"flying" news and stories

Last week, I posted about the problems that heightened airline security measures were causing for those trying to carry wine with them on their flights. The gel packs often used to keep live lobsters cool during their travels are also a problem. To get around this, Clearwater Seafoods in Nova Scotia, Canada, has replaced their usual gel packs with bags of frozen vegetables like peas, carrots and corn, according to a recent CBC story. One Clearwater manager told the CBC that the veggies actually stay colder for longer than the gel packs.

[Via Fark]

We have an in-flight food guide that we posted a couple of weeks ago to help Slashfood readers know what they're in for food-wise on several major airlines this summer. This week, the Wall Street Journal actually took to the skies to taste-test some of the meal options on various airlines. Dubbed the "unfree lunches," since you now almost always have to pay for meals and snacks when you fly.

Many of the "snack" boxes contained little food for the shocking amount of calories they contained, and the exact calorie count could not always be determined, since single-serving "cheeses" were often unlabeled. Overall, you'd do best to pass on the "insultingly skimpy" snack box from ATA ($3), which garnered the "worst snack box" award. United Airlines Right Bite Box ($5), by contrast, was voted the "best snack box" because their selections were "smart," reasonably healthy and stocked with popular brands - including organics. Air Canada was praised for their excellent muffin ($2) and offering of Subway veggie sandwiches ($5). As for the rest? Let's just say that packing your own snack is always a good idea.

Dinner in the Sky is perhaps the world's most unique dining experience. The way it works is this: You are seated at a round table with up to 22 other people and in the center of the table, there is a workspace where a chef, a waiter and an entertainer work. Once you are strapped in, the entire table is suspended 50 meters in the air with a giant crane. You can also order a second crane that will bring up a band or -- in a rather bizarre suggestion from the company -- "a car that is being presented at the same height as the table." The whole thing can be set up just about anywhere (it is based in Europe) that there is room for it.

The basic package is €7,900, or about $10,000, but there are many additional options, including photographers, which can be secured for an additional fee.

[via The Cool Hunter]

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