Five great travel booking sites

Five great travel booking sites
By Brad Tuttle (Budget Travel) -- The following five sites have proven the most consistently useful for the editors of Budget Travel, who do thousands of ...
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Travel habits prompt conflict of interest concerns

Travel habits prompt conflict of interest concerns
WASHINGTON — Pentagon employees have received millions of dollars in free travel and lodging from foreign countries, trade groups and companies with an ...
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Memorial Day weekend: travel advisories and tips

Memorial Day weekend: travel advisories and tips
Sticking around the Bay Area this Memorial Day weekend? Should be business-as-usual traffic-wise with no major road closures planned. ...
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Memorial Day weekend travel forecast to fall

Memorial Day weekend travel forecast to fall
A survey found that of those planning to travel during the holiday weekend this year, 83% will go by car. 2.3% fewer Southern Californians will be heading ...
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CDC Lifts Warning on Mexico Travel

CDC Lifts Warning on Mexico Travel
While the H1N1 influenza outbreak is believed to have started in Mexico the virus is now in most parts of the US so limiting travel to Mexico wouldn't slow ...
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AAA: Memorial Day to spur travel

AAA: Memorial Day to spur travel
Far lower gas prices coupled with deeply discounted hotel rates, should lead 32.4 million Americans to travel at least 50 miles from home over the holiday ...
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Vacation-phobia: Top 5 travel fears

Vacation-phobia: Top 5 travel fears
“When we called our online travel agency to cancel, they told us we'd lose almost half what we paid for the trip,” she says. “The news told everyone to ...
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Cuban American travel to Cuba on the rise

Cuban American travel to Cuba on the rise
Legislation lifting all travel restrictions on US citizens travelling to Cuba was introduced in Congress just over a month ago, and with a slight thaw in ...
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Swine flu and low travel may hurt Elizabeth Arden

Swine flu and low travel may hurt Elizabeth Arden
AP , 05.05.09, 02:57 PM EDT A decline in airline travel and the swine flu may hurt Elizabeth Arden's travel retail business, an analyst said on Tuesday, ...
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Airlines Seek to Reassure Passengers in Outbreak

PARIS — Lufthansa has placed a doctor on board each of its flights to Mexico; American Airlines has issued medical kits to cabin crews; British Airways is distributing face masks; and Alaska Airways is removing pillows as fears of a flu pandemic rattle the global aviation industry. More... Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Flight Tracker: Track Any flight - Priority Bags: No More Lost Luggage

Swine flu and travel plans: Stay informed on H1N1 virus

Because the situation with the H1N1 virus, commonly called swine flu, is fluid, travelers need as much information as possible before making travel decisions. Here's what you need to consider as you make or rearrange travel plans. Keep current. Go to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Web page at www.cdc.gov/swineflu for basic information on symptoms and updates and latimes.com or other media outlets for breaking news. More... Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Flight Tracker: Track Any flight - Priority Bags: No More Lost Luggage

Airlines upset with Biden's suggestion to avoid air travel

Airlines upset with Biden's suggestion to avoid air travel because ...
Airlines are upset with Vice President Joseph Biden's suggestion Thursday to avoid air travel and mass transit systems, and to not visit places impacted by ...
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Feds see no current cause to avoid travel to US

Feds see no current cause to avoid travel to US
A top federal health official says he believe it is "premature" to urge people not to travel to the United States in the ...
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Premium Air Travel Keeps Declining

Premium Air Travel Keeps Declining
Wall Street Journal
By KAVERI NITHTHYANANTHAN LONDON -- Global premium air travel fell for the ninth straight month in February as passengers felt the pinch of the economic ...
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US to Lift Some Curbs on Travel to Cuba

US to Lift Some Curbs on Travel to Cuba
Wall Street Journal
The president has authority to loosen the restrictions on travel and remittances to Cuba on his own. The new rules will affect an estimated 1.5 million ...
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Ban on travel to Cuba may be lifted

A bipartisan group of senators predicted Tuesday that Congress was ready to pass legislation to allow all Americans to travel to Cuba.Removing the travel ban would produce a burst of tourism, create thousands of jobs and generate as much as $1.6 billion in business a year, an independent research group said. More... Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Flight Tracker: Track Any flight - Priority Bags: No More Lost Luggage

How to avoid travel fees

NEW YORK—Here are some common travel fees and charges you can look to cut out, potentially saving hundreds of dollars a year.
Ask hotels and resorts if they charge fees for amenities like fitness centers or pools when you make a reservation, and again when you check in, advises David Lytle, editorial director of Frommers.com. If you're not going to use certain facilities, negotiate with the hotel before you sign anything that allows them to bill your credit card, he advised. More... Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Flight Tracker: Track Any flight - Priority Bags: No More Lost Luggage

