STATESIDE  AIRLINE DIRECTORY

For those of you who are in the United States or Canada, amd who need to contact or locate a particular airline, the below alphabetical list/directory of airlines and their telephone numbers may be of great assistance to you:

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Aer Arann  RE  1-321-275-0048

Aer Lingus  EI  1-800-474 7424

Aeroflot Russian Airlines SU 1212-944-2300

Aerogal   2K  1888-723-7642

Aeromexico  AM  1-800-237-6639

AeroSvit Airlines VV  1-212-661-1620

Afriqiyah Airways 8U  1- 877 -FLY- 0999

Air Astana  KC  1 888 855 1557

Air Berlin  AB  1866-266-5588

Air Botswana  BP  1-800-518-7781

Air Calin  SB  1-800-254-7251

Air Canada  AC  1-888-247-2262

Air China  CA  1-800-882-8122

Air Europa  UX  1-800-238-7672

Air France  AF  1-800-992-3932

Air India  AI  1-800-223-7776

Air Jamaica  JM  1-800-523-5585

Air Mauritius  MK  1-800-537-1182

Air Moldova  9U   1-800-204-7130

Air Namibia  SW  1-800-NAMIBIA

Air New Zealand  NZ  1-800-262-1234

Air North  4N  1-800-661-0407

Air Pacific  FJ  1-800-227-4446

Air Seychelles  HM  1 -877-359-7392

Air Tahiti  VT  1-877-824-4846

Air Tahiti Nui  TN  1-877-824-4846

Air Transat  TS  1-866-847-1112

Air Zimbabwe  UM  1-800-742-3006

AirTran Airways  FL  1-800-247-8726

Alitalia Airlines AZ  1-800-223-5730

All Nippon Airways(ANA) NH  1-800-235-9262

Allegiant Air  G4  1-702-505-8888

Asiana Airlines  OZ  1800-227-4262

ATA Airlines  TZ  1-800-225-9919

Avianca   Av  1-800-284-2622

Bahamasair  UP  1800-222-4262

Bearskin Airlines JV  1-800-465-2327

British Airways  BA  1-800-247-9297

British Midland Airways(BMI)BD  1 800 788 0555

Brussels Airlines SN  1 866 308 2230

Calm Air International MO  (204)778-6471

Canjet Airlines  C6  1-800-809-7777

Cape Air  9K  1-800-352-0714

Cathay Pacific  CX  1-800-233-2742

Cayman Airways  KX  1-800-422-9626

Central Mountain Air 9M  1-888-865-8585

China Airlines  CI  1-800-2275-118

China Eastern Airlines MU  1-888-359-5108

China Southern Airlines CZ  1-888-338-8988

Condor Flugdienst DE  1-866-960-7915

Continental Airlines CO  1-800-523-3273

Copa Airlines  CM  1-800-359-2672

Corsairfly  CS  1-888-222-4346

Cyprus Airways  CY  1-718-267-6882

Czech Airlines (CSA) OK  1-800-223-2365

Delta Air Lines  DL  1- 800-221-1212

Dragonair  KA  1-800-233-2742

Egyptair  MS  1800-334-6787

El Al Israel Airlines LY  1-800-223-6700

Era Aviation  7H  1-800-866-8394

Etihad Airways  EY  1-888- 8 ETIHAD

EVA Airways  BR  1-800-695-1188

Finnair   AY  1-800-950-5000

First Air  7F  1-800-267-1247

Frontier Airlines F9  1-800-432-1359

Frontier Alaska  2F  1-800-478-6779

Georgian Airways A9  1-800-786-1704

Great Lakes Airlines ZK  1-800-554-5111

Gulf Air  GF  1-888-359-4853

Hahn Air  HR  1-800 639 3590

Hainan Airlines  HU  1-888-688-8813

Harbour Air Ltd. H3  1.800.665.0212

Hawaiian Airlines HA  1-800-367-5320

Iberia   IB  1-800-772-4642

Iceland Express Airlines 5W  1 866 512 8364

Icelandair  FI  1-800-223-5500

