Frequent Flyer

NEW DOMESTIC AIRLINE SERVICE

Delta Air Lines on July 1 will begin new service between Mineta San Jose International Airport and Los Angeles International Airport. The new Los Angeles flights will depart San Jose at 8:15 a.m., 12:25 p.m., 4:10 p.m. and 7:50 p.m. and will San Jose travelers to 17 cities in Mexico and Central America. Delta will also add a third daily nonstop from San Jose to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport; the new Atlanta flight will depart at 10 p.m.  Both new routes will be operated with 50-seat regional jet aircraft.

AIRTRAN AIRWAYS AWARDED ATLANTA-WASHINGTON, D.C. ROUTE

The U.S. Department of Transportation awarded AirTran Airways permission to start flights between Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and Washington National Ronald Reagan Airport. The DOT said that it chose AirTran over four other airlines – ATA Airlines, Delta Airlines subsidiary Comair, Midwest Airlines and US Airways – because the low-cost airline would provide the most competition on the route. The carrier was given exemptions to limitations on takeoffs and landings at the airport, which became available after Spirit Airlines stopped service between Detroit and Washington National in January. AirTran is required to start the service by Aug. 1.

VIRGIN AMERICA GIVEN APPROVAL TO BEGIN SERVICE

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) said that Virgin America can begin service once it receives necessary safety clearances. Service is expected to start this summer with flights from San Francisco International Airport to New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport. Within 12 months of startup, the airline plans to serve San Diego, Las Vegas, Los Angeles and Washington Dulles International Airport.

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION LOOKS AT HIDDEN FLIGHT DELAYS

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has launched a probe into airline delays that may result in fines for as many as eight carriers suspected of failing to adequately disclose their scheduling shortcomings. Andrew Steinberg, DOT assistant secretary for aviation and internal affairs, on April 20 told the House aviation subcommittee that some airlines fail to properly disclose to consumers that some flights are late as much as 80 percent of the time. The airlines were not identified.

NORTHWEST AIRLINES, MIDWEST AIRLINES ANNOUNCE CODE-SHARE

Northwest Airlines and Midwest Airlines beginning this summer will begin code-sharing. Subject to a final agreement, select Midwest Airlines flights that connect at Midwest’s Milwaukee and Kansas City hubs will carry the “NW” code. Northwest will also code-share on Midwest Airlines-operated flights between Milwaukee, Kansas City and Omaha to Boston, Hartford, Los Angeles and San Francisco to facilitate connections to the Northwest/KLM trans-Atlantic and Northwest trans-Pacific route network.

Routes operated by Northwest that will include the Midwest Airlines’ “YX” code are flights that connect through Northwest’s hub at Detroit, Minneapolis/St. Paul and Memphis, as well as flights to and from Indianapolis, to destinations throughout the U.S. and Canada. Midwest’s code will also appear on Northwest-operated flights to Hawaii for Midwest passengers traveling from Milwaukee, Kansas City and Omaha through Seattle, San Francisco and Los Angeles. Members of Northwest’s WorldPerks and Midwest’s Midwest Miles frequent flyer programs will continue to receive accrual and redemption benefits on flights operated by both airlines.

BRITISH AIRWAYS MOVES CHECK-IN AREA, OPENS NEW LOUNGE AT PHILADELPHIA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

British Airways on May 16 moved its check-in area to Philadelphia International Airport’s Terminal A West. Terminal A West is a newer facility featuring enhanced shopping options and providing easier access to BA’s new lounge. Arriving passengers will find the arrival gate has now moved closer to customs and immigration.

British Airways’ passengers are invited to experience the ‘Galleries’ concept lounge. The state-of-the-art lounge, which is in Terminal A, adjacent to security and closer to customs and immigration, offers wireless service. Other amenities include a champagne bar and a new pre-flight dining area, while Club World members will enjoy the pre-flight supper area and sleek blue bar.

NEW INTERNATIONAL AIRLINE SERVICE

Northwest Airlines on Aug. 1 will begin daily nonstop service between its Minneapolis/St. Paul hub and Ottawa, Canada. The service will be operated by Northwest Airlink partner Pinnacle Airlines, using 50-seat regional jet aircraft. Flight 2849 will depart Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport at 6:52 p.m., arriving in Ottawa at 10:12 p.m. Starting Aug, 1, flight 2848 will depart Ottawa at 8:30 a.m., arriving at Minneapolis/St. Paul at 10:05 a.m. Northwest currently offers three daily connecting flights between MSP and Ottawa via its hub at Detroit. Ottawa would be the 159^th destination served by Northwest from MSP. Northwest is offering 1,000 bonus miles for travel between the two cities -- the offer is valid for travel between Aug. 1 and Nov. 15. For those not members of Northwest’s WorldPerks, click here to enroll. Registration is required prior to travel.

