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About Rick Seaney, CEO FareCompare

Rick Seaney

Rick Seaney, co-founder of FareCompare.com - is a world-class air travel expert.

FareCompare.com presides over a kingdom of sophisticated software that searches out fares and destinations at a billion combinations per query - while keeping track of 500 airlines serving more than 270,000 markets around the globe.

And all of Rick's data is updated continuously - in real-time.

No wonder he's the media's go-to guy for all things air travel. He's got the answers. And he loves to share his knowledge.

That's why Rick and the team created FareCompare.com - to help everyone become an air travel expert, and get the best deals first -- every time they fly.

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Smithsonian Helping to ID Birds in Hudson Crash

January 26, 2009 | Posted in: News,Pilots,US Airways | 0 comments

This makes sense: the NTSB is examining the black boxes from US Airways Flight 1549 – the one where the plane crash landed in the Hudson earlier this month. And this makes sense, too: the sleuths at the Smithsonian are getting a feather found on one of the plane’s wings – so they can ID the birds believed to have been sucked into the engines.

And why not: the Smithsonian Institution (which is actually a group of 19 different museums) has a collection of 620,000 bird samples – including feathers. And they’ve been collecting them long before there were airplanes – contributors include Charles Darwin and Theodore Roosevelt.

And if the Smithsonian can’t ID the birds in question — via feather –museum officials say they have an avian DNA database that should do the trick.

Personal aside: if you ever get a chance to see the Smithsonian’s Air and Space Museum, do not pass it up. Actually, don’t pass up a chance to see any of these museums.

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Turbulence Happens – How to Ride it Out

January 23, 2009 | Posted in: Northwest,Tips and Tricks,Travel Safety | 2 comments

Was just perusing a USA Today story — about 9 people hurt yesterday when turbulence hit a Northwest Airlines jet en route from Tokyo to Honolulu. Sadly, 3 people had to be hospitalized — including a flight attendant with head and neck injuries.

Safety Tip: Keep your seat belt buckled – every moment you’re in your seat. And keep your out-of-seat trips to a minimum.

I know, we all like to stretch our legs on a long flight – but there are exercises you can do in your seat that will keep your blood circulating (and no doubt provide amusement for onlookers).

Not to be an alarmist, but we all know that turbulence can appear with no warning – so, better to be buckled in and a little uncomfortable – rather than the alternative.

And while we’re on the subject, check out my other basic safety tips here.

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First Public Appearance of “Hero Captain” – This Saturday

January 23, 2009 | Posted in: Flight Attendants,News,Pilots,US Airways | 0 comments

These days, if someone does anything remotely newsworthy, they are immediately all over the TV and internet (or you can simply be Paris Hilton) – but not so, for the incredible crew of US Airways Flight 1549, aka, the plane the landed in the Hudson.

A Today Show appearance by Capt. Chesley Sullenberger was cancelled this week, and other than a few passengers talking on “Ellen” there has been – S-I-L-E-N-C-E

Until now: tomorrow – Saturday – Capt. Sullenberger will appear in Danville, California at 1pm for a “hometown appreciation of a local hero”.

Frankly, he’s not expected to say much there, but his union – which had asked him not to speak until the field work of the investigation was completed – says they may have a “media tour” plan ready by this weekend.

Watch for a newly rescheduled Today Show appearance coming soon – unless of course, the attention span of the public (and media) has already moved on…

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The Best Hotels – And They Have the Stars to Prove It

January 22, 2009 | Posted in: Destinations,Favorites,List | 0 comments

We are seeing a lot more deals on luxury hotels and resort – for example, here’s one for resorts in Cancun and Punta Cana – from our Deals blog.

Just thought I mention it in connection with the annual Mobil Star Awards – Mobil’s latest list of four and five star palaces – well, hotels, actually. Restaurants and spas are also ranked.

Check out the entire list here.

And see our sister-blog, Standard Upright Position – to find out which state has the most 5-Star hotels.

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Not My Typical Post: Orangutans, Palm Oil and Bio Fuels

January 22, 2009 | Posted in: Airline News,Fuel Watch | 3 comments

I just read an engrossing AP story by Robin McDowell about a woman who’s been studying the “elusive, solitary orangutans” of Indonesia for nearly 40 years.

