Airline stocks mixed, as oil rises

NEW YORK - Shares of Delta Air Lines Inc. rose Thursday after Northwest shareholders approved Delta's bid for their company.
Other airline stocks were mixed as oil prices rose.
The Amex Airline Index gained 0.2 percent.
Oil prices, critical to airlines because jet fuel is their biggest expense, rose $1.55 to $107.28 per barrel, as investors awaited a deal to address the U.S. financial sector crisis and wondered whether that would affect energy demand. More... Discount Magazine Subscriptions - Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Nutty News

FAA punishes 2 go! airline pilots accused of falling asleep

The Federal Aviation Administration suspended the licenses of two go! airline pilots who allegedly fell asleep during a flight from Honolulu to Hilo earlier this year.
Captain Scott Oltman completed a 60-day suspension on Sept. 9 after the FAA cited him for careless and reckless operation of an aircraft and for failing to maintain radio communications, according to records provided by the FAA.
First Officer Dillon Shepley served a 45-day suspension for careless and reckless operation of a plane, the FAA said. Shepley's suspension also was completed on Sept. 9. More... Discount Magazine Subscriptions - Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Nutty News

Avis Named North America's Leading Car Hire by International Travel Community at 15th Annual World Travel Awards

PARSIPPANY, NJ - Avis Rent A Car was recognized by more than 160,000 travel professionals as "North America's Leading Car Hire" at the regional World Travel Awards for the Americas, held recently in Orlando, Fla. The World Travel Awards were established in 1993 to acknowledge and celebrate excellence in the world's travel and tourism industry.
"We appreciate the recognition of the international travel community as North America's Leading Car Hire," said Tom Gartland, executive vice president of sales and marketing for Avis Budget Group, parent company of Avis. More... Discount Magazine Subscriptions - Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Nutty News

Airline stocks fall as oil prices rise

NEW YORK - Airlines stocks fell Monday as oil prices rose on hopes that a plan to stabilize the U.S. financial sector would spur growth and demand for energy.
Light, sweet crude for October delivery gained $2.33 to $106.88 per barrel in morning trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange, continuing a rally that started on Friday, when a similar contract gained $6.67. More... Discount Magazine Subscriptions - Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Nutty News

Pilots file suit vs. US Airways

A group of former America West Airlines pilots are asking a federal court in Phoenix to stop US Airways Group Inc. from furloughing any more pilots that flew for America West.
America West merged with US Airways in 2005. The combined carrier took the US Airways name. US Airways, which is one of the largest airlines flying out of Dayton International Airport, plans to reduce domestic service in the fourth and first quarters. As a result, 300 pilots will placed on leave. They could be called back to work, but that isn’t guaranteed. More... Discount Magazine Subscriptions - Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Nutty News

Deal to save Italian national airline Alitalia collapses

The bankrupt Italian airline, Alitalia, faces imminent collapse after a consortium of Italian industrialists today withdrew its offer to buy the carrier.
Silvio Berlusconi, the Prime Minister, said: "We are facing the abyss." Luigi Angeletti, head of the UIL union, one of three unions that had accepted the bid by the Italian Air Company (CAI), said that the collapse was "a catastrophe for Italian society and trades unions".
The news comes after weeks of brinkmanship, with unions banking on being able to squeeze further concessions from the consortium and calculating that Mr Berlusconi, who had put his prestige on the line to find an "Italian solution", would not allow it to fail. More... Discount Magazine Subscriptions - Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Nutty News

American Airlines Named North America's Leading Airline at 2008 World Travel Awards

FORT WORTH, Texas - American Airlines has been named "North America's Leading Airline" at the 2008 World Travel Awards, a travel industry award program that has been described by the Wall Street Journal as the "Oscars of the Travel Industry."
American received the designation this past weekend during a gala for North and Central America winners held at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Fla. Nearly 170,000 travel professionals around the world were solicited for their input, with their votes determining the winner.
In 2007, travel professionals at the World Travel Awards selected American Airlines as offering the world's leading Economy Class product. American is a founding member of the global oneworld(R) Alliance, itself named the world's leading airline alliance for the fifth consecutive year at last year's World Travel Awards. More... Discount Magazine Subscriptions - Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Nutty News

