AirGuide Airline and Travel News

AirTran Airways Accepts Prestigious Air Transport World Award in Singapore

2010-02-03T11:36:00.000-05:00

On the eve of the 2010 Singapore Airshow, America's low-cost leader, AirTran Airways, received the coveted Market Leadership Award from the editors of Air Transport World (ATW) at the publication's 36th annual awards ceremony. The award, the first to be presented during the international gala at the Swissotel The Stamford, was given to AirTran Airways for its ground-breaking deployment of Wi-Fi Internet access on every flight as well as its innovative blending of the traditional low-cost carrier model with features not typical of low-cost carriers, including an affordable Business Class, complimentary XM Satellite Radio and a wide array of on-board beverages on every flight.
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ISSN 1544-3760 - Copyright © 2009 AirGuide / Pyramid Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved.

Cheapflights.com Sweetens Valentine's Day With a Guide to Top Chocolate Destinations

2010-02-02T11:35:00.000-05:00

Cheapflights.com is indulging chocolate lovers this Valentine's Day by combining a love for sugar with a love for travel into a list of destinations that melt every heart's desire. Cheapflights followed its sweet tooth to highlight the best chocolate destinations. Our sister site, Cheapflights UK, details the top five international locales, while we at Cheapflights.com took a look at destinations a little closer to home. We'll let you decide whether to head to the big city, the rainforest or the mountains for your chocolate indulgence.
The top five Valentine's Day chocolate destinations chosen by Cheapflights UK are:
1) Belgium
2) Guatemala
3) Lebanon
4) New Zealand
5) Ghana
The top five chocolate destinations chosen by Cheapflights US for this Valentine's Day are:
1) Hershey, PA
2) San Francisco, CA
3) Asheville, NC
4) Las Vegas, NV
5) Grenada, West Indies
Hershey, Pennsylvania, often called the sweetest place on earth, has declared that February is "Chocolate-Covered" with a month long celebration of all things chocolate. Come to Hershey in February to realize the many creative ways to appreciate chocolate and take advantage of specials ranging from chocolate spa discounts, hotel specials for families and romance packages for couples. Flights to Hershey start at $179 from the east coast. San Francisco, California is well known as the home of Ghirardelli Chocolate. Ghirardelli Square is more than just delicious chocolate -- dine at some of the finest restaurants in San Francisco and stop at the original Ghirardelli store for a hot fudge sundae. While you are there you can view authentic chocolate making equipment that has manufactured Ghirardelli for more than 150 years. Flights to San Francisco departing from New York start at $194. Asheville, North Carolina may not be the first place that comes to mind when you think of a great chocolate destination. That probably means you haven't heard of "The Chocolate Fetish," home of America's best truffles. The store is independently and locally owned by Sue and Bill Foley who use only the finest ingredients for its chocolate making with no preservatives. Voted best chocolate in West North Carolina for 12 years, Chocolate Fetish is definitely worth a visit. Flights to North Carolina start at $199 from Chicago. Las Vegas, Nevada has a little something for all types of indulgences, including chocolate. Visit M&M world located next to MGM Hotel and Casino. Here you will find 28,000 square feet dedicated to America's favorite chocolate candies -- M&M's. Pick up custom M&M's and view the free 3-D movie, "I lost my M in Vegas." This is one stop on the Strip where you can't lose. Flights from the west coast to Las Vegas start at $124. Grenada, West Indies is home to award winning organic dark chocolate. The Grenada Chocolate Company farms its cocoa 100 percent organically on more than 150 acres of land and has total control of the cocoa it produces. The factory is located less than one mile from the cocoa farms and uses solar power as the energy source. In 2008 Greneda Chocolate Company was awarded the silver medal from the Academy of Chocolate for the Best Organic Chocolate Bar. Flights to Grenada departing from Miami start at $647.
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American Airlines Enhances Inflight Service Between U.S. and Tokyo

