The Perils of Traveling by Private Jet

Smoke-Free Hotels On the Rise

Los Angeles Native Jonny Olsen: Huge in Laos

Saving Chekhov’s Yalta ‘White Dacha’ Home

How Can I Save on Transportation During a Round-the-World Trip?

Vagabonding traveler Rolf Potts answers your questions about travel

13 Great Travel Horror Movies

The Hollywood horror archives are filled with tales of bad trips. To celebrate Halloween, Eva Holland and Eli Ellison sift through the carnage to pick their favorites—and lose a little sleep doing so.

Matt Weiland: Through 50 States With 50 Writers

The coeditor of “State by State: A Panoramic Portrait of America” talks to Frank Bures about the book, the WPA and how the United States hasn’t been “bulldozed for speed”

Love Herring in Sweden

From artery-clogging casseroles to a fermented concoction that smells alarmingly like vinegary flatulence, Lola Akinmade digs in to a smörgåsbord of herring and explains how to best appreciate Scandinavia’s favorite fish. 

The Water Is Wide

Bronwen Dickey considers Tim Butcher’s “Blood River: A Journey to Africa’s Broken Heart,” which takes readers deep into the Congo

Vagrant Ruminations of a Compulsive Traveler

Where does the urge to hunt for that “fleeting fix of elsewhere” come from? Peter Wortsman recalls a life of travel inspiration. 

Notes From an Unofficial Tourist Greeter

Summer is over, and so is Julia Ross‘ season as an ambassador to travelers in Washington, D.C.’s Woodley Park neighborhood. She’s happy to be off duty.

The Long Descent: Air Canada’s Jazz Jettisons Life Vests to Save Fuel

Can’t. Stop. Laughing…
over the “Emergency landing over water fee.”

Snork snork.

Many airlines already have removed the life vests as they serve no useful purpose except on extensive overseas routes.  An example is US Air (just flew from Phoenix to Vancouver on an Airbus A320… NO lifejackets, flotation seat cushions only). A review of domestic aircraft accidents into water shows that lifejackets have never been a factor in saving lives.  An example is the Air Florida accident in Washington, DC.  None of the survivors were wearing flotation gear. In my opinion, better to save the weight and subsequently, the fuel.

Jay - You seem to be pretty knowledgeable on the subject. I’m curious to know why there’s a distinction being made between domestic and international flights? Seems to me, if they’re needed on one, they’re needed on the other; useless on one, useless on the other. Any ideas?

An example is the Air Florida accident in Washington, DC.  None of the survivors were wearing flotation gear. In my opinion, better to save the weight and subsequently, the fuel.
Thanks for the really good read, I really appreciate that.