Indian Airlines  IC  1-800-625-6424

Insel Air  7I  1800-386-4800

Japan Airlines  JL  1800-525-3663

Jat Airways  JU  1-212-689-1677/1877-835-9538

Jet Airways  9W  1-877-835-9538

JetBlue Airways  B6  1-800-538-2583

Jetstar   JQ  1866-397-8170

Kenya Airways  KQ  1-866-536-9224

Kingfisher Airlines IT  1-866-435-9532

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines KL  1-800-241-4141

Korean Air  KE  1-800-438-5000

Kuwait Airways  KU  1800-458-9248

Labrador  WJ  1-800-563-3042

LACSA (Lineas Aereas Costarricenses) LR 1-800-400-TACA

LAN Airlines  LA  1866-IFLYLAN

LAN Argentina  4M  1-866-IFL-YLAN

LAN Ecuador  XL  1-866-IFL-YLAN

LIAT (1974)  LI  1-866-549-5428

LOT Polish Airlines LO  1-212-789-0970

Lufthansa Airlines LH  1-800-645-3880

Malaysia Airlines MH  1-800-552-9264

Martinair Holland MP  1800-627-8462

Meridiana Airlines IG  1-866-387-6359

Mexicana Airlines MX  1-877-801-2010

Midwest Airlines YX  1-800-452-2022

Openskies  EC  1 866 581-3596

Pacific Coastal Airlines  8P  1-800-663-2872

Pacific Wings  LW  1-888-575-4546

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA)PK-1-800-578-6786

Philippine Airlines PR  1-800-435-9725

PLUNA   PU  1-407-278-7022

Qantas Airways  QF  1-800-227-4500

Qatar Airways  QR  1-877-777-2827

Royal Air Maroc  AT  1-800-344-6726

Santa Barbara Airlines S3  1866-213-2457

Saudi Arabian Airlines SV  1-800-472-8342

Scandinavian Airlines System (SAS)SK 1-800-221-2350

Singapore Airlines SQ  1-800-742-3333

South African Airways SA  1-800-722-9675

Spanair   JK  1-888-545-5757

Spirit Airlines  NK  1-800-772-7117

Srilankan Airlines UL  1-877-915-2652

Sun Country Airlines SY  1-800-359-6786

Sunwing Airlines WG  1-877-877-1755

Swiss International Airlines LX  1-877-359-7947

TACA International Airlines TA  1-800-400-TACA

TAM Linhas Aereas JJ  1 888 2FLYTAM

TAM Mercosur  PZ  1 888 2FLYTAM

TAP Portugal  TP  1-800-221-7370

Thai Airways  TG  1-800-426-5204

Tropic Air  PM  1-800-422-3435

Turkish Airlines (THY) TK  1-800-874-8875

Ukraine International Airlines PS 1800-876-0114

United Airlines  UA  1-800-538-2929

US Airways  US  1-800-428-4322

USA 3000 Airlines U5  1-877-872-3000

V Australia  VA  1-800-444-0260

Vietnam Airlines VN  1-415-677-8909

Virgin America  VX  1-877-359-8474

Virgin Atlantic  VS  1-800-821-5438

West Coast Air  8O  1-800-347-2222

Westjet   WS  1-888-937-8538

Windward Island Airways WM  1-866-466-0410

Xtra Airways  XP  1-208-336-6668

Additional Search Words:  American, Foreign, Airlines,  flights, tickets, telephones, schwedules, activities, promos, connecting, domestic, international, Philippines, United States, USA, connecting, baggage, shipping, routes, phones, updates, confirmations, frequent flyers, links, connections

ver: 03-13

Philippine National. Police

Philippine Department of Justice

Happy News

Banko Sentral ng Pilipinas (Exchange Rates)

WOW – Philippine Dept of Tourism

NEWS MEDIA

ABS-CBN NEWS

BOMBO RADYA PHILS.

