Reader Ben writes:

Did you see the article in the NYT about buying carbon offsets to “atone” for emissions for flights, etc.? It’s something I may actually do this year as a karmic compromise for the international flights I take. What do you think about these offsets?

As the article indicates, there’s no consensus on whether offsets are a good thing or not. (Offsets are cash payments to a third party, which promises to plant trees or invest in technologies that reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in the air, thereby “offsetting” the damage done to the environment. You can offset flights, you car, your home’s energy use, or pretty much anything.)

It’s good that you’re thinking about the environmental impact of travel, but as some will argue, it’s just a feel-good patch that doesn’t truly offset your behavior. In fact, it could justify your flying more, putting even more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, because you feel you’re doing the right thing.

On the other hand, if you’re going to fly anyway, why not do something good for the environment — even if it’s a small gesture. Every little bit helps, right? And maybe, just maybe, the awareness of the carbon-burn problem will spur some people to implement environmentally friendly changes in other aspects of their lives besides air travel. And you might even get a certificate. Whoo.

So I’m torn. I haven’t done it yet, but would consider it. I’d be sure to check the effectiveness of the organization that’s sponsoring the offset first, to make sure the money is spent wisely and administered efficiently. (There are several different offset providers.) Assuming they’re a nonprofit, I’d look them up on CharityNavigator. If they’re not a nonprofit, I’d ask why not.

Have you ever bought a carbon offset? Would you? Sound off in the comments!

Related:
- Burn, baby, burn: Silverjet makes carbon offsets mandatory
- Reduced-guilt flying now readily available for online purchase
- Are open skies dirty skies?

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The European-American open skies treaty was signed today. Assuming the U.S. Senate ratifies it (as expected), the deal goes into effect in March 2008.

The big news is that American airlines can fly into any European city, and vice versa. Plus, American airlines can fly passengers between countries within Europe. European airlines can’t fly domestically within the U.S., so you won’t see Air France or Lufthansa flying from Orlando to Memphis.

Overall, this deal should lead to greater competition and lower prices. That’s good!

But… the devil is in the details. As the treaty is written, there are some concerns, as Ed Hasbrouck points out:

The “Open Skies” agreement [Article 8, Section 3] requires compliance with all “recommended practices” of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). By making ICAO recommendations mandatory, the “Open Skies” agreement effectively delegates to ICAO the legislative power of the E.U. and the US. This is especially problematic because national delegations to ICAO have never included data protection, civil liberties, or human rights authorities.

Less legalese translation: An unelected international organization can dictate the aviation policy (including aviation security policy) of the US and the EU.

Governments ceding some of their sovereign authority to international organizations isn’t anything new. But considering how much importance security issues have in the American consciousness, it’s startling that our leaders were willing to hand off so much authority.

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Reader Jeanette writes:

I am traveling to Europe this summer (June 2007) and I wish to travel in comfort without a great expense. I read that British Airways has a something between economy and business. How do I know which airlines have comfortably wide seats and room for long legs?

If you’re interested in wider seats, extra legroom, better recline, and potentially better food and drink on your trip to Europe, you might consider looking for so-called premium economy sections. They’re offered by British Airways (they call it “World Traveller Plus”), Virgin Atlantic, and SAS (“Economy Extra”).

Separately, bmi and United offer a section of the cabin with extra legroom, but no wider seats. Bmi offers improved catering in their version of premium economy, while United doesn’t. Zoom, a discount airline that recently started a New York-London route, also has an improved legroom offering to consider.

Premium economy is never as nice as the business class cabin — especially if a lie-flat sleeper seat is an option — but it’s nicer than regular coach. About an inch more width, 6 inches more legroom or so.

But don’t expect this to be a cheap ticket. I checked arbitrary dates in June for BA flights from Chicago to London, and found the lowest one-way base fare $466 in economy, $816 in premium economy. Still less than BA’s business class, but at that price, consider flying one of the all-business class airlines like Maxjet, Silverjet, or L’Avion.

The challenge is actually finding and booking these tickets. Since the major online travel agencies don’t sell premium economy (they sell only economy, business, and first) you’ll have to check fares at each airline’s own website. Even then, they don’t always make it easy. If you can’t find the premium economy option online, you may need to pick up the phone.

