The Seat Guru
There are a few new faces on the second go-round of Star Mega DO, and one happens to belong to Matt Daimler, a.k.a Phatteus, who founded Seatguru.com nearly a decade ago. “It started in 2001 as one plane, with one map,” he says, and wasn’t much more than a hobby until revenue Google AdSense began turning it into a real business circa 2004. He sold the site to Expedia in 2007 (today his card says “Founder” and his role is effectively an evangelist) and his current wish is to see Seatguru’s maps incorporated into the most popular iPhone apps like Flight Tracker.
He still tells the story of learning how fare classes work. While traveling with a friend circa 1996, their flight was canceled and the airline was forced to rebook them on another carrier, issuing paper vouchers to do so. Seeing a “Y” written on the voucher, Matt’s friend asked what it meant. Informed “Y” meant coach and an “F” was required to be rebooked in first, his friend decided to fix that. Using a pen, he doctored the “Y” into an “F.” And it worked.
Star Alliance solicits suggestions from FlyerTalk members – USATODAY.com
By Ben Mutzabaugh, USA TODAY
Ever wonder what Star Alliance’s headquarters looks like?
Many people on the FlyerTalk “Mega Do” frequent-flier trip did, and dozens stopped to snap photos of the Star Alliance map and logo (seen here) at the group’s headquarters near the Frankfurt Airport earlier today.
That came as several dozen FlyerTalk members met with Star Alliance officials today in Frankfurt as the world’s largest frequent-flier group solicited their feedback on potential future products.
Star Alliance CEO Jaan Albrecht was on hand to address the group, thanking them for their loyalty to the alliance and its carriers.
Star Alliance members traveled from as far as Hawaii and Australia for the “Mega Do” event, which is affiliated with FlyerTalk and gave the travelers access to Star’s top executives. The MegaDo trip began in New York and will continue on to Houston, Phoenix and the Seattle area by Friday evening.
“I think the access [to alliance and airline executives] is pretty incredible,” a FlyerTalk member from Australia told me.
Star Alliance officials invited the FlyerTalk members to participate in a series of workshops in which the “FlyerTalkers” where encouraged to give their feedback on products the alliance is considering adding in the future.
continued: Star Alliance solicits suggestions from FlyerTalk members – USATODAY.com.
Today in the Sky flies with StarMegaDo | USATODAY.com #smd2010
Today in the Sky schedule update
By Ben Mutzabaugh, USA TODAY
I’m traveling this week with the “Star Mega Do,” a FlyerTalk-affiliated gathering that includes some of the most dedicated frequent-flier enthusiasts from across the globe. In this particular case, the trip is focused on the Star Alliance carriers.
Today I’m coming to you from Frankfurt, where I’ll be meeting with both Lufthansa and Star Alliance officials later today.
On Wednesday, the group changes location to Houston, where I’ll be on hand to cover the first annual Frequent Traveler Awards ceremony on Thursday. Also while I’m in Houston, I hope to get time with some of United’s executives for an update of what’s going on at United and Continental.
continued: Today in the Sky schedule update – USATODAY.com.
And The #smd2010 Aircraft Is…..
Continental Airlines Boeing 757-324 N74856
Continental Airlines Boeing 757-300 N74856 | Courtesy Chuck Slusarczyk Jr. - OPShots.net
Some interesting tidbits about the scheduled* aircraft for the StarMegaDo 2010 Charter
Airfleets.net:
- Serial number 32815 LN: 1039
- Type 757-324
- First flight date 17/12/2003
- Plane age 6.9 years
Continental.com Aircraft Specification:
- Cruise Speed: 540 mph
- Propulsion: Two (2) Rolls Royce RB211-535E4B “Phase 5″ High Bypass Ratio turbofan engines rated at 42,540 pounds of thrust each.
- Wingspan: 124 feet, 10 inches
B757.info:
- Roll out: 25/11/2003
- First flight: 17/12/2003
- Type: 324
- Engines: Rolls Royce RB211-535E4-C
- 27/01/2004 delivered to Continental Airlines.
- 27/01/2004 registered to Continental Airlines Inc.
- 28/01/2004 ferried Boeing Field to Orlando as COA9971
Flightaware.com History:
http://flightaware.com/live/flight/N74856/history
Seatguru.com Seat Map:
http://www.seatguru.com/airlines/Continental_Airlines/Continental_Airlines_Boeing_757-300_New.php
FAA.gov Registry Information:
http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/NNum_Results.aspx?NNumbertxt=N74856
Continental Airlines Boeing 757-300 N74856 | Courtesy chrisjake - OPShots.net
Continental Airlines Boeing 757-300 N74856 | Courtesy Angelo Ballachino - OPShots.net
* Aircraft Assignment Subject To Change Without Notice Based On Operational Requirements
Photos Used With Permission of Opshots.net Webmaster
The 2010 StarMegaDo will cover over 11,000 statute miles! #smd2010
Map Courtesy of Great Circle Mapper www.gcmap.com
The 2010 StarMegaDo will cover over 11,000 statute miles, 12 sponsor partners, 6 days, 5 airports, 3 states, 2 continents and 1 innovative airline alliance!
JFK (40°38’23″N 73°46’44″W)
FRA (50°01’35″N 8°32’35″E)50.5° (NE)3855 mi
IAH (29°59’04″N 95°20’29″W)299.8° (NW)5232 mi
PHX (33°26’03″N 112°00’42″W)287.9° (W)1009 mi
PAE (47°54’25″N 122°16’54″W)334.9° (NW)1133 mi
Total:11229 statute miles
StarMegaDo Blog Reaches The World #smd2010
The Star Alliance Mega Do 2010 Blog has drawn media, corporate and enthusiast interest from all over the world, with 1000s of unique hits per day from all corners of the world:
The sponsors, partners, event coordinators and blog editors thank everyone for their interest in StarMegaDo.com and will continue to provide fun and interesting insight to this week’s events through this blog, FaceBook and Twitter.
