2008 Review: The Best - and Worst - Airlines and Airports

The best part of booking travel is actually getting to your destination, but delays and detours can really put a damper on the deal. Thanks to a new report from FlightStats (www.flightstats.com), we've got the best - and worst - airlines and airports for 2008. Before booking your cheap flights and hotels for your next trip, consider these performers and play your odds.

If you're planning some Hawaii travel, you're in luck: FlightStats ranks Hawaiian as the top airline, with an 89.32 percent on-time Hawaii flight record. Also in the lead were Frontier (83.35 percent), Horizon (82.49 percent), Southwest (81.24 percent), and Mesaba (79.71 percent), a commuter/regional carrier.

The worst on-time airline for the year was Midwest, which racked up only a 65.09 percent on-time record. Three commuter/regional airlines followed—Freedom Airlines, Colgan Air, and Air Wisconsin. Respectively, their flights got to the gate on time 65.19, 67.91, and 68.32 percent of the time. Rounding out the list was American Airlines - flights on American arrived on time only 68.58 percent of the time.

South Florida Airports Report Drop in Holiday Travel

What was once a hot-spot for holiday travel saw a decline in travelers this year. Initial estimates reveal that airports in South Florida saw fewer holiday travelers in 2008 than in years past.

Although official figures have not been released yet, the South Florida Business Journal reports that there were 8.4 percent fewer parking transactions at Palm Beach International Airport (PBIA) last month.

Mike Simmons, deputy director of finance at PBIA, said the decline in travel to do with the 13 percent reduction in Florida flights to Palm Beach airport.

Delta Waives Change Fees for Midwest Passengers Affected by Storm

Delta Air Lines is waiving change fees for passengers affected by winter storms in the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions of the U.S.

Travelers booked on Delta, Northwest Airlines or Delta Connection flights between Jan. 5 and 7 can make one schedule change free of charge.

Discount Airfare: Frontier Airlines Denver Flights on Sale

Frontier Airlines has announced new sale fares for travel on Denver flights to destinations in the U.S., Mexico and Costa Rica.

The prices are divided according to the carrier's new fare structure – Economy, Classic and Classic Plus.

Sample Economy prices include flights to Albuquerque for $49, Austin for $69 and Los Angeles flights for $79.

AirTran U Opens Enrollment – Students Save Big on Standby Flights

It’s tough being a college student. From books and tuition to rent and meals, the costs add up quickly. So, when someone offers a college student a deal it's worth taking. Enter: AirTran.

Discount airline AirTran is opening up registration for a third straight year in its ‘AirTran U’ program, a deal that allows students 18 to 22 to fly standby to any of the carrier’s 58 cities – except San Juan (SJU) and Cancun flights (CUN).

The price? For a mere $69 for a one-way short-haul flight, or $99 for a one-way long-haul flight, students can fly standby. Taxes and fees aren’t included.

Airlines Sue FAA Over Proposed New "Rest" Rule

What quality of on-board rest should cockpit crews of ultra-long flights get? That’s the issue at the heart of a lawsuit just filed by seven airlines against the Federal Aviation Administration (www.faa.gov).

The FAA wants crews on aircraft that fly non-stop 14 hours or longer to have separate rest areas - the threshold used to be 16 hours. It also wants to put more pilots on those airplanes. In a suit filed in the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, the airlines maintain, “FAA has neither demonstrated how the rule will advance safety, considered the potential that the rule may actually diminish safety, nor justified the significant costs of the rule against any purported benefit.”

Travel Tips for Inaugural Travelers

Planning on traveling to our nation's capitol for the big event?

If you're one of the lucky 3 million-plus people who scored Washington DC flights and hotel rooms for President-elect Barack Obama's inauguration listen up: Washington DC is a small area with a big personality, but if you don't know where you're going you can easily get lost in the crowd.

We've compiled a list of Washington DC travel tips to help you maneuver your way around the city. Word to the wise: arrive early and claim your spot. Reports from Washington police and federal security advisors say millions of people will converge on the national mall on Jan. 20 to witness this piece of history.

Discount Airfare: Delta Offering Discounts Europe

Delta Air Lines is offering cheap flights from Atlanta to several destinations in Europe.

Sample prices include flights to Amsterdam or Zurich for $289; flights to Barcelona or Dublin for $309; flights to Paris for $269; Prague flights for $279 and flights Copenhagen for $349.

Prices quoted are for one-way travel and are based on round-trip purchase.

Discount Airfare: U.S. Airways' Cheap Flights to Telluride

U.S. Airways is offering cheap flight to Telluride and select U.S. destinations.

Deals include travel between Telluride and Houston for $80; Austin for $105; Las Vegas flights for $110; Phoenix for $115; Los Angeles flights for $119; San Diego for $120 and Santa Ana for $129.

Round-trip purchase is required to grab the discounted airfare, tickets must be booked 21 days before travel and travel must be completed by March 31.

World's First Airplane Hotel Debuts in Stockholm

Next time you're in Stockholm and need a place to lay your head, you won't have to look too far from the airport. A Swedish aircraft is set to become the world's first airplane hotel.

British newspaper The Independent reports that the Boeing 747 will be renamed the Jumbo Hotel, and will be located at Stockholm-Arlanda airport.

Each of the 25 rooms in the hotel will be around 65 square-feet in size, complete with bunk beds, flat-screen televisions and overhead lockers for luggage.