European Union Drops Mask Mandate for Flights

European Union drops mask mandate for flights and airports - by Jake Epstein, INSIDER

• • The EU is dropping its mask mandate on flights and in airports beginning Monday (May 16, 2022)
• •The bloc said it made the decision based on the lifting of restrictions and high vaccination rates.
• •Since peaking in late January, COVID-19 cases across the continent have declined. 

• 

  Terminal 1 at Frankfurt Airport in Germany on March 15, 2022. 

  Photo by Boris Roessler/picture alliance via Getty Images

• Read the full article by ISIDER  🠊 H E R E 🠈

***

Grapes: Japanese Pione

 A trip to Japan is on my Bucket List.  I have seen a couple of videos showing how expensive grapes can cost there.  Why? Are they worth the price? The bunch below by Mrs Paley on Instagram cost $55 back in October 2019.  Don't these plump, purple Pione grapes look appealing though?

I want to see them and taste them first-hand. For now, further research, pictures, and videos will do.  

Pione grapes are a large varietal that grows in short, thick, and dense bunches. Each grape averages 2 to 5 centimeters in diameter and has a uniform and plump, round to oval shape. The grape’s skin is thick, smooth, and taut, appearing in shades of dark purple-red. The surface is also covered in a powdery blue-grey bloom, a protective coating that prevents disease and moisture loss. This bloom is edible and can be easily removed by wiping the fruits. Underneath the surface, the flesh is pale, translucent green, aqueous, and firm with a jelly-like consistency. The flesh may also contain a few small seeds or be found seedless, depending on cultivation practices. Pione grapes are aromatic and have high sugar content, ranging from 16 to 18 Brix. The grapes also contain moderate acidity, contributing to the flesh’s sweet-tart, sugary flavor with subtle fruity and wine-like undertones. - Specialty Produce

The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land;

13The fig tree putteth forth her green figs, and the vines with the tender grape give a good smell. Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away. Song of Solomon 2

Pione Grapes

**

LIST: Best Airlines for Travel

Our overseas trip departure date looms ever closer. We are flying out on Lufthansa, then on United Airlines when we return.  Too bad neither airline made it on the list.
Don’t Book Another Vacation Until You See Which Airlines Are Winning All The Awards by A W M
What’s the best airline for your upcoming vacation? According to the Passenger Choice Awards, the most comfortable carriers to fly are Virgin America, which is now part of Alaska, and Aeroflot. If you’re looking for the best service on a flight, however, Southwest is the top pick for North and South America and Virgin Atlantic tops the list for Europe.

Virgin America also gets top marks in entertainment for North and South America, while Icelandair is the top choice for entertainment among European carriers.

For those who value Wi-Fi service, JetBlue is the tops for onboard Wi-Fi in the states, with Norwegian Air nabbing high honors in this area for European carriers.

If you’re into tasty meals onboard your flight, Alaska is your carrier of choice, with Virgin Atlantic being the pick across the pond.

For a lot of travelers, cost is a big factor, and the Global Passenger Choice Awards named Texas-headquartered Southwest and Brazilian-based Azul in the Americas, and Norwegian Air in Europe.

These winners were selected by the Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX) based on passenger feedback and data from the app TripIt. Nearly one million flights were rated by passengers across 428 airlines from around the world between October 24, 2016 and July 31, 2017, using a five point scale.

Passengers rated overall flight experience, as well as specific categories, such as cabin service, seat comfort, food and beverage, entertainment, and Wi-Fi.

APEX CEO Joe Leader said of the results: “Regional airlines around the world constantly strive to set new standards of in-flight excellence for their passengers; from regional content selections, to  elevated meals, faster Wi-Fi, or service with a personal touch.”

He added, “Airlines hold the feedback of their passengers in high regard, which is why they value receiving an honor like the APEX Passenger Choice Award, which represents the collective verified voice of their travelers.”

Here’s a look at how various airlines ranked in the categories for both North and South America and Europe.

GLOBAL PASSENGER CHOICE AWARDS FOR NORTH AND SOUTH AMERICA
Seat comfort: Virgin America
Cabin service: Southwest
Food and beverage: Alaska
Entertainment: Virgin America
Wi-Fi: JetBlue
Global for North America: Delta
Major regional for North America: Alaska
Low-cost carrier for North America: Southwest
Global for South America: LATAM
Major regional for South America: Avianca
Low-cost carrier for South America: Azul

GLOBAL PASSENGER CHOICE AWARDS FOR EUROPE

Seat comfort: Aeroflot Russian Airlines

Low-cost carrier for Europe: Norwegian Air

Cabin service: Virgin Atlantic

Food and beverage: Virgin Atlantic

Entertainment: Icelandair

Wi-Fi: Norwegian Air

Global for Europe: Aeroflot Russian Airlines

Major regional for Europe: Olympic Air

Low-cost carrier for Europe: Norwegian Air

Plenty of people weighed in with comments on the Daily Mail’s coverage of the awards, many sharing their own experiences with some of these carriers. Norwegian got a fair share of positive remarks, with one person explaining: “Norwegian is excellent. I did my first long haul with them earlier this year and the Dreamliner was great, especially the air quality. The first time I’ve ever felt fresh and ready to go at the end of a long flight. The staff were great and the price was amazing.”

--  American Web Media

Airlines That Win Awards

Norwegian Air Shuttle: cheap flights to Singapore

***

Samsung Galaxy Note7 Phones are No Longer Welcome on Flights

pc: FAA

October 14- WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), today announced it is issuing an emergency order to ban all Samsung Galaxy Note7 smartphone devices from air transportation in the United States. Individuals who own or possess a Samsung Galaxy Note7 device may not transport the device on their person, in carry-on baggage, or in checked baggage on flights to, from, or within the United States. This prohibition includes all Samsung Galaxy Note7 devices. The phones also cannot be shipped as air cargo.  The ban will be effective on Saturday, October 15, 2016, at noon ET.


Link ---> FAA News Update

Link ---> DOT Press Release

Here is a note of relief from a Wheaton College parent on their son's flight home:

FYI ... the FAA has banned all Samsung Galaxy NOTE s7 phones... !!!  Our boy almost did not make it home but his s7 is not a NOTE phone, so once that was determined, they let him on right before take off!!! Whew!!!! Praise God!