Air New Zealand created a stir this week when it announced plans for lie-flat seats in economy for long-haul flights, but FedEx has gone one step further in catering to the wants of preferred customers — custom-built transport containers for two pandas bound for Sichuan and Chengdu, China.
Taking the vacation “package” concept to new heights in its newest aircraft, the fuel-stingy Boeing 777F, FedEx will fly boy panda Tai Shan, 4, and girl panda Mei Lan, 3, nonstop from Washington’s Dulles Airport to Chengdu on a scheduled 14 1/2 hour flight Feb. 4-5, in two such personally crafted transport containers.
The fuel economy of the 777 will hasten the journey, FedEx says.
First, though, to get this potentially romantic getaway under way, FedEx will have to fly Mei Lan from Atlanta, where she resides at Zoo Atlanta, to Washington for the meet-up with Tai Shan, who has his digs at the Smithsonian’s National Zoological Park in D.C.
Mei Lan and Tai Shan, sources tell me, likely scored a steep discount on the flight, although it is unknown if they booked the trip through Travelocity or Expedia. That’s because this was a group booking — animal care experts from the Atlanta and Washington zoos will accompany the pair on the nonstop international leg of the trip.
With the chaperones, there will be fewer opportunities for any mile-high shenanigans.
Alas, hopefully Mei Lan and Tai Shan will have a chance onboard to exchange smartphone numbers because Mei Lan will take up residence in the Wolong Nature Reserve in Sichuan and Tai Shan will begin to cope with the jet lag at the China Conservation in Chengdu.
In true social-media style, FedEx will provides updates on the pandas’ preparations and flight here.
For friends of pandas — and who isn’t? — you can view a FedEx panda B roll here.
In other developments, so far there has been no word from TripIt, TripCase, Traxo or Kayak Trips as to whether Mei Lan or Tai Shan have agreed to share their itineraries with friends.
Perfect reading for a Friday afternoon. My Dad works for FedEx and has flown on a couple of these panda charters to/from China. He was on an MD-11 though. Cheers.
Who doesn’t love a Panda story. Any idea what kind of legroom those new Panda crates will have? Fed-X might be onto something…
Debbie: I’m certainly working on getting the specs, but they may be proprietary information. You — certainly — know how that goes:)
Joel: That is wild, pardon the pun. I’m sure your father has some cool stories about the Panda flights.
Hi Dennis, It looks like those Tai Shan and Mei Lan created some Traxo.com profiles just for the trip!
Tai: http://www.traxo.com/profile/view?id=70651f7957449f0cf60c2b00cf79552b
Mei: http://www.traxo.com/profile/view?id=15d6a3478c0d94b6c7ddcf3dfb81d2da
Andy C.
Mei Lan and Tai Shan just published their public TripIt itinerary, with all their flights, driving directions, zoos and photos
See http://www.tripit.com/trip/public/id/80D893054860
Peter
Looks like the old foes Traxo and TripIt trying to outdo each other as always!
Wonder which will launch PandaApp first?
Andy and Peter: You’ve outdone yourselves with the panda profiles. Had trouble finding a rental car near Chengdu, though:) But great job. Love it.