Luggage Locator Pro an easy way to locate U.S. Department of Transportation has given tentative approval President George W. Bush recently announced that citizens Airlines to offer dramatically reduced Thanksgiving schedules. Holiday Alaska Airlines American Airlines American Airlines, Raleigh/Durham Delta Air Lines, New York Mokulele Airlines Mokulele Airlines United Airlines United Airlines United Vacations, Westin Hotels ZZ AirGuide 081027 Editorial eMail: edit@AirGuideOnline.com
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U.S. Department of Transportation has given tentative approval to six U.S. passenger carriers to offer third-country, code-share service to Russia. Russia opened its door to the flights in July after reaching an agreement with the U.S., and the DOT said the most beneficial situation would be to give one routing apiece to six separate carriers: American, Delta, Northwest, Continental, United and US Airways.
President George W. Bush recently announced that citizens from Estonia, Latvia, Hungary, Lithuania, Slovakia, the Czech Republic and South Korea will be allowed to visit the U.S. without a visa. The travelers will be required to register online and carry a biometric passport. Six other countries -- Greece, Romania, Malta, Poland, Bulgaria and Cyprus -- are in the process of qualifying for the program.
Airlines to offer dramatically reduced Thanksgiving schedules. Holiday fliers will find about 2.6 million fewer seats available over the Thanksgiving holidays due to airline cost-cutting measures that have removed nearly 3,000 daily flights from the schedule. An OAG/USA TODAY analysis shows that hundreds of routes have lost at least 25% of their service compared to year-ago levels. On Thanksgiving Day alone, US Airways is cutting its flights by 40% from last year, while Delta Air Lines will be down by 26% and United Airlines by 22%.
Alaska Air Group posted a quarterly net loss on Thursday on volatile fuel prices and a weak economy. The parent of Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air reported a net loss of USD$86.5 million, compared to net income of USD$81.8 million in the year before period. Excluding special items, Alaska reported profit of USD$39.9 million, compared to USD$78.8 million. Results include a loss of USD$218.2 million associated with the decline in the value of the company's fuel-hedge portfolio, compared to a USD$4.8 million gain in the third quarter of 2007.
American Airlines phases out its MD-80 fleet with newer models from Boeing, the environment could benefit as much as the company's bottom line. New 737s are 35% more efficient than old MD-80s, says Jim Walsh, American's managing director-environmental, because "you're carrying more people and burning less fuel." Likewise, the 787s American recently ordered will burn about 20% less fuel than same-sized aircraft in use today.
American Airlines is relocating its operations to Raleigh/Durham International Airport's new Terminal 2 on Sunday. American, a founding member of the oneworld Alliance, previously operated from Terminal C, which will be demolished in the coming weeks to make way for the second phase of the Terminal 2 project. American and American Eagle, which together operate more than 50 daily departures at RDU, will occupy eight of the north concourse's 19 gates. Twelve ticket counter positions, with an island designed to ease congestion, along with 12 self-service devices will offer a smooth check-in process. Seven security checkpoint lanes will help customers move through security quickly, and three baggage carousels will deliver luggage in a timely fashion. The concourse also features 26 specialty retail shops and restaurants and two moving walkways. As part of the move, American will open the doors to its new Admirals Club lounge located across from gates C1 and C3 on the Mezzanine Level. With more than 5,000 square feet, the facility seats 121 members and guests. For more information, visit www.aa.com
Delta Air Lines has announced the extension of its special promotion with US Helicopter for service between New York’Äôs John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and two heliports in Manhattan. Customers in domestic flights in Economy Class to or from its hub at JFK will continue to get a discounted one-way fare of $45 from the published fare of $159 for US Helicopter Airport Shuttle Service. The extended offer will be valid for tickets purchased after Nov.1, 2008 and is valid for travel through Dec. 31, 2008. Additional taxes/fees/restrictions apply. A one-way flight on US Helicopter is complimentary when purchasing eligible First class, Business Class or unrestricted Economy tickets. For more information, visit www.delta.com.
FAA says Hawaiian inter-island regional carrier, Mokulele Airlines, was flying again this morning after being asked to voluntarily ground its fleet yesterday. The controversy began on Tuesday when an FAA safety inspector discovered that carrier had not given required training to its cabin crew on the use of life preservers and fire extinguishers. An FAA spokesman says the inspection was "routine" and had "nothing to do with any pending business arrangement between Mokulele and any other airline." Mokulele is scheduled to add four Embraer E-170s flown by Republic subsidiary Shuttle America to its operations on 19 November. Mokulele currently uses a fleet of seven Cessna Grand Caravan 208Bs to fly passenger service.
FAA spokesman says flight attendants at Mokulele Airlines are not properly trained in the use of life preservers and fire extinguishers, and flights have been grounded until the required training is complete. An airline spokesman said that after the carrier was contacted by the FAA about the issue, "As a safety measure we voluntarily grounded our flights. We have since updated our training procedures for our flight crew."
United Airlines will begin the first-ever nonstop service on Sunday between Washington, D.C., and Dubai. With the inaugural flight, United becomes the only carrier to offer daily nonstop service between these important centers of government and commerce. The new Washington-Dubai route expands United’Äôs breadth of service to the Middle East and strengthens the company’Äôs Washington Dulles hub as an international gateway. United also serves Kuwait City daily from Washington Dulles in addition to 21 other international destinations. Washington Dulles also offers valuable connections to more than 58 destinations in the United States. For more information, visit www.united.com.
United Airlines' "fuel-optimised" flight for the Asia and South Pacific Initiative to Reduce Emissions (Aspire) will depart from Sydney for San Francisco on 14 November using a Boeing 747-400. Signed by US, New Zealand and Australian air navigation service providers in February, the Aspire agreement intends to accelerate the development and implementation of operational procedures to reduce the environmental footprint for all phases of flight. United's "optimised" flight follows a similar Air New Zealand 777 service from Auckland to San Francisco on 12 September and a Qantas A380 operation on 22 October between Melbourne to Los Angeles.
United Vacations is inviting customers to experience the Westin difference with a new deal on vacations to the many Westin Hotels and Resorts that span the U.S., including the islands of Hawaii. Travelers can save up to $300 when they book by Nov. 30 for travel through May 31, 2009. Promo code HEAVENLY must be entered at the time of booking to receive this deal. The savings amount one can receive is based on the total price of the vacation package. Clients will save $300 on vacation packages of $5,500 or more, $200 on vacation packages of $3,500 to $5,499, $100 on vacation packages of $2,000 to $3,499, $50 on vacation packages of $1,200 to $1,999, and $25 on vacation packages of $800 to $1,199. Travel agents can book United Vacations through VAX VacationAccess at www.vaxvacationaccess.com or the VAX VacationAccess technology via Amadeus AgentNet, Sabre Vacations, and Vacation.com AgentNet.
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