United Airlines Settles Porn Suit

A lawsuit by a former flight attendant against United Airlines has been settled out of court.
UPI reports Captain Lisa Stout complained to her superiors when she kept finding pornographic materials in the cockpits of airplanes on domestic airline flights. She claimed between 2004 and 2005, it happened 20 times... and furthermore, her complaints resulted in retaliation rather than appropriate measures to identify the individuals responsible. More... Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Flight Tracker: Track Any flight - Priority Bags: No More Lost Luggage

Airline Deals Are Soaring

With the U.S. recession raging, air fares sit at bargain-basement levels on many routes. Business travelers are being lured with double-mile promotions. And airlines are only deepening the discounts as they near the end of a dreadful winter quarter. In the past week, for example, a bevy of bargains has been unleashed: Qantas Airways (QAN.AX) is offering one-way fares between Australia and California for $299, and New York for $399. United Airlines (UAUA) is selling a new Moscow route for as low as $119 one way, before taxes and fees. American (AMR) has fares from Chicago to Dublin for $147. More... Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Flight Tracker: Track Any flight - Priority Bags: No More Lost Luggage

Add-on software apps make iPhone a great travel partner

Tech-savvy road warriors are enjoying a new era of handheld computing as more sophisticated smartphone software floods the market.
The iPhone, in particular, has amassed more than 900 applications targeting business or leisure travelers. Many applications are free, and others range from 99 cents to $19.99. More... Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Flight Tracker: Track Any flight - Priority Bags: No More Lost Luggage

U.S. airlines losing less luggage

Airlines lost 1.3 million fewer bags in 2008, as more passengers wheeled, dragged and toted their luggage aboard planes to avoid paying new fees to check bags, federal data show.Passenger reports of lost or destroyed luggage on domestic flights operated by the 20 largest U.S. airlines plunged by one-third last year versus 2007, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, with improvements most noticeable during the fall, when fees for the first checked bag became commonplace. More... Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Flight Tracker: Track Any flight - Priority Bags: No More Lost Luggage

U.S. Lawmakers travel lavishly on VIP luxury Air Force jets, stay in upscale hotels

WASHINGTON - U.S. lawmakers traveled around the globe during Congress' winter recess on VIP luxury Air Force jets, the U.S. television program Inside Edition says.Using hidden cameras, a reporter and producer from the syndicated show reported that the members of Congress frequently brought their spouses along on the trips to European destinations, where they stayed in upscale hotels. More... Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Flight Tracker: Track Any flight - Priority Bags: No More Lost Luggage

Congress easing restrictions on Cuba travel

WASHINGTON — Democrats controlling Congress are loosening restrictions on allowing people of Cuban descent to visit their relatives on the island.
A huge bill wrapping up last year's budget would block enforcement of restrictions imposed by President Bush in 2004 on family travel to Cuba. The Bush rules limit family visits to once every three years for no more than 14 days. Travel spending is now capped at $50 per day.
Once signed by Obama, the legislation would allow Cuban-Americans to travel to Cuba once a year to visit relatives, spend up to $170 a day and visit for an unlimited duration. More... Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Flight Tracker: Track Any flight - Priority Bags: No More Lost Luggage

US Airways to restore free beverages

After taking considerable heat, US Airways has decided to resume free in-flight beverage service starting March 1.
Last year amid rising fuel costs, airlines piled on new fees for checked luggage, blankets, and other formerly complimentary amenities. US Airways, however, came under particularly tough criticism after it began charging $1 for coffee and tea and $2 for bottled water and soft drinks -- fees that its competitors opted not to match. More... Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Flight Tracker: Track Any flight - Priority Bags: No More Lost Luggage

Peanuts on Northwest Airlines prompt protests

ATLANTA, Georgia - The return of peanuts to the snack menu at Northwest Airlines this month has prompted a spasm of protests from travelers with allergies. The change comes four months after Northwest merged with Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines and in the midst of a national salmonella outbreak involving Peanut Corporation of America. Georgia, where the company has a plant, is the top peanut-producing state in the country. More... Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Flight Tracker: Track Any flight - Priority Bags: No More Lost Luggage

Southwest Air To Offer In-Flight Wi-Fi

Southwest Airlines is planning to outfit four aircraft with Wi-Fi access for passengers by early March. The airline said the service, which is based on Row 44's satellite technology, will be free during a trial period.
Southwest is the latest airline to offer Wi-Fi service to passengers as airlines throughout the world rush to supply online technology to their customers. Row 44's satellite service is competing with air-to-ground technology offered by Aircell in the US. More... Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Flight Tracker: Track Any flight - Priority Bags: No More Lost Luggage

Surprising number of companies cut travel spending

Twice as many U.S. companies as previously expected are cutting their travel spending this year in response to economic weakness and uncertainty.
The Association of Corporate Travel Executives says 71% of its member companies now plan to spend less on travel this year than in 2008. That's a huge and unprecedented shift in corporate travel managers' plans from just five months ago, says Susan Gurley, the association's executive director. More... Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Flight Tracker: Track Any flight - Priority Bags: No More Lost Luggage