Alternatively, take your chances and ask for an upgrade from regular economy to premium economy at check-in. No guarantee, of course. You’ll likely pay for the privilege, but it could cost less than pre-reserving a seat. (See here for info on paid upgrades.)

Related:
- Virgin Atlantic (aff)

Skybus 1: How to contact Skybus
I know, I know, enough already with the Skybus posts! But it’s the gift that keeps on giving. Recall that the startup airline, in its multi-pronged efforts to save money, claims it doesn’t have a customer service phone number, according to the website. But they do. Chris Elliott does Skybus passengers a public service by ferreting out that contact number — (614) 246-8800 — as well as the e-mail addresses of their customer service executives.

Skybus 2: What’s next, Amway?
Be careful if you try booking a “vacation package” on the Skybus website. It’s really a timeshare sales pitch. Classy.

Beats getting three toasters
In a smart marketing move, Northwest Airlines has started a gift registry. Friends and family can make payment toward air travel, such as for a honeymoon. Note that the registry funds can’t be applied to hotel, rental car, etc., as part of packages. Air only. But still, it’s surprising other airlines haven’t done this before.

This isn’t Singapore Airlines
Iris Peterson, the oldest flight attendant in America’s skies, has retired from United Airlines. She started flying in 1946 and is now in her 80s. Quite a bit of aviation history she’s witnessed, and a good number of job title changes, “sky girl” and “stewardess” among them. Congratulations to Iris! Though frankly I’m glad that she’s not flying anymore. Honestly, was she able to perform all safety duties? How productive would she have been during an emergency?

Red, white and drunk all over NYC
Got 36 hours to spend in New York? Does a bar crawl feel a little too college for you? How about a wine crawl? Alright then. Dr. Vino shows the way.

On top of the world, pissing down on creation
When you’re done with that wine tourism, you might need to hit the WC. For the gentlemen, why not seek out a urinal with a view?

Car rental by the hour goes mainstream
Hertz and other big rental car firms must be feeling some heat from Zipcar, Flexcar, iGo, and other regional short-term rental companies. The big guys are increasingly offering hourly rates for their cars. Unlike hotels, hourly rates are a good thing, especially for business travelers doing same-day hit-and-run visits to cities.

Summer is coming soon in the northern hemisphere, which means it’s time for the annual business class fare sales. As business travel slows, paid premium traffic slows along with it. So bring on the sales!

Many of these sales aren’t advertised as such. The airlines simply load a lower business class fare into the system, and it’s not necessarily available every day on every flight. These are usually “Z-fares,” i.e., they have a fare code that begins with the letter Z. These come with more restrictions than a typical business class ticket, and will often need to be purchased relatively far in advance — sometimes as far as 60 days.

Bottom line: Before you hit “purchase” on an expensive international coach ticket, check the business class fare.

Beyond the big carriers and their summer discounts, there are a couple other business class offers worth mentioning:

All-business class Silverjet is rolling out its own loyalty program — the “Freequent Flyer Program”, har har. If you join the club and buy a ticket on the airline, you get a redemption code for a free ticket. The promotion ends May 25, 2007.

Oasis International Airlines, the low-cost long-haul London to Hong Kong carrier (that plans to fly to Hong Kong to Oakland later this year) is similarly featuring a buy-one-get-one-free offer on their Hong Kong-London route. Buy one business class ticket for , get a transferable voucher for another business class ticket free. £1595 (~US$3200) including taxes buys you both tickets. Purchase the first ticket by June 15, 2007. The voucher is good through March 2008.

Related:
- Why are there no Y-UP fares to Europe or Asia?

Here’s a thought: Skybus, the cheapskate startup airline mentioned earlier this week, features this clause in their “Rules of Flying”:

Oh, and don’t sneak food onboard unless you brought enough for the whole plane.

Cute. But what happens if you DO bring enough for the whole plane? What if your carry-on luggage were stuffed to the hilt, say, with 162 candy bars? (That’s 156 for all the passengers on the plane, plus 6 for the crew: 4 flight attendants, pilot, and co-pilot.)

Let’s assume the person with the candy-laden carry-on is being altruistic, and not a shrewd businessperson. When United eliminated pretzels on their shorter flights, commenters on this post came up with the idea of starting a business, selling snacks onboard the flight. (Is there anything in the contract of carriage forbidding inflight passenger-to-passenger sales??)

So, Skybus travelers, who will put this food policy to the test?

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