GMA NEWS

Philippine Ombudsman

Philippine Post

Sun Star Online Newspaper

The Daily Tribune

The Filipino Express

Manila Bulletin Online

Manila Standard Today

Manila Times

Mindinao Times

Inquirer.net

PhilStar.net

Balita Pinoy – OFW Workers

PhilNews.com

Philippine News

Sunday Punch – Pangasinan News

After  my leg was amputated (Done in the Philippines, Christmas, 2003), I went crazy searching for information and locations that had activities and adventures for wheelchair bound people, to no avail. What I found was nothing but “handicapped accessible” sites (mostly restaurants, hotels, etc), but no real travel  experiences, action activities and adventures for those of us who do not wish to stay at home and watch television everyday with nothing but doctors appointments to interrupt the monotony… and this was compounded 100 times when I had open heart surgery! My own biggest personal concern was, if I have only one leg, will I swim in circles? (ha ha, really!) I actually bought and took a Sea-doo (R) personal underwater scooter in case I could not swim. But I never needed it! (I would also like to add that my prosthetic company even made me a leg with an adjustable ankle so I could use fins on the amputated leg, but I very rarely use it.)  I swim, snorkel and free-dive perfectly well with one leg and fin.

Despite the warnings of others, and their predictions that I would kill myself,  and others who said it was just “crazy talk” and that I would never return to the Philippines, six months after my amputation (and 3 months after a heart angioplasty)  I was back in the Philippines, snorkeling and free-diving in the ocean with the very same doctor who amputated my leg!  I found I could  snorkel/swim 4 km, if I take it easy. I was in heaven!! I tell you that my videos and underwater photography made believers of them all! And every time I take a client to the Philippines, (disabled or not) I see their faces light up, just as mine did that day.

What to do?

It was then that I decided to just keep on doing what I already did (and loved) and that meant part-time work with  the law firm, and to keep guiding and assisting others with their petitions and pen-pals, investigations, etc., as well as assisting with their challenges, questions and problems related to the Philippines.

But after more than 20 years of traveling back and forth to the Philippines, (plus having the Philippine Travelers Website for 15 years), I realized that I had so many friends, family and contacts there, that with their assistance, there was no reason I could not continue my travel adventures, (with a few adjustments of course).

But this time I had to admit that things “were” different, and that my abilities “had” changed, prompting minor adjustments (As Clint Eastwood so aptly said, “A man’s got to know his limitations”.  Hence, the purpose of this Blog.  Although the Philippine-travelers website is still one of the longest, most informative, educational and  concise web sites regarding the Philippines, filing of petitions, and numerous tools, resources and links, due to my own situation (amputation), I became even more aware of the need for research to assist the senior and/or disabled-handicapped travelers.

For over a decade I have fielded hundreds of questions by so-called*  disabled-handicapped* persons wishing to travel to the Philippines to meet someone.  However,  despite my assurances, their physical challenge, as well as discouragment by family and/or friends,  they hesitantly decided not to make the trip. (I have had calls and emails since, advising me that they wished they had followed their gut feeling, heart and dream and had actually gone to the Philippines). ( *Note: Even though I hate the words disabled and handicapped, but other than “physically challenged” what other words do we have? Therefore, it is necesary for the search engines.)

In many of those cases, the reason for staying was due to negative reports and internet misinformation. Primarily, they wished to know of  facilities that were suitable for them and their wheelchairs or walkers.  Hence, this blog was created.

Well, I personally heard it all too, and maybe my case is even worse than yours, since even my doctors advised me not to travel yet. (Always obey your doctors advise).   But I knew I just had to much to do and I was not going to continue laying in my hospital bed and withering away as to many do! Besides, it’s not the LENGTH of years contained in one’s life that counts, but rather, the QUALITY of life contained in those years!

Remember that a trip to the Philippines is not just a “trip”, it is also an action “ADVENTURE ACTIVITY”, especially if you are meeting someone special.   You will encounter various and new languages, customs, cultures, foods, music, dances and family attitudes. Every island and province is different!  There are 33 dialects, with Tagalog being the national language.  For the new traveler it is best to have a companion or guide who knows and understands the customs and cultures of the Philippines, as well as to help gather and prepare the documentation needed as attachments to an immigration petition for spouse or fiancee..

