Post by Melanie Nayer on Monday 8 February, 2010 in JetBlue Airways
JetBlue is picking up its Caribbean service. The newest flights on the board: nonstop Orlando flights to Montego Bay, Jamaica.JetBlue launched the inaugural flights between Orlando International Airport and Montego Bay's Sangster International Airport (MBJ) and to celebrate, the low-cost airline is hosting a low-fare sale: flights to Jamaica are available now for only $69 at www.jetblue.com...
Post by Andrea Mooney on Tuesday 2 February, 2010 in Travel News
Northwest Airlines is officially fading to black. As of this weekend, Delta moved into one of the final stages of its merge with the carrier, by combining the two reservation systems, retiring the NWA website and its flight numbers.Up until this weekend, the Northwest Airlines site referred its customers to Delta’s site but now it is non-existent and goes there directly. Its final flight...
Post by Andrea Mooney on Tuesday 2 February, 2010 in Travel News
The Federal Aviation Administration is charging American Eagle $2.5 million for not ensuring that weight records were accurate on each plane on dozens of flights in the past two years.When the crew of an airplane has incorrect information about the amount of weight in the cargo area, it affects how the pilot will gauge its take-off and landing procedures. A certain weight calls for the...
Post by Andrea Mooney on Monday 1 February, 2010 in US Airports
Aiming to be the airline with the most routes between the US and Canada, Air Canada has announced seven new routes to major US cities that will operate out of its Toronto Pearson International hub.The new routes kick off April 6 with flights from Toronto to John Wayne Airport in Orange County, California. On May 17, new routes to Kentucky, Memphis, Portland, Maine, and Syracuse begin, and one...
Post by Andrea Mooney on Monday 1 February, 2010 in Travel News
In a lengthy decision between joining Delta Air Lines and SkyTeam, and staying with American in the Oneworld Alliance, Japan Airlines president Masaru Onishi has said that a decision will come soon, and it will not be influenced by any other previous conversations.The airline will reportedly decide on its alliance as soon as possible, but it will not provide a time frame for when the choice...
Post by Andrea Mooney on Monday 1 February, 2010 in Travel News
British Airways, American Airlines, and Iberia are negotiating with the European Union to settle an anti-trust dispute. The three airlines want to establish more of a joint venture – sharing revenue, schedules, and marketing -- but the European Union is hesitant to get on board, since the scheme may eliminate competition on some trans-Atlantic routes.British Airways and American have tried...
Post by Melanie Nayer on Saturday 30 January, 2010 in Other Airlines
Air Canada announced plans to add seven routes to from Toronto to U.S. cities starting April 6, 2010 with daily flights to Orange County, Ca. The Canadian airline will continue with daily flights to Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky, Memphis, Portland, (Maine and Oregon), Syracuse and San Diego.In a press release announcing the new routes, Air Canada says it is "fortifying its Toronto hub and...
Post by Melanie Nayer on Friday 29 January, 2010 in Continental Airlines
Continental Airlines will relaunch flights between Green Bay and Cleveland starting March 2, 2010. The Green Bay flights will launch the same day that Continental plans to start flights to Norfolk, Va. from Cleveland."Continental is pleased to re-establish the links between our hub in Cleveland and the cities of Green Bay and Norfolk," said Jim Ferea, Continental's managing director of...
Post by Melanie Nayer on Friday 29 January, 2010 in Southwest Airlines
Right off the heels of Apple's iPad announcement, Southwest Airlines hits the apple fan base with a new app, complete with the airline's signature "DING!"Southwest's first app for iPhone and iPod touch allows customers to book airline tickets, check-in for flights, check flight status, view flight schedules, and download DING! to get exclusive fares on Southwest flights.Download the...
Post by Melanie Nayer on Thursday 28 January, 2010 in JetBlue Airways
JetBlue is preparing itself - and its travelers - for a messy travel weekend. Despite the pending storm that is making its way up the East Coast, causing JetBlue to proactively issue travel advisories for the Boston, DC and New York areas, the low-cost airline is...
