Apr

Flights of Fancy

by Joyce McGreevy on April 1, 2019

In the early days of aviation, airlines had to transport passengers one at a time by hand.

Travel Innovations Soar Every April

Every year on this day, the travel industry announces innovations that push the boundaries of creative problem solving and take air travel to new heights. Here are airline upgrades that made aviation news in Aprils past.

A figure with suitcase at an airport evokes the need for aviation innovations and creative problem solving. [Image public domain]

Today more people than ever are able to experience being stuck at airports.

Travel Technology Takes Flight

In April 2017, Emirates Airline delivered a game changer: plans for the world’s largest commercial aircraft. The April 1 ad campaign went viral as Emirates debuted the Triple Decker APR001, the first jet in history to feature an onboard swimming pool, park, and gym. See video!

Not to be outdone, Virgin Airlines rolls out news-generating inventions with such consistency that by March 31 at 11:59pm aviation buffs are poised for updates.

So it was on April 1, 2013 when Virgin Airlines founder Richard Branson announced “the technology required to produce the world’s first glass-bottomed plane.” This technological innovation, which coincided with the expansion of Virgin Atlantic Airways domestic service within Great Britain promised “an unrivalled view of Scotland.”

A crowded commercial airline interior evokes the need for aviation innovations and creative problem solving. [Image public domain]

Starting today, many airlines will offer games like “Musical Chairs” and “Twister.”

Clear Leadership

While public reaction was tempered, skeptics reflected a more fractured view: Would Virgin Airlines’ upgrades shutter the competition? Could engineers hold up their end of Branson’s glass bottom? Or in shattering the glass ceiling of aviation technology, had their creativity hit a breaking point?

Oh, I see: While some cheered the First Glass Service, others saw a glass plane half empty.

Branson responded with transparency, revealing April after April that he would always take great panes to floor his passengers. Subsequent upgrades included:

In-flight Spin Classes, offering passengers frequent flyer points for every kilometer cycled. “The harder you spin, the more you’ll grin,” commented a spokesperson known to be a big wheel.
The Dreambird 1417: Its high-tech flexible wings created a flapping motion that moved the plane forward and generated electrical power for the cabin.

A food truck and commercial airplane on a runway remind the author of the need for aviation innovations and creative problem solving. [Image public domain]

As of April 1, McGreevy’s Law will require airline meals to contain up to 10% actual food.

Dogging the Competition

On April 1, 2017, Branson unleashed his most popular airline upgrade yet, the Canine Crew: Video

Few airlines had the pedigree to compete. But one Canadian carrier proved it’s never too late to learn new tricks. Determined to get a leg up, WestJet uncaged its Furry Family policy: Video.

People playing with water by an airplane remind the author of aviation traditions and innovation. [Image public domain]

Now economy passengers can enjoy free post-flight spa treatments.

Taking Care of Business

Other airlines refused to roll over and play dead.

Southwest Airlines made a splash with “Cash Lav,” an onboard game show that turned a visit to the smallest room into a chance to win big bucks. The series, which aired 01/04/16, yanked chains nationwide. But when critics pooh-poohed it, airline execs sent it down the drain.

Video: Pilot Episode of Southwest Airlines “Cash Lav” is Flush with Humor

By contrast, Swoop Airlines of Canada had passengers down in the dumps when it announced an April 1 price hike on in-flight facilities. Tags like #ThisStinks! and #SoCrappy! spread online as many cried foul. Get the full scoop here.

An unsmiling traveler on an airport escalator evokes the need for aviation innovations and creative problem solving. [Image public domain]

Passengers are obviously very excited by commercial airlines’ April 1 upgrades.

Snacks on a Plane!

Canada’s WestJet solved air travel’s scariest problem: in-flight beverage carts that block the aisle. For too long passengers had returned from the loo only to get stuck in a slow-moving conga line. WestJet’s creative thinkers installed rails that let robotic snack canteens glide overhead, air-dropping snacks and beverages onto tray tables. Or laps.

