Aviation Industry Opposes "Distracted Flying Act"

The two Northwest pilots that overshot their destination last month aren’t getting any breaks. Their oversight on location and focus on laptops in the cockpit have sparked lawmakers to develop proposals for banned or limited use of electronic devises. 

While the public may assume banning laptops is a surefire way to reduce distractions, the debate isn’t an easy one. Industry officials argue that getting rid of electronic devices in the cockpit could actually hinder safety, since some of the tools used on board are helpful for navigating.

In addition to safety, The Air Transport Association also opposes the ban, saying that ridding laptops also means ridding new, innovative technologies that will inevitably help the industry grow toward safer and more precise measures.

4 Airlines Extend, Raise Surcharges for Peak Travel Times

At first it was just an extra $10 or $20 added to your Thanksgiving flight, but the airlines have raked in so much additional revenue from the surcharges they're extending -- and increasing -- the surcharges through peak travel times in 2010.

United, Delta, and Northwest are increasing their peak travel time flights by $50 in some cases through Memorial Day 2010. US Airways took another approach and is adding a surcharge equal to 5% of the fare price on all domestic flights starting May 8.

The $50 surcharge applies to flights on Feb. 8, the day after the Super Bowl. The other surcharges range between $10 and $30 and coincide with peak travel times in the Spring, which will affect Spring Break travelers.

Delta and American Vie for Partnership with Japan Airlines

Delta-Northwest and American Airlines are competing for partnership with Japan Airlines. The Asian carrier has had a very public financial struggle this year, and has asked the government for more funding in order to keep afloat.

Currently, a partnership exists between Japan Airlines and American Airlines. The two companies share frequent flier benefits and international routes. In order to save money, Japan Airlines has cut certain routes, and is looking for more ways to gain capital.

Northwest Pilots: We Want to Fly

After a week of discussions, debates and closed-door conversations, the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration revoked the licenses of the Northwest Airlines pilots who missed their Minneapolis mark by 150 miles because they were distracted by their laptops.

Now comes word that the two pilots - Capt. Timothy Cheney and First Officer Richard Cole - have filed appeals of their license revocations.

The appeals, which were filed this week, are typically reviewed by an administrative law judge with the board within 120 days, said NTSB spokesman Ted Lopatkiewicz in a statement.

FAA Revokes Licenses of 2 Northwest Pilots

The Federal Aviation Administration revoked the licenses of the two Northwest Airlines pilots who admitted to being on their laptops when they flew 150 miles past the Minneapolis International Airport before circling back to land last week.

Northwest flight 188 was carrying 147 passengers when it lost contact with air traffic controllers for more than one hour. As fighter jets prepared to launch, the pilots re-initiated contact with tower control and turned the plane around to land safely in Minneapolis, its intended destination. 

On Tuesday, the FAA cited the pilots for ignoring air traffic control instructions and "operating in a reckless manner that endangered the lives and property of others.

Report: Northwest Pilots Distracted by Laptop Use in Cockpit

What caused Northwest Airlines flight 188 to miss its airport destination and fly 150 miles past Minneapolis? Laptops.

The Wall Street Journal is reporting that the Northwest pilots told federal investigators that "a bathroom break, chatting with a flight attendant in the cockpit and then taking out their laptops to discuss work schedules apparently created distractions that led to more than an hour of radio silence with air-traffic controllers."

The National Transportation Safety Board questioned the pilots, who confessed they were working on their laptops in the cockpit and missed the tower control signals and attempt at communication. Once the pilots realized they had flown past their intended airport, they safely turned the plane around and landed in Minneapolis.

The lack of attention has caused a media frenzy and concern among travelers and fliers. 

Cheapflights wants to know what you think: Do you think these pilots should be penalized? Should there be rules against using laptops in the cocktpit?

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Northwest Airlines Pilots Deny Napping During Flight

National Transportation Safety Board investigators interviewed the pilots and crew of Northwest Airline flight 188, questioning the pilots in-flight activities which caused the flight to fly 150 miles past its intended airport

NTSB spokesman Keith Holloway said investigators questioned the pilots today in Minneapolis. No details were released and Holloway told reporters the NTSB would not comment on the discussions until Monday, at the earliest.

NTSB Questions Northwest Airline Pilots

The answers are vague and the rational is unheard of, but the pilots of Northwest Airlines Flight 188 will be in the hot seat later this week when they are questioned by the National Transportation Safety Board.

The pilots of Northwest Airlines Flight 188 flew 150 miles past their destination and didn't respond to radio or tower messages for more than hour. The concern raised terror levels and had fighter jets in standby mode, but the pilots insist that they were in control of the aircraft the entire time.

So why did they miss the airport and avoid communication? The NTSB hopes those questions will be answered when both pilots give their side of the story to the board.

Northwest Airlines Flight Numbers Change as it Merges with Delta

In the past year, Delta Air Lines and Northwest Airlines have merged rather seamlessly to form the world’s largest airline. Typically, merging airlines struggle with confused passengers, puzzling check-in issues, and streamlining speed bumps, but Delta and Northwest have learned from past merges (NWA and Republic) and phased in new changes with ease.

One change that deserves attention in coming weeks is the potential change in your NWA flight number. If you’ve already booked a flight with NWA for a trip this season, be sure to confirm your flight number before you head to the airport.

Why? As a part of the phased unification, Delta is acquiring Northwest’s flight numbers and weaving them into their own numbering system, in order to reorganize and simplify the two company’s services. Flight number changes for international flights will happen on Saturday, Oct. 24, and changes for domestic flights will occur on Sunday, Nov. 1.

Discount Airfare: Northwest Airlines' Cheap Minneapolis Flights

Northwest Airlines is offering sale fares from the Twin Cities on travel through May 21. Book and buy these cheap flights by April 7.

Book flights to Chicago, Miami or Seattle, plus other U.S. cities.

One-way sample fares from Minneapolis/St. Paul (round-trip purchase required) start at $39, taxes and fees are additional.