So, if you are seriously considering a trip to the Philippines, I strongly suggest that you: (1) Read our website carefully, then re-read it again;  (2) Examine your situation, abilities and disabilities;   (3) Weigh all options, and (4) Consult your physician.  If you decide a trip to the Philippines is right for you, (5) We are here to help!

As the famous author Napoleon Hill once wrote, in his best seller, “Think and Grow Rich”,  “What the mind can conceive, the man can achieve.”

Later this year we will take on retirement in the Philippines, as well as acquiring or buying property in the Philippines. Both which are very tricky subjects for non-Filipino citizens, and cost many American men their life’s savings!

Here I sit, in the Philippines writing pages to  this blog, with a beautiful Filipina at my side, enjoying the Christmas and New Year holidays!  All I can say is…

WISH YOU WERE HERE!!

 GOD BESS AND MABUHAY!

TO THOSE WHO HAVE ALREADY BEEN TO THE PHILIPPINES:

If you have been to the Philippines, and know of certain hotels, resorts, restaurants, adventures, etc., who are disabled-friendly, please inform us here! This can be anything from a simple wheelchair ramp, an elevator, a club or restaurant or other venue that has a flat floor all the way through, including but not limited to, the restrooms (In Philippines called “C.R.”, short for comfort room.). Even the chairs in an establishment matter. Have you ever seen an amputee try to sit on an elevated spinning bar stool?  It would make a great comedy routine, if it wasn’t so difficult. (And most clubs in Angeles City have these bar stools/chairs). It would challenge even a Gold medal winner from the Special Olympics!

More to be added soon………

Be sure to read our complete informative and educational website at: http://www.philippine-travelers.com/page_3.php .

We are currently updating the website, and shall complete that task when we return from our current trip to the Philippines (Pinas).

oooooooo – 0 – oooooo

Be sure to check out our Official Website at:

http://www.philippine-travelers.com/page_3.php

FEEDBACK: As always, your comments, questions and/or suggestions are invited and greatly appreciated! Also, Should you have a “Philippine Based or Related” story you would like covered, please feel free to contact us! (Priority will be given to disability-related stories and comments, but all are welcome.).  Questions and comments regarding guide and/or Immigration petition assistance are also welcome. We are also interested in great Pilipino foods! If you have a favorite Carenderia or restaurant you think makes the greatest dish, or, why do you believe your favorite hotel or resort in the Philippines is worth sharing? Let us know about it and what makes it excel.

We are also always searching for host families in the Philippines, for our reporters/verifiers to stay (usually just 2 or 3 days) , this allows us to save money, help host families, and be neutral in reporting since it saves us from having any fiduciary interest or link to the location/s we are reporting.. Dont worry about the size of your house, or even if it is finished, we are adaptable. Even Bahay Kubo or Dampa, we have seen and experienced it all! (Any and all Host family contacts or identification is strictly confidential.)

3-15-2012

This Blog is focused primarily on and for Senior and Handicapped-Disabled persons,and their experiences and hardships while traveling in the Philippines. Also: guide services, wheelchair-disabled persons access to hotels, resorts, restaurants, transportation, filipina caregivers, entertainment and retirement within and to the Philippines/Asia. Also including any and all customs, culture, immigration and legal matters. WE HAVE OVER TWENTY (20) YEARS EXPERIENCE TRAVELING AND ASSISTING OTHERS TRAVELING TO THE PHILIPPINES, BOTH FOR TRAVEL AND IMMIGRATION PETITION ASSISTANCE!

If you know of a great location, hotel, resort or resturaunt that is happy to have and serve Handicapped-Disabled or Senior (Elder) Americans with respect and friendly service and disposition, please be sure to tell us all. Be sure to tell us all WHY you believe they deserve your praise and our business! (Likewise, explain the why and how of any bad experiences you may report.)

