New Orleans gets much-needed boost from ExpressJet

Like almost everything else in New Orleans in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, commercial air service took a major hit. That’s why news that ExpressJet is launching new nonstop service from Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) to six cities comes as such welcome news to the city.

In line for the flights are Austin (AUS), San Antonio (SAT), Kansas City (MCI), Birmingham (BHM), and Raleigh/Durham (RDU), and Jacksonville (JAX). Each will get a pair of daily nonstops and Tucson (TUS) is in line for one-stop service.

All these flights will click in between April 30 and June 4.

DOT to review runway delays

The Department of Transportation (DOT) will launch an independent investigation into two recent instances where airlines kept passengers waiting for hours in stationary aircraft.

A full American Airlines flight remained on Texas tarmac for six hours in late December as the carrier waited in vain for a thunderstorm to clear. A similar instance on Valentine's Day saw JetBlue passengers wait for up to ten hours in a snow storm at New York JFK.

Mary Peters, US Secretary of Transportation, has asked the DOT's Inspector General to review both incidents, hoping to prompt better planning in the future to avoid similar situations happening again.

Continental voted 'Best of Latin America'

Readers of Latin Trade magazine have voted Continental Airlines their favorite carrier in a two-month online poll.

The Houston-based airline scored highest overall across nine categories assessed in the Best of Latin America survey, including Business-Class provisions, onboard cuisine, frequent-flier programs, ticketing, comfort, and service.

Respondents voted Continental's in-flight food, frequent-flier facilities, and boarding the best among airlines that serve Latin America.

British Airways revamps First Class

First-Class facilities aboard America's favorite business airline will be revamped next month, with therapeutic remedies, new slippers, and redesigned washbags for passengers.

Overnight journeys with British Airways already feature a turndown service introduced late last year, with fresh pillows, mattresses, and duvets dressed in Egyptian cotton rolled out on request. And to help restless fliers sleep, an aromatic therapy spray can be placed on their pillows.

New navy blue slippers with camel trim and "sleeper suits" made with high-quality cotton now complement a brown velvet washbag brimming with Kiehl's toiletries, including toothbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash, moisturizer, lip balm, and eye cream.

American Airlines discounts fares to Canada

American Airlines and its regional operator American Eagle have discounted fares on connections between the US and Canada.

Round-trips to and from six major Canadian cities start at $179 if booked by March 8 - for travel through April 30 - before government taxes are taken into account.

Flights to Montreal, Toronto, Halifax, Vancouver, Calgary, and Ottawa are discounted in the promotion, linking destinations such as New York City, Chicago, Dallas, Miami, and Boston.

Tampa flights with Allegiant from $69

From May 23, Allegiant Air will fly nonstop between Des Moines, Iowa, and Tampa Bay, Florida.

One-way fares on the new connection will start from as little as $69 if purchased by March 24, for travel through August 15, and regular prices on the route will be as low as $79 even after this introductory period.

The area around St Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport on Florida's West Coast enjoys on average 361 days of sunshine each year, with award-winning clean beaches, top resorts, and some of the country's best golf courses.

Iberia to IAD: new Washington flight

Iberia is spreading its wings in North America. First, there was word that the carrier was launching Boston (BOS) to Madrid (MAD) service on May 6.

Now comes nonstop Washington, DC Dulles (IAD) to Madrid. June 2 is the launch date for DC flights, making Iberia the only airline to loft nonstops between the capital cities of the United States and Spain.

There will be four weekly nonstops, with eastbound departures on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. A 260-seat, four-engine Airbus 340 will make the trip. It's fitted for both Business and Economy Class.

New morning flight to Paris, intro discount airfare

International air travel is all about connectivity. Fliers don't like to sit around in some faraway airport waiting to board a flight to their ultimate destination. That's one of the reasons why Air France is launching a new morning nonstop from New York Kennedy (JFK) to Paris Charles De Gaulle (CDG) on May 1.

To get you to pay attention to the new offering, Air France is offering a special introductory discount airfare on the run: $199, one-way. The rate is pegged to a round-trip purchase, and neither taxes nor fees are included. To land this deal book and buy online by March 11.

AF (the carrier's code) Flight 005 departs JFK at 7:50am, and gets to the gate at CDG at 9pm the same day. The return flight, AF004, leaves Paris at 9pm and arrives Kennedy at 11:15pm.

Get away for the weekend, American makes it happen

Why do you see so many weekend specials? Becauase business travelers don’t fly much on weekends, at least not Saturdays. Airlines want to keep airplanes in the air, making money, and that’s where you can benefit. American Airlines is touting some great domestic discount airfares this coming weekend, with round-trips rates starting at $79.

Here’s the deal: book and buy no later than 11:59pm on Friday (March 2) on www.aa.com. Then, depart after 7 on Friday, or all day on Saturday (March 3). Return Monday, March 5, or Tuesday, March 6. Seats are limited, and tickets are neither refundable nor transferable. So solidify your plans.

AirTran heads Up East – Portland bound

Discount airline AirTran Airways is making its farthest foray up the East Coast yet, launching nonstop service to Portland, Maine, (PWM) from Baltimore/Washington (BWI).

June 9 is the start date for Portland to Orlando (MCO) service. BWI gets a trio of daily nonstops, and Orlando one. To kick off the new flights, AirTran is offering introductory discount airfares on both routes: $69 to BWI, and $99 to Orlando.

These discount airfares are one-way, and non-refundable. Neither taxes nor fees are included. The lowest walk-up rate on the BWI route is $169, and the lowest last-minute fare from Portland to Orlando is $179.