Post by Melanie Nayer on Monday 8 February, 2010 in US Airports
Washington DC practically shut down this weekend when the blizzard came rolling through our nation's capitol, and some buildings remain closed for the time being, including the airports.Travelers on Washington flights take notice: Washington, D.C., airports remained closed early Monday, thanks to a record amount of snow from the weekend. The Blizzard of 2010 dumped some more than 20...
Post by Melanie Nayer on Saturday 6 February, 2010 in US Airports
While people prepare for the chaos on the ground at Dolphin Stadium, the Federal Aviation Administration is focused on minimizing the amount of traffic in the sky.The FAA announced two-tiered airspace restrictions for flights on Feb. 7, the day of Super Bowl XLIV. According to the FAA advisory, the following temporary flight restriction (TFR) will apply on game day from 4 p.m. -11:59 p.m....
Post by Andrea Mooney on Tuesday 2 February, 2010 in US Airports
While most of the European Union is still debating whether or not to implement full-body scanners, the United States now plans to fill half the nation’s airports with the new security systems in 2011.
The $215 million project comes at the heels of the Christmas Day bomb scare, and has been the largest security revamp since the country’s reaction to the attacks on September 11,...
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 Wednesday 27 January, 2010 in US Airports
In light of the upcoming delays that begin at New York’s JFK International Airport on March 1, 2010, airlines are preparing to make changes to avoid any massive delays. The airport is typically packed even during slow, less-demanding travel periods, so the runway closure will make flight scheduling more complex.Especially since New York is a hub both domestically and internationally,...
Post by Andrea Mooney on Tuesday 26 January, 2010 in Travel Tips
Great news for bold travelers: Joining the mile high club just got easier. Well, except for the fact that you won’t be a mile up in the air when you join. Dutch hotel company, Hotel Suites, has launched a new type of luxury accommodation: an airplane hotel suite that is as smooth, chic, and relaxing as your average stay at the spa.Situated at the Teuge Airport (about 50 miles from...
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 Andrea Mooney on Monday 25 January, 2010 in US Airports
In a combined effort, the Department of Homeland Security and the International Air Transport Association have begun a campaign to have US-bound travelers from 35 countries around the world register online before they board their flight.These countries include ones that don’t usually require their citizens to have visas, like the United Kingdom, Japan, and Germany. The goal is to make sure...
Post by Andrea Mooney on Monday 25 January, 2010 in US Airports
Soon to join the ranks of its neighbors San Jose and Oakland airports, San Francisco International Airport is on its way to getting full-service free wireless internet.
The deal, endorsed by the San Francisco City Purchaser, will potentially be approved tomorrow, and details are being worked out with the airport’s financial officials and T-Mobile. Possibilities for advertisements and...
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 Melanie Nayer on Thursday 21 January, 2010 in US Airports
For some travelers it's a added bonus, for other travelers is a downright necessity. WiFi at airports helps pass time during delays, keeps families connected during long travel periods, and ensures business meetings are on track while travelers run through airports. But, having to pay for WiFi has its limits. The costs range from $7 to $25, depending on how much time you spend online, and...
Post by Andrea Mooney on Wednesday 13 January, 2010 in US Airports
While the TSA has bumped up security quite a bit in the last few weeks, nothing compares with Boston Logan International Airport’s new innovation: a security robot.It doesn’t look like a traditional robot, it looks more like a small truck, but it will help to detect and disarm...
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 US Airports
Yesterday, we told you about the prolonged power outage at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, and as of today, all flight schedules are back to normal.On Sunday, 100 departing flights were suspended due to a fire. It began when road salt gathered on a utility pole, which caused a fire that disconnected power to the airport.Monday morning, check-in lines were long, and some...
Post by Andrea Mooney on Tuesday 12 January, 2010 in US Airports
We've seen a few delays due to security, but that's not the reason that New York' s JFK Airport is anticipating delays. As of today, JFK International Airport has announced that its largest runway will be experiencing delays due to major renovations.The runway, which currently handles one-third of the airports traffic and slightly more than one half or its departures will temporarily be...