Video: Robotic Automated Light Food Handler (#RALFH) Tosses Cookies

man walking a cow reminds the author of airlines’ creative problem solving and policies regarding animals. [Image public domain]

Animal airline passengers can now bring along their Emotional Support Humans.

Room at the Top

As competition for creative problem-solving went full-throttle midair, other sectors of the travel industry elbowed their way onboard. With no armrest for latecomers, success belonged to those who kept their feet on the ground, their head in the clouds, and their tray tables under the seats in front of them.

Some companies formed alliances. But the merger of aviation and five-star accommodation had already reached its zenith on April 1, 2009 with the debut of The Hotelicopter. In a shocking twist, the world’s first flying hotel never took off. Soaring demand kept the luxury rooms out of reach of even the highest flyers.

Video: Hotelicopter Generates Spin, Raises Reservations

An astonished looking construction worker reminds the author of the need for aviation innovations and creative problem solving. [Image public domain]

Airlines will offer discounts to passengers who help build the planes.

Trending Travel Take-Offs

As home-centric businesses get in on the act, flights of fancy innovation will transform all aspects of travel, even staycations.

Airbnb announced a spin-off brand one recent April 1. Recognizing that “every hero needs a hideaway,” the home-share business launched “Lairbnb,” complete with unique transportation to the airport. See the ad.

Not to be caught napping, Lucid Mattress delivered a wakeup call with the April 1 roll-out of ShareBED. View here.

The Future of Travel Is Ahead

Experts confirm that the travel innovations of April 1, 2020 will differ from those of the present day. But while no one can predict the present, today’s headlines could herald incredible examples of creative problem-solving.

So ignore any naysayers who insist, “It’s all fake news on the first of April.” (Fools!)

A moving sidewalk at an airport reminds the author of the need for aviation innovations and creative problem solving. [Image public domain]

Linking motorized walkways from LAX to JFK will reduce overcrowding in planes.

Comment on the post below, or inspire insight with your own OIC Moment here.

Joyce McGreevy Comments

Innovations/Rides (Land, Sea, Air)/Worldwide Sites

Mar

The Daring of the Green

by Joyce McGreevy on March 11, 2019

A man adjusting a dining room chandelier in Glendalough suggests that Ireland’s culinary renaissance has dispelled stereotypes about Irish cuisine. (Image © Joyce McGreevy)

From Glendalough (above) to Galway, cooks have cast Irish cuisine in a whole new light.

Irish Cuisine Turns the Tables on Culinary Stereotypes

St. Patrick’s Day is coming and you know what that means. It’s time for the Annual Feast of Culinary Stereotypes!

Once a year, sales of green food-dye soar in the U.S., evidenced by neon green bagels, chartreuse cupcakes, and acid-lime donuts. Meanwhile, Corned Beef and Cabbage (which originated in the U.S., not Ireland) will be dutifully served at Irish-themed parties.

Don’t get me started about green beer and “shamrock” milkshakes. No wonder many people believe “Irish cuisine” is a contradiction in terms.

Forty Shades of Cuisine

But feast on this: To dine at one Michelin-starred or Bib Gourmand restaurant per day in Ireland, you’d need a 40-day vacation. You’d travel from County Down in the North, along the Irish coast from Dublin to Cork to Galway, and across Ireland’s well-fed middle from Limerick to Kilkenny.

A woman gesturing toward a seafood platter in Howth shows that Ireland’s culinary renaissance has dispelled stereotypes about Irish cuisine. (Image © Joyce McGreevy)

Grainne McMorrow and I share a feast of fish on Dublin’s Howth Peninsula.
© Joyce McGreevy

That’s just for starters. Because you needn’t carry loads of “green” to feast on great Irish cooking.

Oh, I see: Today’s Ireland is studded with culinary gems. From storied estates and castles to gastro-pubs, food trucks, and farmer’s markets, Ireland’s culinary renaissance offers something for every palate and budget.

