Valentine's Day Specials at Bevery Hills Hotel and Hotel Bel-Air

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner. We found these special packages at the Beverly Hills Hotel and Hotel Bel-Air at Yahoo Travel. Romantic!






Transform Valentine's Day into the celebration of a lifetime by visiting
Dorchester Collection’s Beverly Hills Hotel and Hotel Bel-Air this February
14th. From winding lush gardens to private guestroom patios, to intimate dining
experiences, these beloved properties provide the perfect romantic setting to
spend much-needed quality time with that someone special. Couples-only spa
treatments, private gazebo dinners for two, and fireside cocktails are among
the Valentine's Day offerings at the resorts.






The “Make it Special” Package






The Beverly Hills Hotel

• Welcome amenity

• Dinner for two on a private guestroom patio or in the Polo Lounge. • Valet
parking

• 15% discount at the hotel’s Spa by La Prairie






Rates from $680 per night






Hotel Bel-Air

• Welcome amenity

• Dinner for two on a private guestroom patio or in Wolfgang Puck at Hotel
Bel-Air • Valet parking

• 15% discount at the hotel’s Spa by La Prairie






Rates from $695 per night [related]






Eat, Drink, and Linger






The Beverly Hills Hotel

• Four-course dinner in the Polo Lounge offered from 5 to 10 pm, $155 per
person **dinner price excludes tax, gratuity and beverages

• Kir Amour and Cupid’s Flip specialty cocktails






Hotel Bel-Air

• Four-course dinner in Wolfgang Puck at Hotel Bel-Air offered from 5 to 10 pm,
$155 per person (excludes tax, gratuity and beverages; black truffle supplement
available)

• Forbidden Kiss specialty cocktail






One Enchanted Evening (Hotel Bel-Air only)






Enjoy an unforgettable private culinary experience for two in the rose petal
strewn and candlelit gazebo overlooking Swan Lake.

• Four-course tasting menu served by a personal butler

• Bottle of Kristal champagne






Priced at $1500 per couple (exclusive of tax, service and champagne); please
email reservation requests to WGPevents.HBA@dorchestercollection.com.






Private Candlelight Dinner for Two (Hotel Bel-Air only)






Why not make it a night out just by staying in? The staff will create a
romantic dinner in your room on your private patio, complete with battery
operated candles and rose petals.

• Select three-courses from the tasting menu offered in Wolfgang Puck at Hotel
Bel-Air

Priced at $280 per couple* exclusive of tax, service and beverages






Couple’s Spa Packages






The Beverly Hills Hotel Spa by La Prairie






• “Soul Mates” – one-hour couples massage, two La Prairie signature facials,
and spa lunch for two, priced at $875 for three hours

• “Extravagant Evening” – one-hour recharge facial, one-hour aromatherapy
massage, and perfect manicure and pedicure, priced at $560 per person

• “Forever Yours” – one-hour in room couples massage and bath therapy, priced
at $490 for one hour

• “Sea of Love” – one-hour advanced marine biology facial, and 90 minute “Gifts
from the Sea” body treatments, priced at $425 per person






A complimentary glass of champagne will be offered pre/post treatments






Hotel Bel-Air Spa by La Prairie

• “Do Not Disturb” – 60-minute Swedish or deep tissue massage plus aromatherapy
scalp massage in The Enclave Couples Spa Suite, La Prairie spa product gift
set, glass of champagne for each guest, and chocolate covered strawberries,
priced at $420 for one hour.

• “Face to Face” – Two 90-minute Swiss Ice Crystal facials, glass of champagne
for each guest, chocolate covered strawberries, and one complimentary full-size
Caviar Luxe sleep mask, priced at $700 for 90 minutes.

• “Suite Serenity for Two” – two 60-minute Swedish or Deep Tissue Massages, two
60-minute La Prairie Signature Facials, two perfect manicures and pedicures,
glass of champagne for each guests, chocolate covered strawberries, priced at
$1,000 for 3.5 hours

• “Ultimate Getaway” – luxury car service pick up and drop off from your home,
bubble bath for two in private Suite, two 90-minute caviar massages, two
90-minute Swiss Ice Crystal facials, lunch for two from Wolfgang Puck at Hotel
Bel-Air served on the private spa patio, and one complimentary

 

May we suggest an Excelsior
Limousine town car or SUV to get you to your special celebration.  J

The Most Hated Airline Fees

And the winner is...

First place: Baggage fees

Second place: Flight change and cancellation fees

Third place: Advanced seat selection fees

Honorable mention: Talk to a live person fee




Per Los Angeles Times.







At Excelsior we have a very liberal cancellation policy for our town cars and SUVs.  We know life happens.

