Save on SAS to Scandinavia, Europe

One of the most innovative, service-intensive airlines on the planet is selling cheap flights to Europe right now, with prices starting as low as $266. That’s SAS’s price for a one-way ticket from New York/Newark (EWR) to Copenhagen (CPH).

The rate, as with all those we’re about to quote, is good for travel originating through May 17. These discount airfares are one-way, and pegged to a round-trip purchase. Neither taxes nor fees are included. They’re extra.

Here’s a sampling of some of the savings SAS is offering:

- Washington, D.C. Dulles (IAD) to Stockholm (ARN) $317

Shreveport’s new O’Hare route: intro discount deal

Here’s a major new link for residents of the ArkLaTex, that juncture of the states of Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas served by the Shreveport (SHV) airport. American Eagle recently launched daily nonstop regional jet service from Shreveport to American Airlines Chicago O’Hare hub. To make sure you notice the new service, American Eagle is offering an introductory round-trip discount airfare on the route for travel through May 23: $198.

This discount airfare entails a seven-day advance purchase, and neither taxes nor fees are included. The ticket is nontransferable and nonrefundable. Seats are limited.

Denver’s new regional jet digs – United Express launchpad

Some airports relegate regional jets almost to the suburbs, far out on the tarmac, and reachable only via shuttle bus. Kind of kills the convenience. Not so Denver International’s (DEN) new United Express complex.

The new facility has opened on the east end of Concourse B. The 16-gate affair comes with 13 loading bridges designed to accommodate 30- and 70-seat regional jets. It’s a significant differentiator compared to a lot of airports, where passengers have to either shuttle to those remote boarding areas, or trek out across the tarmac itself to board.

This RJ complex offers a holdroom for passengers, restrooms and a lot of new concessions: Connections Newsstand, Heidi’s Brooklyn Deli, the New Belgium Brewing Company, and Starbucks.

US Airways’ sublime Scottish deals

Want to get to Glasgow (GLA), and do it for a pittance? US Airways is offering deep discount airfares to the Scottish city just now, with round-trip rates starting at $491.

Why so deep a discount? Timing. You’ll have to defer gratification to land one of these deals, and plan to travel August 31 through October 25, after the height of peak summer season. That might be just fine for some folks. Scotland is sublime in September.

All these discount airfares are round-trip. Tickets from Boston; Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia entail a seven-day advance purchase. Flights from Providence, Manchester, and Richmond require that you buy 14 days ahead of departure. Plan to stay over at least one Sunday night.

Delta leaves bankruptcy behind it, expands and moves ahead

Nineteen months after it entered the shelter of Chapter 11 Bankruptcy protection, and legions of changes later, the nation's third-largest airline emerges from that shadow today. Armed with $2.5 billion in financing, Delta Air Lines has completed a comprehensive transformation plan a year ahead of schedule.

Gerald Grinstein, CEO, contends that the newly emergent Delta will be "a fierce competitor in a tough industry". That industry has suffered mightily since September 11, 2001, with several carriers filing for Chapter 11 protection.

One of the airline's key strategies while in bankruptcy was to grow its way out of its fiscal problems, while cutting costs at the same time. Delta has managed to deliver some $3 billion in annual financial improvements.

Original airline blog celebrates first birthday

Southwest Airlines is celebrating the one-year anniversary since becoming the first US carrier to start a corporate blog.

Offering a hitherto unavailable insight into the culture and workings of a low-fare airline, Southwest Airlines was launched one year ago, and now features the thoughts of around 30 participants - from mechanics and attendants, through pilots, to marketers and planners.

According to Colleen Barrett, President of Southwest, the blog works because the company has "nothing to hide" and its employees "absolutely ooze authenticity".

EarlyReturns takes top frequent flier honors

Frontier Airlines' EarlyReturns loyalty program was honored as the frequent flier plan of choice at this year's prestigious Freddie Awards.

At the 19th annual prize-giving ceremony in Virginia, Denver-based Frontier picked up the Best Award and top accolade for Program of the Year in the Americas.

Representing the opinions of early 450,000 international travelers, the InsideFlyer magazine ballot forms the basis of the most comprehensive consumer-nominated honors in the industry.

Air Canada launches corporate flight passes

Air Canada has launched a new business promotion designed to make corporate travel more straightforward.

The carrier's new Flight Pass for Business is designed to cater for businesses of all sizes, offering 100 journeys over the course of a year for up to 25 different fliers.

Companies can choose passes in either the Tango Plus or Latitude fare band; lower costs by selecting only the relevant geographic travel zones; and monitor their remaining passes in real time.

Spirit offers late spring Florida deals

Low-cost carrier Spirit Airlines is discounting flights to the Bahamas, Caribbean, and Latin America from Florida through late spring.

Journeys from the operator's Fort Lauderdale hub start at just $19 in each direction, provided you book by 11:59pm EST on Wednesday, May 2.

Travel must be on select dates between May 4 and June 13 and should be booked at least seven days in advance. Taxes and extras are in addition to quoted fares.

Reach the Windy City from $198 return

Introductory round-trip fares of $198 are available on the American Eagle link between Chicago, Illinois, and Shreveport, Louisiana, that was inaugurated earlier this month.

Book and buy a flight with American Airlines' regional carrier for travel through May 23 to take advantage of the discounts.

Taxes and extras will apply to the quoted fare, and journeys must be booked at least seven days in advance of travel.