This morning Gadling is on the ground at King County International Airport (Boeing Field) as Boeing officially delivers Air New Zealand's newest pride & joy, the completely redesigned 777-300ER.

Air New Zealand has been hard at work for nearly 4 years in an effort to reinvent their long-haul experience. Working with multiple design firms and a series of focus groups, the airline developed two entirely new styles of seats for their Economy and Premium Economy classes, and brand-new features never before seen on a 777.

Economy class on the new craft features a design dubbed as the 'Skycouch' (also known as Cuddle Class), with footrests that transform three-across seats into a lie-flat area for couples or families traveling with children.

The new Premium Economy features two types of hard shell designs; inboard seats geared towards couples and those looking to socialize, and outboard seats for individual passengers who prefer to have privacy. All seats on the plane have standard power outlets, USB ports, and an iPod connector to display your personal media on the seat back's touchscreen.

Gallery: Air New Zealand's new 777

The airplane's galleys are equipped with induction ovens; which will hopefully change the age-old notion of "airplane food" by cooking up steak, burgers, pizza, and proper Kiwi breakfasts on-demand via Panasonic's custom In Flight Entertainment system.

Air New Zealand has also created in-flight experiences such as a children's story-time in the rear galley, and a social galley in the front of the plane that will host wine tasting sessions with an Inflight Concierge.

In a time when most carriers are cutting corners and looking for ways to nickel and dime the passenger, it's incredibly refreshing to see forward-thinking features in every class of the cabin. And it's already paying off for Air New Zealand; more than 30 airlines have expressed interest in licensing the new seat designs after an 18 month period of exclusivity for Air New Zealand.

Check back for updates and full impressions as Gadling joins the inaugural flight of ZK-OKM to LAX and on to Auckland!

With airport security on the rise around the world, it isn't surprising to see long, fairly exhaustive lists of what you can't take on the plane. Who among us doesn't know someone who's lost a lighter or bottle of shampoo at the security line because of these restrictions? It just seems endless.

Well, it gets crazier than what you're seeing here in the United States. A reader just sent me this photo today, taken at the Bogota, Colombia airport's security checkpoint. Apparently, it's important to itemize the types of weapon you are not permitted to bring on board.

Is this level of detail really necessary? I mean, who the hell would think axes, tear gas or a "Ninja Star" is acceptable for in-flight entertainment. Seriously, an effing sword?! This is nuts.

So, if you're passing through Bogota, make sure you do not have a "Hand grenade or any grenade," likely referring to the sort you'd affix to an RPG for an M203 grenade launcher. Those things can be expensive, and it would suck to have to surrender it at security.

[Thanks, PK]

Got a bit of Irish in you? Visitors to The Lodge at Doonbeg in County Clare, Ireland can now trace their roots through an innovative program that partners guests with Dolores Murrihy and Paddy Waldron, the hotel's geneaology experts.

Not sure about the exact nature of your ancestry? Begin with an assessment (€40), where the genealogists make an outline research plan and an indication of the prospects of successfully tracing the family further back in time. The outline research plan may recommend further research in your own country before any research can be carried out in Ireland. Want a more in-depth approach? Try the consulting service (€100), an hour-long meeting over tea or coffee where Murrihy and Waldron design personalized research program guiding you to the sources where you are most likely to find results. If it's found that there's a strong possiblity of tracing your family further, the geneaologists can compile a research report (minimum €200) or lead a tour if an exact location can be determined. The trip might take in homesteads, cemeteries, schools, churches and other relevant locations.

Want more? Get your daily dose of pampering right here.

The BBC recently interviewed a cartographer for the Ordnance Survey. This government department is in charge of mapping the United Kingdom, except for Northern Ireland, which has its own agency.

If you like maps or plan to hike in the UK, the Ordnance Survey maps are simply amazing. They've been measuring and drawing this green and pleasant land since the eighteenth century and produce the best maps I've ever used. In the interview, cartographer Dave Wareham explains how he uses GPS satellites and OS ground stations to get his measurements to within "a maximum tolerance of 2.6cm." That's one inch to you Yanks.

The smallest scale maps are truly amazing, with every fence, building, postbox, and public telephone carefully marked. If you know how to read a map and use a compass, it's virtually impossible to get lost with one of these in your hand. Unfortunately, a poll back in 2007 discovered that the majority of Brits can't read maps. If the UK government wasn't ruthlessly slashing education spending they could add a map-reading course.

It's nice to see a government project that works well. In the days of GPS and Google Maps, the Ordnance Survey still sells three million copies maps each year. They even turn a profit. My only quibble with the OS maps is that they're updated only once every three or four years, which isn't enough in some parts of the country, as I discovered while hiking the East Highland Way.

Still, they're the best maps you're going to find. If you're having trouble shopping for that outdoorsy type in your life, grab some of these to inspire their next hike.

When you go to a buffet, you know what to expect: take as much as you want. You pay once, and then you can consume all that you like. It's the nature of the environment. This stands in stark contrast to other restaurants, where you pay for an entrée and get nothing more. If you want an appetizer, you have to shell out a few extra bucks – likewise dessert. As a society, we have learned to live with this, even to expect it.

Yet, this changes as soon as we start boarding planes. We want more than we're paying for, even if it comes at the expense of someone else.

I was cruising through the travel news this morning and saw a Q&A story on ABC News about fights over the armrest. One passenger wants it up, and the other wants to put it down. A fight ensues, unless one of the passengers is reseated.