Continental caves, to charge for 1st bag

Continental joined American, United, US Airways, and Northwest in charging some coach customers $15 for the first checked bag.The fee won't apply to elite frequent-flier members, passengers in first- or business-class seats, those paying full-fare coach, or military personnel and their families traveling on official orders. It takes effect immediately for travel in the United States and Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands and Canada for travel starting Oct. 7 or later.That leaves the Big Three of the Free First Bag: Delta, Southwest, and JetBlue. Source Discount Magazine Subscriptions - Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Nutty News

Midwest Pilots Express Outrage at Airline's Deal With Republic Airways

MILWAUKEE - Captain Jay Schnedorf, chairman of the Midwest Airlines unit of the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), issued this statement today following Midwest Airlines' announcement that it had secured commitments from Republic Airways Holdings. As part of the deal, Midwest announced that Republic flightcrews would fly 12 EMB 170s as Midwest Connect, beginning October 1, 2008, directly replacing all but nine of the Boeing 717 aircraft flown by Midwest pilots. More... Discount Magazine Subscriptions - Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Nutty News

Airline stocks rally as crude prices drop to lowest level since April

NEW YORK - Shares of airline companies rallied in morning trading Tuesday as crude oil prices fell sharply, dropping to their lowest price since April.
October crude futures tumbled $7.25 to $108.21 a barrel, the lowest price seen for that contract since April. The contract has now lost 27% since hitting an all-time high of $147.90 in intraday trading on July 11.
The Amex Airline Index rose 11% to trade at $26.93, up 53% from a recent low of $12.66 reached on July 18. More... Discount Magazine Subscriptions - Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Nutty News

Thousands of passengers stranded as low-cost airline Zoom collapses

UK - The carrier, which carried 500,000 passengers a year, became the latest victim of soaring fuel prices and the growing crisis in the aviation industry.
Its sudden demise left passengers having to find alternative arrangements to get home from airports in the USA, Canada and Bermuda.
British Airways and Virgin Atlantic are understood to be ready to fly passengers home with special one-way deals, following talks with Zoom.
The collapse also wrecked the holiday plans of thousands of people who were hoping to fly west across the Atlantic.
Meanwhile the position of those who have booked to fly in the future is more complex. More... Discount Magazine Subscriptions - Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Nutty News

Online travel sites lack personal touch

Fewer leisure travelers are booking online, because they're frustrated by online travel reservation sites, according to e-commerce research by eMarketer. "The fact that fewer travelers are booking online is not due to economic concerns — online travel bookers are an affluent demographic — it is caused by frustrations related to the planning and booking capabilities of online travel agencies," says Jeff Grau, senior analyst at eMarketer.
The result is "a renewed appreciation for the expertise and personalized services offered by traditional travel agents," Grau says. This is a complete reversal of what's been happening for the last decade. Looks like human travel agents aren't becoming extinct after all. More... Discount Magazine Subscriptions - Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Nutty News

Airfares expected to be 20% higher over holidays

Average airfares out of Atlanta will be up more than 20 percent for Thanksgiving and Christmas compared with last year, according to an air fare forecasting Web site.
For Thanksgiving, Atlanta fares are expected to be up 27 percent, an increase of about $86 round trip on the average fare, according to Live Search Farecast, a travel site that gives airfare predictions. For Christmas travel, Atlanta fares are expected to be 22 percent higher on average, about a $73 increase round trip. More... Discount Magazine Subscriptions - Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Nutty News

American Airline offers in-flight Internet service

American Airlines Inc. said Wednesday it has launched Gogo, a mobile broadband service that allows passengers on American's 767-200 aircraft to access the Web, e-mail, instant messaging and virtual private networks. The service is available to passengers taking nonstop flights from New York to San Francisco, New York to Los Angeles and New York to Miami. Once the flights with Gogo access reach 10,000 feet, passengers can access corporate virtual private networks, e-mail, instant messaging and the Web using their laptops, smart phones and PDAs. For a fee of $12.95, passengers get full access to the broadband service. More... Discount Magazine Subscriptions - Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Nutty News

150 Are Dead in Madrid Plane Crash

PARIS — Nearly 150 people were killed Wednesday when an airliner en route to the Canary Islands swerved off the end of a runway at Madrid’s airport during takeoff, Spanish officials said. The plane, an MD-82, carried about 175 people, and most were feared dead. A Spanish emergency official, Herbigio Corral, said only 28 people had survived, Reuters reported. More... Discount Magazine Subscriptions - Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Nutty News