2010-02-01T11:38:00.000-05:00

Beginning today, American Airlines First and Business Class customers traveling to and from Tokyo can savor a new, enhanced menu that artfully blends the deep traditions of Japanese cuisine with the flavors of Western fare.
Sam Choy, celebrity consulting chef for American, has created new Asian-fusion entrees to augment the American Airlines premium cabin inflight experience.
"We are excited to have the opportunity to utilize Chef Choy's award-winning culinary expertise for our Japanese menu," said Lauri Curtis, American's Vice President â Onboard Service. "Our refreshed menu, the traditional Japanese amenities offered inflight, and American's premium class seats combine to provide our customers with a premier travel experience."
New, signature dishes from Chef Choy featured on American's premium class menus will include:
Edamame Hummus with Pita Chips â roasted garlic edamame hummus with pita chips
Gingered Scallops with Lobster Sauce â ginger-marinated scallops with lobster sauce served over penne pasta with sauteed carrots, red peppers, and zucchini
Grilled Beef Filet with Mushroom Medley â grilled filet of beef accented by a mushroom truffleyaki sauce served with mushroom bread pudding, sauteed broccoli, carrots, and red peppers
Hibachi Miso Chicken â hibachi miso-marinated chicken breast served with brown fried rice with bacon, sauteed broccoli and carrots
Pulehu Filet with Shiitake Mushroom Cream Sauce â grilled filet of beef paired with a shiitake mushroom cream sauce served with spinach and corn mashed potatoes and sauteed seasonal vegetables
Tahitian Crabmeat Soup â a hearty, creamy soup with coconut milk, spinach and crabmeat
Teriyaki Filet with Braised Pineapple â grilled filet of beef complemented by a braised-pineapple teriyaki sauce served with Japanese rice and grilled asparagus
Wok BBQ Shrimp â barbeque shrimp accented by spicy, papaya-pineapple chutney, paired with fried brown rice with bacon, shimeji mushrooms and mixed-vegetable ratatouille
Wasabi-Crusted Salmon â wasabi-crusted salmon topped with a sweet papaya-pineapple marmalade, paired with Dauphinoise potatoes and seasonal, sauteed vegetables
American offers its First and Business Class customers traveling to and from Tokyo traditional Japanese meals inflight upon request. To ensure that a Japanese meal is available, customers must pre-order this selection at least 24 hours prior to their flight. For more information on American's Japanese meals, please visit www.aa.com/specialmeals. In addition to Chef Choy's new menu options, American offers familiar Japanese elements on flights to and from Tokyo. Sake, traditional Japanese slippers and Japanese newspapers Asahi Shimbun and Nikkei, as well as Asian editions of the Wall Street Journal and USA Today are available for customers to enjoy inflight. For Tokyo flights, American operates Boeing 777 aircraft, which boasts one of the most comfortable and popular First Class seats in the industry, the Flagship Suite. Each Flagship Suite transforms into a fully flat six-foot, six-inch bed with drop-down armrests that allow for easier access and more sleeping space. Each suite also features privacy dividers, power ports, leather headrests, two large tray tables, a swivel seat and a host of other comforts. American Airlines, a founding member of the oneworld Alliance, offers regularly scheduled service between Tokyo Narita (NRT) and Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW), Chicago O'Hare (ORD), Los Angeles (LAX), and New York's John F. Kennedy (JFK). To book travel, please visit www.aa.com.
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ISSN 1544-3760 - Copyright © 2009 AirGuide / Pyramid Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved.

Spring break flights filling up

2010-02-01T11:37:00.000-05:00

Spring break travelers should book their flights now - and be prepared to pay for services that used to be free. For the first time in about a decade, almost every school in Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky has scheduled the same week - March 29 through April 2 - for the annual vacation. That means that seats on airlines headed to Florida, the Caribbean and Mexico are at a premium. "Now all the requests are coming in for the same week, and with all the cuts we've had at CVG, it's making it hard to find a seat," says Vicky Mary, owner of Victoria Travel agency in Hyde Park. "Flights are definitely filling up." One of Mary's clients opted to find another destination for his family after fares to Cancun and Playa Del Carmen, Mexico, shot up 20 percent between December and January. Currently, a non-stop Delta Air Lines flight to Cancun from the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, leaving March 27 and returning April 3, is $1,140 round-trip. Low-cost carrier USA 3000 is selling scheduled charter seats from CVG for $905 per round-trip. "The cost wasn't the overriding factor, but it was much more than we usually spend," says Tom Gelwicks, a lawyer from Blue Ash who has taken his wife and two high-schoolers on a spring break trip for 13 years in a row. "We even thought about staying home or just driving somewhere." In the end, the Gelwicks decided to travel to Ixtapa on the western coast of Mexico. Officials with Delta, which controls more than 80 percent of flights at CVG, wouldn't comment directly on advance sales for spring break. But in the Atlanta-based company's earnings conference call last week, Delta president Ed Bastian said that bookings for "key leisure periods" had seen increases over last year, even while most of the company's optimism is coming from an uptick in corporate bookings. In addition, Delta is adding another flight to one popular vacation destination in March. The flight to Cancun, which currently operates three times a week, will soon feature four flights a week - on Tuesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Once travelers get to the airport, they may find unexpected, and new, fees. Delta raised fees earlier this month to $25 for the first checked bag and $36 for a second checked bag, up from $15 and $25. Many other airlines have followed suit. But Delta has made it possible for passengers to pre-pay the fees online before arriving at the airport, at a $2 discount for each checked bag. Travelers flying first-class or business-class or who are members of Delta's SkyMiles Medallion frequent-flyer program don't have to pay any bag fees. Everyone else must pay them at the luggage counter; the fees cannot be paid to sky caps. "People who don't travel frequently certainly are flummoxed by the entire situation," Mary says. "That causes emotional distress and even causes people to get angry they booked the ticket." Delta officials add that travelers can use their smart phones to check in through a program recently installed at CVG. The program allows people to download the bar code from their boarding pass onto their phone, which is then scanned instead of a paper ticket.
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Interest in International Travel Flying High So Far This Year, According to Cheapflights