To Uber or Not to Uber

     On January 25, 2014 The Daily News ran a
story that Los Angeles International Airport has halted LAX pick-ups by UberX,
Lyft and Sidecar. Although last year the Public Utilities Commission gave the
three firms the right to operate statewide, it gave airports the right to make
their own decision. LAX only allows properly licensed livery and taxi drivers
to pick up passengers. To be properly licensed, livery and taxi drivers must
comply with very strict regulations. The regulations include a tax to the
Public Utilities Commission which makes sure they have proper registration and
commercial insurance. To operate at LAX, taxi and livery drivers need to have a
contract with the city attorney, they also must pay a yearly fee to LAX and a
fee every time they enter the airport.

     What does that all mean for the consumer
who has been enjoying the inexpensive alternative that UberX, Lyft and Sidecar
provide? It means the playing field is evening out and that someone is looking
out for the safety of the consumer. The truth is, insurance companies will not
pay damages if a privately insured driver has an accident and is using a car
for commercial purposes and Uber and other ride sharing firms cannot be held
liable. This is the disclaimer from the Uber website: The quality of the transportation services
requested through the use of the Application or the Service is entirely the
responsibility of the Transportation Provider who ultimately provides such
transportation services to you. Uber under no circumstance accepts liability in
connection with and/or arising from the transportation services provided by the
Transportation Provider or any acts, action, behaviour, conduct, and/or
negligence on the part of the Transportation Provider. Any complaints about the
transportation services provided by the Transportation Provider should
therefore be submitted to the Transportation Provider

     At Excelsior Limousine we have paid
attention to the development of on-demand, ride sharing apps since they burst
on the scene four years ago. We knew Uber, Lyft and Sidecar were employing un-vetted
drivers who were often not properly insured and marketing the concept to the
public as traditional taxi or livery service when it was not. We are relieved
to see regulatory agencies have caught on. Uber has made some changes. UberBLACK
and UberSUV employ properly licensed and insured cars and drivers--and cost the consumer significantly more. UberX, Sidecar and Lyft are still just
high tech forms of hitchhiking. Rider be informed and rider beware!

Top 13 Travel Blogs

We found this list in a Google
Search. Some of the blogs are great. Who knows who will make the 2014 list?
Enjoy!

The Top 13 Ttravel Bloggers of
2013

 

By Christopher Elliott

Which travel bloggers are worth following in 2013?

After narrowing your nominations down to 26 finalists, I
put it to a vote.



Here are the top 13 in alphabetical order:

 

Camels and Chocolate

Classe Tourist

Digital Nomad

The Flying Pinto

Go Big or Go Home

Go Visit Hawaii

Johnny Jet

Journeywoman

My View From the Middle Seat

The Perrin Post

Solo Traveler

SoulTravelers3

Wandering Earl

 

As usual, the polling wasn’t without a little drama.
About a day before the poll closed, we had a suspicious surge of votes and
there were multiple allegations of ballot-box stuffing. It led to the
disqualification of one of the candidates, unfortunately.

All of these travel blogs are worthy of being bookmarked
in 2013, and I hope you’ll read every one.

My sincerest congratulation to the top 13 vote-getters.

 

 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Excelsior Limousine is there for all of your local ground
transportation needs. We have town cars, SUVs and limousines. Happy travels!

Slim Chances for Slim-Line Seats

In an effort to squeeze more
passengers onto airplane, the airlines are trying out thinner seat-back
cushions called Slim-Line seats. It seems, passengers are noticing the difference
and not in a good way. In a recent survey of 1,391 passengers, 83% said they
were less comfortable in the Slim-Line seats than the in traditional seats.

 

At Excelsior Limousine we have NO
plans to replace the luxury seats in our SUVs, Town Cars or Limousines with
Slim-Line anything.

PreCheck Has Expanded

PreCheck, the program which allows passengers to breeze through security, has expanded to Bob Hope Airport in Burbank. Previously, the program was only available to elite fliers. Now for a fee of $85 a traveler may be “pre-approved”, and that pre-approval is good for 5 years. The pre-approved passengers may go through security without removing their shoes, belts and jackets. They may also keep liquids and laptops in their hand luggage. 

 

When Bad Things Happen to Good Travelers

We found this at YahooTravel

Bad things can happen to good travelers. And while these worst-case scenarios are just that—things that could throw you for a serious loop, but most likely won't—that doesn't mean some prevention and damage control won't go a long way should something go wrong on the road. Our tips come from the people who handle these types of situations routinely: doctors, state-department officials, guidebook directors. Across the board, preparation is your friend. But even if you don't have time to do everything we recommend, the one thing you should always do is write down the number and website of the local consulate for where you're going—it turns out that they're useful for far more than just replacing a stolen passport.