Clear Channel to remove airport ad at airline's request

MINNEAPOLIS — A unit of Clear Channel Communications Inc. will take down an anti-nuclear billboard at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport at the request of Northwest Airlines, the advertising company said Monday. The billboard was one of two placed by the Union of Concerned Scientists at the Twin Cities and Denver airports ahead of the Republican and Democratic National Conventions to urge the parties' presidential candidates to reduce the U.S. and Russian nuclear arsenals, said Elliott Negin, a spokesman for the group. More... Discount Magazine Subscriptions - Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Nutty News

American Airlines to waive baggage fees for military members

EL PASO - American Airlines announced Wednesday that it will waive a $100 excess baggage fee that military service members preparing for deployment overseas have been charged for at least the past five years. The announcement that troops carrying service-required items would not be charged for a third checked bag came a little more than two weeks after a story in the El Paso Times detailed the experience of two Texas Army National Guard Soldiers who were flying out of El Paso. Both were charged for extra baggage as they headed for training before deploying to Iraq later this year. More... Discount Magazine Subscriptions - Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Nutty News

Australian airline Qantas grounds 6 jets

Australia - Australia's international air carrier, Qantas, says it removed six of its jets from service, because it appears a step in the maintenance check was not completed.Three flights were cancelled overnight and another eight this morning after the Boeing 737 planes were grounded. More... Discount Magazine Subscriptions - Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Nutty News

Airline oxygen failure alleged

American Airlines and the Federal Aviation Administration are investigating reports that some oxygen masks failed to work during an emergency landing last week at Los Angeles International Airport, officials said Monday. Several masks did not deploy from overhead bins or completely failed to provide oxygen to passengers aboard the Boeing 757 aircraft, according to FAA spokesman Ian Gregor. "We're looking into those reports, but we don't know how many oxygen masks were affected at this time," Gregor said. More... Discount Magazine Subscriptions - Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Nutty News

Frommer's Travel Guides Now Available on Apple iPhone and iPod Touch

DURHAM, North Carolina - Modality, the leader in transforming premium, branded learning and lifestyle content for personal handheld media players, has begun releasing Frommer's Travel Guides for iPhone and iPod Touch. Frommer's is the market leader in travel guides, and a branded imprint of Wiley Publishing, Inc., helping novice and world-class travelers navigate their journeys with ease. More... Discount Magazine Subscriptions - Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Nutty News

Grounded Qantas jet had 95 defects

Australia - A Qantas jet grounded in Melbourne today because of noise from an air-conditioning fault was the same plane that returned from routine maintenance in Malaysia two months ago with 95 defects. The 737, registered as VH-TJU, is the same aircraft on which Qantas engineers found 95 defects that had been missed during contract maintenance work by Malaysian Airlines in Kuala Lumpur. More... Discount Magazine Subscriptions - Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Nutty News

Osteens in Court from Airline Incident

A flight incident from 2005 with a flight attendant says she lost her faith and suffered a hemorrhoidal flare-up after being assaulted by Victoria Osteen headed to court today seeking a jury to hear the lawsuit against the wife of the evangelist Joel Osteen.
Sharon Brown accuses Victoria Osteen, co-pastor of Lakewood Church in Huston, Texas, of throwing her against an airplane bathroom door and then elbowing her in the chest during a confrontation on a Continental Airlines flight to Vail, Colorado, back on Dec. 19th of 2005. More... Discount Magazine Subscriptions - Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Nutty News

Quarter of all U.S. airline flights late

WASHINGTON - One-quarter of all flights by U.S. airlines were late in the first half of 2008, with the industry recording its second-worst on-time performance rate in 14 years despite carrying 6 million fewer passengers, the government said on Tuesday. More... Discount Magazine Subscriptions - Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Nutty News

Travel Industry Should Inform Travelers About Malaria, Say Doctors

Tour operators and airlines are wasting an ideal opportunity to warn travellers about the risk of contracting malaria in specific countries, say infectious disease experts on the British Medical Journal website. The authors reviewed 27 travel brochures from British tour companies and found that only 12 contained any information about malaria, yet they all featured holidays to African countries where the disease is endemic. More... Discount Magazine Subscriptions - Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Nutty News

No more free drinks from US Airways

CHARLOTTE -- Starting today you will no longer get a complimentary beverage on US Airways flights. All non-alcoholic drinks will be available for $2 on domestic coach flights, and all alcoholic beverages will now cost $7 instead of $5. These changes come at a time when the airline is battling rising fuel costs.
“It’s just another burden for the consumer, that’s all,” said US Airways customer Donna Krehl. More... Discount Magazine Subscriptions - Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Nutty News