2010-01-22T12:21:00.005-05:00

Despite heightened security concerns and policies, interest in international travel is on the rise, according to Cheapflights.com, which is seeing an increase in searches for international airline tickets. Cheapflights data for the first three weeks of January shows a 25% increase in search for international destinations versus the same three weeks last year. Top search destinations include Cancun, Mexico; London, UK; Manila, Philippines; San Juan, Costa Rica and Frankfurt, Germany. Likewise, the volume of Cheapflights users searching for international flights from January 1-20, 2010, is up 28% compared to searches from December 1-20, 2009, only weeks preceding the recent security changes. "While airports have implemented more restrictions in the last month, it hasn't deterred consumers from pursuing their travel plans," said Melanie Nayer, consumer travel expert at Cheapflights.com. "With the right preparation and research, now is a great time for international travel. Airlines are working hard to win your business, which means, with a little homework, you can get where you want to go on your terms, and budget." To help international travelers stay on schedule and get the best deal while flying, Cheapflights.com has compiled some essential tips for booking flights. Highlights include:

Get Informed

Are you aware of how the new security directives affect international travelers? If not, your first stop should be the TSA Guidance for Passengers on Heightened Security Measures. The new rules require travelers flying to the U.S. via countries on the Department of State's watch list to pass through enhanced screening. Other passengers may be randomly screened for U.S.-bound international flights.

Shop Around

To secure a great deal on international travel, be sure to plan ahead and explore your options. Private and unpublished fares are more common on international routes as airlines may give the cheapest deals to select partners and smaller agencies. Take advantage of our deals database and search for your cheap international flights at http://www.cheapflights.com/book-flights-online/.

Check Insurance

The travel industry is changing on a daily basis, so it's always a good idea to insure your trip in case of last-minute cancellations or other issues. In fact, you might already have some trip insurance coverage you might not know about -- check with your credit card company or auto club to see what type of insurance you qualify for before you travel. Some travel plans include overseas medical insurance, while others cover personal property and transportation expense. In addition, some airlines offer medical travel insurance for one-time trips. Consult your airline for more information. Check with your providers before takeoff in case your trip hits unexpected turbulence.

Fly Off-Peak

Worried about security lines at your local airport? An easy solution is to travel at off-peak times to avoid the long waits. Off-peak times are usually midday on weekdays for international flights. Besides landing a shorter delay at the airport, you will probably secure a better price on your flight, and more options for a better seat, as well. Be sure to check security line wait times in advance by visiting the Web site of your local airport.

Stay Updated

The TSA and other agencies make it a priority to keep international travelers informed of security changes, and provide tips on navigating airports easily. Visit http://www.tsa.gov/blog before flying to make sure you're up to date on recent travel news and how it affects you.
To stay informed on the latest travel news and updates, visit the Cheapflights.com blog at http://news.cheapflights.com/.
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ISSN 1544-3760 - Copyright © 2009 AirGuide / Pyramid Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved.

New York's "Miracle on Hudson" plane for sale

2010-01-22T12:21:00.003-05:00

A U.S. Airways passenger jet that made a spectacular landing on New York's Hudson River a year ago is for sale. All 155 passengers and crew aboard Flight 1549 bound for Charlotte, North Carolina, escaped after pilot Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger glided the crippled plane to a textbook emergency landing on the icy river within view of Manhattan skyscrapers. The severely damaged Airbus A320 is being sold online by Chartis insurance firm, minus its engines which were knocked out when the plane flew into a flock of birds shortly after takeoff from La Guardia airport on Jan. 15 last year. New York Governor David Paterson at the time described the landing as the "miracle on the Hudson." The online auction description was less emotional: "Aircraft suffered severe bird strike event resulting in water emergency landing." The plane is kept in Kearny, New Jersey and the online auction at www.aigaviation.com closes on March 27. No sale price estimates were given for the damaged plane.
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Winter storm snarls flights at Phoenix airport

2010-01-22T12:21:00.001-05:00

Flights into and out of Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport were severely curtailed on Thursday afternoon because of high winds from a winter storm that dumped heavy rain and deep snow on much of Arizona and California. A limited number of Phoenix planes were still taking off and landing. Southwest Airlines canceled all arriving and departing flights at Sky Harbor and didn't plan to resume them until Friday. The airline also canceled flights in Tucson, Ariz., and at Southern California airports. All Southwest takeoffs and landings at airports in Burbank, Ontario and San Diego in California were suspended, most were canceled at John Wayne airport in Orange County, and some are canceled at Los Angeles International Airport. Airline spokesman Brad Hawkins said hundreds of California and Arizona flights had been canceled as of early afternoon. Passengers were booked on later Southwest flights. Operations were expected to resume at 4 p.m. in San Diego and at 6 p.m. in Burbank and Ontario. The exact number of Southwest flights affected in Phoenix wasn't available, but the airline has 173 daily nonstops from Phoenix to 44 cities and additional service to 22 cities, said spokeswoman Olga Romero. There are a similar number of arrivals. US Airways trimmed its Phoenix flight schedule and had canceled 14 mainline and 12 US Airways Express flights. Other operations were continuing as weather allowed, said airline spokeswoman Valerie Wunder. US Airways has 265 daily departures from Phoenix. United Airlines and other carriers severely curtailed operations at Sky Harbor.
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HotelsCombined.com Names the Top 10 Places to Propose This Valentine's Day