YOU GET IN AN ACCIDENT IN YOUR RENTAL CAR

You're cruising down a dark south Australian highway when a couple of cattle suddenly appear out of nowhere. You brake too late, and bam!

How to Cope: "Getting in a car crash in a foreign country puts you in a confusing world," says Tom Hall, the U.K. spokesperson for Lonely Planet. "There are police who may not speak your language, the angry person you've crashed into…so it's important to talk to the hire firm about what to do [in a crisis] before you drive off the lot." Most car-rental companies have an emergency number specifically for crashes. Also, some European countries require you to wear an emergency vest (usually provided in the car) for visibility if you exit the car after the accident and stand on the road. Next, file a local police report (you'll need it for your insurance claims). If it's a situation where livestock have wandered into the road, be sure to get the name of the farmer and his insurance policy—there's a good chance he has coverage for a situation like this. Finally, get in touch with your own insurer (your home auto insurance or credit card may have you covered) to see how to file a claim.

Tip to Avoid the Problem: Buying insurance directly from the car-rental company when you rent your car can be expensive. In advance of your trip, look at policies you already have—including home insurance, travel insurance, your personal car insurance, even your credit card—to see if collision-damage waiver insurance on rental cars is covered for you or if you can add it.

 

YOU GET IN LEGAL PROBLEMS/SENT TO JAIL WHILE ABROAD

The prescription drugs you've traveled with from the U.S. send up a red flag abroad. Before you know it, you're doing your explaining from behind bars.

How to Cope: What flies at home might be completely illegal in a foreign country (chewing gum in Singapore is an oft-cited example). And finding yourself tangling with the law in a foreign language—or worse yet, foreign prison—is the last thing you want to be doing on vacation. If you're not immediately offered the option, "the first thing to do if you're arrested in a foreign country is to contact the nearest consulate or embassy," says Michelle Bernier-Toth, managing director of the Office of Overseas Citizens Services, Bureau of Consular Affairs, for the U.S. State Department. "Someone who travels abroad is subject to the local government's laws and regulations," she says, "but the embassy or consulate will make sure that an American citizen who has been arrested has access to legal counsel." The goal is to make sure that travelers understand the charges against them and what their rights are.

Tip to Avoid the Problem: "Know what kinds of things can get you into trouble in a foreign country," Bernier-Toth says. The State Department’s travel warnings, which cover local laws, are a good place to start.

 

YOU'RE CAUGHT IN A NATURAL DISASTER

An Indonesian vacation goes from paradise to pandemonium when an earthquake strikes.

How to Cope: No matter where you are when disaster strikes, your best course of action is to follow the instructions of the local authorities who are responsible for responding in the moments and days that follow, Bernier-Toth says. Next, you should contact the local consulate or embassy. "We need to know who is there so that we can calibrate our response accordingly," Bernier-Toth says. Also, reach out to family and friends as soon as possible. Communication with people back home is often the best way to get information about when (and how) you'll be able to depart from the disaster zone. If you're looking for local hospitals, doctors, or pharmacies, the best place to find these is on the website of the local U.S. consulate or embassy (that is, if you can access the Internet). If you can't get online, make your way to a major hotel and request information there.

Tip to Avoid the Problem: Register your travels on the State Department's website via the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program. If you do so, the U.S. embassy will have your contact information so they can reach out in case of an emergency, as well as put family from the U.S. in touch with you.

 

YOU'RE INJURED ABROAD

A leap from a rocky outcrop into clear blue water on a Thai beach ends in injury when you don't quite clear the cliff.

How to Cope: If your injury is minor, says Ronald A. Primas of travelmd.com, you can self-treat using tools from your first-aid kit (a minor slip-and-fall injury, for example, can be handled by wrapping an elastic bandage around the wound, then elevating and icing it). But when things appear more serious, he says, seek out local help. To find a doctor, start by asking the front desk of your hotel (or a major hotel in the area) for a recommendation. U.S. consulate or embassy websites also have lists of English-speaking doctors. If you seek care in an undeveloped country, avoid any unnecessary injections if you have concerns about the facility's hygiene standards. For serious injuries that require hospitalization, Bernier-Toth says that local embassy and consulate services can "make sure that a [U.S. citizen] is being treated appropriately, assist with coordination with the family in obtaining or arranging medical care, and, in dire circumstances, actually loan someone who is destitute the funds to get them into the hospital."

Tip to Avoid the Problem: Pack a good first-aid kit with bandages, antibiotics, and, if you're going to be in an undeveloped country, your own syringes. Bring your own medications from home, too, since expired and counterfeit medications are a problem in some countries (sugar pills in place of active malaria pills, for example).

