Curiosities
1,986 news found
CuriositiesSan Valentino: curious ways to celebrate it
Milan, Italy - Emerged from a survey by easyJet
"easyJet, low-cost airline that links daily 28 Nations, has made a survey about the traditions and uses by the other countries to celebrate San Valentino. In Holland, to spend an evening in a sauna;... more
CuriositieseasyJet offers journey in UK to Pope
Milan, Italy - Return flight completely free
Following to the news diffused yesterday by British press regarding the Pope's journey in UK, that will cost more GBP 20 million to the Vatican and English taxpayers, easyJet, low-cost airline in Europe,... more
CuriositiesMr Bond's Bizjet... James Bond in Turin
Turin, Italy - Ocean Sky Aviation's business jet used by the producers of the movie
A Bombardier Challanger 604 with an elegant livery has used yesterday Turin-Caselle airport for training activities. The news itself is not unusual, but this "BizJet" is part of Ocean Sky Aviation (UK... more
CuriositiesVoluntary imprisoned at Manchester's airport
Manchester, UK - An English anthropologist will spend his days until the end of the year
Damian O'Doherty, an English anthropologist who works at "Manchester Business School", will spend more than 18 hours per day in three Terminals of Manchester's airport observing that happens around him,... more
CuriositiesTurkish Airlines signs sponsorship deal with Barcelona
Barcelona, Spain - For next three years
"Turkish Airlines (TA) has signed a three-year sponsorship deal with FC Barcelona football club in a ceremony in Barcelona. Dr. Temel KOT?L, the CEO of the airline, the Europe's fourth-biggest carrier... more
CuriositiesBeijing will build the world highest airport in Tibet
Rome, Italy - The new Chinese air station to be erected in Nagqu Dagring province at 4436 m. above the sea level
The Beijing Government, according to the local press, would have the intention to construct a new airport in Tibet, in Nagpu Dagring province at 4436 m. of height, becoming so the world highest airport... more
CuriositiesA "Flying Reindeer” lands in Turin-Caselle
Turin, Italy - The Thomson Fly's aircraft in a special livery for a snow charter flight
A flying reindeer has landed yesterday at Turin-Caselle's airport. The British carrier Thomson Fly, specialized in charter flights, has used on a snow flight towards Piedmont's airport from London-Gatwick... more
CuriositiesFAA's green light for Santa Claus' takeoff
Washington, USA - Administrator Randy Babbit controlled all the sleigh's systems
Federal Aviation Administration chief Randy Babbitt braved snow, ice and foggy conditions at North Pole International Airport to give Santa Claus and his sleigh a thumbs-up for the traditional round-the-world... more
CuriositiesSir Richard Branson's launches his Formula 1 team
London, UK - Unveiled yesterday in London
The Virgin Racing Formula 1 team was officially launched in London yesterday, where it was confirmed that one of the sport’s four new entrants has teamed up with Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin brand to... more
CuriositiesThe director Francis Ford Coppola at the "Turin Film Festival" with his multicolor jet
Turin, Italy - He remained for four days
The American director Francis Ford Coppola has been a protagonist at the 27th edition of the "Turin Film Festival 2009". The famous film maker arrived in the Italian city on board of his Biz-Jet aircraft... more
CuriositiesContinental Airlines announces results of expanded recycling program
Houston, Usa - The US prepares to observe "America Recycles Day" on Sunday
Continental Airlines announced a major increase in the effectiveness of its recycling programs after the company put special emphasis on recycling projects in support of its ongoing commitment to the environment. As... more
CuriositiesRyanair: its cabin crew strip off for 2010 calendar
Milan, Italy - The proceeds will go to "Kids" charity
"Ryanair today launched its 2010 Cabin Crew Charity Calendar which the airline hopes will raise € 110,000 for the UK charity 'KIDS' which provides support to disabled children all over the UK. Its C... more
CuriositiesEurofighter Typhoon showcased in Piazza Duomo, Milan (Italy)
Milan, Italy - Until Sunday November 8 for the celebrations of the armed forces
"One of the prototypes of the most advanced and modern European defense aircraft, the Eurofighter Typhoon, is being showcased in Milan, Italy, in Piazza Duomo within the celebrations dedicated to the Italian... more