House Passes FAA Safety Legislation

The House passed legislation that would overhaul the Federal Aviation Administration's approach to airline safety, following disclosures of lax oversight by agency inspectors. The bill would force the FAA to adopt two safety recommendations it has resisted in recent weeks: periodically rotating supervisory inspectors to ensure they don't get cozy with airlines, and establishing an independent group to examine safety concerns raised by FAA employees. More... Discount Magazine Subscriptions - Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Nutty News

More Airline Problems For Passengers

American Airlines canceled five flights that were to leave John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York on Thursday as a result of a glitch that delayed at least 1,000 pieces of luggage, an airline spokeswoman said.
The software glitch caused a conveyor belt problem in the airline's bag room Wednesday, airline officials said. That prevented the airline from getting passenger's luggage onto their flights. Only 10 to 20 percent of bags made it, American Airlines said Wednesday. More... Discount Magazine Subscriptions - Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Nutty News

Airline passengers experiencing terminal stress

When a recent flight from Miami to Cali, Colombia, was delayed five hours on the ground, the bathrooms were picked clean of water, soap, toilet paper and paper towels, potentially causing a health risk, a doctor on board said.
On another flight, a Fort Lauderdale-bound plane lingered on the runway in Newark, N.J., for so long that passengers rebelled and began using their cellphones and leaving their seats, defying the captain's warnings. More... Discount Magazine Subscriptions - Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Nutty News

Delta Announces New SkyMiles Award Travel Structure

Delta Air Lines in September will launch a new Award Travel structure to provide SkyMiles members greater flexibility and more options when redeeming miles, including the ability to again book the last seat on a flight using miles and three redemption tiers for Award Travel within the continental United States, Alaska and Canada to destinations worldwide. More... Discount Magazine Subscriptions - Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Nutty News

US airline to be tried over Concorde crash

American airline Continental and five individuals are to stand trial in France on manslaughter charges over the crash of an Air France Concorde near Paris in 2000.
The defendants include two of the airline's employees, two former members of the Concorde team and a French civil aviation official.
The Concorde crashed after its tyres were punctured by a stray piece of metal on take-off at Charles de Gaulle Airport. More... Discount Magazine Subscriptions - Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Nutty News

July Fourth travel down 2 percent among Texans

HOUSTON — Gas prices and a shaky economy will keep more Texans home over the Fourth of July holiday. AAA Texas says nearly 2.8 million people in the state are expected to take holiday trips this week. The number is almost 2 percent less compared to 2007.
Some 445,000 travelers are expected to fly to their getaway, marking a 4 percent decline from last year. About 2 million will drive to their destination this holiday, a drop of almost 2 percent. More... Discount Magazine Subscriptions - Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Nutty News

Fewer Americans to travel over July 4 holiday

For the first time in this decade, AAA is predicting a decline in Americans traveling during the Fourth of July holiday. "It does seem like gas prices and the economy have finally caught up with people," said Marie Montgomery Nordhues, spokeswoman for the Automobile Club of Southern California, the largest in the AAA federation, with more than 6 million members. In a report released today, AAA said about 1.3% fewer Americans will travel over Fourth of July than during last year's holiday; in the West, the estimated decline was 0.8%. For Memorial Day, AAA had predicted a nearly 1% drop nationally. More... Discount Magazine Subscriptions - Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Nutty News

Gas prices aren't crimping Texans' travel plans

Steep gas prices and a sluggish economy aren’t keeping some Texans from heading out of town this summer. Fifty-three percent of AAA Texas members said they plan to travel as much as they did last year, according to a survey by the travel club released Wednesday.
Survival Guide: Tips and tricks for reducing pain at the pump
AAA Texas said 15 percent of its members plan to take more trips than last year and 31 percent said they’d take fewer getaways. More... Discount Magazine Subscriptions - Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Nutty News

Airline Cutbacks

High fuel prices are threatening airlines across the country.These are hard times for major airline hubs and a small airport like Idaho Falls could fall victim to some major cutbacks. According to a recent study conducted for Business Travel Coalition, Idaho Falls was identified as one of the 100 regional markets most likely to lose some or all of its services. Discount Magazine Subscriptions - Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Nutty News

Have gadget, will travel - WHAT DEVICES GO IN YOUR SUITCASE WHEN PACKING FOR A TRIP?