Post by Andrea Mooney on Wednesday 27 January, 2010 in United Airlines
Not every airline was as successful as AirTran in its profit posting for the fourth quarter of 2009. Both Delta Air Lines and United Airlines have posted losses, and US Airways is expected to do the same thing.United’s loss is smaller than anticipated, and the carrier points to declining travel demand as a reason for the numbers. While its revenue trends continue to improve and its shares...
Post by Andrea Mooney on Wednesday 27 January, 2010 in Travel News
In a year when airlines struggled to make ends meet, AirTran Airways’ Q4 results fly in the face of lost profit.In the final quarter of 2009, AirTran posted $17.1 million – 11 cents a share. Its revenue rose 1.5 percent ($598.4 million from $589.4 million), and turned in a record profit for the year of $134.7 million.Larger airlines like Delta and American reportedly lost money for...
Post by Melanie Nayer on Wednesday 27 January, 2010 in Delta
Grab your black and gold, or blue and white, and purchase an airline ticket to Miami for the biggest game of the year. Delta Air Lines announced it is adding more flights to and from Indianapolis and New Orleans so more Saints and Colts fans can watch the Super Bowl live on Feb. 7.Delta will add another flight on Feb. 4 and Feb. 5 from Indianapolis to Atlanta, to go with the already set...
Post by Andrea Mooney on Tuesday 26 January, 2010 in Travel News
In light of 2009’s tug of war with fare sales and hikes, we are now seeing airlines back off from raising prices, according to Reuters.American Airlines kicked off the first price increase of the year last week, and added $6-16 onto round-trip flights. The move was closely followed by Delta and Continental, according to farecompare.com.But while dealing with the slightly depleted travel...
Post by Andrea Mooney on Tuesday 26 January, 2010 in United Airlines
In part of a $3 billion renovation, Washington Dulles International Airport will unveil its AeroTrain today. The new train system has taken eight years of digging and construction, and over a decade of planning. Its implementation will help passengers get to their gates more...
Post by Melanie Nayer on Tuesday 26 January, 2010 in Other Airlines
Seems Air New Zealand heard the sleep calls from economy class consumers and is making a change. Air New Zealand will be reconfiguring their Boeing 777 cabins to make room for lie flat seats in economy seating. These lie-flat beds make that endless flight to...
Post by Melanie Nayer on Monday 25 January, 2010 in Delta
Delta Air Lines will invest $1 billion over the next few years to upgrade its aircraft and enhance airport lounges. The world's largest air carrier said it would spend about $300 million a year through mid-2013 on upgrades and enhancements.So, just what can flyers expect? Full...
Post by Melanie Nayer on Monday 25 January, 2010 in American Airlines
American Airlines will lay off 175 pilots and could furlough more, the airliner confirmed.In a prepared statement, American said, "The impact of the economy and reduction in capacity over the last 18 months, coupled with lower than expected pilot attrition, has resulted in a pilot surplus. This was a painful but necessary decision, as this staffing adjustment will better align the size of our...
Post by Melanie Nayer on Monday 25 January, 2010 in United Airlines
Delta nabbed Northwest; Continental switched alliances; JAL is in the middle of a custody battle and now, United CEO Glenn Tilton says there's more to come. According to Chicago Tribunereporter Julie Johnsson, Tilton predicts there will be another airline merger during the next two years, thanks to close partnerships airlines are forging on international routes.The Tribune writes Tilton...
Post by Andrea Mooney on Friday 22 January, 2010 in US Airports
Winter storms may be rare in the southwestern desert, but the monster storm that has rolled throughout Arizona and Southern California has caused major upheaval in terms of transportation.The violent wind storm has stranded thousands of passengers in the midst of days of snow and rain, and has caused state-wide school closings and interstate shutdowns, including routes 40 and 17. According to...
