George Hobica
HuffPost
Chester, NJ, United States
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Past articles by George:
Why TAP Portugal Airlines Should Be Back On Your Radar
I've often questioned if every single country on Earth requires its own national flag carrier. Some have flown into the history books, such as Sabena (Belgium, 1923-2001), CSA Czech Airlines (1923-1995), and Malev (Hungary, 1946-2012). Many others have been grounded around the world as well. TAP Portugal, that country's flag carrier, looked like it would follow suit, but instead new owners have… → Read More
Honolulu's Famed Halekulani Resort Turns 100
(To me, nothing defines the atmosphere here like the nightly Hawaiian music performed at the resort's House Without A Key) When I was a kid, my parents vacationed a week each summer, and one each winter. We always stayed at "resorts" rather than hotels, and usually historic, one-off places: The Mount Washington Resort in New Hampshire, the Fountainebleau in Miami Beach. Back then, in the fifties… → Read More
Why The Cook Islands Are The Best South Pacific Bargain
"So how's your day going?" asked the post office lady as I bought some colorful Cook Islands postage stamps (I'm very analog and love sending post cards on my travels rather than posting to Facebook). Funny thing was, the way she asked I had a feeling that she would have lent an ear were I interested in sharing the details of my day, which by the way had gone splendidly. I was in the Cook… → Read More
How 'Plastic' Planes Make Jet Travel Better
Thousands of new jetliners already in service or on order will make a huge difference in how you feel after a long flight. Here's the technology behind the comfort. Even though air travel is safer than ever and in many cases cheaper than 10 or 20 years ago, travelers love to complain about its agonies, usually citing cramped and narrow seats, crying babies, chatty seat mates, and armrest wars.… → Read More
London's Season Of Culture Starts Now, And It's All On Sale
Did you miss, or do you miss, Woodstock? Experience it in London at the Victoria and Albert Museum. Photo: (c) Victoria and Albert Museum, London Not to gloat or anything, but the British pound, thanks to Brexit, recently plummeted in value even further against the U.S. dollar. In fact, compared to five years ago your dollars now buy almost 30 percent extra, and economists speculate that the… → Read More
Paris' Largest Hotel, Newly Reborn, Is A Great Value, Too
Built in 1972, and once owned by Air France back when airlines owned hotel chains (Pan Am and Intercontinental, Swissair and Swissotel, etc.), Le Meridien Etoile was then, and remains today, Paris' biggest hotel, and the second-largest in all of France (only the Disneyland Paris' Newport Bay Club in Marne-la-Vallee, at 1098 rooms, is larger). So how does it manage not to feel huge? After a… → Read More
George Hobica
George Hobica, named "Best Online Travel Expert" by Money Magazine, is the founder of Airfarewatchdog.com, a low airfare alert and air travel advice website. He is syndicated nationally by Tribune Media and has written for Travel and Leisure, Good Housekeeping, Men's Health, Real Simple, and other publications, and is a regular guest on broadcast and cable TV, NPR, and local TV and radio… → Read More
Mircale water landings before there was "Sully"
I've often written about how I pay attention to airline safety demonstrations and how important it is to listen to them each and every time before take off. But when I do listen and they come to the part about "the inflatable slides can be used as rafts" and "there are additional rafts in the ceiling," or "your seat cushion can be used as a flotation device" I do find my interior monologue… → Read More
Is This The Best Resort In The World? Some Think So
Last year, the World Travel Awards anointed the Intercontinental Resort in Danang as "Best Luxury Resort." And in the just released 2015 awards, it won again. So what's so special about this resort, in a city that isn't exactly on everyone's bucket list? → Read More
Planning Your First Trip to Bangkok
Why Go: The people? The best hotel service anywhere? Endless, inexpensive massages? The cuisine? The smiles? The Thai Baht at 3 cents? If you're reading this, you probably already have some reason → Read More
What Your Flight Attendant Really Thinks of You
Here's a hint: They really want to tell you where you can "stow" your bag. → Read More
Take It From A Model: Travel With Your Own Pillow
(The pillow menu at the Intercontinental Resort, Danang, Vietnam) Many years ago, I wrote a monthly travel tips column for Eastern Air Lines (remember them? Supposedly they're planning a comeback) → Read More
Four Airlines To Add A Fee For Booking With Expedia, Priceline, Etc.
Over the years, airlines have tried everything to force consumers to book directly with their own websites rather than through online travel agencies and... → Read More
What If Flight Attendants Could Reward Passengers For Good Behavior?
Rude passengers are on every flight (and, yes, some flight attendants seem rude, too.) But some fliers are as pleasant as can be. They follow my precepts for making a flight attendant's life easier, which, if you haven't read yet, you should.... → Read More
Just How Old Is That Plane You're Flying On?
The world's airlines are buying lots of shiny new planes of all sizes and types, and that's good news for travelers, giving them some sense of justice now that airfares are going up and airlines are raking in profits.... → Read More
The Biggest Misconceptions About Finding Cheap Airfares
Airfares can change minute-by-minute and day-by-day, as can seat inventory at the lowest fares.... → Read More
JetBlue Will Charge For First Checked Bag On Lowest Fares
Say it ain't so, JetBlue! In order to appease investors, JetBlue announced today that it will follow pricing models familiar to passengers on Frontier Airlines and American Airlines: airfare bundles that include, and don't include, a free checked bag... → Read More
Seat Redesign and Not for the Better
I normally try to avoid writing totally negative air travel posts, because, obviously, I want people to travel and fly. But this topic cannot be avoided, and I'll try to suggest some remedies.... → Read More
A Postcard From Sydney: Essential Travel Tips
Australia's largest city is also the jumping off point from exploring Australia, and the city with the most inbound flights from North America. Here are some essential tips to plan and enjoy your visit.... → Read More
Flying With Someone? You May Have to Pay Extra to Sit Together
Finding seats together when you fly isn't always easy these days unless you pay sometimes exorbitant fees for "main cabin extra," "economy plus," or other "preferred" economy seats because that's all that's available whe... → Read More