It's vacation season, and when it comes to packing for a long trip, some things are no-brainers. But what gadgets do you take?
Well, that depends. Some, like cameras, are close to must-haves. Others, like laptops, are much more discretionary.
The decision about whether to take a particular gadget is usually not as simple as whether to pack a certain shirt or pair of shoes. More... Discount Magazine Subscriptions - Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Nutty News

Airline changes alliance - Continental moving to Star, from SkyTeam

Continental Airlines agreed yesterday to join United Airlines in an alliance of international carriers that will allow business passengers to reach more cities in Asia and Europe.
Continental will join the Star Alliance, a group of airlines that cooperate in selling flights on international routes. The largest carrier at Newark Liberty International Airport, Continental will pull out of SkyTeam, an alliance that includes Delta Air Lines and Northwest Airlines. Delta is merging with Northwest. More... Discount Magazine Subscriptions - Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Nutty News

Who's exempt from new airline baggage fees?

Amid all the hemming and hawing over American, United, and now US Airways charging extra fees for all checked baggage ($15 for the first, $25 for the second), some of you may have missed the fact that these fees do not apply to everyone. Some passengers—in particular, travelers going overseas, elite-level frequent flyers, and early bookers—can get by without having to pay for their first and second checked bags. You're exempt from the new checked baggage fees if you fall into one or more of the following categories: More... Discount Magazine Subscriptions - Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Nutty News

Airline Satisfaction at 3-Year Low

Researchers at J.D. Power & Associates weren't surprised to find that customer satisfaction with the North American airline industry has hit a three-year low.
Linda Hirneise, executive director of the research firm, said, "It was surprising to learn that customers are less concerned about paying higher fees than about what they see as a decline in the quality of customer service. More... Discount Magazine Subscriptions - Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Nutty News

Airports Lose Service as Carriers Struggle

At airports around the country, employees said details released about where and when Continental Airlines is cutting service will pose a huge challenge in continuing to provide travelers with access to the skies.
Starting in September, Continental will offer fewer seats out of its Newark, Houston and Cleveland hubs, discontinuing service entirely from those hubs to several cities in the United States and abroad. As a result, Continental will no longer be an option in nine U.S. cities, the airline announced. More... Discount Magazine Subscriptions - Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Nutty News

Bankruptcies seen for major airlines

FORT WORTH, Texas - All of the major airlines could be in bankruptcy by early next year if oil prices stay where they are, a new study predicts. The grim analysis by the consulting firm AirlineForecasts was commissioned by the Business Travel Coalition. Its author concludes that the airline industry is in a full-blown crisis "and heading toward a catastrophe." More... Discount Magazine Subscriptions - Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Nutty News

US online travel registration program supported by NBTA

North America’s National Business Travel Association (NBTA) has come out in support of the new online registration process to be implemented by the United States Government.
“The U.S. Congress created an excellent framework for simultaneously expanding the Visa Waiver Program and enhancing the program’s security,” said Bill Connors, NBTA Executive Director & COO.
The new Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) sees those travellers who are entitled to visa-free travel into the US, when staying within a 90-day period, first registering their travel and personal details online before boarding a plane or ship. More... Discount Magazine Subscriptions - Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Nutty News

US air travel options shrink amid carrier strife

CHICAGO, Illilnois - First it was soaring ticket prices and vanishing bargain fares, then new baggage fees. Now air travelers are facing dwindling choices for when they can fly and where — even to such popular tourist destinations as Las Vegas and Orlando.
The squeeze, a byproduct of record oil prices that are pushing airlines toward financial disaster, accelerated Wednesday when United Airlines announced plans to take 70 more jets out of service and cut domestic capacity by 17 to 18 percent in 2008-09. Its discount unit Ted will be shut down and 1,100 additional jobs eliminated, with more to follow. More... Discount Magazine Subscriptions - Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Nutty News

United Air to reduce fleet, cut jobs

NEW YORK - United Airlines said Wednesday it will reduce its fleet by 100 planes by 2009 and will cut 1,400 to 1,600 jobs to stave off losses related to fuel costs.
United, owned by UAL Corp., said it was culling 94 B737s and six B747s from its fleet. The airline is getting rid of its entire fleet of B737s, which it identified as its "oldest and least fuel-efficient" planes. More... Discount Magazine Subscriptions - Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Nutty News

