The Boeing 787 as a Massive Private Jet

Master bedroom (photo: Kestrel Aviation Management)

We've heard of private jets. But a Boeing 787 as a private jet is something new. Esquire reports that Kestrel Aviation Management, an aviation consulting firm, modified the 787 interior for 40 people to fly in luxury on the jet's 2,400 square-foot-interior.

The plane, which reportedly costs over $300 million, was sold to an undisclosed Asian operator but the photos will speak for themselves.

Master suite bathroom ((photo: Kestrel Aviation Management)

Main cabin lounge (photo: Kestrel Aviation Management)

Main cabin lounge (photo: Kestrel Aviation Management)

Main cabin lounge (photo: Kestrel Aviation Management)

18 first-class sleeper seats for guests and six rows of premium economy for staff (photo: Kestrel Aviation Management)

One of four main cabin bathrooms (photo: Kestrel Aviation Management)

World's Shortest International Flight

(image credit: bbc.co.uk)

Fox News reports that starting last month, the world's shortest international flight by distance began service between St. Gallen, Switzerland to Friedrichshafen, Germany by Austrian airline People's Viennaline. The flight length: a mere eight minutes on a 12.5 miles route for US$45.

On the other side of the coin, Emirates launched the longest flight by distance in March from Dubai, United Arab Emirates to Auckland, New Zealand which is 8,819 miles. Flying time is 17 hours and 15 minutes.

Click HERE for the full article which reveals the shortest domestic flight by distance which is the shortest flight recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records.

(photo credit: CNN)

The Shrinking Pie of New York City Taxi Drivers Rides Against Uber and Lyft

(image credit: kidaPride)

For the first few years I visited New York City I absolutely saw taxi cabs as an expensive way to travel and treated it as a luxury I could not afford. From the airport to mid-town I would use a shared ride service like Super Shuttle. While in the city I would rely on the subway and walking.

In 2004 upon arriving at JFK airport, I was feeling most ill. Now anyone who has used a shared-ride shuttle van knows someone will be dropped off first and someone will be dropped off last. Based on my experiences with staying at midtown hotels in Times Square, I was normally the last passenger dropped off at my destination. This is after riding in a shuttle that one time took two hours for my drop off. So I did the most practical thing to get me to the hotel to rest. I caught a taxi from JFK to my hotel. If I recall correctly the fare with tip and tolls was about $60 back then. It was one of the best decisions I ever made. I made it to my hotel in what seemed like minutes compared to my experiences with shuttle vans.

Now I mainly use taxi to and from the airport in most cities I visit. But once in the city I'll use the mass transit services available. It's still part of the my positive travel experiences to use the subway in New York City or the tube in London.

(image credit: Business Insider)

This was before Uber and along with Lyft it appears they are gaining a huge market share of trips at the loss of New York City taxi drivers.

Business Insider reports how the value of a NYC medallion, which allows the right to operate a cab in the city, was recently listed at $250,000.  In 2014, the article reports the value was about $1.3 million.

A chart in the report shows in April 2015 taxis accounted for 84% of rides in New York. In April 2016, taxis accounted for 65% of rides.

Right now I don't plan to switch to Uber or Lyft when I'm in the New York at least. But there is one place where I really cannot handle the games taxi drivers play which is in Las Vegas. Next time I'm there I'll be calling an Uber.

Click the link below for the Business Insider article:

Uber and Lyft are Demolishing New York City Tax Drivers (Oct 12, 2016)