A half-baked innovation

Name: Budget Travel LLC
Price range: $

By Budget Travel

October 3, 2012

It's hard enough to get some sleep when you're flying at 35,000 feet, let alone get any work done. Singapore Airlines is trying to make your job a little easier by adding a bunch of cool office tools, including spreadsheet, presentation and word processing, to their "KrisWorld in-flight entertainment system" (read: "seatback TV"). Just plug in your USB flash drive and you can use your flight time to better prepare yourself for whatever work lies ahead.

Unfortunately, these perks look too good to be true. Fliers have to provide their own keyboard and mouse, and what businessperson flies around with that kind of stuff? That's what a laptop is for!

However, the airline is also offering helpful applications like Culture Quest, an application that gives tips on doing business in other cultures.

All these perks are available for all seats on Singapore Air's new Boeing 777-300ER planes, but the airline only uses these planes on selected routes. Visit singaporeair.com for more info.

--Lindsey Ramsey

Plan Your Next Getaway

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News

Europe's Smart cars are coming to the U.S.

When I first saw a Smart car in Europe years ago, I was instantly reminded of the toy cars my Weebles rode in, a fact that sold me on it instantly. Until now, I've sufficed with the dream of, what I thought, was the next best thing (a Mini Cooper), but now my original dream can finally be realized when Smart's fortwo makes its U.S. debut in early 2008. The Smart fortwo gets about 40 miles to the gallon and starts at around $12,000. You can already reserve the model you want to buy, be it the Pure, the Passion, or the Passion Cabrio, for $99. Currently, the Smart fortwo is on a 50-city tour, giving all Americans the chance to fall in love. Reservations and a list of the Smart fortwo tour stops can be found at smartusa.com.--Lindsey Ramsey

Virgin America has sparked a price war

JetBlue and Southwest said they will match the low fares of Virgin America, which starts flying Aug. 8. JetBlue will match Virgin America's fares for routes between New York City and San Francisco. These fares start at $278 roundtrip. JetBlue will also match the fares for flights between Washington, D.C., and San Francsico, when Virgin America begins service on that route in October. Southwest says it is now matching fares on one route and undercutting Virgin America on other routes. [Source: Bloomberg News]. You'll find Virgin America's scheduled flight times neatly listed on the Cranky Flier blog. Earlier: Virgin's new low-cost U.S. airline debuts.

Expedia, Travelocity, or Orbitz?

I was on CNBC last night (the video is here if you can make it work; I'm on a Mac, and can't). Anyway, we got to talking about third-party booking engines (Expedia, Travelocity, Orbitz) versus the airlines, and how they all want your business. At one point, or so I recall, the host asked if people would really go straight to the airlines, implying that people are brand-sensitive when it comes to booking engines, that they like one and stick with it. Which leads me to this question... Do you prefer one over the other? Why?

One for the road (or, Advice for solo travelers)

Sex and the single air passenger. (Includes a brief history of the "mile-high club" and a sad study of how many flight attendants are harassed on flights.) [via Airline Confidential] Denver: Single parent vacation package [via L.A. Times] Traveling alone and need help with planning? Beth Whitman, author of Wanderlust and Lipstick: The Essential Guide for Women Traveling Solo, will answer your questions about solo travel Tuesday at noon E.T. Submit a question now! By the way, Beth blogs at her website. The Best U.S. Cities for Singles [via Gadling.] The pros and cons of backpacking alone. [Ubertramp.]

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