US to require online travel registration

WASHINGTON - The United States said Tuesday that visitors from closely allied countries like Britain and Japan will soon have to register personal details online at least three days before arrival.
Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff, who announced the changes Tuesday, said they will help the United States boost security of its visa-free travel program by allowing the government to screen visitors before they travel. Currently, visitors fill out paper forms on route and are screened by U.S. customs agents upon entry.
The United States will begin implementing the changes in August, Chertoff said. Online registration will be mandatory for all visa-free travel by Jan. 12. More... Discount Magazine Subscriptions - Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Nutty News

Rising costs may stifle Memorial Day travel

For the first time in six years, AAA expects fewer Americans to travel over Memorial Day weekend because of rising costs for airfare, cheap hotels, rental cars and, of course, gasoline.
The expected decrease is only 1 percentage point: An estimated 12 percent of the population will travel, compared with 13 percent last year. But it indicates that prices have risen enough to make people reconsider how much they will spend for fun. More... Discount Magazine Subscriptions - Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Nutty News - Hotwire

US Airways at the bottom of airline customer satisfaction survey

US Airways Group Inc. ranks dead last in a new customer satisfaction survey of airlines.
According to the annual American Customer Satisfaction Index by the University of Michigan, the Tempe, Ariz.-based airline's satisfaction number dropped significantly from last year. And the airline it may soon merge with -- United Airlines -- ranked second to last on the list. More... Discount Magazine Subscriptions - Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Nutty News - Enterprise Rent A Car

Travel industry braces for potential downturn

WASHINGTON—It seemed like a can't-miss tourist attraction that would pull in visitors to the nation's capital: a new Madame Tussauds wax museum.
But since opening last fall, the attraction featuring likenesses of Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton—among many others—hasn't been a big enough draw. Crowds dwindled after the opening, and Madame Tussauds is cutting prices. Adult tickets, previously selling for $21.15, have been lowered by more than $3, and local residents will be offered even better deals. More... Discount Magazine Subscriptions - Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Nutty News Marketplace - Travelocity

People with Obstructive Sleep Apnea at Risk for Cardiac Stress on Airline Flights

People with severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) on commercial airline flights may have a greater risk of adverse events from cardiac stress than healthy people, according to new research to be presented at the American Thoracic Society’s 2008 International Conference in Toronto on Sunday, May 18. More... Discount Magazine Subscriptions - Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Nutty News - Sirius Satellite Radio

Woman gets community service for airline assault

California - A California woman who drunkenly assaulted a flight attendant while traveling to her sister's funeral has been sentenced to time served and 200 hours of community service. She must also write letters apologizing to Horizon Air and the attendant. Krista Bauer, 23, of Hanford, Calif., was arrested after the Aug. 25, 2007, flight from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport to Billings, Mont., had to return to Sea-Tac. Days earlier, Bauer's older sister had died violently. Bauer spent 36 days in custody, plus 60 at a treatment facility. More... Discount Magazine Subscriptions - Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Nutty News - Frontline Phonics

How to safeguard your money as you travel

NEW YORK - The last thing any traveler wants is to lose a wallet, whether it's misplaced or taken by a pickpocket, in the middle of a vacation. As the summer travel season approaches, it's a good time to review the financial rules of the road. Consumers who take a few precautions before they leave home can help ensure that their cash and credit cards are safe and secure, whether their trips take them to a nearby state or overseas. More... Discount Magazine Subscriptions - Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Nutty News - Lane Bryant

Fewer fliers for summer - But packed planes persist

WASHINGTON - Fewer Americans are expected to fly this summer, but don't expect more empty seats as carriers park planes to help offset surging fuel costs. The trade group for the nation's largest airlines on Tuesday forecast 211.5 million passengers will travel on domestic carriers between June 1 and Aug. 31. That would be a 1.3 percent drop from last summer.
Airlines are reducing their carrying capacity amid slower economic growth and rising jet fuel prices, the Air Transport Association said. More... Discount Magazine Subscriptions - Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Nutty News Marketplace - K B Toys

FBI investigates cruise passenger's death - Accident or murder?

United States Federal Bureau of Investigation agents investigating the death of Mindy Jordan arrived on the Island yesterday and were believed to be questioning the 46-year-old's boyfriend, with whom she was travelling on the Norwegian Dawn when she fell overboard, and other witnesses. The agents boarded the ship around mid-day amid a media frenzy as questions surrounding Ms Jordan's death have be raised in the US media with members of her family publicly disputing the cruise line's version of events and claiming Ms Jordan was in an abusive relationship. More... Discount Magazine Subscriptions - Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Nutty News Marketplace - Identity Guard

What happens to lost airport luggage?