2010-01-22T12:20:00.000-05:00

February 14 is widely considered the most romantic day of the year, causing countless women to dream about a perfect Valentine's Day proposal while men feverishly plan unforgettable engagements to fulfill their loved one's fantasies. To help couples find their ideal destination for a wildly romantic, fairy-tale engagement, HotelsCombined.com names the Top 10 Places to Propose this Valentine's Day. Whether seeking a traditional romantic setting like the Eiffel Tower, Cinderella's Castle and Venice Grand Canal or surprising off-the-beaten-path backdrops such as the secluded Lake Okareka in New Zealand and the International World Peace Rose Garden in Sacramento, California, travelers rest assured they found the perfect proposal destination and the best hotel deals at www.HotelsCombined.com -- the world's leading hotel search engine and price aggregator.
HotelsCombined.com Top 10 Places to Propose this Valentine's Day

1. Vienna, Austria -- Hotel de France. Regarded as one of Europe's most beautiful romantic spots, the Hotel de France sits alongside Vienna's famously alluring Ringstrasse Boulevard where a horse-drawn carriage ride under the stars creates a perfectly poetic proposal.

2. Rotorua, New Zealand -- Lake Okareka Lodge. This luxurious three-suite lodge accessible only by private boat or plane is one of New Zealand's most breathtaking secluded retreats. As the lodge is booked to only one party at a time, it is the perfect sequestered spot for the most private and intimate of proposals.

3. Paris, France -- The Plaza Athenee Hotel. The elegance and glamour of the Plaza Athenee sets the stage for the most classic of proposals at the top of the Eiffel Tower. After popping the question, couples bask in the romance of this dazzling Parisian symbol of love over a candle-lit dinner at the hotel.

4. Kauai, Hawaii -- Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa. Couples staying at the Grand Hyatt discover an oasis of natural wonders with freshwater pools, salt-water lagoons and white sand beaches that ensure an abundance of opportunities for the most picturesque of proposals.

5. Galway, Ireland -- Glenlo Abbey Hotel. The Claddagh ring, the traditional Irish symbol of love that originated in a medieval village located just outside of Galway, inspires a mystical proposal at the legendary Glenlo Abbey Hotel, a representation of Ireland's historic charms.

6. Agra, India -- The Gateway Hotel. Originally built by an emperor to display his devotion of love to his queen, the Taj Mahal is the ultimate monumental proposal site. Couples further enjoy the magic of their engagement on private Gateway Hotel balconies with views of this iconic architectural marvel.

7. Hershey, Pennsylvania -- The Hotel Hershey. Known as the "Sweetest Place on Earth," Hershey is the ultimate destination for a chocolate lover's decadent proposal. The Hotel Hershey celebrates "Chocolate-Covered February" with daily delightful treats to help plan a tantalizing engagement.

8. Venice, Italy -- Centurion Palace Hotel. After a passionate proposal during a romantic gondolier ride, couples savor the moment in private, behind the Centurion Palace Hotel Venetian-style picture windows that provide stunning views of the Grand Canal.

9. Orlando, Florida -- Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. This Victorian-style Disney Deluxe Resort works closely with the Magic Kingdom's wedding division to ensure fairy-tale proposals in front of the enchanting Cinderella's Castle live up to Disney's magical mission to make dreams come true.

10. Sacramento, California -- La Rivage Hotel. Nothing says "I love you" like roses, and the aromatic charm of the International World Peace Rose Garden leaves couples swirling in a sea of romance. After a sensual proposal in the garden, couples unwind at the La Rivage with complimentary champagne and roses.

HotelsCombined.com is the world's leading hotel meta-search engine and largest online hotel rate aggregator with 200,000 hotels in 20,000 destinations. HotelsCombined.com laser targets its resources to deliver more than 900,000 real-time hotel deals which can be compared and booked directly through leading supplier partners such as Expedia.com, Booking.com, Travelocity.com and Hotels.com as well as via corporate hotel partnerships with InterContinental, Hilton and many others. For more information or to find unbeatable hotel deals, visit www.HotelsCombined.com.
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TripIt Launches Free BlackBerry App

2010-01-22T12:19:00.001-05:00

TripIt, the trip management company, today announced that TripIt is available to travelers using BlackBerry(TM) mobile devices. This free mobile app gives travelers access to all their travel plans right on their BlackBerry, no matter where their travel was booked. TripIt travelers simply forward their travel confirmation emails to plans@tripit.com and TripIt automatically creates their master travel itineraries. With the TripIt for BlackBerry app, a traveler then just clicks to check flight status on any airline, view a confirmation number from any rental car supplier, or get directions to their hotel, restaurant, meeting or anything that's part of their free TripIt itinerary. TripIt for BlackBerry also supports features of the TripIt Pro premium service, including mobile flight alerts and alternate flight options. "We've been beta testing our BlackBerry app with a group of international travelers for months and are now ready to give everyone the opportunity to use it," commented Will Aldrich, TripIt VP of Product. "We're also excited to include support to sync TripIt travel plans to the built-in BlackBerry calendar, which in turn syncs those plans to a traveler's Outlook calendar." The TripIt for BlackBerry Beta app is available for download now at www.tripit.com/uhp/blackberry and will be live in the BlackBerry App World soon. It supports BlackBerry operating system 4.3 or later, which includes nearly all BlackBerry devices released in the past several years. Learn more about TripIt's free mobile apps for BlackBerry, Android and iPhone at www.tripit.com/uhp/mobile
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ISSN 1544-3760 - Copyright © 2009 AirGuide / Pyramid Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved.