 

YOU LEAVE VALUABLES IN A TAXI CAB

Your taxi driver takes you to Marrakech’s main square, where there's such a commotion between the spice hawkers and snake charmers that by the time you realize you've left your camera in the backseat of the cab the driver has rounded the corner, out of sight.

How to Cope: While cities with large taxi and public-transport networks—London and New York City, for example—have a central number to call to report lost property, in most places you will be relying on your taxi driver’s goodwill to get your stuff returned (even where goodwill is given, it's still a long shot that he or she will be able to find you). "If it's gone, in a majority of cases it will be gone for good," says Hall from Lonely Planet, who speaks from experience: he left a video camera in the backseat of a cab in Syria, never to see it again. If you took a city's official taxi service, try calling the central dispatch to tell them where you were picked up and dropped off, with approximate times, in case there's a chance the cab can be traced. But prepare to be disappointed.

Tip to Avoid the Problem: Opt for official taxis over cheaper, fly-by-night operations—not only is it safer, but it also helps with tracking, too. Hall recommends ordering taxis through your hotel. Quite often, the hotel will have a long-term relationship with the taxi service, which may be helpful in tracking down lost objects for guests.

 

 

YOUR HOTEL CANCELS YOUR RESERVATION

You reach your destination after a sleepless transatlantic flight only to find that the French hotel's response to your missing room reservation is an unhelpful "Je ne sais pas."

How to Cope: Nicole Hockin, who writes the TravelSmartBlog for hotels.com, says to stay calm. "Keeping your cool helps the hotel staff keep their cool, too," she says. "Sometimes the problem is as simple as your name having been keyed in incorrectly when the reservation was made." As long as you can prove you had a reservation, the hotel should be able to find a source of accommodation for you. Also, call the online site that you booked through right away (one of the benefits of booking through an online agency is that they have a wealth of resources to get you re-accommodated). "The sooner they know there's a problem, the faster they can assist you," Hockin says. If your hotel doesn't have any availability, ask if they have a sister property in town where you can be rebooked at no extra charge. "You should also ask for a transportation voucher to get there," she says. "And if the property where you're rebooked isn't the same standard as the original hotel, ask what they'll be refunding you. Don't be afraid to ask for a restaurant credit—what will it take for you to be satisfied? Don't hesitate to have that conversation."

Tip to Avoid the Problem: For peace of mind before you travel, the best strategy is to call the hotel a few days before your arrival to verify your reservation. Even if you booked through a third party, you can call the hotel directly to confirm.

 

 

YOU LOSE YOUR WALLET

You're digging into tapas at a restaurant in Madrid when you realize your purse is no longer hanging on the back of your chair. Inside? Your wallet and every single money-retrieving possibility you had (cash, ATM card, credit cards—all gone).

How to Cope: Don't panic, Hall says. Get to a place where you can access the Internet or make a phone call—perhaps a hotel lobby or library—and immediately call your bank to cancel your credit cards and report your items missing. This way, you won't be responsible for any charges that might show up. It's highly unlikely that you'll be able to get your bank to send cards to you while you're traveling, so you need to find alternative methods to access cash. "The old-style way to get money that's still the most effective, when all your cards are gone, is to have someone from home wire you money via a service like Western Union," he says. (Note: You will be required to produce some form of ID to pick up money that has been wired to you.) The State Department's Overseas Citizens Service can also help get funds to you by setting up a trust account so they can be forwarded your way.

Tip to Avoid the Problem: Store a backup ATM card in another place (perhaps one in your wallet and another in your hotel safe). You'll still need to cancel the card if the original for that account is stolen, but you'll at least have a way to withdraw cash before you do so.
 

YOUR CHILD GOES MISSING

It's a hot summer day at a theme park, but your blood turns ice cold when you realize your 6-year-old has vanished into the throngs.

How to Cope: Keeping calm seems impossible at a time like this, but Nancy A. McBride, national safety director of the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, stresses that it's more important than ever to remain calm. "Be focused on where you are and get the local people to help you," she says. "If you've done a cursory search and still can't find your child, don't hesitate to find local authorities and report your child missing." If you're at a public venue, she says, the situation has mostly likely happened before and authorities probably have a plan in place for what to do. After enlisting local officials to help in the search, notify the U.S. embassy or consulate about what has happened, Bernier-Toth says. "While we don't have jurisdiction outside of the U.S., we will work with local authorities to make sure they're investigating and taking the necessary actions," she says.

Tip to Avoid the Problem: Emphasize to your child how important it is to stay together, McBride says, but if they do get separated tell them not to wander far since you'll be looking for them. Assigning a meeting place to gather to in the event of a separation is a good idea, too.

______________________________________________________________

Of course, only good things happen to Excelsior travelers. Once you're in one of our town cars, SUVs or limousines, we'll take care of you whether you're going to LAX or out for a night on the town.