American Airlines forced to repack exit slides

American Airlines crews had to inspect and test the exit slides on about 272 aircraft last week after a mechanic discovered a "potential problem" with the way the work had been done, the carrier said Monday.
The slides were found to be working on all of American's McDonnell Douglas MD-80 jets, but they had been packed and stowed on the planes using the wrong tool, said a spokesman for the airline. More... Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Flight Tracker: Track Any flight - Priority Bags: No More Lost Luggage

US Airways to charge for pillows

US Airways passengers soon won't find free pillows and blankets in the overhead bin anymore, unless they're flying first class or to Europe.
Later this month, the Tempe-based airline will replace them with a reusable pillow-and-blanket kit that will sell for $7 in-flight and online.
The kit, which officials had said they were considering, is US Airways' latest move to boost revenue by charging for things that previously were free. More... Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Flight Tracker: Track Any flight - Priority Bags: No More Lost Luggage

Airlines will carry 41 million fewer passengers this year

The nation’s airlines will carry 41 million fewer passengers this year, according to a new forecast, and the industry won’t begin to rebound until 2010 at the earliest.
The projection from the Boyd Group, an aviation consulting firm in Evergreen, Colo., predicted that the airline industry will take in $25 billion less through 2011, unless ticket prices are increased significantly. More... Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Flight Tracker: Track Any flight - Priority Bags: No More Lost Luggage

Passport applications plunge as recession chokes off foreign travel

With the recession choking foreign travel, passport applications are plunging and the workload at the State Department is easing enough that those applying are getting their documents in three weeks or less.The State Department said last week that it expected to issue 12 million passports this fiscal year, about 25% fewer than last year. In early December, it was forecasting 17 million passports for the year ending Sept. 30. More... Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Flight Tracker: Track Any flight - Priority Bags: No More Lost Luggage

American Airlines Extends Offer of Free Companion Ticket for Future Travel to United Kingdom or Caribbean

FORT WORTH, Texas - American Airlines has extended a special offer that rewards customers who fly round trip from the United States to the United Kingdom with a free* companion ticket for future travel to the UK or to select destinations in the Caribbean.
Now through March 31, simply fly American Airlines round trip in First Class or Business Class, or on select Economy Class fares from the United States to the United Kingdom, and earn the free companion ticket for future travel. More... Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Flight Tracker: Track Any flight - Priority Bags: No More Lost Luggage

American Airlines won't furlough more flight attendants

American Airlines Inc. apparently won't have to furlough additional flight attendants, with sufficient employees volunteering to take leaves, early departures or other options to reduce the number of working flight attendants.
The Association of Professional Flight Attendents told its members today that they'd been told that there won't be the 200 to 400 layoffs that had been threatened two weeks earlier. More... Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Flight Tracker: Track Any flight - Priority Bags: No More Lost Luggage

Arbitrator rules against flight attendants

An arbitrator has ruled that Midwest Airlines Inc.’s decision to operate a fleet of regional jets is permissible under a union contract with its flight attendants.
On Sept. 3, 2008, Oak Creek-based Midwest Airlines entered into an airline services agreement with Indianapolis-based Republic Airways Holdings Inc. to operate a fleet of Embraer 170 aircraft under the Midwest Connect brand. More... Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Flight Tracker: Track Any flight - Priority Bags: No More Lost Luggage

Airlines serving Houston seek brighter skies this year

The nation’s airlines, which began 2008 suffering under high fuel prices and ended by slashing capacity as the global economy weakened, are hoping for a smoother ride in 2009.
The industry has lost money lately, but many analysts predict this year could be profitable as airlines operate fewer, but fuller, planes.
Carriers begin reporting fourth-quarter and full-year 2008 financial results this week, with United and American airlines kicking off earnings season today. Both are expected to post losses.
Houston-based Continental Airlines is scheduled to release earnings next week, when it too is expected to be in the red. While Continental and Southwest airlines dominate Houston air traffic, there are nine mainline carriers that serve the two main airports. More... Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Flight Tracker: Track Any flight - Priority Bags: No More Lost Luggage

Troops are restricted on travel to Mexico

In response to the "prolonged, escalating violence" in Mexico, the commanding general of the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force has tightened regulations for all Marines who want to travel south of the border, officials said.Lt. Gen. Samuel Holland has ordered that all Marines and sailors under his command seek a "liberty chit" from a lieutenant colonel. In the past, that regulation has applied only to younger enlisted ranks. Marines and sailors cannot travel alone to Mexico and must use the buddy system. More... Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Flight Tracker: Track Any flight - Priority Bags: No More Lost Luggage

U.S. Institutes New Security Requirements for Foreign Visitors

Effective Monday, travelers visiting the United States from 35 Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries must be approved for travel electronically prior to boarding a carrier to the United States via the country's new Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), the U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced this week. Initially launched in August 2008, the Web-based system requires international travelers to pre-register online for travel authorization in order to ascertain whether or not they pose a security risk. More... Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Flight Tracker: Track Any flight - Priority Bags: No More Lost Luggage

