TheAirlineHub

10 Reasons to Fly to Kapalua Resort in 2009

Sun, 28 Dec 2008 15:11:25 -0700

No matter where you are, your weather probably isn't as lovely as that of the Kapalua Resort on the Hawaiian island of Maui.

Here are 10 fun reasons to get on the next plane to Honolulu (and then take a quick trip over to Maui) - or at least to plan a trip to Kapalua sometime in 2009:

1. Sea Turtles - As you can see from this Kapalua News article, green sea turtles swim with humans in Kapalua Bay.

2. Holes-inThrees - Well, it's not a hole-in-one, but this shot at the Plantation golf course makes it almost as good.

3. Giant Ziplines - These huge zip lines will show you up close just how pretty Kapalua is ... as it whizzes past.

4. Kayaking on the Maui Coast - Can you imagine a better way to burn a few calories?

5. Hiking - Over a hundred miles of trails.

6. Maui Gold Pineapple Tour - See where pineapples come from. Sample pineapples. Harvest a pineapple. Take it home.

7. Nice digs - Great places to stay.

8. Surfing championship events - Like this one.

9. Golf championship events - Like this one.

10. Beaches - Need we say more?

Here's wishing you a fun flight to Kapalua Resort in '09!

Find and Compare Airline Ticket Prices with LowFares.com

Tue, 13 May 2008 17:18:27 -0700

Basically every time I need to get airline tickets to travel, I follow the same ritual. I visit every major travel site—Expedia.com, Travelocity.com, Hotwire.com, etc—and do the same flight searches on all of them. I spend a lot of time going through all the sites, comparing their cheapest airline tickets, then finally choosing which tickets to buy on which site. This is somewhat time consuming, and I am glad to see that a site has come along to help facilitate the comparison of airline ticket sites: LowFares.com.

LowFares.com is a site that allows you to compare cheap airline tickets between the many travel sites available from just one site, in one fell swoop. It is free to use. You simply enter your desired time, dates, and locations of travel, then select up to 3 travel sites on which you want to search and compare flights, then click the button. LowFares automatically performs that search on those travel sites, opening separate browser windows for each site so that you can then negotiate on those sites. Basically, it does the same thing I’ve always done, but with only one click instead of many clicks. Definitely a time-saver.

Continental Airlines to Add LiveTV and In-Flight Web

Wed, 30 Jan 2008 12:01:30 -0700

Continental Airlines (CAL) will become the latest US airline to offer in-flight web access. The in-flight web access will be provided by LiveTV, a wholly owned subsidiary of JetBlue Airways. The web access is based on the successful testing of the system.

Continental will also begin offering in-flight entertainment. The Houston based carrier will offer up to 36 channels free to first class passengers and for a nominal $6 fee to those in economy.

The service will be offered to passengers on Continental’s new Boeing 737’s and Boeing 757-300’s joining the fleet in January.

Continental does not look to make money off this venture but to enhance customer services. This looks to be a good investment for Continental. They are committed to providing the best customer service they can all while keeping their airline viable. Continental would not invest in a service that they believed would not work. I just wonder how much JetBlue will be getting out of this investment by CO.

USAtoday

Third Qtr. Loss Unbearable for Frontier CEO

Mon, 28 Jan 2008 11:38:14 -0700

“This loss is even more unbearable when it follows one of the best quarters in our history,” said Frontier Airlines CEO Sean Menke. This comes after Frontier posted a substantial third quarter loss of $32.5 million.

The loss comes on higher fuel costs and the start up costs for Lynx, Frontier’s new regional service.

Frontier struggled last month as winter storms rocked their Denver hub and provided less than optimal scheduling operations. Some of Frontier’s other markets also dragged down the airline.

The airline continues to tweak their scheduling and operations. They are scaling back on their mainline and regional services from 18-20 percent to just 12-14 percent capacity growth rate. They have also eliminated some of their point-to-point operations outside their Denver hub that were under performing, most notably in Memphis and on routes to Mexico.

AirTran Airways Adds Another Destination Out of Milwaukee

Wed, 23 Jan 2008 15:59:35 -0700

Looks like AirTran Airways (AAI) is sticking it to Milwaukee based Midwest Airlines by adding service to New York LaGuardia. AirTran will offer 3 times daily non-stop service between Milwaukee and LaGuardia in direct competition with Midwest.

Currently AirTran is going up against Midwest Airlines to many destinations and New York looks to be the latest.

"Passenger demand for AirTran Airways' product has been strong in Milwaukee, and we are excited to offer our Milwaukee customers new nonstop service to New York City," said Kevin Healy, senior vice president of marketing and planning for AirTran Airways.