The question was simple: is it unreasonable to insist that the armrest go down when the passenger next to you is spilling over into your seat? Remember: airline seating isn't a buffet.

Planning to dash off to a warm spot this winter for a few rounds of golf? Well, if your ball is shooting toward the head of another duffer, you can comfortably keep your mouth shut. No joke: a judge has even weighed in on this.

According to the New York Court Appeals, Business Insider writes, "being hit without warning by a 'shanked' shot while one searches for one's own ball reflects a commonly appreciated risk of golf." Who knew golf was so risky?

So, take note: the next time you step onto a golf course, you're taking your life into your own hands. Maybe it's time to don a helmet for 18 holes?

[photo by chispita_666 via Flickr]

It seems every large coastal city wants to be a cruise port, either as a place to visit or to be a home port where a ship operates from, and for good reason. Cruise ships can bring a lot of tourists and their dollars when they visit. At a time when local economies are recovering at best there is a lot of interest but not a lot of realistic expectations.

"The reality is they have as much chance to get a cruise ship to visit as they do in luring the Lakers from Los Angeles" says cruise industry expert Stewart Chiron CEO, CruiseGuy.com speaking of a feasibility study done by Brownsville, Texas. "These results are based on the cow jumping over the moon, planets aligning and may also require peace on earth!" he added.

Savanna, Georgia also did a study that returned "better than expected" results with big numbers like up to 350,000 visitors by 2020 and a potential industry of $100 million a year reports the Savannah Morning News.

Not so fast says Chiron, cautioning leaders to be realistic. "I think Savannah is a wonderful city and know it would make a wonderful option, but there needs to be more than desire and their reasoning is way off."

Cruise lines move cautiously when choosing ports, opting for those that can serve the most potential passengers and produce the best financial results. While the allure of a cruise port may be the stuff tourism dreams are made of, Chiron concludes the big question is "Where will the cruise lines be able to reap the highest yields?" adding "This ultimately may delay Savannah's heartfelt desires."

Flickr photo by taberandrew

'Tis the season, right? Regardless of beliefs, we're all secretly wishing for something, even if we're not hoping for a big fat guy to slide down a slim chimney to deliver it. And, I don't think I'm unusual in having my own list of wishes. I'm not so naïve as to think the airline industry will turn my Christmas list into its New Year's resolutions, but I can always dare to dream!

So, here it is – air travel industry, take note. I want five things I want for Christmas.

1. Name change: stop calling me a passenger, and start calling me a customer. I know, I know ... I've asked for this before. Pay attention: I'm still asking for it. Without me – and a lot of people like me – you wouldn't have had such a fantastically profitable year in 2010. Don't get me wrong: I'm not begrudging you the profits. In fact, I want you to be profitable (I am a capitalist after all). Just show me that you realize I'm the guy spending, and extend this courtesy to everyone else who does.

2. Be realistic: I know there are some things you can't control, such as weather and the TSA. But, there are plenty of ways you can improve. Take a long, hard look at your operations, and make some tough decisions. It's not easy to admit your shortcomings, but in the end, doing so will benefit everybody (even you).

As a New Englander, it's hard to imagine Christmas without snow and bitter cold. Almost. There's something to be said for a "white Christmas", but there's also something to be said for Mai Tai's on the beach in Hawaii. There's nothing like pine trees draped in snow; then again, there's something great about a Christmas tree standing between two palm trees and tiki torches.

When I first told people I was going to Hawaii for Christmas I was flooded with concerned responses.

"Alone?"
"By yourself?"
"Are you suuuuure?"

My response to each question was a resounding "Yes." I was going to Hawaii - L'anai to be exact - for 10 days, part of which would spend on hotel reviews and the other half would be a much-needed vacation. It was an end of the year gift to myself on a Hawaiian island so small, most people don't even know it exists.

I arrived on L'anai via ferry from Maui and was immediately escorted by hotel shuttle to the Four Seasons L'anai, Manele Bay. There are three hotels on the island: two Four Seasons hotels, and one 10-room inn, Hotel L'anai. Within seconds I realized why everyone was so intrigued by my solo travel plans to Hawaii: there is no "party of one" here. Amid the honeymooners and families - and one huge corporate event - there was me. I suddenly became determined to rid everyone of the stigma associated with traveling alone. I'm not depressed, dumped or recently divorced - I just want a vacation.

So, how does a solo traveler enjoy the holidays alone on one of the most secluded and romantic islands in the states? Easy.

According to a report from the Department of Homeland Security, al Qaeda terrorists have targeted buffets at various U.S. hotels and restaurants as their latest terrorist threat. USA Today reports the threat is "credible" and hotels have been briefed and are on alert.

According to USA Today:

While the report says that hotel industry security officials have been briefed about the potential threat, Joe McInerney, who runs the industry's chief association in Washington D.C. - said that federal officials say that "there is nothing specific" in terms of a potential threat against hotels so the industry isn't immediately worried although it is taking action.

Here's what CBS reported:

The plot, uncovered earlier this year, is said to involve the use of two poisons - ricin and cyanide - slipped into salad bars and buffets. Of particular concern: The plotters are believed to be tied to the same terror group that attempted to blow up cargo planes over the east coast in October, al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula. In online propaganda, al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula has praised the cargo attack, part of what it called "Operation Hemorrhage."

The food poisoning threats are credible, and the Dept. of Homeland Security says public health officials are on alert. There hasn't been any indication as to what hotels are being targeted or which ones have been briefed.

We want to know: Will you still eat at a hotel buffet this holiday season?