Delta for iPad Released

If you travel on Delta Airlines, you should check out the new Fly Delta for iPad app. It’s a 266 MB download so you may require a Wi-Fi connection.

Delta describes the app as follows:

Now arriving: our first-ever Fly Delta app for iPad! Industry-leading features like destination guides and the amazing Glass Bottom Jet™ inspire you to explore the globe and experience a whole new view of the ground below. And, our new What’s Next feature takes the guesswork out of travel by making sure you know what to do and when to do it.

Be Inspired:
• Spin the globe to explore destinations and fare specials
• Browse destination guides featuring shopping, dining and recommendations from your social network
• View and plan upcoming trips with the interactive trip map

Book and Customize:
• Find, compare and book flights or rebooked canceled flights or missed connections
• View seat maps, select or change your seat, or step up to Economy Comfort™
• Never miss a beat with the What’s Next feature
• Purchase Trip Extras like in-flight Wi-Fi and Priority Boarding

Take Off:
• Explore the Glass Bottom Jet, which provides an amazing view of what you’re flying over through photos, landmark information and social content from your friends
• Find out what’s playing on board your flight and download Sky magazine and destination-related music and movies from iTunes

And of course, we covered the basics:

• Manage your profile, transactions and SkyMiles® account
• Check in for domestic and international flights up to 24 hours before departure and pay for checked bags – your eBoarding pass can be sent to your phone or email
• Get terminal and gate info and check the latest flight status
• Map flights en route with an interactive flight tracker

And remember, you can always manage your travel with the Fly Delta app and delta.com on board Delta flights via in-flight Wi-Fi for free. Visit delta.com/app for more information on versions for other mobile devices.

Smart Traveler App Released

The official United States State Department app (for iPhone) has been released. This app will be frequently updated with official country information, travel alerts, travel warnings, maps, U.S. embassy locations and more.

You select the country or area you are interested in from a list. Then, you can “know before you go” to get travel warnings on that specific country or region. You can even build an e-tinerary so that the State Department can better assist you.

You can learn more about the program from the official Department of State home page.

TSA, iPad and Travel – Oh My!

According to the TSA (Transportation Safety Administration), E-readers, Net Books and other small gadgets are becoming popular for travelers to carry on an airplane.  The TSA notes these devices are “fantastic time killers.”  But, the question remains, do these items (including your iPad) have to be removed from their carry on bags?

Credit TSA.gov

Well, according to Blogger Bob, a member of the TSA Blog Team, “Electronic items smaller than the standard sized laptop should not need to be removed from your bag or their cases. It’s that simple.”

You can read the entire TSA Blog post.  Of course, with anything involving the TSA, you should always check to see if the rules change immediately before travel.