Continental announces non-stop Danish plans

Continental Airlines has applied for government approval to launch a new non-stop service from New York to Copenhagen.

If given the go ahead Boeing 757-200s are expected to depart New York and Copenhagen daily with approximate flying times of seven hours 55 minutes eastbound and eight hours 55 minutes west.

The 172-seat aircraft will carry 156 economy class passengers and 16 on Continental's award-winning BusinessFirst service.

If the service is approved Copenhagen will become the 27th city to be served by Continental's transatlantic flights.

Southwest expands Rapid Rewards scheme

Southwest Airlines is expanding its Rapid Rewards scheme for frequent fliers by teaming up with the InterContinental Hotels group (IHG).

From October 1, Rapid Rewards members who stay in any of the 3,500 IHG properties around the world and enrol in IHG's own Priority Club rewards scheme will receive an extra half-credit on their rewards scheme with Southwest.

Hawaiian flies to San Jose

Hawaiian Airlines introduced a direct route between San Jose and Honolulu this week, making it the only airline to offer non-stop service between the two destinations.

The airline will operate one return flight a day between Norman Y Mineta San Jose International Airport and Honolulu International Airport.

Flights depart San Jose at 9:40am, arriving in Honolulu at 11:55am local time. Flights depart Honolulu at 1:25pm and arrive in San Jose at 9:30pm local time.

Hawaiian Airlines president Mark Dunkerley commented: "We're providing not just greater travel convenience to Hawaii for the South Bay, but also the uniquely special brand of service that Hawaiian offers.

Independence Air flies to Caribbean

Independence Air is to fly to the Caribbean for the first time with a new service from Washington Dulles to San Juan, Puerto Rico.

The discount airline will begin flights on December 16, 2005 and will operate one round trip daily.

Flights from Washington Dulles International depart at 9:30am and arrive at Luis Munoz Marin International at 2:20pm. The flight from Luis Munoz Marin departs at 3:20pm and arrives at Washington Dulles at 6:20pm.

Independence Air has launched the flights in December in time for the holiday season and winter traveling.

United expands US-Australia service

United Airlines has added three more weekly round-trip flights between San Francisco and Sydney for the Christmas holiday season.

The new flights will increase United's passenger capacity for the route by 40 per cent. They will be added to the schedule on December 16 and last until January 8.

Graham Atkinson, United's senior vice president of worldwide sales and alliances, said: "The service provides our customers with more travel options during the holiday season from what is already one of our most important international gateways, San Francisco, and reinforces United's leadership in the US West Coast and the Pacific."

America West suspends planned Fargo service

Despite its interest in Fargo, recently merged America West Airlines will not be flying into the city anytime soon.

Earlier this year, America West sent the Fargo Airport a letter of support as well as $675,000 grant to help start up the service that was scheduled to begin by the end of 2005.

However, airline officials are pessimistic that the airline will begin a Fargo service in the future. Airport director, Shawn Dobberstein, recently said that America West no longer had interest in any flights between its hub in Phoenix and Fargo.

Mr Dobberstein believes it is high fuel costs and America West's merger with US Airways that have caused the suspension of the planned route.

Airport officials stated that they remained hopeful that another major airline would begin service to Fargo within the next six months.

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Allegiant Air adds new route

Allegiant Air has announced that it will add Worcester, Massachusetts to its flight schedule.

Starting in December, the Las Vegas-based discount airline, will have four flights a week between Worcester and Sanford, Florida.

The announcement will be well received by Massachusetts' politicians, who have been spending large amounts of money each year on the airport's renovation. Allegiant's service will be the first regularly scheduled flights to leave Worcester in three years.

Airfares for the new route will be promoted at $78 round trip, but after the discount period tickets should cost between $118 to $418.

Allegiant's flights between Worcester and Sanford will leave on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays.

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Jet Airways to fly to America by October

Indian airline, Jet Airways has announced it will be offering flights to the United States by the end of October.

Jet, which was India's first private airline, still needs to obtain the licensing needed to serve the flights from both governments’ transport departments, but is expected to have it by as soon as next week.

Currently Air India is the only Indian airline that has regularly scheduled flights between the US and India.

Delta adds five new routes from Orlando

Delta Airlines has announced it is adding five new destinations from the tourist hotspot of Orlando, Florida.

The news comes after Delta cut a few Floridian flights, most notably from Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport.

Starting on November 1, 2005, the airline will begin direct, daily flights between Orlando and Dallas-Fort Worth, Oklahoma City, Baton Rouge and Tulsa. A month later, Delta will add an Orlando-Kansas City service.

Promotional airfares will accompany the new flights, with one-way fares costing $69 for the Dallas route, $84 for Baton Rouge, and $99 for Tulsa, Oklahoma City and Kansas City. Additional taxes/fees/restrictions apply.

AeroMexico offers Cancun and Puerto Vallarta packages

As the fall approaches AeroMexico has announced some new deals on package vacations to Cancun and Puerto Vallarta.

The airline is offering three-night deals that include round-trip airfare, accommodation and in some cases meals, drinks and snacks that start at $399. Customers who stay for more than three nights will receive a fourth day of an Alamo car rental for free.

To obtain the package, travelers must book for double occupancy and travel before October 31.

Furthermore, passengers will be given the AeroMexico VIP card that will give them savings on most purchases at restaurants and entertainment venues in the two Mexican resorts.