January 30, 2012 Hungary’s Malev airline has run out of cash. Fortunately, the Hungarian government has offered help to keep the airline out of bankruptcy.
United Airlines has added economy plus seating to all its international 757’s.
Two UK citizens planning to visit the U.S. found out what happens when you send “tweets” with a message than can be misinterpreted.
January 27, 2012 Spanish airline Spanair has ceased operation as of today. It ran out of money.
Choice Hotels will soon start a systemwide upgrade to its Comfort Inn and Comfort Suite hotels.
Mokulele Airlines, a tiny Hawaiian based regional airline, will soon offer flights between Honolulu and London (Luton) with a stopover in Rockford, Iliinois. And I’m not kidding.
American Airlines is currently under Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Delta is thinking about buying American. USAir is also thinking about buying American. As of today, Delta is thinking about buying USAir. You need a scorecard just to keep track.
And if you’re really confused about all of this, and flying through San Francisco (SFO), you can relax in their new Yoga room.
January 26, 2012
Starting today, airline advertising must include all mandatory fees and taxes when quoting fares. No more $50 fares that wind up costing $400 after all the fees and taxes are added. You’ll know from the start what it will cost. However, extra fees such as for checked baggage, premium seating, etc., is considered optional and will not be included.
Alaska Airlines will no longer distribute prayer cards with the meals. I wonder if it’s because they no longer distribute meals?
The TSA has started using advanced imaging machines at 25 more airports.
Eagle Creek has come out with a new line of superlightweight packing cubes and folders. I saw some in a store today and they are really lightweight. (Very similar to the Sea to Summit sil fabric.)
Happy Australia Day to all of our friends from “Down Under”!!!!!!!
January 23, 2012
I guess you could call this article “Ode To The Overpacker.” I don’t think any of those interviewed will be coming to this website.
Carnival Cruises is offering the passengers of the Costa Concordia 30% off their next cruise. Wow, what a deal!!!!!
Pricelline is killing off Captain Kirk!!! Well, not really. However, starting today, the discount travel service will begin airing a commercial where The Priceline Negotiater (played by William Shatner) is killed off. RIP
Sen. Paul Rand (R-KY) had a little run in with TSA this morning in Nashville. Was it a glitch in equipment or did it have anything to do with the fact that the Senator is an outspoken critic of the agency? You decide.
We were included in the article 60 lilnks every student traveler needs.
January 20, 2012 Southwest Airlines has named six more cities that will be dropped from AirTran’s routemap this August.
Carnival, the owner or the Costa Concordia, says it will conduct a “a comprehensive audit and review of all safety and emergency response procedures” across all nine of its brands.
When you travel outside your home country, do you take out travel health and medical evacuation insurance? Or do you at least check to see if your own health insurance will cover you?
January 19, 2012 Heathrow Airport will operate a temporary terminal on August 13, to expedite the departure of approximately 10,000 athletes from the area. That’s the day after the Olympics end. My suggestion: not a great day to travel to, from, or through London.
More cracks are being found on the wings of Airbus 380’s. Airbus says the planes are safe. No word as to why an Air France A380 enroute to Toronto today declared an inflight emergency and returned to Paris.
While there are lots of hearings being planned in wake of the cruise ship tragedy in Italy, including one by the U.S. Congress, experts say don’t expect to see any major changes anytime soon.
President Obama signed an executive order today to help make international travel to the U.S. easier.
January 17, 2012 How would you like to be flying over the Atlantic Ocean and hear an announcement telling you the plane was about to make an emergency landing in the water? That happened on a recent British Airways flight between Miami and London. Luckily, it was an error.
Delta Air Lines and Westjet will soon start codesharing some of their flights.
Virgin America begins service to Philadelphia in April. Flights will be from LAX and SFO.
Did you know there are plenty of places on the web where you can get free e-books for your e-reader?
January 12, 2012
It looks like AMR Corp, the parent company of American Airlines, which recently filed for bankruptcy protection, may, as they say on Wall Street, be “in play.” The WSJ is reporting that USAir, Delta and a private equity group are all thinking of making a bid for the legacy carrier.
January 11, 2012 In an effort to save money, some airlines have replaced their widebody aircraft on transatlantic flights with the narrow body Boeing 757. This saves lots of money especially on routes that didn’t normally fill the larger planes. Except, there’s one problem. the 757 doesn’t have the range of the widebodies and in case of bad weather they need to make an unscheduled stop to refuel. This has been increasing over time and caused many passengers to miss connections. So, if you’re flying across the “pond” and have a connection at either end, you might want to check out the type of plane you’re flying.
How about a positive TSA story? A screener at Newark Liberty airport found $5,000 in cash on the floor and turned it in. It was found loose, near a United Airlines check in desk for elite flyers. No cameras around. So far no one has claimed the money or filed a report for the missing money.
January 10, 2012
Remember the cupcake TSA confiscated in Las Vegas just before Christmas? Well, they’ve now officially responded as to the reason. What I really love is the last line: “The TSA points out that fliers are permitted to take cakes, pies and cupcakes through security checkpoints, but adds that such items may be subject to additional screening.” I guess it’s true; the real purpose of “enhanced” pat downs is to grope my cupcakes.
