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.
Pharmacist Doug White and his family were heading home to Louisiana aboard a private plane they’d chartered last spring to attend a funeral in Florida, when the stuff of nightmares happened: their pilot slumped over the controls and died.
According to the CNN report, White grabbed the radio and said, “I’ve got to declare an emergency. My pilot’s deceased. I need help.”
White was not a total fish-out-of-water – he had had three months of flight lessons – but that was on a tiny, single engine plane and not the sophisticated King Air aircraft he suddenly had to pilot (the article said, “that’s like going from a Volkswagen to a race car”).
But thanks to air traffic controllers in Ft. Myers who coached him every step of the way (with help from a flight instructor they recruited by phone), White made it down safely. And White – and the controller – were honored at a ceremony in Orlando this week.
If that sounds like the pat ending to a feel-good TV docu-drama, consider this: the air traffic controllers only gave the White family a 5% chance of survival. Fortunately, they didn’t let the White family in on this prognosis.
I was mentioned in a recent Bloomberg news article – which began by noting that a nonstop airline ticket from New York to Paris on the first weekend in May actually cost less than a nonstop to Omaha, Nebraska – the scene of Berkshire Hathaway’s annual shareholder meeting.
You know, the event that some refer to as Warren Buffet’s “Woodstock for Capitalists”.
However, the picture the reporter painted was a little dark for me – so I’m going to give some advice: if any of you financial wizards out there still want to go, but worry about the cost – here’s one of my Top Five Secrets to Finding Cheap Airfare:
In the article, I point out that when seats are selling out, prices go up – but apparently they didn’t all sell out; and the article does note that fares can and do change – boy, do they ever! And I’ll add that shopping starting on Tuesday afternoon is a smart thing to do – in fact, it’s one of my Cheap Airfare Secrets (because Tuesdays are when you often see a flurry of sales).
Of course, a lot of this will be moot for some BuffetFest participants – those arriving on their private jets.
If you’ll be jetting in for Super Bowl XLIV in Miami on Feb. 7, better get there before the FAA establishes its 10 mile Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) around the Sun Life Stadium*.
This will be in effect from approximately 4pm until midnight EST (depending on when the Colts and Saints quit pummeling each other).
In case you’re keeping score of the aircraft, the FAA figures between Jan.22 and Feb. 8, there will be as many as 700 extra general aviation flights (for Super Bowl prep, the Pro Bowl and Super Bowl Sunday).
*Stadium: I know, I know – the proper name is Sun Life Stadium (or it has been since Jan. 18 – let me know if it’s changed) but the FAA in its wisdom called it “Dolphin Stadium” in its press release. Fans will recall that was its name from 2006-2009 and for a brief time this year (in 2005 it was known as Dolphins Stadium. And who can forget Joe Robbie?
FareCompare – we help you find the best deals ever – plus, SportsTalk!
But perhaps U.S. Sen. John Kerry wants everyone to know he’s flying commercial in the wake of the UK Telegraph story that details how 140 private jets and 1,200 gas-guzzling limos have arrived for the conference (said a Denmark limousine company manager: “We haven’t got enough limos in the country to fulfill the demand. We’re having to drive them in hundreds of miles from Germany and Sweden.”)
So the question remains: which commercial carrier will Kerry fly? SAS, Lufthansa, United? And, more to the point – will this help him reach “elite status” in his miles program before the end of the year?
I was just perusing an article — almost total doom & gloom – about how tough it is for air travelers today what with the fees and security and surliness – how flying is an endurance test – complete with Stockholm Syndrome (that’s when we bond with our enemies – the cabin crew!)
Alright, I grant you – some of this is true. Flying isn’t a lot of fun-unless you travel like rock star (can’t say, like a CEO anymore) on a humongous private plane.
But I think the author is missing the point – the REAL point about air travel today, and it is this:
Flying is Fast – and Cheap
Is it still the best way to get yourself from Point A to Point B? You better believe it. I travel a fair amount – and I know the hassles – but I also know the joys of heading to a favorite destination or a brand new adventure.
Queen Elizabeth has decided to put a new private jet “on hold” for now – at least until the economy improves.
She’ll still travel – but it’ll be aboard charter planes and RAF aircraft.
The point of the private jet was to improve security for the monarch – and her family – and senior government officials who would have access to the plane. But it’ll have to wait for awhile.
What I found most surprising about thisstory is the size of the private plane in question – it seats just 12 – hardly the ultimate in luxury, at least compared to some of the corporate aircraft used by high flying U.S. CEO’s – until recently, anyway.
Certainly doesn’t allow for much of a royal entourage.
Remember the flying cars that were all over the Jetsons TV show?
When you consider the Jetsons debuted way back in 1962 – frankly, I thought we’d all be driving/flying these things ourselves by now.
Well now, there IS a flying car – from the Massachusetts-based Terrafugia company. Not sure how practical it is, though – it costs about $200,000 – plus, where are you going to take-off and land the thing? But – see for yourself…
Here’s something you should know: this seemingly endless round of airfare sales will not last forever. It can’t.
But I believe this crazy environment will last a little longer. But for now, why pay retail? The airlines are tempting us with too many “wholesale” prices to do otherwise.
Eventually though, a couple of things will happen – one or the other, or in combination:
Airlines will cut capacity again (it’s coming)
More people will fly
The result: higher airfares. But if fliers balk at that – watch for more fees. After all, Spirit Airlines is now charging customers for the privilege of making reservations online – who’s next?