Post by Andrea Mooney on Friday 22 January, 2010 in Travel News
In light of recent events surrounding Haiti’s tragic earthquake and developing recovery, airlines and other travel industry figures are donating their time and effort to benefit relief projects. While the world unites to aid Haiti in its struggle, American Airlines is among those who are rushing to help.“We have served Haiti for a long time, and have a great team and close ties to the...
Post by Melanie Nayer on Thursday 21 January, 2010 in US Airways
A US airways passenger plane headed for Louisville was was diverted to Philadelphia on Thursday after a religious item worn by a Jewish passenger was mistaken as a bomb.The passenger in question was wearing phylacteries, also known as a Tefillin, which observant Jews strap around their arms and heads as part of morning prayers. When the passenger boarded the flight in New York's La Guardia...
Post by Melanie Nayer on Wednesday 20 January, 2010 in JetBlue Airways
Rumors in the Sunshine State are that low-cost carrier JetBlue may move its headquarters from New York City to Orlando.According to Florida news wires, JetBlue CEO Dave Barger has been in discussions with Florida Gov. Charlie Crist to talk about the financial incentives that would come alongside the move. If JetBlue were to move its headquarters to Orlando, reports are it would bring an...
Post by Andrea Mooney on Wednesday 20 January, 2010 in United Airlines
In the aftermath of Haiti’s strongest earthquake in 200 years, industries, companies, and individuals have banded together to combine efforts in helping victims. With a current death toll between 100,000 – 200,000, the disaster has been compared to both the 2004 Indian Ocean...
Post by Melanie Nayer on Tuesday 19 January, 2010 in American Airlines
American Airlines is the latest airline to raise its checked bag fees, putting it in the same class as other carriers that introduced increased fees earlier this month. The new checked bags fees for American Airlines passengers will go into effect on airline tickets purchased after Feb. 1.The first checked bag will now be $25 (up from $20) on flights in the U.S., Puerto Rico and U.S....
Post by Melanie Nayer on Tuesday 19 January, 2010 in British Airways
UPDATE: Our UK friends are reporting that British Airways cabin crew will not stage industrial action over Easter, Unite has announced.Cabin crew at British Airways are heading to the ballot boxes next week, and it had been feared that a vote in favour of walkouts would result in travel chaos for hundreds of thousands of Easter travelers.But passengers can now breathe a sigh of relief...
Post by Melanie Nayer on Tuesday 19 January, 2010 in Other Airlines
As recovery efforts continue in Haiti, more airlines from around the world work to bring medical supplies, food and emergency equipment to the devastated country. EL AL, Israel’s national airline, was the latest to land in Haiti this past Thursday with a plane full of medical professionals and tons of emergency supplies.Two EL AL aircraft, a jumbo 747-400 and one 777, carried more than...
Post by Andrea Mooney on Tuesday 19 January, 2010 in US Airways
This isn’t your average impulse buy or fix-up job, and it’s going to need a little more than a shiny coat of paint. The insurance company Chartis is offering up the Miracle on the Hudson Airbus A-320-124 for auction. In case you were wondering, the plane has some water damage, and engines aren’t included.It was one year ago that Captain Chelsey “Sully” Sullenberger maneuvered the...
Post by Melanie Nayer on Tuesday 19 January, 2010 in Other Airlines
While the debate wages on about whether or not to charge obese passengers for a second seat on flights, some airlines have issued a policy around refunding those fliers the money they paid for an extra airline ticket.Air France joins Southwest, JetBlue and American Airlines, in their promise to reimburse obese fliers the second seat if the plane isn't full. Obese passengers are asked to...
Post by Melanie Nayer on Friday 15 January, 2010 in Other Airlines
What makes a great airline? Some people would say bigger seats and better food, others would say better flying experience and green efforts - those people would do well to fly Air New Zealand.Air Transport Worldhas named Air New Zealand as its Airline of the Year for 2010, thanks to Air New Zealand's "superb commitment to safety and operational excellence...and for its superb and...