STA Travel and Cheapflights Team Up to Offer Students an Exclusive Hit the Books and Get Booking Promotion

2010-01-21T12:20:00.000-05:00

Cheapflights is teaming up with STA Travel to welcome students back to the second semester and the year 2010 with a hit the books and get booking promo beginning January 26, 2010. Students will receive $20.10 off any airline ticket purchase of $200 or more through an exclusive sale on Cheapflights.com. We have highlighted amazing deals to Europe, although there are no limits or restrictions on where you can travel. Also, see what you can get for $20.10 in these destinations. Don't wait to take advantage of these great deals. This sale only lasts 48 hours. Enter promo code CF2010 to receive the discount. Boston to Berlin from $449 roundtrip: Plan a trip for March when the weather is about to get warmer and avoid long tourist lines. Today's Berlin is graced with grand museums, superb theaters, trendy restaurants and cafes, packed pubs and stylish boutiques. $20.10 will get you 3 beers and a bratwurst at most pubs. Chicago to Paris from $462 roundtrip: From the windy city to the city of lights, love and fashion. Paris may be a city full of cliches but it is also a city that lives up to all of them. There are over 150 art galleries and museums in Paris, and all of them are worth seeing. For $20.10 you can get a one day unlimited metro pass and see them all. Los Angeles to Amsterdam from $685 roundtrip: If the Netherlands is Europe's casual country, Amsterdam is the heart of havoc. Mixing pretentious with precarious, travelers book flights to Amsterdam with one thing in mind: a good time. For $20.10 you can get yourself some licorice tea and a cake, and have yourself a grand old time. New York to London from $335 roundtrip: London will host the 2012 Summer Olympics and will need 70,000 volunteers. The volunteer program begins in 2010, providing a great way to really get to know the city and ensure a seat at the 2012 Summer Olympics. Feel your inner athlete being inspired while you are there? For $20.10 you can book a snooker table for 3 hours at a local pub. *All prices include taxes and fees and are correct at time of publication before the $20.10 discount. Prices are subject to availability.
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Storms cancel hundreds of Southwest flights

2010-01-20T12:19:00.000-05:00

Southwest Airlines says it has canceled hundreds of flights in Southern California and Arizona due to heavy rains and strong winds. The airline said Thursday it suspended all takeoffs and landings at airports in Burbank, Ontario and San Diego in California and at facilities in Phoenix and Tucson in Arizona. Most Southwest flights are canceled at John Wayne airport in Orange County, and some are canceled at Los Angeles International Airport. Airline spokesman Brad Hawkins says 418 flights had been canceled as of early afternoon. Passengers are being booked on later Southwest flights. Operations are expected to resume at 4 p.m. in San Diego and at 6 p.m. in Burbank and Ontario.
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American Eagle Airlines Announces Nonstop, Year-Round Service From Dallas/Fort Worth to Sioux Falls and Rapid City, S.D.

2010-01-19T12:16:00.000-05:00

American Eagle Airlines, the regional affiliate of American Airlines, begins nonstop daily jet service between Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) and two cities in South Dakota – Sioux Falls Regional Airport (FSD) and Rapid City Regional Airport (RAP) – on April 6. American Eagle will operate the year-round service with 50-seat Embraer ERJ-145 jets.
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Gulfstream International Airlines Announces Expansion of Its United Airlines Codeshare to Include Flights From Pensacola to Both Orlando and Tampa

2010-01-18T12:16:00.000-05:00

Gulfstream International Airlines today announced an expansion of its United Airlines codeshare relationship to include non-stop flights between Pensacola and both Orlando and Tampa. The following non-stop flights between Orlando International Airport and the Pensacola Regional Airport are available for travel and may be purchased at united.com.
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Continental joins Delta in raising fees for checked bags

