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Countries, Flying, Ireland

Planespotting is a must for life

17th June 2024 funtime65

With apologies to Iggy Pop, Irvine Welsh and Danny Boyle planespotting is a must for life.

It is literally a right of passage for youngsters to be taken to the airport to see the jets take off.

Now thankfully our low-budget airlines have long made it affordable for all of us to take off to foreign shores.

But it is still a thrill to look up at the planes… and a hobby for many to see them take off and land.

My own little jetsetter at home graduated from her childhood passion of trainspotting to following the jumbos.

And brought him and her along for the ride when she organised a family day out at the airport.

For airport day trippers, as were back then and many of you are now, it can be a case of organising your own spot.

Sound as The Mound

So wouldn’t it make sense to structure it?

Well, yes, and that’s why Dublin Airport are doing that very thing at ‘The Mound.’

A new public Aircraft Observation Facility on Old Airport Road.

The new elevated platform will provide ‘a comfortable and safe space for the community.

‘To view aircraft movements, with a clear view of the south runway (10R/28L) and the cross-wind runway (16/34).’

The facility would be covered and ‘fully-lit, with power provided by solar panels located on the site’

And it will feature bike parking and 22 car parking spaces – including spaces dedicated for families and those with reduced mobility.

Getting off the plane spotting

Now there is, and always has been, an offshoot of planespotting.

And that is getting off the plane spotting.

Of course, there has never been anyone bigger than Elvis Presley.

And the only time he visited Britain was for two hours when his US military jet refuelled at Prestwick Airport in the west of Scotland.

And photographer Ian McGhee captured the visit with 200 Elvis fans greeting The King to his ancestral home.

Glasgow Prestwick Mound and Glasgow North Side at Glasgow International are the spots from which to watch planes unofficially.

Which beggars the question why the airports there and in Edinburgh don’t follow Dublin’s lead and build a structure for us.

Mad for it

Crashing the party: At Turkish Airlines HQ

We can, of course, only dream of what’s on offer at the likes of London Myrtle Avenue or Birmingham Runway End.

But for planespotting enthusiasts there is nowhere they’re more mad for it than Manchester Runway Park.

Where they have a viewing platform, a children’s play area, a walkthrough concorde hangar, five retired aircraft, a cafe and a flight simulator.

And I’m guessing that I ought to keep the fact that I crashed my plane into JFK when I was at the Turkish Airlines HQ in Istanbul.

All of that said planespotting is a must for life.

And we’d be keen to hear your favourite spots.

MEET YOU AT THE PLANESPOTTING

Countries, Flying, Ireland

Ryanair’s plane jokes for Dad’s Day

15th June 202415th June 2024 funtime65

Now we all like to give them a dig but they’ve turned it into a positive with Ryanair’s plane jokes for Dad’s Day.

Now Ryanair have been a game-changer in air travel since emerging on the scene 40 years ago.

And making it affordable for millions to travel to foreign destinations.

Some even within the same national postal code to the city you were heading!

Ryanair and their ubiquitous showboating CEO Michael O’Leary have heard them all before.

But Michael, the thick-skinned Irishman that he is has taken them all on the chin.

And come back with his own unforgettable stunts, pranks and wind-ups.

Taking the Michael

Who can forget Michael’s earnest announcement that his airline would start selling vertical seats or standing-room only.

Or charging a pound for spending a penny to go to the loo.

Michael has been front and centre of everything that Ryanair has done.

The face of the airline in many hilarious guises and always ready with a unique quip.

Such as: ‘If drink sales are falling off, we get the pilots to engineer a bit of turbulence. That usually spikes sales.’

Or on their sales pitches: ‘Anyone who looks like sleeping, we wake them up to sell them things.’

While he has never been backward in poking fun at his main Irish rival.

Laugh on our travels

So that when his bride arrived 35 minutes late for their wedding, he shot back: ‘She’s coming here with Aer Lingus.’