A vegetable garden in Inish Beg Estate, Cork, Ireland evokes the way Ireland’s culinary renaissance has dispelled stereotypes about Irish cuisine. (Image © Joyce McGreevy)

Inish Beg Estate, Co. Cork typifies a “growing” trend toward organic food production.
© Joyce McGreevy

Recipe for a Culinary Renaissance

Only a few decades ago, critics had their knives out, suggesting there was nothing so bad on Irish menus that Irish cookery couldn’t make it worse. The Ireland of today is a trend-setter, thanks to a whole new recipe:

Start with an island smaller than Indiana but bountiful in seafood, freshwater fish, and forage-able plants.
Add economic prosperity and strong support for organic farming.
Fire up keen interest in new ways of using traditional Irish ingredients.
Stir in meticulous technique and bold experimentation.
Season with cross-cultural inspiration.
Serve in as many creative ways and settings as possible.

Poached eggs from Glebe Gardens, Co. Cork, suggest how Ireland’s culinary renaissance has dispelled stereotypes about Irish cuisine. (Image © Joyce McGreevy)

Poached eggs at Glebe Gardens, Cork, make breakfast a culinary wake-up call.
© Joyce McGreevy

What’s on the Menu?

This year, ditch the green food-dye and treat yourself to a feast of today’s Irish flavors. Here’s a Travel Menu with options for home cooks:

A man cooking at home in Galway, Ireland evokes the way Ireland’s culinary renaissance has dispelled stereotypes about Irish cuisine. (Image © Joyce McGreevy)

Home cooks in Ireland celebrate local and cross-cultural ingredients and techniques.
© Joyce McGreevy

Starters: In Ireland, where appetizers are called “starters,” the best starter is a food tour. No matter which part of Ireland you visit, there’s a food trail worth following.

Or go straight to Chapter One (18-19 Parnell Square, Dublin). Michelin’s review says: “Good old-fashioned Irish hospitality meets with modern Irish cooking in this stylish restaurant beneath the Writers Museum…Boldly flavored dishes showcase produce from local artisan producers.”

Home cook’s starter: Vodka-Cured Salmon with Avocado Cream, Pickled Vegetables, and Horseradish Mayonnaise (The New Irish Table: Recipes from Ireland’s Top Chefs, edited by Leslie Conron Carola; Charlesbridge Publishing, Inc., 2017)

Gourmet Grocery: Fallon & Byrne, Dublin, “offering the season’s good stuff from land and sea.”

A plate of smoked salmon and brown bread in Galway, Ireland evokes the way Ireland’s culinary renaissance has dispelled stereotypes about Irish cuisine. (Image © Carolyn McGreevy)

Wild smoked salmon with brown bread is the perfect St. Patrick’s Day appetizer.
© Carolyn McGreevy

Main course: Want the whole Irish enchildada? (Yes, Ireland’s reinvented enchiladas, too!) Take classes at Ballymaloe Cookery School, set on 300 acres of organic farmland in County Cork. Or head to Michelin-starred Loam in Galway for dishes like Lamb Shoulder, Turnip, and Damson fruit.

Home cook’s main course: Discover Allen’s marvelous take on traditional Shepherd’s Pie, made with roast duck and parsnips. Or savor Allen’s Wild Garlic & Potato Soup.

Gourmet Grocery: English Market, Cork City’s outstanding 18th century covered market.

Supper at The Piemaker, Galway, showcases Ireland's culinary renaissance. (Image © Carolyn McGreevy)

Diners line up for savories at The Piemaker, Galway.
© Carolyn McGreevy

Dessert: Feast your eyes on the Dingle Peninsula in County Kerry, then thrill your taste buds with Murphy’s Ice Cream. Founded in Dingle, Murphy’s also chills in Galway and Dublin. Flavors range from Rainwater Sorbets and Caramelized Brown Bread to Honey Lavender and Candied Chili Pepper.