7 Travel Predictions for Airline Passengers in 2014 - ABC News

By RICK SEANEY, CEO of FareCompare

Rick Seaney

CEO of FareCompare.com

via Good Morning America

Remember last summer when United's website suffered a brief nervous breakdown and showed fares to Hawaii and elsewhere for just a few bucks? Well, lightning struck twice; the same thing happened to Delta right after Christmas.

I almost had a nervous breakdown myself when both airlines agreed to honor the tickets. Now that's sportsmanship, especially when you consider we live in the Fee Era, when carriers charge for any and everything from a cup of coffee to a carry-on.

But passengers shouldn't expect too many wins like this. In fact, look for the opposite this year.

1. Fees and Ticket Prices on the Rise

Have you checked the price of oil lately? It hit $100 a barrel in late December (though it's dropped down again since then), and oil is the big reason I predict fares will jump between four and five-and-a-half percent by the end of 2014. This will be after several airline price-hike attempts, a half-dozen of which will succeed. Note: Don't despair; the airlines want you to keep flying, and they know passengers have a price-breaking point. They will not cross it because they don't want to fly a single empty seat.

As for fees, they'll keep on coming. Discounter Spirit has just raised baggage fees again (but only a little), while other airlines can be expected to add them disguised in bundles or as brand new "amenities" (see No. 6 below). Bottom line is the same: You'll pay more. Tip: An easy way to save is by learning how to pack absolutely everything you need in a carry-on.

2. A Few Fare Wars

This is good news for passengers. Especially you road warriors. Watch for more airlines to pull out all the stops to snag high-paying business travelers with nicer amenities. This will be true even with some low-cost carriers such as JetBlue, which announced the launch of Mint late last year, a premium product with lie-flat seats scheduled to take flight in June.

As for leisure travelers, look for the continuation of a simmering war (or a long fought battle) in cities such as Boston, Denver and Los Angeles, where armies of competing airlines keep ticket prices firmly in the cheap range.

3. End of the Merger Era

Now that American Airlines and US Airways are legally one, the question is who is left to get together? There was a brief flurry of talk about Alaska and Delta joining forces, but that died in a hurry and no wonder. What airline wants to face the Department of Justice wringer that AA and US were put through? Airline autonomy will reign in 2014.

4. Fewer Complaints About Flying

Hard to believe but if you were 10 years old when the Twin Towers came down, you're well into your 20s now and strict security, cramped seating and no free meals on planes may be all you've ever known. The rest of us have had years to adjust, so by now we're used to it, which means watch for complaints about airlines and security to go down (and see more on security in No. 7). Zero complaints will never happen, of course, but a threshold has been passed, and we now recognize coach as aerial mass transit. If you do have a complaint about your carrier or the Transportation Security Administration, here's how to file it. But what about complaints regarding bad passengers?

5. More Complaints About Passengers0

The new airline model is Fill Every Seat. Add in an increasing lack of space between seats, and what do you have? A bunch of strangers squeezed together in a claustrophobic metal tube, which is a recipe for disaster, or at least some very bad behavior. This can start as innocently as "Are you really going to use both armrests?" and take off from there. Alcohol only adds to the fun (and I don't mean in a good way). Remember, we're all in this together, so let's keep it together for the brief time we're in the air.

6. Cellphone Calls Will Be Allowed

The catch is, will you actually be able to make calls? The government (the Federal Communications Commission) is finally coming around to reconsidering its ban on cellphone voice calls on planes (which some international airlines have been allowing for years now). This re-evaluation follows the FAA's decision to allow passengers to use tablets and smartphones on planes anytime, including during landings and take-offs. I predict, however, that no airline will allow voice calls because passengers don't want it (and several airlines are already on record as saying no thanks). My second prediction on this matter: If airlines decide passengers do want this amenity, they'll find a way to charge $50 per call.

7. Security Will Ease but TSA Fee Won't

The quicker security program known as PreCheck is expanding to more airport and you don't have to be an elite airline miles member or belong to a government-trusted traveler program to get it (although that certainly helps). I've been hearing from several nonelites who were pulled out of the main security queue and directed to the faster keep-your-shoes-on line. Watch for more of this in the new year, but do not expect the TSA to disappear. Security and flying will remain attached at the hip for the near future.

As for fees, the Sept. 11 Security Fee that's bound up in your airline ticket and currently costs $2.50 per flight segment is scheduled to rise to a flat $5.60 or $11.20 per round-trip flight this summer.

 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2014 Predictions for Excelsior Limousine:

Continued superior service in our town cars, SUVs and limousines.

LAX anyone?

Unhealthiest and Healthiest Free Airline Snacks The Daily Meal

We found this article at TheDailyMeal:


 


Free Snacks—or Are They?