Airlines continue good run in on-time performance

The U.S. airlines' on-time performance improved in November compared to the same month a year ago, but worsened slightly compared to October, according to government data released today.
The 19 carriers filing information reported an on-time rate of 83.3% in November, higher than November 2007's 80%, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation's Bureau of Transportation Statistics. More... Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Flight Tracker: Track Any flight - Priority Bags: No More Lost Luggage

American Airlines Starts the New Year Right With Great Low Fares to Destinations Near and Far

Here's a great way to jump start the new year: Grab a great low fare on American Airlines and take a trip to somewhere exciting in the United States, the Caribbean, Mexico, South America, Europe or Asia. Wherever you pick you can't go wrong, because American is offering very attractive fares throughout much of its worldwide route network. More... Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Flight Tracker: Track Any flight - Priority Bags: No More Lost Luggage

How to find a good travel agent

As a rule, most travel agents are well-trained, competent professionals who work hard for you. But there are exceptions to every rule. Take Kathleen Rossano of East Brunswick, N.J., who was recently sentenced to a 10-year prison term for stealing more than $75,000 from her travel agency. Prosecutors had charged her with offering luxury vacations to her friends, taking cash payments, billing the expenses to her agency's credit card and then pocketing the money. More... Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Flight Tracker: Track Any flight - Priority Bags: No More Lost Luggage

US travel rules change for those not needing visa

LONDON — U.S. officials say people from countries that do not need visas to enter the United States must begin registering under a new travel authorization program before making their journey.
Travelers from the 35 countries are asked to obtain an authorization from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security at least 72 hours before their flight departs to the U.S. More... Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Flight Tracker: Track Any flight - Priority Bags: No More Lost Luggage

Continental Airlines uses biofuel on test flight

Continental Airlines Inc. ratcheted up the race to develop alternate fuel for passenger planes Wednesday as it successfully flew a Boeing 737 twin-engine jet powered partly by algae and weed. The two-hour test flight over Houston, where the carrier's headquarters is located, involved powering one of the two engines with a mix of 50% kerosene and a blend of fuel derived from algae and jatropha, a weed that bears oil-producing seeds. No passengers were on board. More... Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Flight Tracker: Track Any flight - Priority Bags: No More Lost Luggage

Airlines fly into new year with wave of fare sales

ATLANTA — A wave of fare sales has spread across the airline industry in the early days of the new year as the weak economy continues to put pressure on carriers to fill seats even after they drastically reduced capacity and some expressed willingness to cut more.
Many experts and even executives at some airlines had expected that after deep capacity cuts went into effect starting in September, the number of fare sales going forward would be fewer and farther between. But fuel prices have come down significantly, and the weak economy has eroded demand for air travel. More... Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Flight Tracker: Track Any flight - Priority Bags: No More Lost Luggage

Inauguration travel tip: text

For those planning a trip to DC for President-elect Barack Obama’s inauguration, chances are you’re already hearing tales of the crowds and transportation woes that are predicted for the city on Jan. 20. But today, the Washington Post highlighted another potential limit to modern convenience during the event: cell phone service. More... Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Flight Tracker: Track Any flight - Priority Bags: No More Lost Luggage

Strategies to stretch your travel dollars in '09

The economic tailspin ensures that 2009 will be a travel year like no other. We're already seeing hefty discounts, but beyond that, who knows?So rather than deliver dubious prognostications about prices and trends, I offer five New Year's resolutions for the savvy vacationer. More... Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Flight Tracker: Track Any flight - Priority Bags: No More Lost Luggage

Cringing look year's oddest travel stories

If travel in 2009 is anything like it was in 2008 - and we have every reason to expect it will be - you might want to think about staying home. With a rash of arm-sucking train toilets, Braille-reading air traffic controllers, real mother- snakes on real mother- planes and complimentary mushroom-soup shampoos, it's been one of the stranger years in recent memory. More... Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Flight Tracker: Track Any flight - Priority Bags: No More Lost Luggage

Southwest Airlines adds cities, courts business travelers

DALLAS — Gary Kelly has a standing offer: a steak dinner to anyone who can prove that Southwest Airlines (LUV) does not carry more domestic business travelers than any U.S. carrier.
It's a sucker's bet, of course.
Southwest Airlines' CEO knows he'll never have to pay up. There's no way to prove him wrong because airlines don't know the purposes of many customers' trips. More... Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Flight Tracker: Track Any flight - Priority Bags: No More Lost Luggage

India warns citizens it is unsafe to travel to Pakistan

NEW DELHI - India warned its citizens on Friday that it would be unsafe to travel to Pakistan amid heightened tension between the nuclear-armed rivals over last month's Mumbai attacks. More... Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Flight Tracker: Track Any flight - Priority Bags: No More Lost Luggage