UK - With thousands of bags lost at Heathrow's Terminal 5, some people will never see their luggage again. So what happens to bags when the hunt for their owner ends? In a small warehouse filled with furniture, electrical goods and clothing hanging from the ceiling in clear plastic bags, a battle of egos is under way. A bidding war has charged the air with tension. But this isn't Christie's or Sotheby's - it's Greasby's in Tooting, south London. More... Discount Magazine Subscriptions - Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Nutty News Marketplace - Travelocity

Priority Travel news: Airline Consolidation May Hurt Service

NEW YORK - The last time there was consolidation in the airline industry, customers suffered.
In addition to offering fewer seats, the 2005 combination that formed US Airways Group Inc. forced together two dissonant operations that turned the carrier into an industry leader in lost bags and late flights.
Nevertheless, the carrier's new chief operating officer, Robert Isom, argues that industry consolidation can be good for travelers in the long run.
An airline that can bolster its finances, be it through an acquisition or some other way, will be in a better position to cater to its customers, Isom said in an interview with The Associated Press. Full Story - Discount Magazine Subscriptions - Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Nutty News - Paul Fredrick Men Style

Priority Travel News: Wi-Fi For Airline Passengers Moves Closer To Reality

How would you like Wi-Fi on your flight: via ground antennae or satellite?
That's the choice air passengers are likely to have later this year as progress in both systems was announced this week.
Southwest Airlines on Wednesday said it is testing satellite-based service developed by Row 44. Southwest said it hopes to begin testing Internet service on four of its aircraft this summer.
Meanwhile, American Airlines on Tuesday reported that it has installed Aircell's Internet broadband on one of its 15 Boeing 767-200 aircraft. The air-to-ground technology utilizes a network of 92 cell towers scattered across the continental U.S. Full Story - Discount Magazine Subscriptions - Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Nutty News - Enterprise Rent A Car

Priority Travel News: 11 easy ways to make coach travel more comfy

Coach class has never been more uncomfortable, what with full planes, less personal space, and a scarcity of food, blankets, and pillows. My antidote to this misery is to pack a carry-on that holds all of my belongings and everything I need to maximize my comfort.
My opinion of coach is not unique. In fact, on a recent flight, a seatmate turned to me and asked, “Are we getting bigger, or are the seats getting smaller?” The answer to both questions is yes. Full Story - Discount Magazine Subscriptions - Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Nutty News - Earthlink Internet Services

Priority Travel News: J.D. Power and Associates Ranks Hotwire.com Top Travel Site for Second Consecutive Year

SAN FRANCISCO - For the second consecutive year, discount travel site Hotwire.com(TM) earned J.D. Power and Associates' highest ranking in Customer Satisfaction for Independent Travel Web Sites for booking low-priced hotel, airline or rental car reservations on an independent travel Web site.
The J.D. Power and Associates 2007 Independent Travel Web Site Satisfaction Study(SM) found that Hotwire(R) again outperforms six other major independent travel sites for competitiveness of price and ease of navigation.
"We are honored to be recognized by J.D. Power and Associates for the second consecutive year as the top independent travel site," said Eric Grosse, senior vice president and general manager of Hotwire.com. "Earning top honors again for competitiveness of price is especially rewarding as we take great pride in delivering incredible travel deals and offering deep discounts on plane tickets, hotel reservations, and car rentals." Full Story - Discount Magazine Subscriptions - Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Nutty News - Hotwire

Priority Travel News: Budget Travel Magazine Honors Best Values

NEW YORK - Budget Travel Magazine today announced its first-ever Best Values list. The list, powered by TripAdvisor(R) and featured on the cover of the magazine's February issue, reveals the 132 best luxury hotels from around the world, according to TripAdvisor, with an average nightly rate of less than $250.
"The awards were created to spotlight the hotels that give travelers what they really want: A reliably satisfying experience at a reasonable price," said Erik Torkells, editor, Budget Travel Magazine. "We were thrilled to partner with TripAdvisor for our first-ever hotel awards program, to draw from their vast and reputable data to develop the list and feature traveler testimonials from their site for the winning hotels." Full Story - Discount Magazine Subscriptions - Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Nutty News - 1-800-PetMeds

