I was quite shocked to read that US Airlines are looking to charge passengers for window and aisle seats. Also when airlines allow phones in flight, you can pay extra for a seat in the quiet zone. The cost will be between £3 and £15 per flight. Oh my god, this is ridiculous.

What’s next?

Charging me to go to the toilet. It’s bad enough that they charge you for the headphones, and look pretty miffed when you show them that you have brought your own. I realise airlines are under pressure to make a profit, but charging for a window or aisle seat or paying to fly in a quiet zone is just beyond stupidity.

Would you pay extra for a window aisle seat or to sit in a quiet zone.

There’s a worrying trend of travel consumers going on holiday abroad, without taking out adequate travel insurance. A survey by the review centre revealed up to ten per cent of people will head off on holiday without insurance.

I have to admit that it’s incredibly confusing as they are so many travel insurance products to choose from and whilst comparison sites are a great way to find the best deals quickly, it’s still time consuming choosing travel insurance for all eventualities.

My advice is make sure you read the small print and take time to read what your covered for. Some consumers have had problems getting money back from when airlines have gone into liquidation as the insurance cover doesn’t include this event.

Shop around for the best deal, but don’t always go for the cheapest deal, go for a package which makes you and your family protected should any event happen whilst your on holiday abroad, especially if you are booking your own flight and hotel.

Since writing on Travel Rants I’ve learnt about how as a consumer I can help the environment, for example, whenever I fly, I offset my carbon emissions, by donating to Climate Care, this money goes towards helping sustainable energy projects.

It’s good to hear that the likes of Boeing, Airbus and the Air Transport Action Group, along with aviation industry leaders today signed a declaration at the global Aviation and Environment Summit in Geneva to lead towards carbon neutral growth and a totally sustainable industry.

What are you doing to help the environment?

As expected, TUI have re-launched Holidays Uncovered, which was purchased in 2007, for an undisclosed sum, and is expected to rival Trip Advisor. Considering that the site was so badly designed before, it’s new look is a massive improvement.

I suspect the challenge was to not make too many changes that it drove it’s regular users away, yet, making the site look updated. It’ll be interesting to see further developments, and if they open up advertising to other companies outside of the TUI group.

What do you think of the new design?

Well, I’ve got an exciting week coming up, with a trip to London, and the Travolution Awards. I’m not sure why but I’m nervous about the awards; I’m not too great around people I don’t know, and what about if I do win, the thought of getting up and collecting my award – nervous.

It’ll be an experience; this short arsed travel blogger who just rants about travel mingling with the likes of British Airways, and Opodo. Yikes. It’s great though that they are awards out there that realise how important a role bloggers play in the travel industry.

Wish me luck – I’ll need it.

For the first time I’ve noticed the impact the economy is having on the travel industry, with the Euro at an low-time low, the price of a weeks holiday in October, is £30 per person, more expensive than the same time last year.

The price of flights are increasing, with a flight to Spain for 2 adults, and 2 children during the school holidays is now over £1,300 return. Cost of living has certainly increased in the last 12 months, and despite getting a pay increase, my net salary has decreased in April.

Is the state of the economy going to affect your holiday this year?

It’s been a week since I’ve written a post, unfortunately, the dreaded virus caught me unaware and I’ve spent the time offline ill, but anyway I’d like to know why can’t airline websites be more like National Express train ticket booking site.

The site was incredibly easy to use, and against each departure time, was a price, so I could choose which was the cheapest time to travel, and not have to pay for an expensive return ticket. Booking and paying was easy, no boxes automatically ticked for travel insurance, no flashing banners telling me I need to book a hotel room.

If Stelios from EasyJet is reading this then I’d recommend a visit to their site, and learn a few lessons because consumers are becoming increasingly hacked off at having to wade and scroll through rubbish to book an airline ticket, and you might learn a little.

That’s my train ticket booked for next Thursday’s shindig at the Travolution Awards..

I’ll have more on the story soon, but Oasis Hong Kong Airline, an airline only 18 months old has gone into liquidation and has grounded all of it’s flights. This has left an unknown number of passengers stranded in Hong Kong and the airline’s two destinations, London and Vancouver.

The Oasis Hong Kong Airline website is slow loading at the moment but it’s worrying that the booking functionality appears to be still working and no information has been posted on the website! I will update this post with more information as soon as I can.

If you have been affected by this please leave your comments or contact me

Update: I’m getting a lot of emails about is Oasis Hong Kong Airlines International Air Transport Association member. I’ve had a look on the IATA website and the airline is not showing up which means that you will not be bonded and legally the airline have no responsibility on getting you back home.

Update: Here’s more information from the airline if you are stranded or have a booked flight. Basically, they are saying if you are left stranded then you have to meet the cost of these alternate flight arrangements yourself.

Please read the comments as there is alot of information that might help you.