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 Andrea Mooney on Friday 8 January, 2010 in US Airports
New security measures around the world and particularly in the United States have heightened. The use of body scanners is being actively debated, and one of the pertinent issues involves radiation safety. While some are concerned with the risks of radiation, new reports show that the risks in using body scanners are miniscule, if not non-existent. The radiation risk from these full-body scanners...
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 US Airports
The pilot of a Delta Air Lines connection flight aborted takeoff Friday morning at Logan International Airport after reports of smoke in the cocktpit. The plane was evacuated and Logan airport was temporarily shut down.The Delta connection plane was headed to Columbus, Ohio, was evacuated shortly after 10:30 a.m. Officials said that the smell of smoke was due to fumes after the plane...
Post by Andrea Mooney on Thursday 7 January, 2010 in US Airports
This week, heightened security has been a top travel story around the world. From extra scrutiny at international hubs, to airport delays all over the U.S., the explosive scare on Christmas Day has pulled the reigns in on American and trans-Atlantic flights. Now, the European Union is divided on whether the installation of body scanners is either necessary or unwarranted.According to USA...
Post by Andrea Mooney on Thursday 7 January, 2010 in US Airports
It’s no secret that airport security has been taken to new heights since the Christmas Day Northwest Airlines scare. As of yesterday, two more busy airports in the country endured delays due to suspicious baggage. In California, a dubious-looking bag called officials’ attention, and in Minnesota, a suitcase containing Gatorade bottles filled with honey tested positive for TNT.The bag in...
Post by Melanie Nayer on Thursday 7 January, 2010 in US Airports
Travelers on Los Angeles flights from Los Angeles International Airport should prepare themselves for more security initiatives.Following a media conference yesterday by President Barak Obama, which he declared the U.S. intelligence agency had 'failed' in the wake of the attempted Christmas Day bombing, Los Angeles mayor Antonio Villaraigosa announced that he was instructing more security...
Post by Andrea Mooney on Wednesday 6 January, 2010 in US Airports
The 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games are just one month away. On February 12, the world will be tuned in to all the skiing, skating, boarding, curling, and hockey a sports fan could ask for. If you’re fortunate enough to have tickets, or are simply interested in being in Vancouver for all the excitement, there are a few important things to know about border requirements.According to USA Today,...
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 Melanie Nayer on Monday 4 January, 2010 in International Airports
Heathrow Airport will install full-body scanners that can see under passengers’ clothing as soon as possible, according to the Cheapflights UK news blog.Prime Minister Gordon Brown gave the g0-ahead for full-body scanners in Britain's airports in the wake of...
Post by Melanie Nayer on Monday 4 January, 2010 in US Airports
After a long week of terror threats, attempted bombings, and rumors spreading about whether you can or cannot use the new electronics you got for Christmas on your next flight, the Transportation Security Administration has finally issued a statement on the new security rules for travelers.The TSA website states the new rules:"...includes long-term, sustainable security measures...
Post by Andrea Mooney on Tuesday 29 December, 2009 in US Airports
The Transportation Security Administration has updated its regulations in several directions over the last few days. Updates have ranged from large-scale to miniscule, but in order for travelers to be knowledgeable, the most up-to-date information is imperative.As of last night, Reuters reported that in-flight security issues such as walking around the cabin, using in-flight entertainment...
Post by Melanie Nayer on Monday 28 December, 2009 in US Airports
As a result of the Dec. 25, 2009, attempted terror attack on a Detriot-bound plane, new rules and regulations have been put into effect by the Transportation Security Administration.We are thankful all passengers on board Northwest Airlines Flight 253 are safe, but as a result of this incident, the TSA has put additional security measures in place to ensure aviation security remains strong....
Post by Andrea Mooney on Wednesday 9 December, 2009 in US Airports
According to recent federal statistics, some of the largest and busiest airports and airlines are falling short on timeliness. As we saw with Zagat results in November, smaller airlines seem to take the cake when it comes to customer satisfaction.Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta is among one of the busiest airports in the world. It ranked 29th out of 31 major airports for...
