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