AMERICAN AIRLINES ADDS NEW SERVICE TO SOUTH AMERICA, CARIBBEAN

American Airlines in July will upgrade to nonstop, year-round basis, its current seasonal service between Miami and Montevideo, Uruguay. The airline will continue to offer service from Miami to Montevideo via Buenos Aires, Argentina. Year-round service between Miami and Montevideo will begin from Miami on July 1 and from Montevideo on July 2. American will operate the route with Boeing 767-300 aircraft, configured with 30 Business Class and 195 seats in the Main Cabin. Flight 989 will depart Miami at 11:15 p.m., arriving in Montevideo at 9:05 a.m. the next day; Flight 989 from July 1-Sept 4 will operate Sunday, Monday, Saturday, and from Sept. 5, operate Monday, Wednesday, Friday. Flight 984 will depart Montevideo at 9:10 p.m., arriving in Miami at 5:10 a.m. the next day. Flight 984 will operate on Monday, Tuesday, Sunday July 2-Sept 4; and effective Sept. 6, operate on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

American Airlines on Nov. 15 will add nonstop service from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport to St. Lucia. The route will be operated three times weekly with Boeing 757 aircraft configured with 22 seats in First Class and 166 seats in the Main Cabin.  American currently offers daily nonstop service to St. Lucia from Miami, while its regional partner, American Eagle Airlines, flies five times daily from San Juan, Puerto Rico to George F.L. Charles Airport.

American Airlines on Dec. 13 will add 14 roundtrips per week to its existing service between Miami International Airport and Colombia. The service additions include new daily service between Miami and Barranquilla featuring American’s Boeing 737-800 aircraft configured for 148 passengers – 16 seats in the First Class cabin and 132 seats in the Coach cabin. American will also increase its existing service between Miami and Medellin to ten weekly roundtrips from the current seven. The three new flights between Miami and Medellin will operate on Monday, Thursday and Saturday. The service will also be flown with American’s Boeing 737-800 aircraft. American will also increase its service between Miami and Bogota adding four round-trips for a total of six. The additional flights will be operated with American’s 188-seat Boeing 757 aircraft. Southbound flights will operate on Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday – Tuesday, Friday, Saturday and Monday northbound.

UNITED AIRLINES TO ADD THIRD U.S.-VIETNAM ROUTE

United Airlines announced that by late October it would open another route from Los Angeles International Airport to Ho Chi Minh City, via Hong Kong. This would be United’s third route from the United States to Vietnam – the two existing routes operate from San Francisco International Airport and Chicago O'Hare International Airport. United Airlines became the first U.S. airline to offer flights between the two countries since 1975, when it launched service to Ho Chi Minh City in December 2004.

EVA AIR’S NEWEST BOEING 777 AIRCRAFT LIT TO HELP REGULATE BODY CLOCK

EVA Air’s sixth Boeing 777-300ER aircraft is the first of its fleet to offer innovative LED lighting features in cabin ceiling and windows to help regulate body clocks for its Premium Laurel and Elite class passengers. Premium Laurel Class passengers can lie flat and gaze up at twinkling constellations, including Orion, Ursa Major, Pegasus and more. Mood lighting in the two cabins adjusts to six different levels, starting with sunrise through midday, sunset, evening, relaxation and night-time. The subtle changes in brightness are designed to help passengers’ body clocks adjust to the time-zone variations experienced on trans-Pacific travel.

EVA will deploy its sixth new Boeing 777-300ER aircraft on its Taipei-Los Angeles route, and will operate the majority of its 17 flights from Taipei to Los Angeles International Airport with that aircraft. The airline is taking delivery of two more of the aircraft later this year and will also place them in service in routes to the United States. EVA flies a total of 36 flights between Asia and the U.S. every week. In addition to its Los Angeles service, EVA also flies to San Francisco and seven to Seattle, three of which continue on to New York. The airline also uses two Boeing 777 aircraft on its Taipei-Bangkok-London route.

JAPAN AIRLINES RAISES FUEL SURCHARGE

Japan Airlines beginning July 1 will increase its one-way fuel surcharge on flights between Japan and Hawaii to $64. The surcharge will increase to $91 one way for flights between Japan and North America.

The average cost of jet fuel for U.S. airlines rose to $1.84 per gallon in March, up 7 cents from the previous month but changed from March 2006. The Air Transport Association, the trade group representing such airlines as American Airlines, Southwest Airlines and United Airlines, says jet fuel, which used to represent 10 to 15 percent of a carrier’s expenses, now accounts for up to 30 percent of total expenses, surpassing labor costs. World airlines are projected to spend $120 billion on jet fuel this year – seven percent more than in 2006 – according to the International Air Transport Association.

NORTHWEST AIRLINES, CHINA AIRLINES ANNOUNCE ALLIANCE

Northwest Airlines has signed an agreement with China Airlines that includes reciprocal frequent flyer benefits and lounge access for members of both carriers’ loyalty programs – Northwest WorldPerks and China Airlines’ Dynasty Flyer. Electronic ticketing and one-stop check-in for passengers connecting between Northwest Airlines and China Airlines flights are an added benefit. The agreement is effective Aug. 1.