It’s harder and harder to find free inflight amenities like hot meals, snacks, and pillows and blankets, but a handful of U.S. airlines still offer free in-flight snacks.

From the once-ubiquitous salted peanuts and pretzels still served complimentary on AirTran Airways, Delta Air Lines and Southwest Airlines to Pau Hana Snack Mix and Hawaiian Sweet Maui Onion Potato Chips on Hawaiian Airlines, frequent fliers don’t always have to fly the hungry skies. But which of these snacks is the healthiest and which is the unhealthiest? The results may just surprise you.

The Daily Meal contacted all the major U.S. air carriers and requested the nutrition information for each airline’s snacks that are served free of charge to all passengers on domestic routes. Allegiant Air, American Airlines, Frontier Airlines, Spirit Airlines, US Airways, United Airlines and Virgin America no longer serve free snacks; their buy on-board options were not examined for this story.

Gone are the days when nearly every U.S. airline served hot meals or sandwiches. And in the last decade, legroom and complimentary pillows, blankets, and snacks started disappearing, too.

American Airlines stopped serving complimentary snacks in 2009, according to Nina Green, a public relations representative for the airline. In March 2011, Continental Airlines, which merged with United Airlines, stopped serving pretzels and Biscoff cookies. This decision was estimated to save the airline $2.5 million annually. Continental Airlines was also the last airline to do away with free hot meals; the last supper was served Oct. 12, 2010, according to NBC News.

Despite the cuisine cutbacks, it’s comforting to know that a handful of air carriers still serve free pre-packaged snacks to each passenger, regardless of seat number or membership status with the airline. 

AirTran Airways (which is owned by Southwest Airlines), Delta Air Lines, Hawaiian Airlines, JetBlue, and Southwest Airlines all serve free in-flight snacks.

After The Daily Meal collected the nutritional information of each airline’s snacks, we consulted registered dietician Marissa Lippert, founder of Nourish NYC, a Manhattan nutrition counseling firm, and owner of NOURISH Kitchen + Table, a West Village takeaway food shop and café.

Lippert examined the nutrition information for each snack, evaluating, by airline, "how to get the biggest bang for the nutritional buck." Then, she shared the unhealthiest and healthiest options with us.

"Even though it may be free, it may not be the best option," said Lippert of the free snacks.

While most airlines now offer buy-on-board snack boxes and sandwiches, there’s something almost irresistible about free food, even if it’s just a palm-size snack pack.

While Dr. Charles Platkin, of DietDetective.com, Hunter College, and City University of New York School of Public Health, recently released his annual Airline Snacking and Onboard Food Service Survey, which evaluated 12 major airlines’ snack and on-board food offerings, the survey only examined snacks and meals for purchase. The Daily Meal's list is solely devoted to free snacks and we’ve provided the nutrition label information for each healthiest and unhealthiest choice.

While some flight attendants, like those on JetBlue, are more than happy to dole out extra free snacks, keep this in mind: passengers who opt for chips and cookies are more likely to want an additional snack to satisfy their hunger, while those who consume a more nutritiously dense snack, like peanuts, are not likely to experience food cravings after snacking, said Lippert.

 

Delta Airlines' Unhealthiest Snack: Biscoff Cookies

The Belgian "speculoos" short-crust biscuits feature a distinct caramelized taste with a hint of cinnamon and spice. Until recently, these crunchy cookies had been served on most U.S. air carriers since the 1980s, but now only Delta Air Lines serves them for free to all passengers. Despite the dwindling opportunity to taste these cookies, more than 90 million Biscoff cookies are still served domestically in-flight each year, according to Biscoff. Delta offers its passengers three choices of snacks — peanuts, pretzels, and Biscoff cookies. Of the three, the unhealthiest option is Biscoff cookies because they are highest in calories, saturated fat, and sugar.





Calories: 150


Calories From Fat: 53


Total Fat: 6 grams


Saturated Fat: 3 grams


Trans Fat: 0 grams


Cholesterol: 0 milligrams


Sodium: 120 milligrams


Total Carbohydrate: 23 grams


Dietary Fiber: .4 grams


Sugar: 12 grams


Protein: 2 grams

*Nutrition information provided by Delta Air Lines and snack packaging.

Of the three free snack choices Delta offers its passengers — peanuts, pretzels, and Biscoff cookies — peanuts are the healthiest snack. "Peanuts are always my number one choice," said Lippert. She says peanuts are filling, contain healthy fat, and a small amount will fill up hungry travelers. Lippert recommends pairing peanuts with a bottle of water to help fight water retention, which comes from air travel and eating salty food.