Don’t, of course, get Michael on ‘flyskam’ or flying shame.

‘If preserving the environment means stopping poor people flying so the rich can fly, then screw it.’

Of course, Michael, remains for ever a proud Irishman and he just gets it.

‘The airline industry is full of bullshitters, liars and drunks. We excel at all three in Ireland.’

All of which Michael O’Leary gems is to mark the four decades of Ireland’s low-budget airline.

And the gags competition and offer the airline pitched for Dads Day for the funniest people on the planet, the Irish.

You’re a card

The three winners bagged themselves a €100 Ryanair Gift Card just in time for Father’s Day tomorrow.

And the comedians are Sharon Bell, Dino Salkić and Noëlie Charlot whose gags are now on Ryanair’s Facebook page.

#1 What kind of bagel can travel? A plane bagel.

#2 My dad Can’t stop telling Airport jokes… his doctor says it’s terminal.

#3 Why do French people eat snails? Because they don’t like fast food.

Of course, with everything Ryanair they have a pitch for us.

And those Ryanair Gift Cards are still available for tomorrow to one of Ryanair’s 250+ destinations.

Now as a bit of an exponent of Dad Jokes myself I will shamelessly try to pass these off as my own.

Ryanair’s plane jokes for Dad’s Day.

Countries, Flying

Tipsy and scratchy with Ryanair’s new cocktails

22nd May 202422nd May 2024 funtime65

Now it’s a flying experience like no other and it’s just about to get even livelier as we get tipsy and scratchy with Ryanair’s new cocktails.

Often more a fleein’ experience Ryanair‘s passengers like to get high before and during the flight.

And I’m reminded here and wondering too of our old country singer pal who performed for us in San Antonio, Dierks Bentley.

And if he had been inspired by a Ryanair flight to pen his hit Getting Drunk on a Plane.

The Ryanair flight crew will keep your spirits up with a constant stream of information on their offers.

Their merch and the foods and drinks they serve.

Including their famous scratch lottery cards.

All with a background of bells and whistles and blasts when they announce that they have got to their destination on time, or early.

Airport drinks

Of course, passengers quite often get a jump on their partying in the bar beforehand with the obligatory ‘airport drinks’.

Now all this craic, the haps and mishaps and the people we meet on Ryanair flights is best curated.

In my old colleague and fellow award-winning Travel writer Philip Nolan’s excellent Ryanland.

When he flew to each of the Irish low-fares’ destinations around Europe.

Now Ryanair may not be known for its upgrades so cocktails might come as a surprise to some.

But CEO Michael O’Leary who is known to let his hair down.

Particularly when buying the drinks for Irish race fans back from the Cheltenham Races knows his customers.

And hence he is introducing these drinks to the flying public.

Now, as you’ll quickly discover if you spend any time with the Irish, they love to spin a tale.

What’s in a name

And so Dublin Lemonade is only half the story.

It is actually a Jameson Irish Whiskey (or Jemmy as they call it in the Fair City), Sprite Zero and sparkling water.

While a Fruit Snack is Bombay Sapphire Gin, Sprite Zero and Capri-sun.

The Rose Spritz is rose wine and Sprite Zero.

While a Flying Iced Tea which is guaranteed to get you fleein’ drunk is Bombay Sapphire Gin, Absolut Vodka and Coca-Cola.

Whichever drink you imbibe, and they’re all under a tenner, isn’t it time to get tipsy and scratchy with Ryanair’s new cocktails?

America, Countries, Flying

Livin’ devil me Aer in Las Vegas

21st May 202421st May 2024 funtime65

The Irish are coming… well, in truth, they’ve always been there but the new Aer Lingus direct route from Dublin to Neon City means we’ll all be livin’ devil me Aer in Las Vegas now.

Now if you can’t channel your inner Elvis in Vegas…

And The King is everywhere with impersonators milling around the airport and all around the Strip.