Airlines leaning on pet owners

Every year, I look forward to heading to Massachusetts to spend Christmas week with my parents, siblings and nieces and nephews. The kids are always happy to see me but are elated to see Sadie Mae, my miniature-schnauzer mix. They —- and I —- are crazy about that dog.
Since adopting Sadie Mae in 2004, I have watched the fee to fly her in-cabin with me climb steadily. But this year, I was shocked to learn that the fee for carrying my dog on board the airplane and placing her beneath the seat in front of me would actually be more expensive than my own fare. More... Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Flight Tracker: Track Any flight - Priority Bags: No More Lost Luggage

What the Airlines Did Right in 2008

Last week, I covered some of the airline industry's most outrageous occurrences of the year, and it was very tough to limit myself to just 10 items. But for those of you who think the airlines did nothing right in 2008, that's not so. Sure, there were plenty of bad fees ($2 Coke, anyone?), but the airlines did impose one fee that brought a smile to a lot of faces. Plus, we saw altruism, punctuality and (seemingly) fewer passengers getting kicked off planes for bad behavior. More... Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Flight Tracker: Track Any flight - Priority Bags: No More Lost Luggage

Living With the Airline Bag Fee

Americans seem to be enamored of change these days. And despite the cries of protests when airlines started charging for checked luggage, it seems baggage fees are a change we can live with after all. More... Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Flight Tracker: Track Any flight - Priority Bags: No More Lost Luggage

Passengers injured when de-icer sucked into jetliner

SEATTLE, Washington -- At least two people were injured when de-icing fluid was sucked into the ventilation system of an Alaska Airlines jetliner at Sea-Tac International Airport in Washington on Wednesday, airport and airline officials said. More... Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Flight Tracker: Track Any flight - Priority Bags: No More Lost Luggage

Continental flight skids off runway in Denver

Denver - Continental Airlines Inc. is looking into a weekend accident in which a flight bound for George Bush International Airport from Denver International Airport went off the runway.
The Houston airline’s flight 1404, a Boeing 737-500 aircraft carrying 110 passengers and five crew members, was unable to take off, ran off the runway and caught fire, according to news agencies. About 38 of those on board suffered injuries. More... Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Flight Tracker: Track Any flight - Priority Bags: No More Lost Luggage

Tips for holiday travelers to fly through airline security

Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is expecting more passengers than the average day during the holidays. Holiday travelers should plan to arrive at least 90 minutes before their scheduled departure times at the Barbara Jordan Terminal to allow time for parking, ticketing, and security checkpoints. Save time by calling ahead for ABIA Airport On Site Parking real-time information, (512) 530-3300, as parking conditions change rapidly. A new service this year is the Transportation Security Administration's Family Lanes, designed for improved passenger flow. More... Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Flight Tracker: Track Any flight - Priority Bags: No More Lost Luggage

Hotel bargains, free upgrades and other reasons to love travel now

It took a couple of airline bankruptcies, a recession and the near collapse of the world economy but, by golly, travelers are feeling loved.
Turn back the clock a year, and you'll find a dramatically different picture. Travelers were unappreciated, even exploited, by unscrupulous travel companies flush with profits.
No longer. With one notable exception, it's difficult to find any part of the travel industry that isn't being extra-nice to customers. Which part? More... Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Flight Tracker: Track Any flight - Priority Bags: No More Lost Luggage

Rough weather could make travel dangerous across nation

Forecasters say rough weather is expected this weekend as travelers around the country prepare to make their pilgrimages home for the holidays.
"You're really going to be having a hard time," said James Wilson, a meteorologist at The Weather Channel. More... Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Flight Tracker: Track Any flight - Priority Bags: No More Lost Luggage

Alaska Airlines donates unused food

Alaska Airlines said it’s donated more than 80,000 pounds of unused airline food to food banks in Seattle and Portland this year.
In Portland, the airline and its catering contractor LSG Sky Chefs have donated 18,843 pounds of food to the Oregon Food Bank, which distributes food to 20 regional food banks. More... Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Flight Tracker: Track Any flight - Priority Bags: No More Lost Luggage

U.S. airline employment down, Southwest bucks trend

U.S. airlines have 10 percent fewer employees than they did four years ago and 6 percent fewer workers than they did one year ago, according to a government report.
The U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics says U.S. carriers had about 394,000 workers in October, down from 418,000 in October 2007 and 439,000 in October 2004. More... Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Flight Tracker: Track Any flight - Priority Bags: No More Lost Luggage

Couple accuse United Airlines of overserving husband, causing him to beat wife

This is no bar bet, it's a lawsuit. Can you get drunk on a flight, then sue the airline for giving you the booze? A husband and wife are suing United Airlines for "negligently" overserving alcohol during a flight from Osaka, Japan, to San Francisco, saying the carrier's drinks fueled the domestic violence involving the two shortly after their plane landed. More... Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Flight Tracker: Track Any flight - Priority Bags: No More Lost Luggage

American Airlines Expanding Logan Leadership With Six New Flights

BOSTON - American Airlines announced today it is strengthening its leadership position at Logan Airport with the addition of six new daily flights this Spring, including the return of service to San Diego, additional flights to London, Los Angeles, Dallas-Fort Worth, and St. Louis, plus the resumption of seasonal service to Paris. More... Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Flight Tracker: Track Any flight - Priority Bags: No More Lost Luggage

