continental (NYSE:CAL).