CuriositiesBritish Airways: Italians struggle with time away from families when travelling on business
London, UK - According to a survey commissioned by YouGov on the behalf of BA
"A fifth of Italians feel guilty about leaving behind family and friends when travelling on business, according to a British Airways survey of 6,000 Europeans (commissioned by You Gov), and a third miss... more
CuriositiesBritish Airways: six passengers fainted during a flight from New York to London
Rome, Italy - The incident happened on the 31st October on the route from Newark to London's Heathrow Airport
Remains a mystery, the cause that occurred on October 31st where six passengers fainted at once on the British Airways flight from Newark at London's Heathrow airport. The rescue personnel were immediately... more
CuriositiesAn iPhone app against the fear of flying
London, UK - The new initiative by Virgin Atlantic
Virgin Atlantic has decided to launch an iPhone and iPod Touch application (app) for its "Flying Without Fear" course (which the company says has had 98% success). This is the first app of this kind ever... more
CuriositiesThe ambitious plan by Paris' municipality: a Zeppelin of last generation to monitor the city
Paris, France - The airship will be long 30m, 17 wide and will have a volume filled of helium equal to 300m3. The cost is about EUR 2 million
In the edition of last Monday of the French "Journal du Dimanche" ("JDD") is read that the project of a Zeppelin airship of new generation has been presented to the Paris' Council, for the "Ville Lumiere"... more
Curiosities"Intelligent" bombs to fight deforestation
Rome, Italy - Dropped from airplanes, they will release on terrains fed soil and seeds
The idea comes from designers Jin Wook, Jeon You ho, Han Kuk and Kim Ji, inspired by Gail Halvorsen, the American pilot who dropped "Candy" bombs for kids during World War II's humanitarian airlift over... more
CuriositiesSix airplanes out of seven fly with retreads
Rome, Italy - As reported by the Italian Retreaders Association
Six airplanes out of seven fly with retreads, as reported by the Italian Retreaders Association (AIRP), quoting data issued by the TRIB (Tire Retread & Repair Information Bureau). The news is not surprising,... more
CuriositiesANA asks passengers to use the toilet before boarding
Tokyo, Japan - Travelling lighter it will be possible to save fuel and emissions
Should you have to fly with the Japanese airline All Nippon Airways (ANA), remember to use the toilet before boarding. The reason, as explained by the carrier, is that "Empty bladders mean lighter passengers,... more
CuriositiesOlympics 2016: special livery for the Iberia plane for the Spanish delegation
Madrid, Spain - Launched today in Madrid
Today, it has been unveiled to the press, at the Madrid-Barajas airport, the new livery of A-321 airplane of the Iberia, bearing the Spanish traditional colours and streaming the logo of the Spanish capital,... more
CuriositiesSWISS names Airbus A-330/300 "Bellinzona"
Zurich, Switzerland - It's the second aircraft of new fleet with the name of the capital of Canton Ticino
"Bellinzona, the capital of Switzerland’s Canton Ticino, now has its name on a SWISS aircraft. New Airbus A-330/300 HB-JHC was correspondingly named yesterday at Zurich Airport. The naming was performed b... more
CuriositiesGermans land in Rimini to play the Italian "Superenalotto"
Rimini, Italy - Traffic jams at borders to try to win the € 135.900 million jackpot
140 German citizens landed yesterday in Italy at Rimini-San Marino "Federico Fellini" international airport on board of an Air Berlin flight coming from Hamburg and Leipzig. This is the second travel to... more
CuriositiesHeathrow: passenger got naked to protest against security checks
London, UK - He has been arrested on the spot. The staff: "He was hardly built like Rambo"
A passenger at London-Heathrow airport, when security staff asked him to remove shoes and belt before passing under the metal detector, definitely had a bad reaction yesterday: the man, a 49-year-old German,... more
CuriositiesAirbus: keep the kids busy learning about biodiversity
Toulouse, France - The industry launches a photo contest
"You don't have to go far to begin exploring nature. A variety of plant and animal life is right outside your front door, if you look closely. The 'See the Bigger Picture' photo contest encourages children... more