Calories: 70


Calories From Fat: Not Provided


Total Fat: 6 grams


Saturated Fat: 1 gram


Trans Fat: 0 grams


Cholesterol: 0 milligrams


Sodium: 95 milligrams


Total Carbohydrate: 2 grams


Dietary Fiber: 1 gram


Sugar: 0 gram


Protein: 3 grams


*Nutrition information provided by Delta Air Lines and snack packaging

When it comes to free snacking, JetBlue offers the most variety. The airline’s flight attendants march through the aisle with a large basket brimming with at least a half dozen regular offerings that include Doritos, King Nut Fancy Nut Mix, Linden’s Chocolate Choppers, PopCorners kettle-popped corn chips, Stauffer’s Animal Crackers (original), and TERRA BLUES, plus seasonal offerings like Linden’s Butter Crunchers, Stauffer’s Animal Crackers (iced), and TERRA SWEETS & BLUES. The flight attendants will even give you a second snack for free, but before you grab a second bag, note that not all the snacks are equally healthy. Linden’s Chocolate Chippers are the unhealthiest choice. With 2 grams of saturated fat and 11 grams of sugar, these bite-size chocolate chip cookies are the only snack option, along with the seasonal Linden’s Butter Crunchers, that contains cholesterol.

Calories: 135


Calories From Fat: 45


Total Fat: 5 grams


Saturated Fat: 2 grams


Trans Fat: 0 grams


Cholesterol: 5 milligrams


Sodium: 100 milligrams


Total Carbohydrate: 20 grams


Dietary Fiber: 1 gram


Sugar: 11 grams


Protein: 1 gram


*Nutrition information provided by JetBlue.

While JetBlue doesn’t offer free peanuts, one of its snack offerings is King Nut Fancy Nut Mix, which is packed with salted almonds, cashews, and honey-roasted sesame sticks. The savory snack is the best option for travelers who are truly hungry. Despite having the highest calorie, fat, and sodium content of JetBlue’s offerings, the fat is from good sources, says Lippert.

For those who can’t eat nuts or who aren’t very hungry but want something to nosh on, the TERRA BLUES, and when seasonally offered TERRA SWEETS & BLUES Sea Salt, are a healthy second choice. Made from blue potatoes, the bluish-purple chips have a slightly nutty flavor (the TERRA SWEETS & BLUES variety is gluten-free and also contains orange colored sweet potato chips). Not only do the chips have more fiber than other snacks like PopCorners (also a gluten-free offering), they are also made from a vegetable.

King Nut Fancy Nut Mix

Calories: 170


Calories From Fat: 130


Total Fat: 14 grams


Saturated Fat: 1.4 grams


Trans Fat: 0 grams


Cholesterol: 0 milligrams


Sodium: 180 milligrams


Total Carbohydrate: 8 grams


Dietary Fiber: 2 grams


Sugar: 1 gram


Protein: 5 grams

 

Nutrition Info: TERRA BLUES

Calories: 130


Calories From Fat: 50


Total Fat: 6 grams


Saturated Fat: 1 gram


Trans Fat: 0 grams

Cholesterol: 0 milligrams

Sodium: 115 milligrams

Total Carbohydrate: 19 grams


Dietary Fiber: 3 grams


Sugar: 0 grams


Protein: 2 grams

*Nutrition information provided by JetBlue.

On most Southwest Airlines’ flights, passengers are offered salted or honey-roasted peanuts, pretzels, and, on some routes, Nabisco snacks like original Wheat Thins, Airplane Cookies, and Ritz Toasted Chips. The unhealthiest options are the seemingly healthy Wheat Thins, which are baked, whole-grain square crackers, and Ritz Toasted Chips, which, as the name suggests, are toasted, not fried; however, both are examples of how 100-calorie packaged snacks aren’t always the best choice. Lippert explains it’s better to choose a snack that has higher fat and calories that is a natural, wholesome food that will fill you up rather than empty-calorie snacks.

Nutrition Info: Wheat Thins

Calories: 100


Calories From Fat: Not Provided


Total Fat: 4 grams


Saturated Fat: 1 gram


Trans Fat: 0 grams


Cholesterol: 0 milligrams


Sodium: 160 milligrams


Total Carbohydrate: 15 grams


Dietary Fiber: 1 gram


Sugar: 3 grams


Protein: 1 gram

 

Nutrition Info: Ritz Toasted Chips

Calories: 100


Calories From Fat: Not Provided


Total Fat: 3 grams


Saturated Fat: 0 grams


Trans Fat: 0 grams


Cholesterol: 0 milligrams


Sodium: 190 milligrams


Total Carbohydrate: 18 grams


Dietary Fiber: 0 grams


Sugar: 2 grams


Protein: 1 gram

*Nutrition information provided by MyFitnessPal.com 

The healthiest free snack on Southwest is the salted peanuts. "Peanuts are always my number one choice," says Lippert, because peanuts are filling, contain healthy fat, and a small amount will fill up hungry travelers. On some routes, Southwest also offers honey-roasted peanuts. If you have a choice between salted and honey-roasted, go for salted; the honey roasted have added sugar, says Lippert.