It seems these red apes are on the verge of extinction because their habitat — the forests – are disappearing at a fantastic rate. Man is making them disappear, in order to create lucrative palm oil plantations.

Palm oil is an important ingredient in some bio fuels – which, it is hoped, will eventually make air travel much “cleaner” – and maybe, make a solid contribution to saving our planet.

And Indonesia is the world’s top producer of palm oil – but it is also home to 90% of the world’s dwindling orangutan population. I can’t believe this has to come down to “either/or” – surely there’s a solution. I hope so.

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United and Aer Lingus Expand Partnership

January 22, 2009 | Posted in: Europe,United | 0 comments

United and Aer Lingus are taking advantage of Open Skies to broaden their reach – and, initially that means new flights from Washington, D.C. to Madrid starting in April – operated under both airlines’ codes.

What will this mean to you? This from United’s CEO:

“Our expanded agreement takes advantage of new opportunities under the US-EU Open Skies Agreement, benefiting our customers with additional competition and capacity in these markets.” -Glenn Tilton, United CEO

Yes, “additional competition…” Well, I’m sure I don’t have to tell you that more competition generally means lower prices.

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Airlines Add Flights to Tampa for the Super Bowl

January 22, 2009 | Posted in: Southwest,Sports,US Airways | 0 comments

Want to go to the Super Bowl? Good news! Southwest and US Airways are adding flights from Pittsburgh to Tampa – and Southwest is adding flights from Phoenix as well. However, don’t expect to find any “Super” deals.

I helped out on this story for the St. Petersburg Times, and here’s a quote from it: ” The cheapest nonstop coach fare to Tampa and back for the big weekend cost an eye-popping $2,053 on US Airways. Just a week earlier, the airline charged $725 for the same Friday-to-Monday itinerary.”

Want to actually see the game? That’s going to be trickier – I checked out one ticket-selling site at random, and found Super Bowl tix going for anywhere from $1,728 to $3,955 – and those prices may look like bargains a week from now.

Hotels? I’m told you can still find some – although the closest Marriot with available rooms is 40 miles away. But how about staying in a private home? Weekly rentals are still available, with prices ranging from $9,000 to $72,000 – and up!

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Don’t Let Boredom Put You in Danger – Basic Airline Safety Tip List

January 21, 2009 | Posted in: Tips and Tricks,Travel Safety,US Airways | 2 comments
UPDATE: Be sure and see my “turbulence tip” – right here.

 

I suspect we’ve all been thinking more about safety ever since saw those amazing pictures of all the survivors of US Airways Flight 1549 – standing, in a row, on a wing (a wing and a prayer?).

I noticed the New York Times had a good story on “lessons learned” from the crash, and I have some ideas of my own – so let me lay them all out here for you.

  • Pay Attention: Yes, we’ve all seen the flight attendant’s safety demo a million times, but from now on, LISTEN to what the flight attendant is saying – and remember it.

  • Know Your Doors: Sitting in an emergency exit row? Then read that card and learn how to open those doors. Not sitting in an emergency exit row? Read that card anyway!

  • Count Your Rows: This is another one you’ve heard again and again, but this time, actually DO it. Count the rows to the exit behind you and in front of you. If there’s smoke in the cabin, you may not see those exit lights.

  • Learn to Brace: If the pilot suddenly yells, “brace!” – would you know what to do? The flight attendants may not have time to show you, so learn about it here.

  • Find Your Life Vest: You know it’s under your seat – but where exactly? Reach down and feel it with your fingertips, so you know for sure.

  • Forget Your Belongings: Did you know you may only have about 90 seconds to 2 minutes to get off a plane? So take nothing with you. Possible exception: if something (purse, laptop) is already in your lap, you can take it (unless it’s big enough to be an obstruction) – but anything you have to reach for, either above or below – forget it.

  • Be a Hero: Do help others – after helping yourself. There’s a reason they say put your own oxygen mask on first – because you’ll be of use to no one, if you’ve keeled over.

    • Readers, is there something I’ve forgotten? Let me know…

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    updated: 2009-01-21T14:42:40+00:00