CuriositiesUnited Airlines: pilot argues with steward, flight diverted
Miami, USA - The captain landed to disembark the "Unwanted" assistant
"Let's go outside and solve the question". This is what, very American-like, the pilot of United Airlines' flight UAL842, from Sao Paulo (Brazil) to Chicago (USA), must have thought after an argument with... more
CuriositiesSarkozy and Premiére Dame arrived in Caselle
Turin, Italy - A private short visit in the Carla Bruni's childhood place
French President, Nicolas Sarkozy and his wife, Carla Bruni, landed at 2:30 pm in Turin-Caselle, coming from L'Aquila on board of a Dassault Falcon 900 airplane of the Arméè de l'Air for a short private v... more
CuriositiesTurtles block operations at New York "JFK" airport
Ney York, USA - It took 35 minutes to move all the 78 animals
Several passengers blocked at New York-"JFK" airport would surely be surprised of the reason that caused yesterday's delays: 78 "Diamondback Terrapin" turtles decided to cross a runway, preventing aircraft... more
CuriositiesA technician of a competing society repairs a broken airplane: more than 8 hour waiting avoided
Menorca, Spain - Not expected unscheduled for a charter flight served by Thomas Cook
A fortuitous intervention by a mechanical engineer on board of the airplane has avoided waiting hours for passengers in airport, waiting for arrival of a technician from UK who could resolve the problem.... more
CuriositiesAmerican carriers flunked in comfort
Boston, USA - According to the results of a survey carried out by SeatGuru
According to the results of a survey carried out by SeatGuru between more than 1,600 travellers, the American airlines resulted among the worst for flight comfort: not only they serve the worst meals,... more
CuriositiesUFO sighting in Arizona. But it was a NASA balloon
Phoenix, USA - But many are skeptical about the Agency's statements
An unidentified flying object (UFO) was seen on Monday near the border between Arizona and Mexico. Witnesses immediately understood it was not an airplane because it "Floated stationary for around one... more
Curiosities"Air France livery, yesterday, today and tomorrow", aircraft photo contest
Paris, France - The prize-giving ceremony will take place on 17 September 2009
Air France is the first airline to be organizing its own international photo contest open to everyone, to choose the best photos of Air France aircraft from yesterday, today and tomorrow. The competition... more
CuriositiesBody painting for new Air New Zealand's spot
Wellington, New Zealand - To launch the new campaign according to which the carrier "Has nothing to hide"
Hostesses, stewards and ground personnel naked and only covered with body paints representing Air New Zealand's suits, with surprised, curious and interested looks by the passengers. This is the new, original... more
CuriositiesParamotors for Florida police
Palm Bay, USA - They will be used in search and rescue operations
The police of Palm Bay, Florida, will use motorized paragliders to patrol the city area. Four men have been chosen for their past experience on the aircraft and will fly at low altitude to find missing... more
CuriositiesPaper-plane world championship in Austria
Salzburg, Austria - "Red Bull Paper Wings 2009" at Salzburg airport Hangar-7
The "Red Bull Paper Wings World Finals 2009" have been held at Salzburg airport Hangar-7 on last May 1 and 2. 253 participants from 83 countries worldwide competed in this picturesque but full of scientific... more
CuriositiesDutch police presents the "Canna chopper", anti-drug mini-helicopter
Amsterdam, Netherlands - It can be driven from the ground with a joystick
The last innovation in the war to drugs comes from Netherlands: it's called the "Canna chopper", an unmanned mini-helicopter (a sort of Uav) that can be piloted from the ground with a joystick and is capable... more
CuriositiesCosta Rica: a hotel suite in a Boeing 727 aircraft
San José, Costa Rica - Costa Verde Hotel transformed the fuselage
The fuselage of a 1965 Boeing 727 has been transformed in an exclusive suite by the owners of Costa Verde Hotel. The airplane used to fly for South Africa Air and Colombian Avianca Airlines before being... more
CuriositiesThe "Sunseeker II", solar energy airplane, overflies the Alps and lands in Turin