STAR ALLIANCE CELBRATES 10 YEAR ANNIVERSARY

Star Alliance, the 17-member global alliance, on May 14 celebrated its tenth anniversary. The alliance has grown to 17 members from the initial five and each year flies more than 406 million passengers to some 855 destinations in 155 countries. Star Alliance is launching a new brand positioning which reflects the changing needs of the global traveler with the tagline, ‘The way the Earth connects.’ An advertising campaign will highlight the role of body language in business and the importance of picking up these signs in face-to-face meetings. Passengers who fly on the 17 member carriers on qualifying tickets between now and November, could win a selection of unique monthly prizes and also have the opportunity to win the grand prize: creating his/her own trip for two by picking up to five “experiences” from a list of 10 Star Alliance destinations, including New Zealand, Japan, Sweden and South Africa. Click here to learn more about the Star Alliance 10^th anniversary promotion.

AMSTERDAM SCHIPHOL DEPLOYS BODY-SCANNING MACHINES

Amsterdam Schiphol Airport this week began using new body-scanning machines at the H and E pier security checkpoints. The security scan system uses radio waves to display head-to-toe images. Going through the scanner takes about three seconds, allowing users to avoid metal detectors or body searches. Digital images are viewed by security personnel in another room – the face of the person being scanned is blurred so they cannot be identified – and images are deleted after they are viewed. The screening is voluntary. The technology is being tested at other airports, but Schiphol is the first to deploy for regular use at security checkpoints. For now, passengers at one check-in gate and one departure gate have the option to either use the machine or go through regular security controls -- the airport plans to install 15 additional machines. The airport also uses iris scan technology to screen passengers. Amsterdam Schiphol handles about 160,000 passengers per day at peak travel times – it is Europe’s fourth largest hub.  

Amsterdam Schiphol is frequently voted one of the top airports worldwide. It offers airport-wide Internet access and many shopping and dining options, including Schiphol Plaza, the shopping center before passport control.

AMERICAN AIRLINES ENHANCES THE AADVANTAGE SHOPPING MALL

American Airlines has launched a redesigned AAdvantage eShopping Mall, a Web site designed to make earning miles easier with a customized online shopping experience. Enhancements include a personalized account option that allows AAdvantage members to choose their favorite merchants, view an award history section and previously visited merchants panel, and set preferences for mall communications. The new product search tool gives users the opportunity to find products across merchants with a single query, allowing for price-comparison shopping. To celebrate the re-launch, AAdvantage members can earn up to 1,000 bonus miles from now through June 14 from their total online purchases. New site users will earn 500 bonus miles with purchases totaling more than $150, while returning site users will earn 1,000 bonus miles when spending more than $500 across all merchants. Shoppers have access to more than 200 top merchants including Restoration Hardware, RedEnvelope, Barnes & Noble.com and Apple Store.  

NATIONAL RENTAL CAR’S DRIVE SAFE WEB SITE

National Rental Car has a Web site for those who want to be prepared to drive in a country they may be visiting for the first time. Did you know that in Germany it is illegal to use a hand-held cell phone when driving punishable by an on-the-spot 40Euro fine – it is legal to drive and use a hands-free cell phone. And, use of the horn is illegal in Turkey except in cases of immediate and extreme danger. Information on the following categories: city and country driving, road rules, road safety initiatives, driving regulations, local knowledge and summary of driving terminology is available for each of the 43 countries. Click here and select one of the 43 countries in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, as well as the United States and Canada. 

MEMORIAL DAY HOLIDAY TRAVEL

Travelers should remember their government-issued photo identification – drivers’ license or passport and to speed up airport screening, leave your lighter at home and put all metal objects such as change and keys in your carry-on bag. The U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) said that 80 percent of the items seized are individual lighters – travelers can take as many as four books of paper matches. Allow sufficient time to get to the airport, park and get through security – some airport Web sites suggest that anyone traveling May 23 through May 28 should arrive at the airport at least two hours before scheduled departure, park and go through security. With airport parking at a premium over any holiday, you might want to consider having a family member or friend drive you to the airport. Make sure that each carryon and checked bag has contact information – at a minimum your name, cell phone number – not your business card. Use a TSA-approved luggage lock; limit carry-on bags to one standard-sized bag and one personal item like a briefcase or handbag. And, use automated check-in options, such as airline websites and airport kiosks, up to 24 hours before departure.

Remember the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) 3-1-1 rule for carry-on: three ounce bottle or less; one quart-sized, clear, plastic, zip-top bag and one bag per passenger. The one-quart bag per person limits the total liquid volume each traveler can take onboard, and the three ounce container size is a security measure. The Clear Bag System is a TSA-compliant alternative to the standard zip-lock plastic bag. The 6-x-7-inch Clear Bag System is designed to fit neatly inside carry-on luggage and includes five reusable containers, eliminating the need to purchase travel-size products. The containers come with airless pumps that neatly dispense shampoo, lotion and other toiletries while ensuring they remain intact during the flight. There is also additional space for items such deodorant or toothpaste. Matching jars are also available for creams and heavier cosmetics for a complete air travel package. The Clear Bag System is available for $24.95; click here for more information or call 877-477-0440.