AAA sees holiday travel decline

NEW YORK - Fewer Americans will travel for the holidays - especially by air - as the current economic crisis continues to take its toll on spending, motorist group AAA said Wednesday.
Nearly 63.9 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles during the 2008 Christmas-New Year travel period, a decline of 1.4 million travelers, or 2.1%, from the prior year, according its projections. More... Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Flight Tracker: Track Any flight - Priority Bags: No More Lost Luggage

Scheduled Airline Service Begins Between China, Taiwan

China - First Time Since 1949 Communist Revolution - It's a small victory for freedom... or, at least, capitalism. On Sunday, a China Southern Airlines B737 touched down at Taipei Songshan Airport in Taiwan, marking the first time a scheduled airline flight has operated between mainland China and the 'renegade province' in nearly 60 years. More... Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Flight Tracker: Track Any flight - Priority Bags: No More Lost Luggage

Delta to offer in-flight Internet on East Coast shuttle flights

Delta Air Lines will be the latest domestic airline to offer in-flight Internet for passengers, launching paid Wi-Fi service on Tuesday on its East Coast shuttle flights.
The Atlanta-based airline will initially introduce GoGo, an Internet service operated by Aircell, on five MD-88s flying the New York LaGuardia-Boston Logan and New York LaGuardia-Washington Reagan routes. A Boeing 757-200 is also equipped with GoGo. More... Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Flight Tracker: Track Any flight - Priority Bags: No More Lost Luggage

JetBlue Airways Unveils the JetPaws Pet Program

NEW YORK - Pet fur-iendly JetBlue Airways today unveils JetPaws(TM), an exclusive new in-cabin program designed to provide pet owners with helpful Travel Pettiquette guidelines, which outline the social graces of jetting with small dogs and cats. As part of the new program, customers will also receive two bonus award points for each flight through JetBlue’s TrueBlue customer loyalty program, helping two-legged customers earn free travel faster when traveling with Fido or Fluffy. More... Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Flight Tracker: Track Any flight - Priority Bags: No More Lost Luggage

Ground crews to picket Southwest Airlines

PHOENIX — Southwest Airlines ground crews say they'll picket at Sky Harbor Airport in Phoenix on Friday as they push for a resolution to stalled contract talks.
Members of the Transport Workers Union also plan pickets at airports in Baltimore, Pittsburgh and Seattle. The union represents 7,200 ramp, operations, provisioning and freight agents. More... Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Flight Tracker: Track Any flight - Priority Bags: No More Lost Luggage

Virgin America Wins Best Low Cost Airline in Business Traveler Awards

SAN FRANCISCO - Virgin America, the new airline on a mission to make flying good again, today took the award for "Best Low Cost Airline in North America" among domestic carriers in Business Traveler Magazine's 2008 "Best in Business Travel" Survey. More... Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Flight Tracker: Track Any flight - Priority Bags: No More Lost Luggage

Nation's Largest Travel Insurance Provider Suggests Tips and Strategies

STEVENS POINT, Wisconsin - Just in time for the holiday season, Travel Guard is offering useful tips to help make your travel safe and less stressful.
"In a typical week during the winter holiday season, we can often get 15,000 to 20,000 calls from anxious travelers," said Dan McGinnity, Vice President of Travel Guard. "Most are looking for confirmation that their flights are on time; help to rebook flights that have been delayed or cancelled; and assistance in tracking down lost luggage. We also help travelers who lose their travel documents, have medical emergencies, or just want a reservation for that 'hard to get into' restaurant while traveling. Our job really is to make our customers travel as enjoyable and hassle-free as possible." More... Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Flight Tracker: Track Any flight - Priority Bags: No More Lost Luggage

Continental Airlines Chosen as Best Airline for North American Travel

Houston - Continental Airlines outranked all other U.S. carriers to be chosen as the Best Airline for North American Travel in Business Traveler magazine's 2008 Best in Business Travel Survey.
Continental also placed highest among U.S. airlines for Best Flight Attendants in North America. The awards were presented to the airline in Los Angeles on Dec. 11, 2008. More... Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Flight Tracker: Track Any flight - Priority Bags: No More Lost Luggage

American Airlines to fly nonstop from D/FW to Madrid

American Airlines Inc. and Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport officials on Thursday announced the launch of nonstop service between D/FW and Madrid, Spain.
The new flights, which will begin on May 1, 2009, mark a return to that route by American, which operated daily flights between D/FW Airport and Madrid between May 1988 and November 1993. More... Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Flight Tracker: Track Any flight - Priority Bags: No More Lost Luggage

United Airlines will get fliers through lines faster for fee

Airline passengers are willing to pay extra to check a bag or reserve a seat with extra legroom. Now United Airlines is betting some will pay more to join fast-track airport-security lines and qualify for priority boarding on the airplane.
For an extra $25 each way, economy-class passengers can join first- and business-class passengers and elite members of the airline's frequent-flier program in special "premier" lines at select airports, including Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. More... Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Flight Tracker: Track Any flight - Priority Bags: No More Lost Luggage

Airline On-Time Performance Improves in October

Flights operated by the nations largest airlines arrived on time at a higher rate this past October than in either October of last year or in September 2008, according to the Air Travel Consumer Report released today by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). More... Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Flight Tracker: Track Any flight - Priority Bags: No More Lost Luggage

Want To Save $7 to $15 On A Holiday Airline Ticket?