Also be assured that we are always ready to accompany anyone who wishes guide-consultant who is familiar with the Philippines, including those who are disabled and need assistance!

Remember that every couple months we travel there and will verify your input. If we agree, we will mark your comment as VERIFIED. If not, we will so state and delete the comment.

Also, even though the Philippines is a great place to retire, there are very specific procedures, forms, laws and rules you must abide before doing so.  And due to many SCAMS perpetrated on foreigners, it is VERY important that you know how and where to investigate investments and property BEFORE you shell out your hard earned and saved cash! Especially if you are buying for yourself and your new wife-spouse-asawa!

For more information, or if you have questions, please feel free to email us at: philippine_travelers@yahoo.com, and  be sure to check out the main website at: http://www.philippine-travelers.com/page_3.php .

Oh well, the Blog is now up and running. I hope to provide a place where travelers can either praise or complain about their adventures, activities and experiences while traveling inor to the Philippines or Asia. Especially for those who are disabled/handicapped and/or older senior adventurers who have had either great, pleasant or horrible experiences experiences while traveling in the Philippine Islands/Asia.

Also, if you are considering your first trip to the Philippines, and need assistance, or even a guide or assistance in preparing your petition, feel free to contact us.

Say whatever you will, but be FAIR in your reporting. Be sure to tell us WHY or HOW a certain place was Great, or Lousy!  We don’t want to hear only about the facilities and wheelchair access, elevators, wheelchair ramp access, but also HOW you were treated by the staff at places you traveled to, ate at, stayed at, etc.. (We especially appreciate it when your comments are supported by photos and/or video clips). If you post your videos on Youtube, please send us a link and we will post it here with your comments.

Many times when traveling in PINAS (Philippines)/Asia, I have found a particular FACILITY failing, but the STAFF actually made my stay a pleasant experience! Well, lets give credit to those persons too!

In closing, remember that we do make many trips to Philippines, and whenever possible, we will go out of our way to verify your comments.

In fact, during the month of December, we are usually in the Philippines researching various hotels, resorts, restaurants, tourist destinations, etc. Be sure to catch the December-January reports and videos.

I will also tell you that there is no better place to be during the Holiday season (Christmas, Pasko in Tagalog), than the Philippines! The people in the Philippines are so friendly, happy and industrious! I especially love the Christmas Carolers. My own favorite Christmas song is “Pasko Na Sinta Ko”, made famous by Gary V.

That is why, almost every year at Holiday time, we are guiding and assisting client or readers who wishes us/me to accompany them.  In addition to serving as their guide, the service most requested is to help them gather sufficient documents, photos and evidence for the petition for their loved one/s.  Should YOU need such assistance, feel free to email me. If you would like a call back, just leave your number.  To assure you get priority and to avoid the spam file, place the words “TRAVEL and/or PETITION ASSISTANCE” in the subject line and at top of email. I have been to almost all islands and have many friends  and/or family throughout the Philippine Islands. Most times we stay at one of my friend’s houses, which saves a lot of money instead of paying hotels everywhere.

Or, perhaps you  just wish to read our scams and travel tips and warnings section. If so, just click here.

ATTENTION: For those of you who came here expecting to see the Philippine Traveler website that has been on the net for 15 years, I am just as shocked as you are!!  I am no computer genius, and I was attempting to create a BLOG that was SEPARATE from the informative website I have had for  15 years! (On our current server for 12 yrs). Much to my surprise, when I came back to check the website, WALA!!! OMG, My web-page was completely gone, and this little Blog was in its place!   So this Blog will always appear first, and to check out the website, just go to http://www.philippine-travelers.com/page_3.php.

For more information, or if you have questions, please feel free to email us at: philippine_travelers@yahoo.com, and  be sure to check out the main website at: http://www.philippine-travelers.com/page_3.php .  Also, be sure to check our blog profile. After all, it’s free and here to read! ha ha

* * End * *

Webmasters: For reciprocal links, write to: philippine_travelers@yahoo.com. Be advised we will not place any links until we verify ours is already in place, and you provide the page on which we can verify our link.