Government shutdown didn’t affect my airport experience

US Government shutdown

I’ve been on four flights since the US Government shutdown this month and didn’t experience any delays to the TSA screening at airports in Miami, New York (JFK) and Washington-Reagan. That’s not to say things can get worse, but at the moment security screenings at those airports were running as normal.

American Airlines

On those flights I was able to take advantage of American Airlines free WiFi service on its 737s, which is a nice touch rather than paying $4.95 for Internet. I was even able to make use of the Internet ever so briefly on the flight back to Bermuda, even though the offer is only good in the US. 

As soon as the plane reaches 10,000ft Internet is available and you’ll be able to use it until its gets 100 miles off the coast of the US, so the key is not to dawdle too long or you will miss your window of opportunity. 

Air Canada

The carrier announced two new routes from Toronto as it is making strides in upgrading its European destinations. 

The Toronto-Lisbon route will run three times weekly service from June 21 to September 21, 2014. Flights will depart Toronto on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday, and from Lisbon on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday.

The Toronto-Manchester route will see five times weekly service from June 26 to September 13. 2014. Departing Toronto on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday, and from Manchester on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.

JetBlue

The carrier is offering the TrueBlue Mosiac Challenge. It is trying to lure frequent fliers from American, Delta, US Airways and United to give them a try. Those people accepted into the challenge will have 90 calendar days to earn 3,750 TrueBlue Points (1,250 miles – or basically $3 a mile). 

You’ll have to be a very loyal follower of the other airlines as only American Airlines: AAdvantage Gold, AAdvantage Platinum, AAdvantage Executive Platinum; Delta SkyMiles Medallion Silver, SkyMiles Mediallion Gold, SkyMiles Mediallion Platinum or SkyMiles Medallion Diamond; US Airways Dividend Miles: Preferred Silver, Preferred Gold, Preferred Platinum or Preferred Chairman; and United Mileage Plus: Premier Silver, Premier Gold, Premier Platinum, Premier 1k are eligible. 

You can e-mail [email protected] proof of your eligibility.

Mosiac memmbers will get a slew of perks including: free first and second bags, early boarding, bonus TrueBlue points if you book at www.jetblue.com and complimentary access to expedited security at select airports. 

US Airways

You can earn four times the bonus miles for US Airways Dividend Miles programme when you book a rental car from Budget for one day or longer. The offer is good on all car sizes and an advanced reservation is required. 

The offer is good from now until April 30, 2014 in the US, Puerto Rico and Canada at participating locations. You’ll need the coupon code #MUAZ022. Go to www.budget.com to find out more info.

Norwegian

The cruise line announced this week the names of its Breakaway Plus class ships. The Breakaway’s sister ship the Getaway will come into service in February, but two bigger ships — Norwegian Bliss and Norwegian Escape — will be delivered in the fall of 2017 and spring of 2017. 

The Bliss and Escape will have berths for 4,200 passengers, just slightly more than the breakaway’s 4,100.

Norwegian received votes from more than 100,000 fans in contest to name the two new ships.