Post by Melanie Nayer on Thursday 14 January, 2010 in American Airlines
American Airlines is the latest airline to turn all its flights into cashless cabins. Starting Feb. 1, American Airlines will only accept credit and debit cards for purchases made in flight.American introduced cashless cabins on its domestic flights in June 2009, but is doing away with coins and paper going forward."The implementation of cashless cabins on select flights last summer has...
Post by Melanie Nayer on Thursday 14 January, 2010 in Continental Airlines
Planning on visiting Europe this year? You might want to get a head start on booking your airline tickets. Reports from ABC.com and travel sources say some airlines have raised fuel surcharges on travel to Europe by $20 per roundtrip.According to the article,...
Post by Melanie Nayer on Thursday 14 January, 2010 in Airline News
Lufthansa has become the first major European carrier in 20 years to launch a service to Baghdad, according to BreakingTravelNews.com.Starting this summer, Lufthansa will offer flights to the Iraqi capital and Erbil from Frankfurt and Munich. Lufthansa first started flying to Baghdad in 1956 but stopped service in 1990 because of the Gulf War.Lufthansa’s application for the...
Post by Andrea Mooney on Wednesday 13 January, 2010 in US Airports
Continental made two swift moves recently; one to please passengers, and one that might not. The airline has offered a new online check-in service that makes the airport process faster and easier. It has also raised checked baggage fees like its competitor, Delta.Let’s start with the good news. Now you can check in online, print your boarding pass (or have it faxed to you if you don’t...
Post by Andrea Mooney on Tuesday 12 January, 2010 in Travel News
In the saga that has been Japan Airlines’ restructuring, the carrier has been courted by alliances all over the world. The draw to acquire JAL stems from the ability to use its destinations to expand other carrier’s route lists, and thus make them more attractive and useful.Recently, the Oneworld alliance has offered Japan Airlines $2 billion over three years in combined and enhanced...
Post by Andrea Mooney on Tuesday 12 January, 2010 in Savings and Deals
The holidays are over, and you’ve made a New Year’s resolution to travel more. Beat the winter blues and get going with a perfectly-timed winter flight sale. From now until tomorrow night (Jan 13), when you book with JetBlue via Expedia, you can get flights to cities in the US and Mexico starting at $29.Book a flight to New York City and spend your time strolling down 5th Avenue, or hop...
Post by Melanie Nayer on Monday 11 January, 2010 in British Airways
After a judge squashed the planned British Airways union strike scheduled for the week of Christmas, BA union and crew members vowed to reclaim their place on the picket line following the holidays. News from the Unite union - the union representing the BA cabin crew - is that the new strike will take place in the next few weeks.Under law the unions must give the airline at least a week's...
Post by Melanie Nayer on Monday 11 January, 2010 in Delta
Delta Air Lines has increased its bag fees for flights on or after Jan. 12, 2010. If you purchased your flight after Jan. 5, 2010, you're subject to these new bag fees.Passengers paying online for checked bags will be charged $23 for the first bag and $32 for the second -- an $8 and $7 increase from current rates, respectively. Those checking in bags at the airport will shell out even...
Post by Melanie Nayer on Monday 11 January, 2010 in Savings and Deals
It's 14 degrees in Boston and 65 degrees in Montego Bay, Jamaica - where would you rather be?There's good news if you're hoping to escape the winter cold - Jetblue Airways kicked off its inaugural service between Boston’s Logan International Airport (BOS) and Montego Bay’s Sangster International Airport (MBJ) in Jamaica with fares as low as $99 each way. The new flights depart on...
Post by Melanie Nayer on Monday 11 January, 2010 in US Airports
A blown transformer at Cleveland's Hopkins International Airport has resulted in major flight delays and some flight cancellations.Continental Airlines canceled its Cleveland flights through Sunday evening after a blown transformer caused a major power outage at Hopkins International Airport. The airport lost power in the early morning between 6 and 6:30 a.m. and a back-up generator was...