Not to mention at the Graceland Wedding Chapel where Elvis himself will invite you on to say Love Me Tender and it’s Now or Never.

As two of the lads in our party did just that with a stunt-up service conducted by chapel owner Brendan Paul.

Brendan became the first fully licensed by Elvis Presley Enterprises, LLC. to conduct Elvis-themed ceremonies two years ago.

Lads and Lassies Vegas

Good luck charm: With Brendan at Graceland Chapel

As with all the best things in life, there is a Scottish-Irish link to the Graceland Wedding Chapel.

Through Irish-American Brendan and further back to the founder of the chapel.

Scottish immigrants called McKee put their stamp on what would become the jewel of Nevada with one of the first chapels in 1939.

And they took a little bit from home by renaming it the Gretna Green Wedding Chapel after the Scottish town.

Renowned for its runaway brides and grooms.

Whether that was what drew Elvis to its door has been lost to the mists of time.

But the King did visit in 1967 as he planned his coming nuptials with Priscilla.

Bon shook up

Going to the chapel: Graceland Wedding Chapel

Alas, Elvis found the chapel too small for his 250-person guest list but the link had been forged.

And ten years later the chapel set the trend for the funnest weddings ever.

By performing the world’s first Elvis-themed service to commemorate the King’s life.

Now, we know the rest and how Jon Bon Jovi eloped to Vegas and married Dorothea Hurley at Graceland Wedding Chapel a dozen years later.

And then held a concert behind the chapel with 75 couples who renewed their vows along with him two years later.

Now, whatever you get up to, and I still don’t know if I wed Cami here from Utah after meeting on the dance floor at Harrah’s off the Strip.

Bet on Aer Lingus

Remember what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.

Apart, of course, from Ireland’s national airline carrier, Aer Lingus which takes you out there with pre-clearance and back to Dublin.

Because it’s all about livin’ devil me Aer in Las Vegas.

Aer Lingus will fly direct to Las Vegas from October 25, three times a week, on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

Flights are priced from €499 return including taxes and charges, and are now on sale.

Caribbean, Countries, Flying

Chop, chop, get out to Saint Lucia

18th May 202418th May 2024 funtime65

You’ve flown over one of the jewels of the Caribbean and have had to stop for a deep clean when all you want to hear is… chop, chop, let’s explore Saint Lucia.

Of course, the best way to first see Saint Lucia and its stand-out Piton Mountains is in a bird’s view.

And how much closer can you get than by chopper as we found out over Barcelona and the Grand Canyon.

So if you had your head turned down the first time you saw a copter, say in Magnum PI, or now I’m A Celebrity, read on.

Because luxury boutique resort & spa, Cap Maison in Saint Lucia has raised the bar with its ‘Fly & Save’ offer.

Giving guests the chance to kickstart their summer getaway with a VIP arrival in a helicopter.

From Hewanorra International Airport to George F.L Charles Airport in the north

Where a private car will take them on the remainder of their journey to clifftop billet Cap Maison in the exclusive Cap Estate.

Mud, glorious mud

You’ll get to enjoy the Sulphur Mud Baths, horse-riding along a beach, a coco ‘Bean to Bar’ experience and a Rainforest Zip Line Adventure.

Some of which we’ve enjoyed elsewhere in Barbados and Tobago and would obviously like to repeat.

While Saint Lucia boasts the only Drive-in volcano in the Caribbean (grilled burger please!!).

Nothing to worry about here… do like the islanders and just go with the flow.

Cap Maison offers newly refurbished hacienda-inspired fully fitted and furnished rooms.

Two to three-bedroom suites are available, as are smaller one-bedroom suites with roll away beds in various living spaces.

All suites feature a private pool.

Water thrill

The well-situated beach is set within a shallow cove and features its own water sports centre.

If you only like to dip your foot into the choppy waves of water sports.

Then Hobie Cat sailboats, like Bubba’s on Barbados maybe, are probably more you than kayaks, snorkelling and windsurfing but I’ll let you make up your own mind on that.