NORWALK, Connecticut - Still need an airline ticket home for the holidays? Book it at priceline.com and, in most cases, you’ll pay less than the same ticket would cost on Expedia, Travelocity and Orbitz. That’s because priceline.com is the only one of the “Big Four” online travel services that doesn’t charge booking fees on its published-price domestic and international fares. On the other sites, booking fees can range from approximately $7 for a domestic ticket, to as much as $15 for an international ticket. For a family of four, that can amount to savings of $28 to $60. More... Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Flight Tracker: Track Any flight - Priority Bags: No More Lost Luggage

JetBlue Airways Spreads Its Wings in Latin America

ORLANDO, Florida - First-ever Central American destination expands network to 53 cities in nine countries - - Sale fares start at US $99 (a) each way - New York's hometown value airline, today announces plans to broaden its Latin American presence with new daily nonstop service to its 53rd Blue City: San Jose, Costa Rica. Service between Orlando International Airport (MCO) and Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) will begin March 26, 2009, subject to receipt of Costa Rican government operating authority. More... Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Flight Tracker: Track Any flight - Priority Bags: No More Lost Luggage

More Travelers Redeeming Miles for Merchandise

Frequent travelers may be having a harder time redeeming airline loyalty points for first-class seats, but apparently more travelers are trading miles for holiday gifts.
And travelers who have accumulated a lot of points for hotel stays are apparently doing the same thing. More... Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Flight Tracker: Track Any flight - Priority Bags: No More Lost Luggage

Virgin America to fly Boston-California routes

The ambitious and expanding airline Virgin America, the only U.S. carrier based here in the Bay Area, said Monday it will begin service from California to Boston in February. There will be two daily round-trip flights between San Francisco and Boston and three round trips between Los Angeles and Boston, the airline said. More... Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Flight Tracker: Track Any flight - Priority Bags: No More Lost Luggage

Travel Tips in a Tough Economy

HELSINKI, Finland - With holiday tourism dropping below post 9-11 levels due to the economic slowdown, TripSay.com members offer timely cost saving tips and advice to help their fellow travelers explore the world.
'TripSayers' discover the best budget destinations with a little help from their friends. They share tips, ratings, advice and real stories with travelers with similar interests. More... Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Flight Tracker: Track Any flight - Priority Bags: No More Lost Luggage

Global air travel, hotel occupancy levels sinking

The tourists chatting in multiple languages in the piazzas, bars and shops of Rome belie a more somber mood at the ancient city's hotels. Luigi Rinaldi, concierge of the Grand Hotel de la Minerve next to the Pantheon, said American tourists have disappeared, although demand among German, Spanish and Russian tourists is solid. More... Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Flight Tracker: Track Any flight - Priority Bags: No More Lost Luggage

Layaway plans gain traction in travel industry

Longing for a vacation but can't quite afford it? Get ready for layaway—and some tough questions to go along with it. This quaint financing strategy, also known as paying on an installment plan, was popular for decades. Later eclipsed by credit cards, layaway was largely abandoned by major retailers about a quarter-century ago, but it's making a splashy comeback. More... Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Flight Tracker: Track Any flight - Priority Bags: No More Lost Luggage

US Airways improving, but still leads in gripes

Without question, US Airways has plenty of reasons to brag this year.
Through September, Charlotte's dominant carrier just missed being the best major carrier for on-time arrivals, and it continues to climb the list for fewest mishandled bags. Despite bad weather Sunday, US Airways emerged from Thanksgiving largely unscathed and is running a much smoother operation than last year, when it was the worst airline for on-time flights. More... Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Flight Tracker: Track Any flight - Priority Bags: No More Lost Luggage

Full-fare air travelers get special treatment, even in coach

One of the more vexing problems for airlines has been the $800 business traveler sitting in coach next to the $75 leisure traveler – same seats, same service and vastly different fares. But the recent spate of new charges and fees is giving airlines a chance to better differentiate what that high-dollar traveler enjoys from what the bottom-dollar traveler gets. More... Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Flight Tracker: Track Any flight - Priority Bags: No More Lost Luggage

Extra airline fees add up for travelers

Holiday fliers, take heed. You may find the familiar phrase, “My, how you’ve grown,” doesn’t apply just to your towheaded nephew this year.
That same phrase, uttered with more alarm and less wonderment, easily describes the fat package of fees most of the nation’s airlines are imposing on their customers. More... Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Flight Tracker: Track Any flight - Priority Bags: No More Lost Luggage