Admission fees will be waved this weekend througout the entire U.S. National Park System in honor of the 3 day Martin Luther King holiday weekend. And you know what free admission means? Crowds.
January 9, 2012 American Airlines will close both its Burbank and Delhi stations. That means the end of flights from Dallas to Burbank as well as Chicago to Delhi. Personally, I will miss those DFW-BUR flights. I’d much prefer to fly into Burbank than LAX.
January 5, 2012 Happy 2012. Lots to talk about and catch up on after a needed holiday break.
American Airlines woes are continuing. As of today, their stock has been delisted from the New York Stock Exchange. It will now sell over the counter. The new symbol is AAMRQ.
Before the end of the month, new rules will take effect in the U.S. that require airlines to disclose all fees and taxes in ads and ban them from adding new fees after purchase It will also give passengers making certain types of reservations the right to hold them for 24 hours without payment or to be able to cancel them without penalty during that same time period. Guess who’s not happy? The airline industry.
The European Union passed a carbon emissions trading scheme geared towards airlines. Since this will bring extra costs to the carriers, they plan to pass those charges to the passengers. Lufthansa has already raised its fuel surcharge fees and Delta Airlines will do the same. So far, only China Airlines said it will not pay the tax.
The TSA’s PreCheck trusted traveler program is expanding. New airports, including JFK in NYC, will start the program.
Thanks to Paula Bag Lass for sending me this list of the best and worst travel behaviour in 2011. (Note, I kept the Canadian spelling. :) )
December 22, 2011 The parent company of British Airways is buying BMI, a smaller British airline, from Lufthansa. Why would they want a money losing airline? They don’t. It’s the coveted landing slots at Heathrow, the busiest airport in Europe, they want. With the aquisition of BMI, BA will hold about 50% of the landing slots.
The union representing UPS pilots is challenging, in court, the recent FAA rulings about pilot fatigue. The union says cargo pilots, who fly similar aircraft as the passenger airlines, should have been included.
The TSA has started a new helpline for for disabled passengers and those with medical conditions, who have questions about the screening process.
A little humor from Doonesbury
December 20, 2011 According to the Travel Goods Association:
December 19, 2011
Okay, you’re headed to Vegas for the holidays and you meet that person of your dreams…well, at least your dreams for the time you spend in Vegas. But your new SO is hesitant to go further than a few cocktails—wink, wink, nudge, nudge. Take him, or her, to the soon to be opened wedding chapel at the Cosmopolitan Hotel. Not only is it the first street level wedding chapel to look out over the Vegas strip, and allow passerby’s to look in, but they also offer a “faux” wedding ceremony for people who want to “try out” a wedding ceremony yet not have to deal with divorce later on. Fake rings included.
Two new flight search websites help you find the best flights with your frequent flier account in mind. However, not all airlines are taking part.
December 16, 2011 Delta Airlines is upgrading both its facilities and services at Laguardia airport in New York. They are also increasing the number of flights available from that airport.
The Grand Canyon National Park will ban all disposable water bottles starting early next year.
The Dutch government has decided to postpone its ban on the sale of pot to foreigners until 2013. The ban was scheduled to take effect in 2012. I wonder if there are any leftover holiday flight deals to Amsterdam?
December 14, 2011 Airlines may start to get tough when it comes to carry-on bags. It’s possible that they just might start enforcing their rules. Wouldn’t that be nice.
The F.A.A. is allowing pilots, who sit right next to all the controls and navigational equipement, to use Ipads instead of printed flight manuals, , even during take-off and landing. You and I must still turn off our Kindles during this time of we’ll find ourselves Alec Baldwinned.
Any engaged couples out there looking to get married on Valentine’s Day? Enter this contest. and an all expenses paid wedding in Jamaica may be yours. There is one small catch.
London’s Heathrow Airport has recently made two videos; one for arriving passengers and one for departing passengers. .
December 12, 2011
While we’re groped, strip searched, and interrogated by people pretending to be law enforcement (see next story), some baggage handlers are treating their area like the wild, wild west.. Drug smuggling and theft from baggage are regular practices.
Did you know that the people formerly known as airport screeners are officially called “officer” and wear metal badges and uniforms like law enforcement officers yet have no law enforcement power? Now one Congresswoman is sponsoring a bill in Congress saying that only properly trained law enforcement officers should be allowed such privileges.
December 6, 2011
Let’s face it, there are lots of us who criticize the TSA. One security expert thinks the past was a big waste but the future may hold some promise.
The first privately owned Airbus A380 is being built. To say it’s opulent is an understatement. Rumor has it that the plane is for a Middle Eastern prince. Makes me wonder….how much are we overpaying for oil?
Megabus is offering 200,000 free tickets for travel in early 2012.
FAA chief Randy Babbitt has resigned after being charged with DUI over the weekend.
December 2, 2011 Travel e-tailer Magellans and travel retail Colorado Bag N Baggage are merging. It should be interesting to see in which direction they go. I know the Colorado Bag N Baggage store near me closed earlier this year.
Light travel news day….have a nice weekend.