And the two on-site award-winning restaurants The Cliff at Cap and The Naked Fisherman and the beach restaurant The Naked Fisherman.

And who knows it might do what it says on the tin, if it was tinned, but, of course, it’s straight out of the sea.

Maison about on Saint Lucia

Cap Maison’s Fly & Save package is the stay in a Oceanview Suite with Pool or Oceanview Suite with Pool & Roof Terrace.

Where you can enjoy not only Cap Maison’s Linger Longer offer but also a VIP Cap Maison arrival via copter.

Taking in the Pitons vista.

*Minimum stay 5 nights, If the helicopter is unable to fly a luxury car transfer or a water ferry will be offered in its place.

Helicopter valid for up to two passengers, any additional passengers can be added at a cost – Helicopter is a shared transfer with other travellers.

The Linger Longer deal is on all Junior Suites and One Bedroom Villas Suites.

Travel between January 3rd to December 19th for the best rates with Daily Breakfast or All-Inclusive Meal Plan included.

Available on stays from four nights. For stays of eight nights or longer, guests will receive a greater discount on their stay.

So, what are you doing? Get busy.

And chop, chop, get out to Saint Lucia.

With British Airways flying from London Gatwick return for a sample five days from £809.

America, Countries, Deals, Flying

Denver, the Aer Mile High City

17th May 202417th May 2024 funtime65

It’s America’s ear-poppin’, beer-hoppin’ out west playground and now it’s accessible through Europe’s pre-clearance capital, Dublin… it’s Denver, the Aer Mile High City.

Denver, you see, has just become the 14th direct Aer Lingus route out of Dublin.

And they celebrated it in style this week, bringing some real high-fliers over to Ireland to launch it.

With the Mayor himself, Mike Johnston, heading the delegation.

For an evening of Irish-American craic at the Banqueting Hall in College Green.

Bandanaman: And the Bandanettes In Denver

Now, the party-loving Denverites will gladly tell you.

That because it’s a mile high you only need half as much drink to get you twice as pie-eyed.

And because Denver styles itself as the Craft Beer hub of America then it helps to be prepared for the change of atmosphere.

And if that means avoiding a stop-off in London, and nothing has changed now I’ve relocated to Scotland, then all the better.

A hit of Denver

Pioneers: James Cahill, Krisha Shah and Scott Gault en route to Denver. Photograph: Leon Farrell/Photocall Ireland

Now, when you do get out to Denver and Colorado, and you will, it’ll hit you, yes, the altitude.

But also the feeling of those who have passed through here before.

The pioneers came out West to start a new life.

And to practise their religion their way, and those chasing the Gold Rush.

All before mechanical birds, slugging it out instead by stagecoach and by rail.

And how Americans have always glorified their stations with Denver Union Station a living breathing, transporting museum.

And, of course, those who were here first, the Native Americans.

It fits the Bill

With the best example of how the incomers and the indigenous population did get on visit the Buffalo Bill Museum and Grave.

Above Lookout Mountain, near Denver.

Where you can see examples on the boards of how Bill and his Wild West and Congress of Rough Riders of the World took the trip in the other direction.

To entertain the smallest Scottish and English towns.

It’s a deal

So, the pathways between ourselves, and I count myself as an Irish-Scot who always goes through Dublin to the States, have always existed.

And have now been enhanced from Dublin to Denver, the Aer Mile High City.

Now your Dublin-Denver route will operate four times weekly and is served by an Airbus A330.

Those looking to explore the ‘Mile High City’ and beyond can enjoy €100 off Economy and €200 off Business fares to the US.

In an offer that lassts until midnight 19^th May.

And is valid for travel from 1^st August through 30^th November.

America, Flying

Aer Maidens

10th May 202410th May 2024 funtime65

I don’t know how I offended St Eithne to get chucked off my flight back from Dublin but my Aer Maidens got me back on board as they always do.