A dessert at Kai Cafe in Galway, Ireland evokes the way Ireland’s culinary renaissance has dispelled stereotypes about Irish cuisine. (Image © Joyce McGreevy)

Rhubarb meets edible flowers at Kai Café in Galway.
© Joyce McGreevy

Home cook’s dessert: Bake a “dark and majestic” Guinness cake (from Clodagh’s Irish Kitchen: A Fresh Take on Traditional Flavors, by Clodagh McKenna, Kyle Books, 2015).

Gourmet Grocery: McCambridge‘s, Galway, pleasing palates since 1934.

A baker and cake at Burren Cafe, Co. Clare show how Ireland’s culinary renaissance has dispelled stereotypes about Irish cuisine. (Image © Joyce McGreevy)

A luscious black walnut cake at Burren Café favors taste over symmetry.
© Joyce McGreevy

Irish Cuisine Made Easy

Most U.S. grocers stock Irish soda bread, Kerrygold butter, Dublin cheddar, Irish tea, and other Celtic fare. Add easy-peasy Roast Root Vegetables, with or without chicken or Limerick ham. Then settle in to watch Dare to Be Wild (Netflix), easily the most gorgeous Irish movie you’ll ever see.

A display of plates at a restaurant in Dublin, Ireland evokes the way Ireland’s culinary renaissance has dispelled stereotypes about Irish cuisine. (Image © Carolyn McGreevy)

The diversity of dishes in Ireland surprises first-time visitors.
© Carolyn McGreevy

You’ll be glad you skipped the culinary stereotypes and sampled today’s Irish cuisine.

Comment on the post below, or inspire insight with your own OIC Moment here.

Joyce McGreevy 1 Comment

Art of Travel/Ireland/Stereotypes/The World's Chefs

Feb

First-Class Economy Travel

by Joyce McGreevy on February 18, 2019

Dublin International Airport, Ireland prompts a favorite travel tip: You can clear U.S. Customs before you board. (Image © Carolyn McGreevy)

Fly home via Dublin Airport (above) to clear U.S. Customs before you board.
Your jet lagged brain will thank you!
© Carolyn McGreevy

Travel Tips to Upgrade the Experience

Overseas travel is enriching, and you don’t have to be rich to travel well. When people say it’s all about managing resources, they usually mean money. But another resource is our mindset.

If we’re fixated on how things “should be,” it won’t take much to discourage us from our travel goals, and any little thing could “ruin the trip.” If we’re adaptable, we’ll “find a way” and savor both the journey we anticipate and the journey as it actually unfolds.

Oh, I see: The attitudes we invest in can enrich our travel even more than the money we spend. Here are travel tips for “First-Class Economy” to help with both resources.

This is an airport? You don’t need to be a VIP to enjoy the Departures-area garden
at Aarhus International in Denmark.
© Joyce McGreevy

Prepare for takeoff.

List “Travel” as a monthly expense. Then use an app to automate saving. You can set a specific amount or round up each transaction to the nearest dollar and save the rest.

Mindful travel tip: Discovering how easily you can save, even on a tight budget, also sheds light on “unconscious” spending.

An array of old currency suggests a favorite budget travel tip about saving. (Image © Carolyn McGreevy)

Preview travel costs.

BudgetYourTrip.com lets you view average travel costs by country, region, and city. Categories include food, accommodation, and transportation. Simply convert local-currency prices into your own currency.

Budget Travel Tip: Use the figures as guidelines, not gospel. The “typical” monthly costs displayed skew much higher than I spend, even with lovely apartments. In fact, extended stays usually come with discounts.

Mindful travel tip: Donate, don’t accumulate, foreign coins. Many international airlines collect change for UNICEF. You can donate miles, too.

A toy dog in different hats accompanies a budget travel tip about saving by not overpacking. (Image © Joyce McGreevy)

Briefly tempted by a souvenir hat at Heathrow Airport, a savvy saver decides
to stick with his easy-to-pack beret.
© Joyce McGreevy

Weatherize, don’t “excess”-orize.