Nutrition Info:

Calories: 70

Calories From Fat: Not Provided

Total Fat: 6 grams


Saturated Fat: 1 gram


Trans Fat: 0 grams


Cholesterol: 0 milligrams


Sodium: 95 milligrams


Total Carbohydrate: 2 grams


Dietary Fiber: 1 gram


Sugar: 0 grams


Protein: 3 grams 

*Nutrition information provided by MyFitnessPal.com 

AirTran Airways, whose parent company is Southwest Airlines, serves the same King Nut-distributed salted peanuts and salted mini pretzels that are served on Southwest. With only two options, the mini salted pretzels are the unhealthiest choice. While a bag of mini pretzels contains fewer calories than the salted peanuts, the mini pretzels have much more sodium. Plus, nuts are an all-natural snack; pretzels aren’t.

Nutrition Info:

Calories: 45

Calories From Fat: 5

Total Fat: .5 grams


Saturated Fat: 0 grams


Trans Fat: 0 grams


Cholesterol: 0 milligrams


Sodium: 170 milligrams


Total Carbohydrate: 10 grams


Dietary Fiber: 0 grams


Sugar: 0 grams


Protein: 1 gram

 

*Nutrition information provided by MyFitnessPal.com  

Just like the peanuts served on its parent company, Southwest Airlines, the healthiest free snack on AirTran is the salted peanuts. The all-natural snack is filling, contains healthy fat, and a small amount will fill up hungry travelers. 

Nutrition Info:

Calories: 70

Calories From Fat: Not Provided


Total Fat: 6 grams


Saturated Fat: 1 gram


Trans Fat: 0 grams


Cholesterol: 0 milligrams


Sodium: 95 milligrams


Total Carbohydrate: 2 grams


Dietary Fiber: 1 gram


Sugar: 0 grams


Protein: 3 grams

*Nutrition information provided by MyFitnessPal.com

Hawaiian Airlines’ gets its passengers in an island state of mind with a duo of free snack options: Hawaiian Sweet Maui Onion Potato Chips and Pau Hana Snack Mix. The unhealthiest option is the golden-colored, kettle-cooked onion chips. Pair them with the complimentary Koloa Breeze Rum Punch Cocktail and you may have to spend more time in the gym than on the beach.

Nutrition Info:

Calories: 140


Calories From Fat: 70


Total Fat: 9 grams


Saturated Fat: 2 grams


Trans Fat: 0 grams


Cholesterol: 0 milligrams


Sodium: 120 milligrams


Total Carbohydrate: 15 grams


Dietary Fiber: 1 gram


Sugar: 2 grams


Protein: 1 gram


*Nutrition information provided by Hawaiian Airlines.

Pau Hana Snack Mix is a healthier option than the Hawaiian Sweet Maui Onion Potato Chips. The mix of roasted and salted almonds, Cheddar corn sticks, corn chips with flax, and Cheddar rice triangles is a better choice because it has more protein than the kettle-cooked chips, says Lippert.

Nutrition Info:

Calories: 70

Calories From Fat: 35


Total Fat: 4 grams


Saturated Fat: 0 grams


Trans Fat: 0 grams


Cholesterol: 0 milligrams


Sodium: 70 milligrams


Total Carbohydrate: 8 grams


Dietary Fiber: 1 gram


Sugar: 0 grams


Protein: 2 grams


*Nutrition information provided by Hawaiian Airlines.

 

 

Helpful Website:Rome2Rio.com

Here's a website that may help with travel plans. It's Rome2Rio.com. It is a trip planner--a global one-- that shows flight information as well as train, bus and ferry options or a combination of all types. Hotel options can be accessed through the site also. It will give pricing estimates and map based displays.

As always, Excelsior Limousine is available for all of your Los Angeles based ground transportation needs. We have town cars, SUVs and limousines.

Stronger Laws for Unurly Fliers

Should there be stronger laws for unruly fliers? According to the International Air Transport Association the number of unruly passenger incidents has grown from 500 in 2007 to more than 6,000 in 2011. Old laws are outdated and focus on onboard crimes related to hijacking. They do not account for the bedlam that some passengers provoke. A meeting has been scheduled for March by the International Civil Aviation Organization, a branch of the United Nations to discuss new rules on how to deal with unruly passengers.

 

At Excelsior Limousine we have two policies—1. Safety first. 2. Then-- Whatever happens in the limo, stays in the limo (or town car or SUV). So far, unruliness has not been an issue.