Post by Andrea Mooney on Tuesday 8 December, 2009 in US Airports
A major New York area airport will undergo serious renovations that will make things easier for travelers. By improving Terminal B, the Newark Liberty International Airport plans to cut long lines and waiting periods for security check points to spread out congestion and speed up service.Previously, lines at Newark’s security points could last up to 40 minutes per checkpoint and move at a...
Post by Andrea Mooney on Monday 7 December, 2009 in US Airports
Things are getting greener in Kansas. Recently, the Wichita Mid-Continental Airport announced its plans for a new $150 million terminal with innovative ideas to improve its environmental edge. The airport plans to add miniature wind turbines similar to the ones installed at Boston Logan International Airport earlier this year. The small turbines will be placed on the brand new, four-level,...
Post by Andrea Mooney on Friday 4 December, 2009 in US Airports
In an effort to become one of three privatized airports, Puerto Rico Luis Munoz Marin International Airport near San Juan has submitted its own privatization application to the Federal Aviation Administration. The FAA has received the application, and will consider it in a 30-day review, according to the Wall Street Journal.Right now, the airport is owned and managed by the Puerto Rico Ports...
Post by Andrea Mooney on Friday 4 December, 2009 in US Airports
As of yesterday, AirTran will no longer be operating flights in or out of Charleston International Airport.The Florida-based carrier had been running flights through the airport since 2007, but considered dropping the location in October, when business had significantly dropped. Although most flights were up to 80 percent filled, AirTran officials say that most of those passengers had purchased...
Post by Andrea Mooney on Friday 4 December, 2009 in US Airports
A Sikh man is suing an Atlanta-based shuttle-bus company at the Indiana International Airport for discrimination. Indirjit Singh applied for the position as a shuttle bus driver for Air Serv at Indiana International Airport in 2007, and believed he was denied the job because of his beard and turban. Keeping in line with his Sikh faith, Singh hasn’t cut his hair since he was born, and keeps it...
Post by Melanie Nayer on Thursday 3 December, 2009 in US Airports
Forget soggy fries and deep-fried chicken sandwiches on buttered-buns. Healthy eating is the new trend among travelers and Detroit Metro ranks at the top of the list for the healthiest meal options.
According to an annual report by the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, Detroit Metro scored 100%, meaning every restaurant in Detroit's airport offers at least...
Post by Melanie Nayer on Monday 30 November, 2009 in US Airports
U.S. airports have been lobbying Congress for more money, at the expense of the flier.
USA Today reports that airlines have asked Congress to raise the "passenger facility charge" - a fee fliers pay, which is included in the overall price of airline tickets.
Currently, the charge is $4.50 for each flight on the booked trip but airports would like to see the fee increased...
Post by Andrea Mooney on Wednesday 25 November, 2009 in US Airports
If you’re traveling today, there’s a lot of work that goes into a successful flight. Today is one of the busiest travel days of the year, and highways, airports, and planes will be more crowded than usual. In order to escape the chaos, take extra time to double check your information and ensure that you have a smooth travel experience.
USA Today has put together a list of ten...
Post by Andrea Mooney on Tuesday 24 November, 2009 in United Airlines
In an effort to make airport transactions run more smoothly and efficiently, United Airlines will begin testing devices that are meant to help passengers get information faster and cut down on lines. Deemed “LineBusters” the tools are mostly geared toward relaying information about automatic booking.How it works: If you are already passed the security area, and you learn that your flight...
Post by Andrea Mooney on Thursday 19 November, 2009 in US Airports
Travelers on flights out of the East Coast today may experience significant flight delays, due to a glitch in the FAA’s computers, according to USA Today.The delays stemmed from a problem processing flight plan information. They began in Atlanta at Hartsfield-Jackson, which is one of the busiest airports in the country, and have since affected flights in New York, making planes space themselves...