Whether you dress informally (hiking in New Zealand) or more formally (exploring the arts in Italy), you need only one small suitcase. Pack light, based on Climate, Culture, and Comfort. Why waste money on airline fees for overweight or multiple suitcases? Managing cumbersome bags just makes you vulnerable to theft.

Mindful travel tip: Are perfect selfies worth lugging around a closet? Use Instagram to capture insights, not “I” sights.

A model inspired by Lord of the Rings at Wellington Airport, New Zealand, inspire travel tips about mindful travel. (Image © Joyce McGreevy)

Not just another airport: In Wellington, New Zealand, art installations
celebrate The Lord of the Rings.
© Joyce McGreevy

Don’t wing it.

Read reviews of Economy flights. Does traveling long-haul in Coach sound miserable? It needn’t be. My favorite airlines treat you well whether you’re seated in 1A or 38F. This includes Air New Zealand, Turkish Airlines, and Ireland’s Aer Lingus.

A DIY travel amenity kit accompanies budget travel tips for mindful travel. (Image © Joyce McGreevy)

Budget Travel tip: Some airlines offer Premium Economy upgrades—from your meal to your seat. In this regard, international airlines offer better quality and value than U.S. airlines.

An airline meal accompanies budget travel tips for First-Class Economy travel . (Image © Joyce McGreevy)

Mindful travel tip: Boarding a crowded flight is a stressor that can ratchet up the territorial instinct—which only creates more stress. My solution? Committing to flexibility and remembering that those around me are my neighbors. Empathy works wonders.

Don’t wait for jet-lag to find out what Arrivals is like. Some airports, like Schipol in Amsterdam, expertly guide passengers from plane to ground transportation. But some airports . . . good luck finding the secret location of the taxi rank.

Do a dry run online. Check airport websites for basic previews. For detailed tips, visit online travel forums like Lonely Planet Community.

Budget Travel tip: Save big on public transportation by paying for fares like a local: Buy before you board. Ask about discounts. Book online, or buy a smartcard.

A toy dog on a train in Austria accompanies budget travel tips about saving on First-Class Economy travel. (Image © Joyce McGreevy)

Mindful travel tip: Arriving in one city, heading to another? Consider building in a breather overnight. Then resume the journey refreshed. Many airlines allow free stopovers. It’s also a nice transition to heading home, especially if your flight departs early.

Save and savor

Budget travel tip: Seeking affordable, authentic cuisine? Skip reviews by tourists. Search these terms: [your destination] + for locals + food. Or get a “taste orientation” with a 2-hour food tour. One of my favorites is free!

Mindful travel tip: Some great local dining costs little and includes free extras—from park-bench picnics to cafés in libraries, churches, and museums.

A man and woman dining in Ireland embody the concept of mindful travel and First-Class travel on a budget. (Image © Joyce McGreevy)

What’s your favorite “First-Class Economy” travel tip? How does it enrich your travel experience?

Comment on the post below, or inspire insight with your own OIC Moment here.

Joyce McGreevy Comments

Art of Travel/Clever Ideas/Worldwide Sites

World Views:

Topics

Author Archives: Joyce McGreevy

Flights of Fancy

Travel Innovations Soar Every April

Travel Technology Takes Flight

Clear Leadership

Dogging the Competition

Taking Care of Business

Snacks on a Plane!

Room at the Top

Trending Travel Take-Offs

The Future of Travel Is Ahead

The Daring of the Green

Irish Cuisine Turns the Tables on Culinary Stereotypes

Forty Shades of Cuisine

Recipe for a Culinary Renaissance

What’s on the Menu?

Irish Cuisine Made Easy

First-Class Economy Travel

Travel Tips to Upgrade the Experience

Prepare for takeoff.

Preview travel costs.

Weatherize, don’t “excess”-orize.

Don’t wing it.

Save and savor