2010-01-13T11:49:00.002-05:00

Continental Airlines has joined rival Delta in boosting the price for checking bags on flights within the USA and to Puerto Rico, Canada and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Continental (CAL), Delta (DAL), American (AMR) and United (UAUA) also have boosted their fuel surcharges on flights to Europe by $20. Surcharges vary by route, but the airlines typically impose fuel charges of about $242 on flights to London and $280 on routes to many popular destinations on the continent.
Delta began charging $8 more for the first checked bag and $7 more for a second for tickets sold starting Jan. 5. Continental did the same thing beginning with tickets sold starting Saturday. So far, no other big U.S. airline has followed suit.
Continental and Delta now charge $25 for the first checked bag and $35 for the second if the bags are checked at the airport. The fee is slightly lower for bags checked in online.
"It's a match" of Delta's higher bag fees, Continental spokeswoman Mary Clark says. "But we don't normally comment on our rationale" for matching competitors' pricing changes.
A new USA TODAY/Gallup Poll finds the fees are unpopular. Seventy-six percent of Americans who've flown at least twice in the last year say they're dissatisfied with bag and rebooking fees. Just 24% say they're OK with the extra charges.
It's easy to see why airlines raise service fees. Their final results won't be announced until later this month, but U.S. carriers are expected to post a combined 2009 loss of about $2.9 billion, according to the International Air Transport Association.
Airlines have cut flights and gone to smaller planes in response to weak passenger numbers and high fuel costs to try to limit losses.
They've also increased using extra fees and surcharges for services that traditionally were included in the price of the fare to increase revenue. The U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics reports that in the third quarter of 2009, U.S. airlines took in about $700 million from bag-check fees. That's on top of the $1.24 billion they got in the first six months of last year.
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Ultra-Luxury Carmakers Woo Patrons in Detroit

2010-01-13T11:49:00.001-05:00

One thing missing from the floor of the North American International Auto Show show this year: the usual representation of ultra-luxury vehicles from high-end manufacturers such as Rolls-Royce, Ferrari and Lamborghini. A handful of manufacturers maintained a small presence at the show, but most chose to instead exhibit their most-coveted cars at an event called the Gallery, which launched at the MGM Grand Casino, a few miles away from the main auto show, Monday night.
Scenes from The Gallery, the luxury cars showroom at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
The casino is being used as a showroom for the vehicles that have traditionally been the eye candy of the Detroit auto show floor. The Gallery has been held the last three years, but this was the first year it was held at the same time as the main show at Cobo Hall. The event is hosted by the North American International Auto Show, the luxury carmakers and their sponsors.
Featuring vehicles priced at $100,000 and above, the Gallery's opening night was perused by American Express Black Card holders and other wealthy Detroit residents identified as possible buyers. The roughly 200 invited guests enjoyed a private dinner hosted by Wolfgang Puck and got personal showings of the cars from product specialists and top executives. The Gallery, which features about 25 vehicles, was opened to the public Monday and Tuesday for an admission fee of $25.
The event comes as ultra-luxury carmakers respond to softness in sales brought on by the recession.
"There's no question that luxury brands, because of their low marketing volume, have to be very thrifty with their marketing funds and try to get their vehicles in front of the right buyers," said Barron Meade, vice chairman of the North American International Auto Show.
Included among the vehicles on display was the Lexus LFA, a sports "supercar" that starts at $350,000 and can only be purchased by owners who are selected by Lexus (the company plans to make just 500 models). The Rolls-Royce Ghost, an entry level sedan that starts at $245,000, along with the Morgan Aero 8, a British-styled classic, also drew attention.
Last year, the luxury segment rendered a mixed performance: Small luxury cars outperformed the rest of the industry in sales, but large luxury vehicles struggled in comparison to the overall auto market.
Jeff Schuster, executive director of forecasting for J.D. Power, said the weakness in the luxury market was exacerbated last year by the fact that luxury vehicles didn't qualify for benefits granted under the "Cash for Clunkers" program. But the abundance of new designs expected in the luxury and ultra-luxury markets this year could re-ignite sales, he said.
"Things are looking better for 2010, as the market recovers. We have the market up 11% for the entire industry and luxury vehicles up about 25%," Mr. Schuster said. "Because the number of ultra-luxury vehicles is so small, I expect it to behave in a similar fashion."
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Book The Warmer Climate of Your Choice with AirTran Airways' Caribbean Sale

2010-01-12T11:48:00.001-05:00

AirTran Airways, a subsidiary of AirTran Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: AAI), today launched a sale for travel to the airline's Caribbean destinations with fares starting as low as $44*. Travelers may purchase these sale fares at www.airtran.com or via AirTran Airways' reservations system at 1-800-AIR-TRAN. For Spanish, call 1-877-581-9842.
These special fares are available for purchase through January 14, 2010, and are good for travel January 28, 2010, through May 26, 2010. Like all AirTran Airways fares, prices included in this sale are available for one-way travel and do not require a roundtrip purchase or an overnight stay.
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ISSN 1544-3760 - Copyright © 2009 AirGuide / Pyramid Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved.