When to call a travel agent

Even though I'm a travel writer, I sometimes use a travel agent. His savvy advice and careful research save me time and money. Like any professional, he charges fees. It makes sense. "You wouldn't walk into a lawyer's office and expect them to give you free advice," said Chris Russo, president of the American Society of Travel Agents, or ASTA, a trade group based in Alexandria, Virginia. More... Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Flight Tracker: Track Any flight - Priority Bags: No More Lost Luggage

New Boeing 787 Jetliner Faces Another Delay

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner is facing yet another delay, and the first plane will not be delivered until 2010 at the earliest, nearly two years behind the original schedule, according to senior airline executives. The completion date of the Dreamliner, an innovative and high-profile project, has already been pushed back three times. All Nippon Airways, the Japanese airline, will receive its planes first, with other customers not able to take delivery until 2011 or beyond. More... Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Flight Tracker: Track Any flight - Priority Bags: No More Lost Luggage

Make-A-Wish Foundation seeking donations of unused airline miles

The Make-A-Wish Foundation is accepting donations of unused airline miles to help fulfill wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions.More than half of the organization’s wishes wishes involve airline travel, which adds up to more than 2.5 billion miles every year, according to a news release.The use of donated airline miles can greatly reduce the cost of those wishes. Most major airlines take part in the program, including American, United, Delta, Northwest, US Airways, Continental, and AirTran. More... Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Flight Tracker: Track Any flight - Priority Bags: No More Lost Luggage

Some travel news you might have missed

Because our attention was focused on the presidential election and its immediate aftermath, a great many of us have overlooked some fairly significant recent events in travel that will affect our plans. Here is news of travel that you may have missed: -- Alitalia was saved. In early November, the Italian government formally approved the acquisition of the Italian flag carrier by a group of rich private investors. People with Alitalia tickets can relax. More... Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Flight Tracker: Track Any flight - Priority Bags: No More Lost Luggage

Southwest Airline reaches tentative deal with mechanics

Southwest Airlines and its mechanics union reached a tentative contract agreement that would boost wages in exchange for more productivity and flexibility.
The agreement, which the Dallas-based airline said was "cost neutral," must be approved by members of the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Organization. If approved, it will last four years. More... Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Flight Tracker: Track Any flight - Priority Bags: No More Lost Luggage

Airline fees are here to stay - Even as fuel costs sink

You had better get used to all those new airline fees. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution writes "although airlines are enjoying lower fuel costs, it doesn't mean the end of extra fees for travelers. That's because the airline industry has made fees for everything from seat assignments to checked bags part of a new strategy which appears to be here to stay. Tacking on fees makes it easier to charge passengers more, even if competition makes it difficult to raise fares." More... Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Flight Tracker: Track Any flight - Priority Bags: No More Lost Luggage

Holiday air travel falling - And so are ticket prices

Economic woes, low gas prices and new fees for luggage have led to a decrease in airline travel in the last few months, said officials at Bestfares.com, a Web site that keeps tabs on airline prices. In response, airlines are gradually decreasing their fares. More... Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Flight Tracker: Track Any flight - Priority Bags: No More Lost Luggage

'India's tourism concerns - More warnings

India - The bullet-ridden Leopold Cafe, one of Mumbai, India's most iconic tourist draws, reopened for business this week — just days after a wave of terrorist attacks killed at least 170 people in the city, including five Americans.
But how quickly tourism will recover from what some pundits are calling "India's 9/11" — and in the face of new warnings of possible attacks on three major airports — is much less certain. More... Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Flight Tracker: Track Any flight - Priority Bags: No More Lost Luggage

Sing away the travel blues - Airport karaoke a hit

Houston - Frustrated travelers can belt out their favorite notes at a Texas airport.The Bush International Airport in Houston has set up karaoke booths to help ease the madness that comes along with the holiday travel rush. More... Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Flight Tracker: Track Any flight - Priority Bags: No More Lost Luggage

Deal-Seeking Travelers Should Not Overlook Need for Travel Insurance

STEVENS POINT, Wisconsin - Recent surveys conducted by Travel Guard and the Travel Industry Association (TIA) indicate that despite the faltering U.S. economy, a large core of consumers are taking advantage of the growing array of rate decreases and last-minute travel "deals." Although travelers are seeking deals and jumping on last-minute travel offers, Travel Guard reminds consumers that travel insurance remains essential no matter where you are traveling and what your trip costs. More... Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Flight Tracker: Track Any flight - Priority Bags: No More Lost Luggage

United to lay off more than 1,000 as job cuts continue

United will furlough more than 1,000 workers from positions across the country The Associated Press reports, citing "layoff notices and the unions that represent the workers." The Chicago Tribune says "the latest furloughs are among the 7,000 jobs that the Chicago-based carrier had said it would eliminate as it reduces its workforce to match its shrinking airline operations amid the tough economy. United is in the process of grounding 100 airplanes, about 20% of its fleet." More... Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Flight Tracker: Track Any flight - Priority Bags: No More Lost Luggage