Introductory fares are just $74 each way and Business class starts at just over $200 one way.

AirTran currently offers nonstop service form Milwaukee to Atlanta, Baltimore-Washington, Ft. Myers, Las Vegas, Orlando, Phoenix and Tampa, and the airline is saying that more destinations are coming.

If you can’t acquire them, just compete with them on the same routes. I’d take free XM Radio over a fresh baked cookie any day.

AirTran Airways Press Release

American Airlines to Launch In-Flight Internet This Summer

Wed, 23 Jan 2008 15:34:24 -0700

Aircell LLC is partnering with both American Airlines (AMR) and Virgin America to bring in-flight broadband to passengers. American Airlines will introduce the in-flight service to their Boeing 767-200’s first this summer and then fleet wide in the future.

The service works on passengers' own wireless devices, like laptops and Apple iPhones. Customers will be able to access the internet, send email and even their company’s own Intranet.

For flights over 3 hours, mostly trans-con flights, the service will cost passengers $12.95. For flights less than 3 hours a charge of $10.00 will allow passengers to access the net.

American plans to generate little revenue off this new service but instead is focusing more on improving customer service.

Aircell LLC has an exclusive license from the Federal Communications Commission to provide wireless and broadband services to business and commercial aircraft in the continental U.S.; however, American will still need FCC approval for passenger use.

WSJ

United Posts 4th Quarter Loss-- Full Year Profit

Wed, 23 Jan 2008 15:06:37 -0700

Despite recording a 4^th quarter loss of $53 million, United Airlines (UAUA) posted a full year profit of $403 million. The Chicago based carrier paid down $2 billion in debt and recorded some of the industry’s best performance in revenue.

"We made significant financial strides in 2007, delivering among the best revenue...performance in the industry, paying down more than $2 billion in debt and continuing our focus on cost control," Executive VP and CFO Jake Brace said.

United faced a rough fourth quarter as fuel continued to rise and the massive snow storms that rock their two primary hub airports in Chicago and Denver.

United’s CEO Glenn Tilton continues to be an outspoken individual saying that industry consolidation is key, especially as oil prices continue to soar.

ATW online

Northwest Airlines Aims to Park Over a Quarter of Their DC-9's

Wed, 23 Jan 2008 14:11:37 -0700

Northwest Airlines (NWA) is expediting the grounding of their aging DC-9’s. The airline said that they would ground over a quarter of their DC-9 fleet by the end of this year. The Minnesota based airline sent a letter to pilots last week, informing them of its intent to cut its fleet of 103 DC-9s to 68 by the end of 2008.

The DC-9’s in NWA fleet average an age of 35 years which is dragging down the entire fleet’s age. Northwest is in talks with manufactures seeking out a replacement for the DC-9’s.

Even with the desire to park over a quarter of the DC-9’s, Northwest will continue to expand their labor pool by increasing the available number of pilots.

The parking of the DC-9’s come amid high fuel costs that are eating into the company’s bottom line. The DC-9’s are just old and need to be replaced. They are not economically viable for NWA.

Just a little fuel to add to the merger talk’s fire, NWA might be speeding up parking the DC-9’s in anticipation of combining with Delta.

BizJournals

Hillary Clinton Plays Flight Attendant

Sun, 20 Jan 2008 20:28:26 -0700

Hillary Clinton was having a little fun the other day fresh off her victory in New Hampshire. This was the first time that Clinton was able to use her new campaign plane which will carry herself, journalists and staff.

Clinton parodied the speech that flight attendants give .

"Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen and welcome aboard the maiden flight of Hil Force One,” Clinton continued. "FAA regulations prohibit the use of any cell phones, BlackBerrys, or wireless devices that may be used to transmit a negative story about me.”

"And in the event of an unexpected drop in poll numbers, this plane will be diverted to New Hampshire,” said H. Clinton.

ABC News

Will Silverjet Survive the Year?

Fri, 18 Jan 2008 20:15:52 -0700

Will Silverjet follow the way of MAXjet? The UK based airline is defending their strategy after a brokerage said it too was "doomed to fail." This comes on the heels of the collapse of MAXjet which filed for bankruptcy last month.

"We had a record sales week last week in the U.S. We've seen a massive increase in corporate enquiries by companies looking to cut costs," said Chief Executive Lawrence Hunt.

Seats on Silverjet run several hundred dollars cheaper than the largest rival, British Airways, on some routes.

Hunt said Silverjet would succeed where MAXjet had failed because it gave better service and had managed to put up prices when fuel costs rose. But with the launch of British Airways Open Skies, Silverjet may have to compete for customers.