Post by Melanie Nayer on Tuesday 17 November, 2009 in US Airports
Delta Air Lines is extending its contract at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the Atlanta Business Chronicle reports. According to the paper, the Atlanta City Council approved a seven-year extension of Delta's lease with the Atlanta airport.The lease keeps Delta from leaving Atlanta as a hub location, and ensures additional Atlanta flights from Delta and its partners.As part...
Post by Andrea Mooney on Tuesday 17 November, 2009 in US Airports
In an effort to increase security and protect the United States from any aviation-related terrorist attacks, the Transportation Security Administration announced a proposal to investigate airplane repair shops across the country and abroad. The heightened inspections will examine each shop’s protocol and safety measures, and work to protect planes and their repair shops from potential terrorist...
Post by Andrea Mooney on Monday 16 November, 2009 in US Airports
Airports all over the country are revamping, whether it be security, aesthetics or technology. Aside from LAX’s enormous renovation, other airports are on the verge of makeovers as well. Lambert-St. Louis opened a quicker security clearance recently, and both Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta and Denver international improved their recycling programs. Miami is no exception, and is expected to...
Post by Andrea Mooney on Friday 13 November, 2009 in US Airports
Last month, Southwest was one of the first airlines to announce flights to the new airport in Florida, scheduled to open in 2010. The airport, then deemed the Northwest Florida –Panama City International Airport, is the first airport to open since September 11, 2001.It’s making news this week, because as of Wednesday morning, it has yet another new name (it has had several since its...
Post by Andrea Mooney on Thursday 5 November, 2009 in US Airports
Passengers who have made recent name changes may be in for an exhausting process at the airport. While the Transportation Security Administration’s “Secure Flight” program might not be news to travelers, its stringency may be. According to the New York Times, the program, although already implemented in some airlines, like American, may be getting tougher on small details.Names on...
Post by Andrea Mooney on Thursday 5 November, 2009 in US Airports
The Richmond International Airport isn’t very happy with the Transportation Security Administration, and for good reason. The TSA is currently has an outstanding balance of $3.6 million that it has owed the airport for more than two years.The history of the transaction goes back to the TSA’s policies for upgrades. When the Richmond International Airport decided to upgrade its safety...
Post by Andrea Mooney on Thursday 5 November, 2009 in US Airports
In recent years, waiting around the airport before your flight has become somewhat of a joy. Shops, restaurants, and even salons find ways to entertain even the pickiest of travelers, and you can even run errands, buy toiletries, or stock up on snacks for your flight.
Now, Miami International Airport would like to kick it up a notch, and include slot machines.
The airport, which acts...
Post by Andrea Mooney on Wednesday 4 November, 2009 in Travel News
There are a million reasons to book a flight to Thailand – the epic history, the unique food, customs and culture, and of course, the beaches. But now there’s an added perk for travelers who want to stay connected - the Suvarnamhumi International Airport in Bangkok has added free wireless this week.In direct competition to neighbors, Hong Kong, which added wireless in 2006, and...
Post by Andrea Mooney on Tuesday 3 November, 2009 in US Airports
After a decade of renovation, the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport in Anchorage, Alaska is completely. The $200 million work done on concourses A and B was revealed on Sunday, after a two-year focus on re-designing the food and dining options. Concourses B and C are also now connected for travelers who want to shop and eat between them, without having to go through extra screening....
Post by Andrea Mooney on Monday 2 November, 2009 in US Airports
We’ve told you about larger international airports like LAX making big improvements, but now smaller airports are getting more financial attention. Since 2001, Congress has spent $1.1 billion on projects for smaller airports that go toward private planes, runway improvements and other maintenance. USA Today has published an analysis on the spending, and breaks down where it’s all been...
Post by Andrea Mooney on Thursday 29 October, 2009 in US Airports
Along with Halloween, autumn leaves, and a looming season of gift-buying, flu season is upon us and there is no point in ignoring it. If you haven’t had a flu shot yet, airports are making it easier than ever to get one before you travel. In addition to a slew of other airports we’ve told you about, both airports in Chicago have announced that they will also be administering the vaccines....