Turin, Italy - In the next days it will take off again to overfly all Peninsula
A century passed from the first crossing of the Alps by airplane. Next year the event's celebration by Peruvian Jorg (Geo) Chavez by a French Blériot monoplane. Last April 14 the American Eric Raymond... more
CuriositiesSnakes missing from a Qantas airplane's hold
Melbourne, Australia - The Boeing 737/800 has been fumigated
After the landing in Melbourne (Australia) of a Qantas Boeing 737/800, coming from Alice Springs, the airport operators discovered that four of twelve baby pythons were missing from a container in the... more
CuriositiesPrince William burns the engine of a RAF "Tucano" aircraft
London, UK - The new "Aerial exploit" one year ago during his training
A new chapter has been added to Prince William's "Aerial exploits" book. During his 12-week flight training one year ago, at the end of which he anyway received the "Wings" as RAF (Royal Air Force) pilot,... more
CuriositiesHistorical livery for the DC-3 at Turin airport
Turin, Italy - Alenia Aeronautica and SAGAT restored the old aircraft
SAGAT (Turin airport managing society) and Alenia Aeronautica restored the historical "Dakota" aircraft of Turin-Caselle airport. The old Douglas DC-3 was repaired and repainted with the livery of the... more
CuriositiesFlashes of youth: first parachute launch at 97
Salisbury, UK - George Moyse: "It was the first time, but it won't be the last"
Real age is not in the passing of time, but in how life is lived. This must be the spirit that brought English George Moyse, 97 years old (almost 98), to try the thrill of sky-diving, jumping with the... more
CuriositiesThe Concorde will fly again
Rome, Italy - But it is only an "April Fool"
"The next 16th of April, from the airport of Paris-Le Bourget, a French Concorde will take off for a two-hour flight". It has been announced today by the director of the "Air and Space Museum" of Paris... more
CuriositiesA man opens the exit door on the taxiway: passenger arrested in New York
New York, USA - He, impatient for the delay, attempted to get out of the plane
After about 3 hours of wait on the taxiway of JFK airport, New York, a Scottish passenger of a Delta Airlines Boeing 737-800, scheduled to fly to Las Vegas, attempted to open the exit door to get out.... more
CuriositiesMan falls asleep in the cargo hold and flies from New York to Boston
Boston, USA - Found in the luggage after landing at Logan airport
The operators at Logan airport found a man in the cargo hold of a Jetblue Airways Embraer ERJ-190, coming from New York, when they opened it. Luckily for him the hold was pressurized so he didn't suffer... more
CuriositiesThe Monthly Photo: a sea-lion in its natural element or...
Rome, Italy - ...a super defense system
Its name is HIDAS and is the Helicopter Integrated Defensive Aids System (HIDAS) that provides rotary wing platforms with increased survivability and enhanced mission success. A suite of products,... more
CuriositiesSpain: a "Satellite" worth € 100
Barcelona, Spain - Students take pictures from space with a digital camera and a helium balloon
In spite of the multi-billionaire NASA (American National Aeronautics and Space Administration) and ESA (European Space Agency) programs, a group of Spanish students from the university of Barcelona managed... more
CuriositiesRegus: videoconferences affect business air traffic
Milan, Italy - The demand for special rooms increased worldwide by 40% (30% in Italy)
"Once upon a time, there were the business class, the 4 star hotel, the refined restaurant and the expenses account. Now, the economic downturn forces companies to stop business travels and the new technologies... more
CuriositiesOn-line on NASA web site the Space "Mission Madness" tournament
Washington, USA - In a bracket-like tournament visitors can chose their favourites. The winner on 8th April
Americans are doubtless the masters of communication. The NASA web site (a governmental portal, not a commercial site) has put on-line a funny contest called "Mission Madness 2009". In a bracket-style,... more
CuriositiesA red-light hostess for Ryanair
Dublin, Ireland - The airline: "We don't care of what our employees do before and after their work"
Her name is Edita Schindlerova (stage name Edita Bente). She is the 22-year-old Czech Ryanair hostess discovered as being a secret pornstar. To reveal her second activity seems to have been a pilot that,... more