Consumers Look to Summer Holidays as Winter Weather Worsens

2010-01-12T11:48:00.000-05:00

With Britain in the grip of some of the worst winter weather conditions experienced for many years, consumers are now turning their attention to holidays and the warmer weather promised over the coming months.
This is according to Bourne Leisure Ltd, who have reported a surge in bookings of camping holidays for summer 2010 over the last few days. In addition, many people are taking advantage of the company's Spring Break offers, to book cheap getaways over March and April. These deals start from as little as Pounds Sterling 22.80 for a 4 night stay at one of their campsites.
Much of Britain has been affected by snow and sub zero conditions over the Christmas period and this is expected to continue into the new year. This has led to bookings in record numbers, with people looking to banish the winter blues. As a spokesperson for Bourne Leisure explains:
"The period between Christmas and New Year is traditionally a busy time for the travel industry and this year has been no exception. After Christmas, people's attention naturally turns to holidays and after the miserable weather we have encountered recently, this has been all the more apparent."
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JetBlue adding Pittsburgh-to-Boston flights

2010-01-11T11:47:00.001-05:00

JetBlue Airways plans to add two nonstop flights to Boston from Pittsburgh International Airport by June 17.
The airline will resume a seasonal nonstop flight to Boston's Logan International Airport starting May 1. It will leave Pittsburgh at 9:25 a.m. The flight will run until the end of the summer.
On June 17, the airline will add another daily nonstop flight. It will leave Pittsburgh at 12:51 p.m. It is expected to be a permanent addition.
The flights will utilize Embraer E190 aircraft. JetBlue currently has one daily nonstop flight to Boston from Pittsburgh using the same type of plane.
The airport is excited about the additions, spokesman Jeff Martinelli said. "Boston's one of our biggest markets. It's certainly a big business market for us," he said. "It gives us more options for our business traveler."
US Airways also flights to Boston from Pittsburgh, averaging five daily nonstops.
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Delta hiking fees for checked bags

2010-01-11T11:47:00.000-05:00

Attention air travelers: That tug at your wallet is about to happen again, courtesy of the world's biggest airline.
Delta Air Lines Inc. is raising its fees to check your first bag on a domestic flight by $8 and the second bag by $7. That will mean $23 for the first bag and $32 for the second.
It will continue to cost you even more if you don't pay the fees in advance on the airline's Web site. Delta is calling that add-on a surcharge - $2 for the first bag and $3 for the second. You will have to pay the surcharges if you check your bags at an airport ticket counter, kiosk or curbside.
The new fees are for travel beginning Tuesday on tickets purchased on or after Jan. 5. Tickets purchased before then, regardless of when the travel begins, are subject to the current fees - $15 for the first bag and $25 for the second.
The domestic bag fee increases apply to travel in coach within the 50 states, U.S. Virgin Islands, Canada and Puerto Rico.
Elite frequent fliers, first class fliers and certain other customers, including active military personnel on deployment, are exempt from the fees.
A Delta spokeswoman called the airline's fees "competitive" with other carriers.
U.S. carriers began in earnest imposing fees on checked bags and other once-free amenities in 2008 to help combat rising fuel prices. The fees continued, and in some cases increased, even after fuel prices plummeted. Now, oil prices are on an upward trend again, though are nowhere close to their peak at $147 a barrel.
Benchmark crude for February delivery settled at $82.52 a barrel on the Nymex Monday.
The upward trend in fuel prices comes at a time when airlines were hoping to gain some positive momentum from the improving U.S. economy. U.S. carriers, including Delta, over the next two weeks will be releasing their fourth-quarter and year-end 2009 financial results.
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Royal Caribbean, Rolls-Royce Reach Settlement

2010-01-11T11:46:00.000-05:00

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. and Rolls-Royce reached an amicable resolution to the lawsuit regarding the Mermaid pop-propulsion system installed on Celebrity Cruises' Millennium ships. The settlement is expected to generate a net increase of $65 million.
The initial design, installed to provide an alternative, and advantage, over traditional shaft propulsion, experienced a host of technical difficulties. Since then, the two companies have worked together to improve the technology. The ships with pods are Millennium, Summit, Infinity and Constellation.
Visit www.royalcaribbean.com
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ISSN 1544-3760 - Copyright © 2009 AirGuide / Pyramid Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved.

Deep freeze brings travel chaos to north China

2010-01-05T14:56:00.001-05:00

Heavy snow has brought more travel chaos to north China, stranding thousands of truckers for two days on a Beijing highway and 1,400 rail passengers in Inner Mongolia, state media said Tuesday.
The snow that blanketed the region at the weekend has ended in Beijing but the national weather centre said the mercury dipped Tuesday to -15.6 degrees Celsius (four Fahrenheit) -- the coldest temperature in more than two decades.
The freezing weather was expected to continue until Thursday for the Chinese capital, nearby Tianjin and Inner Mongolia, with temperatures forecast to fall as low as minus 32 degrees Celsius, it said on its website.
On the outskirts of Beijing, truck drivers were forced to sleep in their vehicles for two nights on a highway when snow made the road impassible, causing a 20-kilometre (12-mile) back-up, the Beijing News reported.
The newspaper, citing transit police, said the highway would only be cleared on Tuesday -- after two chilly nights for the drivers, some of whom said they were afraid to sleep for fear of dying of exposure.
Others said they were prepared for the traffic mess.
"We brought food as we expected the jam," said one trucker, who had two cases of instant noodle and one thermos of water on board.
The heavy snow and freezing temperatures have led to hundreds of flight cancellations and delays in Beijing, shuttered schools on Monday and snarled traffic throughout the capital.
In Inner Mongolia, a train hit a wall of snow more than two metres (6.5 feet) high on Sunday, leaving 1,400 travellers in the dark and without heating overnight before they could be evacuated, the China Daily reported Tuesday.
"Though snow stopped yesterday, the temperature was -28 Celsius, freezing the doors," the paper quoted Zhang Jianwen, a police officer involved in the rescue effort, as saying.
Nearly 2,000 people including police and local farmers were mobilised to dig out the train, which was heading from the city of Harbin in Heilongjiang province to Baotou in Inner Mongolia, the report said.
Central China was now under a snow storm warning until Wednesday, stretching from Henan to Hunan provinces, the national weather bureau said on its website.
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Allegiant says traffic rose in December