And here’s me who says a prayer to all the Irish saints every night.

Those who have flown on Aer Lingus, Ireland’s national airline carrier, may have observed that the planes are all called after saints and are thus blessed.

But Eithne’s wings (or another part of her body) showed signs of wear and tear.

And poor dear she had to rerouted back to Ireland.

Midway through our flight to Glasgow.

Hostess with mostest

Of course, this being a chatty Ireland-Scotland flight and me being stupid tired after five days in LA, the City of Angels, I hadn’t heard the announcement.

And woke up with Baile Atha Cliath looming up in huge letters in front of me.

We were back on hallowed Dublin land again.

Of course that is usually a winner with me and I was hoping that we’d be grounded long enough for me to get a comp night at the airport.

Alas, Aer Lingus had it in hand and got us back in the air.

With a special shout-out for our Aer Maiden Alexandra who kept our spirits up with her smile and easy charm.

And looked after my take-on luggage while I headed for the rest room.

Airline angels

Back home: Aer Lingus. Pic: Mitchell R Hope

One of Eithne’s fellow angels, Sarab, took the heavy load, carrying us on our wings.

And having us back in the air within three hours.

And back to catch our bus from Glasgow Airport and train to Edinburgh Waverley.

Where my own little angel, Herself, was waiting to pick me up and bring me back to Chez Murty.

All despite an interrupted sleep.

I will pay for it but hope the souvenir does the trick.

Or my suitcases will be back out on the garden pronto.

Countries, Flying

The Best airport in the UK

13th April 202413th April 2024 funtime65

And when you call yourself the Best then you need to follow through and be named the Best airport in the UK.

Belfast was early to the party in the UK to follow the global convention of naming airports after hometown heroes.

Belfast City’s being football great George Best.

With only John Lennon in Liverpool and Robin Hood in Doncaster Sheffield (a steal from Nottingham surely?) participants.

Of course that’s a different subject which we’ve been tracked before, championing Billy Connolly for Glasgow and Sean Connery for Edinburgh.

And Bono for Dublin in the Republic of Ireland.

Belfast boys

For the week that’s in it though we’re celebrating another Irish city, Belfast and its airport.

Which we were only too happy to divert to from Edinburgh at the start of our 13 years odyssey in Ireland.

For our family holiday to Mallorca.

And if those circumstances arose again, and we can only hope, then we’d gladly swap airports from Edinburgh to Belfast.

Because Belfast’s average delays (12 and a half minutes) are the shortest of any in the UK.

With Liverpool John Lennon 13 minutes and 24 seconds.

From Edinburgh to London

My local airport, Edinburgh’s (21 minutes and 48 seconds) are among the longest.

The worst culprit is Gatwick at 27 minutes behind schedule last year.

Where I have suffered with Ryanair.

Although there is recourse for financial and/or accommodation compensation with all airlines if delays become too lengthy.

Of course, all delays disrupt your travel plans, particularly if you’ve onward flights.

Texan travels

Spare a thought then for the poor couple beside me on in the queue on the flight back from Dallas, Texas to London.

With the American Airlines flight delayed so long that the couple lost their connection from London.

And the onward flight from London to Glasgow and on to Austria.

What made it worse was that it was their honeymoon.

Little help from our friends

Of course, we are all fellow travellers on this life’s journey and where you see someone in trouble then you should help out.

And so I advised the couple who were thinking of hiring a car from London to Glasgow.

To consider a National Express coach instead.

We exchanged details so I could hear how they got on but never heard back.

I trust they got over to awesome Austria and back to Texas.

All things considered my odyssey to get back to Edinburgh and then the last train to North Berwick was small beer.

My travel being disrupted by a Harry Styles concert at Murrayfield which brought my aircoach to a standstill.

Best in the business

All of which brings us back to the airports that keep delays to a minimum.

And maybe I’m being a bit too ethereal here but there has to be something in the fact that the airports that score best have a guardian angel looking over them.

