Will Social Seating Selection Kill the Airplane Meet-Cute?
There are two dueling propositions when boarding any plane nowadays, beyond, obviously, getting to your destination safely and in a reasonable amount of time.
Presented By
Topic: Air Travel
Airplane Seats Aren't Safe Enough for Fatter Americans
Kevin Dooley, via Flikr
Decades-old safety standards mandate that airplanes seats be designed to accommodate an average passenger weight of 170 pounds — about 25 pounds lighter than the people who are actually sitting in them.
Air Australia Goes Under, Cancelling Birthday and Possibly 300 Jobs
Luckily, Priya Sinh was able to contact her 70 guests via Facebook that she wouldn't make to her 18th birthday, but 4,000 other stranded Air Australia passengers and 300 people who work at the now-grounded airline are still trying to figure things out.
Tests Show That Your Amazon Kindle Isn't Going to Bring Down an Airplane
Tech reporter Nick Bilton continues his one-man war on the FAA regulations that prevent you from turning on your iPads, Kindles, and other electronic devices while taking off and landing in airplanes.
Boeing's Dreamliner Could Make Flying Better
On Wednesday the "revolutionary" Boeing Dreamliner will fly its very first commercial flight.
All Those Awful Airline Fees Are Working
Almost all the major airlines, except American, have managed to stay profitable during the economic downturn, thanks to all those terrible little fees for everything from checking a bag to having lunch.
Mid-Air Hijinks in Wartime
This is probably not the club you meant to join
Newark Is Replacing Its Controversial TSA Machines
The new technology only addresses some of fliers' concerns
Senate's Failure to Fund the FAA Is Very, Very Expensive
Thousands won't be able to work now that Congress is on recess until September
Airlines Are Making Millions from a FAA Shutdown
The agency is losing $30 million day in taxes after Congress failed to pass a funding bill
Gingrich Campaign $500,000 in Debt for Private Planes Alone
This won't help dispel Gingrich's new reputation as a jewelry-loving spendthrift
FBI Investigates Stun Gun's Mysterious Appearance on JetBlue Plane
It wasn't a forgetful air marshal that left the gun in the plane's seat pocket
Comment of the Day: A Way to Screen for Bombs Inside of You
Nothing too invasive, we're sure
Today's Best
Five Best Tuesday Columns
On violent video games, the TSA's machine-like training, and wacky teen lit
Chart of the Day
Chart: Tourism Growth Down as Airfares Rise
The silver lining: airlines may be compelled to offer more discounts
Stat of the Day
Airlines Made $21.5 Billion from Extra Fees Last Year
Baggage, food and other fees now account for nearly a third of the airline industry
Passengers Stage 'Lord of the Flies' Mutiny on Delayed Plane
Furious fliers fought the crew, raided food, and descended into hysteria
Skies Clearing of Volcanic Ash in Europe
Latest Iceland eruption doesn't look like a repeat of 2010's Eyjafjallajokull disaster
Departments
-
Today's Best
Five Best Friday Columns
More Today's Best Get Five Best by email
-
The Smart Set
Alec Baldwin Tells Harvey Weinstein He's Sorry; Porn Stars Liked Clinton
More The Smart Set
-
Trimming the Times
Etan's Story, Game 6 Guarantees, and Wisconsin is a House Divided
More Trimming the Times
-
Today in Research
Nice Old People Live Longer; Being Fat Isn't Always Bad
More Today in Research
-
The Call Sheet
Finally, a Male 'Will & Grace'
More The Call Sheet
All Departments
Have a story we missed? A link we have to click? A sharp opinion about the news? Instead of waiting for us to post it, tell us on the Open Wire.
Submit your news and ideas | See all reader postsMost Clicked
- What Your Favorite Wes Anderson Movie Says About You
- Flirting, Color-Coordinated Jurors Make Edwards Trial Seem Like High School
- Expect Traffic Jams on Everest This Weekend
- Finally, a Male 'Will & Grace'
- The Long Viral Life of 'Overanalyzing' Magazine
- China Is Culturally Superior to America
- How to Become a Famous Commencement Speaker Without Really Trying
- Admit It: Kony 2012 Is Making a Difference
- Reasons to Believe Cops Found Etan Patz's Killer (and a Few Doubts)
- Can a 16-Year-Old Girl Be a Cougar? Asks the New York Times
A Year Ago on the Wire
Atlantic
Atlantic Cities
About the Wire
The Atlantic Wire is your authoritative guide to the news and ideas that matter most right now. Our team tracks newsmakers and opinions across the entire media spectrum: newspapers, web sites, television, radio and magazines.
But we do more than just collect information. By synthesizing, analyzing and summarizing what’s out there, and adding new information when we can, we are a news engine that gives you a quick and valuable account of the issues of the day.
The Wire to Go
Subscribe to our Newsletter
Get Five Best Columns in your inbox each morning (preview)
Open Wire
Have a hot tip? A story we missed? Tell us on the Open Wire
Contact Us
How to send us editorial or technical feedback
The Atlantic
- FAQ
- Subscribe
- Merchandise
- Jobs
- Privacy
- Terms and Conditions
- Advertise with The Atlantic
- Follow The Atlantic
The Atlantic Media Company
Copyright © 2012 by The Atlantic Monthly Group. All rights reserved.
