May 2008 marks Condé Nast Traveler's 250th issue, and in celebration (and, less happily, in recognition of the dollar's feeble state), we asked four of our favorite tastemakers in four of our favorite American cities how they'd spend $250. Who says there's no such thing as a cheap thrill?

        

Emirates has accelerated the entry-into-service plan for the Airbus A380, with the airline planning to operate an inaugural flight from Dubai to New York Kennedy on 1 August, two months earlier than originally planned.

The airline will take delivery of its first of 58 Engine Alliance GP7200-powered A380s on firm order on 28 July.

It says that on 1 and 3 August it will operate the 489-seater between Dubai and Kennedy on a commercial basis as additional flights to the existing twice-a-day non-stop services operated by Boeing 777-300ERs.

It adds that subsequently the A380 will be deployed on one of the two existing daily flights.

Emirates had previously announced plans to launch A380 commercial services on 1 October on the Dubai-New York route, but has brought this forward following the finalising of the delivery schedule for the first aircraft with Airbus

        

Sikh passengers are allowed to carry Kirpan with them on board domestic flights. The total length of the ’Kirpan’ should not exceed 22.86 CMs (9 inches) and the length of the blade should not exceed 15.24 CMs. (6 inches). It is being reiterated that these instructions should be fully implemented by concerned security personnel so that religious sentiments of the Sikh passengers are not hurt. Full Story.

        

 

I always knew that when everyone else thought they were out when they shut down in May but the "AMAZING" all business-class-only airline, Silverjet is going to be back in the skies soon. Kingplace, an Irish off-the-shelf company backed by Geneva-based Heritage Cie, has inked a deal with Silverjet's administrators, Begbies Traynor. Silverjet plans to relaunch flights to New York and Dubai from London as soon as possible. The company plans to take on all of the existing staff, honor Silverjet's existing customers' tickets and put planes back in service in a few weeks. Thi is the best news of the month. As I am sure you cann tell I am a HUGE SILVERJET fan and this is what all airlines should be when it comes to great travel in a very First Class setting sold as Business Class but you only pay Coach Class Fares, now thats something Lawerence Hunt has to be admired by all of us and other mainstream airlines, CONGRATULATIONS SILVERJET, well done...