Post by Melanie Nayer on Monday 11 January, 2010 in Virgin
The U.S. Department of Transportation has ruled that budget-carrier Virgin America Inc. is a U.S. company and will keep its U.S. citizen status, despite protests from other airlines and low-cost rivals.In a letter dated Friday, Jan. 8, the DOT said Virgin has at least 75% of its interest controlled by U.S. citizens, and therefore meets agency requirements as a U.S. certified...
Post by Andrea Mooney on Friday 8 January, 2010 in United Airlines
We may be seeing a bit of airline delays in the wake of the Christmas Day scare, but according to the Associated Press, the government says that our nation’s airlines have set an on-time record in November 2009.MSNBC reports that the Transportation Department says that 88.6 percent of November flights arrived on time, which beats the record set in September 2008 for 88 percent of on time...
Post by Melanie Nayer on Friday 8 January, 2010 in American Airlines
Airports around the country and the world have increased security initiatives following the Christmas Day attempted bombing of a Detriot-bound plane. Now, American Airlines has issued its new international security measures for all passengers on international flights to the U.S. New carry-on baggage policyFlights from Europe: Effective immediately, and until further notice, customers...
Post by Andrea Mooney on Thursday 7 January, 2010 in Virgin
Yesterday we told you about legacy carriers hiking prices in the New Year, but low-cost airlines are doing the exact opposite. Budget-savvy travelers don’t have to settle for expensive flights in the coming months, because carriers like Virgin America have discounted rates through spring.Virgin America’s most recent sale reduces flights from both the east and west coasts until June....
Post by Melanie Nayer on Wednesday 6 January, 2010 in Delta
Now's your chance to shine... Delta Air Lines Inc. wants to send two music fans to the upcoming Grammy Awards for free, and you have to do is show your enthusiasm.The Delta Grammy sweepstakes will award two passengers Grammy tickets, hotel...
Post by Andrea Mooney on Wednesday 6 January, 2010 in Travel News
Today, the union representing British Airways employees said it agrees with management to hold further negotiations until the near future, despite the fact that the union still plans to prepare a new strike vote. The upcoming talks will cover the employees' job security, pay and working conditions.If you haven’t been following the chain of events, it all began with Unite (the union company...
Post by Melanie Nayer on Wednesday 6 January, 2010 in Destinations
Why spend the winter in the snow? Work on your tan before summer with a weekend getaway to Grand Cayman. American Airlines and Ritz-Carlton hotels have teamed up to offer travelers an option for a much warmer weekend.Escape this weekend, Jan. 8-12, with American Airlines from Miami to Grand Cayman for $281 round-trip. Bunk up at the island's only five star resort, The Ritz-Carlton,...
Post by Andrea Mooney on Tuesday 5 January, 2010 in United Airlines
If one of your New Year’s resolutions is to travel more, but you still want to save money, then pay attention to which airlines are hiking prices. According to the Associated Press, larger domestic airlines like United have added $6-10 onto their normal fares.Smaller airlines like JetBlue, AirTran, and Southwest haven’t raised their prices just yet, and may not need to. Reports say that...
Post by Andrea Mooney on Tuesday 5 January, 2010 in US Airports
In the wake of the Christmas Day bomb scare, Newark Airport recently went on lockdown for six hours in response to a man who unknowingly walked through a secure area in the airport’s Terminal C. Thousands of passengers arrived at their destinations as late as last night, and were subjected to massive crowding and lack of resources both in the airport and on planes.Two hours after the...
Post by Evan Weber on Tuesday 5 January, 2010 in Airline News
Mesa Air Group, parent of Hawaiian interisland carrier Go!, and the 75 percent owner of the Go!-Mokulele joint venture, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection today in order to undergo financial restructuring.Go!-Mokulele is not part of the filing, and Mesa Air Group says it will continue to operate a full flight schedule. Mesa Air Group codeshare arrangements with United Airlines, US...