With the Best airport in the UK named after the fleet-footed Belfast boy George Best.

Who ironically was known for his lateness which I experienced in my own time in Aberdeen, and no-shows.

But that was another story and George was well worth the wait.

Countries, Flying

An OTA airline rip-off

4th March 20244th March 2024 funtime65

And for everything that’s said about them Ryanair has our back and our thanks to them for pointing out an OTA airline rip-off.

An OTA being an online travel agency.

All on the back of the low-budget airline releasing its March OTA Pirate survey.

It exposed eDreams as the No.1 OTA Pirate, overcharging customers by 135% (€23.50).

For a reserved seat that costs just €10 on Ryanair.com.

The charges

Now Ryanair tells us this is the second time that eDreams has been named OTA Pirate of the Month..

It was previously shamed by the January survey for overcharging consumers by 125% for a reserved seat.

Now Ryanair has been banging this particular drum for some time.

Telling us that it continues to campaign for all consumers to be protected from OTA Pirate scams, overcharges, and invented charges.

And it calls again on UK and Spain governments and EU consumer agencies to take action to stop OTA piracy and consumer rip-offs.

Tell it as it is

Ryanair’s Dara Brady said: ‘This month we have a repeat OTA Pirate of the Month.

‘Meanwhile, Opodo continues to price gouge its customers with overcharges of 129% for a 10kg bag that costs just €23.84 on ryanair.com.

‘Opodo is also charging a “premium” fee of €17.99 – a “service” that does not exist, and Gotogate.comcharge a fraudulent €65 for a “refund” fee on a non-refundable Ryanair ticket.

‘It is unacceptable that despite these OTA Pirates repeatedly overcharging and scamming unsuspecting consumers…

‘Their UK and Spanish Govts and EU consumer agencies have still not taken any action.

‘Toprotect consumers from these OTA Pirate scams.

‘Ryanair will continue to campaign against these OTA Pirates.

‘Exposing their digital piracy and overcharging scams and will continue to call for these OTA Pirates to be outlawed and their anti-consumer scams ended.’

Extra hassle

As consumers it is all too tempting to cut corners in search of saving that bit extra.

But just be careful it doesn’t come back to bite you.

And you get caught out by an OTA airline rip-off.

Countries, Europe, Flying

Turk the new Istanbul-Melbourne route

22nd January 202422nd January 2024 funtime65

Now we’re often asked the best route from Britain or Ireland to Australia.

And my own globetrotter will invariably say by ship, but here’s something new Turk the new Istanbul-Melbourne route.

You’ll know, of course, having been told it as often as I am that my peripatetic partner travelled back from Australia, where she lived as a child, to England on a ship.

And she took in New Zealand, Tahiti, the Panama Canal, Curacao and Portugal.

All of which puts my efforts since into the shade.

Cave of riches

That said she hasn’t enjoyed the Cave of Riches that is the Turkish Airlines Business Lounge in Istanbul.

Turkey’s metropolis on the Bosphorus at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, is, of course, one of the world’s great cities.

And the planet’s busiest thoroughfare, making it the perfect stop-off if you’re trying to break up your trip to Aussieland.

Where, of course, you can refuel yourself, but also take in a film, have a golf drive-in, kip down…

You name it, the multi award-winning Turkish Airlines Business Lounge who pampered us en route to the Maldives.

Do the Continental

TA’s new Istanbul-Singapore-Melbourne (and back route) will be its 346th destination.

And 130th country and sixth continent, all from March 15.

There will be three flights per week and as well as all the comfort you’d expect there is a flying on-board chef.

So you can recline and make the most of those Turkish specialities… and do ask for kofte meatballs.

Of course turning left is always a treat but it is an absolute Godsend on long-haul travel.

And Britain and Ireland to Australia is about as long as you can get so you’ll be grateful for the comfy kip.

All worth considering when you’re heading Down Under.

And Turk the new Istanbul-Melbourne route.