But giant American Airlines is always lurking. The US giant was quoting prices significantly below that of MAXjet, which could have led to their demise. What would stop American or British Airways from defending their turf? Both of those airlines have very deep pockets and love business travelers, enough to undercut Silverjet, just like they did MAXjet.

Silverjet continues to stand behind their product and the stability of their airline, citing that the airline will bring two new aircraft into service in late May or early June and is looking at the U.S. west coast, Miami, India and South Africa as possible destinations.

The Guardian (UK)

British Airways 038 Crash Lands Just Short of Heathrow Runway

Fri, 18 Jan 2008 19:16:43 -0700

Initial reports are saying that the engines of British Airways flight 038 from Beijing to London, did not respond to a demand for an increase in thrust. The six year old Boeing 777 landed just short of the runway. All 136 passengers and 16 crew survived the incident without major injuries.

Captain Peter Burkill, Senior First Officer John Coward and Cabin Services Director Sharron Eaton-Mercer were all greeted with applause and praise today when they met with the news media. Capt. Burkill said that his crew displayed “the highest standards of skill and professionalism.”

The crew also praised the passengers for “their calmness and good sense during extremely unfamiliar circumstances.”

More Delays for Boeing's 787 Dreamliner

Fri, 18 Jan 2008 18:54:41 -0700

It looks as if the 6 month delay that The Boeing Company (BA) gave for their 787 Dreamliner was just a bit too short. The company announced that they would not be able to deliver their first aircraft to All Nippon Airways (ANA) until early 2009.

"If there is anything that we have learned over these past months, it is that we underestimated how long it would take to complete someone else's work," Pat Shanahan, Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner boss, said. Shanahan took over after Mike Bair, the plane’s first boss, was fired.

The Boeing Company has pushed back 109 deliveries of the 787 for 2009. A date is still unknown, the Chicago based company is still working on the details of the project and will have another revised date shortly.

Singapore Adds More Sydney Flights; Receives Second A380

Tue, 15 Jan 2008 22:28:05 -0700

The Sydney-Singapore route looks to be a winner for Singapore Airlines. The airline which took delivery of the first A380 just last year is already using the super-jumbo on the route and is expected to expand service even more.

Singapore will add a fourth daily trip between the two cities using a Boeing 777-300ER, bringing weekly total service to Sydney to 28 flights.

"We have been especially pleased with the increased demand for our Sydney services,'' said Huang Cheng Eng, SIA's executive vice president of marketing and regions.

Singapore took delivery of their second A380 this past week. The airline has chosen a design with up to 471 seats, including 12 suites each equipped with a full-length bed behind sliding doors and flat screen TVs.

Emirates, however, is one-upping Singapore by installing showers in their aircraft.

NEWS.com.au

Related Video: Airbus A380 Emergency Exit Test Video. Big fan of this video. All I can say is Schneller, Schneller, Schneller!

Angry Aerolineas Argentinas Passengers Go on Destructive Rampage

Tue, 15 Jan 2008 22:10:57 -0700

A flood of anger washed over Ezeiza International Airport in Buenos Aires as thousands of passengers were stranded when all international flights were cancelled.

A baggage handlers' strike and a walk-out by ticket counter workers angered passengers that began to throw objects at Aerolineas Argentinas’ employees. Passengers then stormed the offices of the national carrier and demanded that staff resolve the situation.

"There's no one from the company, no one is showing their face or telling us when we're going to fly. We're stranded with children and the elderly," said one passenger who was supposed to be on her way to Venezuela.

The delays are expected to continue for the national carrier of Argentina.

Let's just hope those passengers are not on any United flights during a snow storm in Chicago.

BBC

Southwest Airlines Adding 18 Departures from Denver

Fri, 11 Jan 2008 16:10:14 -0700

Southwest Airlines (LUV) is set to add 18 additional departures from Denver, making that their largest expansion in Denver since arriving in early 2006.

Los Angeles (LAX) will get 5 new flights, San Jose 3 new flights, St. Louis 3 new flights, Philadelphia will get 2 new flights, Raleigh and San Antonio will both get one new flight.

Southwest Airlines CEO Gary Kelly told a group of employees, “We did promise you lower fares and we did promise you more flights.”

When it starts the latest round of new service in May, Southwest will have 79 daily departures in Denver to 23 cities — a nearly six-fold increase from when it launched in January 2006.

The news that Southwest is expanding in Denver weighed heavy on Frontier Airlines (FRNT) which has seen recent struggles. The airline noted that their 3^rd quarter results miss targets and would post a wider than expected loss. Southwest will add flights to every city that Frontier flies too. Today Frontier posted a 15% loss in stock price.

Rocky Mountain News