Travel Log - News Archives

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U.S. Airlines Begin Fall Sales Push

Taipei Times reports low-cost carriers are launching a price promotion offensive for late summer and early fall undercutting the struggling majors. JetBlue has announced it will cut its prices by as much as half and Southwest Airlines will reduce prices by 65 percent. These carriers are trying to get a head start booking travel during the traditionally slow travel peroid between Labor Day and Thanksgiving.

The majors thought this would be the year they'd return to profitability but they face a combined loss of $3 billion in 2004 due to low priced competition and high priced fuel.

Steve Hall | July 14, 2004 | News | Permanent link | Comments (0)

Lufthansa Introduces In-Flight Internet Access

In what will hopefully become widespread throughout the airline industry, Lufthansa, in partnership Connexion and Boeing, has introduced FlyNet, a wireless broadband quality Internet connection for $9.95 for 30 minutes or $29.95 for the entire flight. The service will first be offered on Los Angeles to Munich flights with other long-haul routes expected to be added rapidly. By the end of 2006, the entire long-haul fleet of 80 Airbus A340, A330 and 747-400 will be outfitted with FlyNet. The service will work with any standard IEEE 802.11b wireless card.

Reuters reports part of the FlyNet service will be free and include a closed portal with thousands of cached pages of news, weather, travel, shopping, lifestyle information and Lufthansa's Mile & More frequent flyer program. Fascinating as this news is, unplugging from the office during flight will no longer be an option.

Steve Hall | July 9, 2004 | News | Permanent link | Comments (1)

Memorex Introduces Small Travel Mice

Yahoo reports that Memorex has introduced two new mice for travelers. Not the live kind that make some people scream but the electronic kind that plug into yout laptop. The two new mice, called Wireless Optical Traveler Mouse and ScrollPro Travel are half the size of a traditional mouse and are designed to save precious travel space while maintaning full functionality.

The Prism Optical Travel Mouse has an illuminated rainbow scroll wheel and a retractable USB cord. The ScrollPro Travel Mouse comes in black and silver.

Steve Hall | July 6, 2004 | News | Permanent link | Comments (0)

The Travel Industry Is Back

Welcome news to those of us in the travel industy, words we weren't sure we'd hear again after the beating the travel industry has taken in recent years: the Travel Industry Association of America is predicting that 2004 will be the biggest year on record for U.S. domestic travel spending. USA Today reports.

Andras Revesz | July 5, 2004 | News | Permanent link | Comments (0)

United Airlines Launches Business Loyalty Program

Perhaps as an additional method of clawing its way out of bankruptcy, United Airlines has launched a new loyalty program, called Ameniti, targeted to business travelers. Mercury News reports for an annual fee of $295, members can receive unlimited two for one companion tickets, two passes to the airline's Red Carpet Club, a $399 coupon to use on Cunard cruise ships, upgrades at Starwood Hotels, personalized travel services and a free subscription to Conde Nast Traveler magazine.

While the airline went all out on that last one, United Loyalty Services Senior VP Scott Garner hopes to have 300,000 new members in the program by year's end. Well, even if the airline does go under, Conde Naste will be quite happy.

Steve Hall | July 4, 2004 | News | Permanent link | Comments (1)

Singapore Air Completes Longest Flight in History

CNN reports Singapore Air has made its first long haul, non-stop flight from Sinapore to New York's Newark Airport. The flight was made in 18.5 hours, a new record for the most miles flown non-stop. The previous record was held also by Singapore Air for its LA to Sinapore non-stop.

The flight was fully booked and while passengers boarded in Singapore, Frank Sinatra's "New York, New York" was played in the cabin.

Steve Hall | June 29, 2004 | News | Permanent link | Comments (0)

United Airlines Announes Non-Stop Chicago to Shanghai Service

Joining other airlines in the trend towards long-haul non-stops, United Arilines has announce non-stop service from Chicago to Shanghai beginning October 31. Long-haul non-stops out of New York and San Francisco are now common. The addition of the Chicago-based non-stop to China adds to the airline's status as the only U.S. airline flying non-stops to China.

A press release reports United will use combined passenger and cargo Boeing 777 aircraft for the service and will add Boeing 747-400's to the mix as demand increases.

Steve Hall | June 29, 2004 | News | Permanent link | Comments (0)

New Program Allows For Streamlined Airport Security Check

The Boston Globe reports a pilot program by the Transportation Security Administration is testing the viability of allowing select travelers who submit to an advance background check to bypass lengthy airport security measures. The pilot test will include up to 2,000 travelers, begin at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport then expand to Boston, Los Angeles, Houston and Washington. One sincerely hopes these background checks are extra thorough.

Those who pass background checks are able to walk through a special gate at the airport but still pass through the metal detector and pass bags through the baggage screen. The trial is free. If is becomes standard practice, a yet to be determined fee will be charged to those who join.

Steve Hall | June 28, 2004 | News | Permanent link | Comments (0)

Northwest Pilot Lands at Wrong Airport, Tells Passengers Not to Look Out Windows

We've all had that miserably feeling of making a big booboo, and our first instinct is always to try to cover up our mistake and hope no one notices. A pilot for a Northwest flight recently had such an experience, when he accidentally landed his plane at a small military airport instead of Rapid City, South Dakota, where he was scheduled to land. You had to admire his creative spirit in trying to cover up his mistake, though: he authoritatively instructed passengers not to look out the window while he was in discussions with the surprised military representatives. CNN reports.

Rick Bruner | June 27, 2004 | News | Permanent link | Comments (0)

July Fourth Travel to be Heavy Despite Gas Prices

According to AAA information reported Tuesday in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, 39.4 million people are expected to travel 50 or more miles over the Independance Day holiday. Despite rising gas prices, that's up from 38.2 million a year ago.

Thirty five percent or travelers will stay with friends and family, 33 percent at hotels, 25 percent will head to the beach and 11 percent will travel in RVs or camp in a tent.

Steve Hall | June 22, 2004 | News | Permanent link | Comments (0)