2010-01-05T14:55:00.003-05:00

Allegiant Air, which ferries travelers from smaller cities to resort locations in Florida and elsewhere, said Tuesday that traffic jumped 18.6 percent in December compared with a year earlier.
Allegiant said paying passengers flew 406.2 million miles last month, up from 342.6 million miles in December 2008.
The Las Vegas-based airline and travel company added flights and increased capacity by 16.1 percent, to 448.4 million available seat miles. A plane with 100 seats flying 100 miles is 10,000 available seat miles.
With traffic outstripping the additional supply of seats, the average plane was more crowded. Average occupancy in December was 90.6 percent, compared with 88.7 percent a year earlier.
For the year, traffic rose 28.1 percent as paying passengers flew 4.48 billion miles. Capacity increased 27.4 percent, to 4.95 billion available seat miles, and average occupancy or load factor rose to 90.4 percent from 89.9 percent.
Shares of parent Allegiant Travel Co. rose 74 cents to $48.75 in midday trading.
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JetBlue expands presence in San Francisco with additional flights to NY, Boston, Long Beach

2010-01-05T14:55:00.001-05:00

JetBlue is expanding its presence in San Francisco by adding flights there to New York, Boston and Long Beach.
The New York-based airline already had flights on those routes. It went to five daily flights to Long Beach, up from three, and added second flights to New York and Boston.
JetBlue also flies from San Francisco International Airport to Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and Austin, Texas. With the new flights, it now has 11 daily departures from San Francisco.
United, American, Alaska and other carriers have major operations in San Francisco, which has a large number of international flights.
Shares of JetBlue Airways Corp. rose 34 cents, or 6.1 percent, to $5.90 in morning trading.
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Southwest Airlines Celebrates Four Years in Denver With Free Flights!

2010-01-04T14:54:00.001-05:00

Southwest Airlines is celebrating four years of LUV in Denver with a special promotion for Colorado Customers. Beginning today, Southwest is offering its Colorado Customers a free flight when they book a Business Select fare to/from Denver. The offer is valid for both new and existing Rapid Rewards Members for travel booked by Jan. 31, 2010, and travel completed by Feb. 28, 2010 (see terms and conditions below). Colorado Residents who aren't yet Rapid Rewards Members can join and be automatically registered for the promotion. Simply enroll in the program via the link below before completing qualifying travel.
To register for the promotion, visit: www.southwest.com/denverfree. To view a blog post, visit: http://www.blogsouthwest.com/blog/four-years-denver.
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Passengers wait... wait... wait...

2010-01-04T14:54:00.000-05:00

Nearly 400 airline passengers sat on an Airbus A380 jetliner for 3 1/2 hours early Monday when a Qantas Airways pilot reported a mechanical problem just before taking off from Los Angeles International Airport, officials said.
Qantas Flight 12 was preparing to depart for Sydney just after 11 p.m. Sunday when the captain reported the problem to the control tower and then headed back to the airline gate, said Ian Gregor, a spokesman for the Federal Aviation Administration.
All 398 passengers on board the plane waited for 3 1/2 hours before the flight was canceled and they were allowed back into the airport, said Qantas spokesman Michael Abraham.
The travelers were put up in hotels and are scheduled to leave LAX at 9:30 p.m. today.
"This was due to a break indication fault," Abraham said, declining to specify further.
"It really is very routine," he said. "It was just operational."
Coincidentally, a second Qantas-operated Airbus A380 reported mechanical problems just before taking off from Melbourne to LAX, leaving 443 airline passengers stranded on the tarmac for five hours Monday. Passengers on that flight were also provided with accommodations and were scheduled to board another flight bound for LAX at 11 a.m. today.
Qantas launched flights aboard the Airbus A380 between LAX and Australia in October 2008. Abraham declined to comment on the Australian carrier's mechanical problems on the new, double-decked airliners.
This was the longest stretch airline passengers had to wait on LAX's tarmac since Aug. 11, 2007, when a glitch on a single desktop computer shut down the U.S. Customs and Border Protection screening system, followed by a second power outage less than 24 hours later.
More than 19,000 passengers were affected by those outages, many of whom spent up to 12 hours trapped on airplanes and at the customs screening area inside LAX's international terminal.
Last month, the Transportation Security Administration announced that hefty fines will be levied on domestic airlines that do not supply food and water to passengers after two hours on the tarmac, or do not return to the gate after three hours.
International carriers such as Qantas are exempt from the new regulations, which are scheduled to begin around May 1.
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