Priority Travel News: Airline passengers’ bill(s) of rights take off

Food, water and working restrooms — when you’re stuck on a grounded airplane, is that really so much to ask? Not according to at least one U.S. District Court judge, several consumer advocates and a rapidly growing roster of state legislators across the country.
In fact, depending on where you live, such “amenities” may not be just a reasonable request, but rather, the law. If recent developments are any indication, the airline passengers’ bill of rights is on the verge of going viral. Full Story - Discount Magazine Subscriptions - Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Nutty News - J C Whitney

Priority Travel News: Choosing the right travel insurance policy

Even with Hurricane Dean taking aim at Cancun, Mexico, last August, Miguel Guillen wasn't worried. After all, he had insured his vacation. Consider travel insurance policies carefully to guard against losing the money for your dream vacation.
A quick call to his insurance company, Access America, left him with the impression that he'd get a full refund in less than two weeks. So as the Category 5 storm threatened to blow away his hard-earned getaway, "I was told to cancel my flight and file a claim," he said.
Then the hurricane changed course, leaving Cancun unharmed. Full Story - Discount Magazine Subscriptions - Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Nutty News - Blockbuster - United Kingdom

Priority Travel News: 12 travel tips from the flight crew

If you want advice on your pipes, you go to a plumber. Trouble with your wiring? Talk to an electrician. So when it comes to tips on air travel, who better to ask than the flight crew? After flying as a flight attendant for 20 years, I have more than enough tips to keep you going. But I thought this time I would ask other flight attendants for their hard-earned advice, in order to spread the wealth around. Here are 12 tips from your flight crew. Full Story - Discount Magazine Subscriptions - Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Nutty News - DVD Planet

Priority Travel News: Airline merger would have a big-city impact

A merger between Delta Air Lines (DAL) and Northwest (NWA) or United (UAUA) would greatly extend the reach of the resulting airline, giving it influence over service and fares in more major U.S. business markets than any of them has today.
A Delta-United deal would be an industry game-changer, giving the combined carrier heft in eight of the USA's 12 biggest business markets, according to a USA TODAY analysis of schedule data from OAGback Aviation Solutions. The analysis combines the current shares of each carrier in the big markets, establishing a rough estimate of the share the combined carrier might control. Full Story - Discount Magazine Subscriptions - Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Nutty News - Lane Bryant

Priority Travel News: Flying is still safest way to travel

As normal operations resume today at London's Heathrow Airport, the precise reason for last Thursday's crash landing by a Boeing 777 aircraft has yet to be established.
What is known is that the British Airways aircraft lost power just 20 seconds before it was due to touch down. Disaster was averted only by quick thinking on the part of the plane's captain. In the event, all 150 passengers and crew were able to walk from the stricken plane, with just one person being detained in hospital for observation. Given the other scenarios which could have unfolded, it was a miraculous outcome. Full Story - Discount Magazine Subscriptions - Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Nutty News - Prep Sportswear

Priority Travel News: The low-cost airline revolution

Recently Australians have seen a number of new low-cost airlines enter the domestic/international market offering to put you in the air for as little as zero dollars.
As international airfares plummet the numbers of Australians taking to the air for the first time soars. Full Story - Discount Magazine Subscriptions - Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Nutty News - Luggage Online

Priority Travel News: Philippine Airline Still To Flies To U.S. Despite FAA Downgrade

Philippine Airlines, the only commercial flag carrier in Asia, has announced it will continue to fly to the U.S. despite certain restrictions that downgraded the country to a Category 2 rating by the U.S. Federal Aviation Authority.
PAL President Jaime Bautista said, "Being the only Philippine carrier to fly to the US, we have a responsibility to our passengers to maintain our US operations in spite of the Category 2 rating." Full Story - Discount Magazine Subscriptions - Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Nutty News - CARIBBEAN Travel Deals

Priority Travel News: Airline launch 'delayed by training'

THE launch of Bahrain Air, the kingdom's first privately owned, low-cost airline, has been delayed.
It was due to be launched today, but sources said it was now likely to begin operations in the first week of next month.
Management officials could not be reached for comment, but sources said the delay was connected to staff training. Full Story - Discount Magazine Subscriptions - Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Nutty News - Country Inns & Suites

Priority Travel News: Airline competition heats up on Seattle to California routes

It soon will be easier and cheaper to fly between Seattle and California, with Virgin America beginning new cut-rate service to San Francisco on March 18 and an announcement today by Alaska Airlines that it will increase service between the two states.
Alaska will add five new flights to its California schedule. Starting April 27, it will offer 15 daily round trips between Seattle and Los Angeles on weekdays, three more than it now has. The LA-bound flights will depart on the hour and return on the half-hour. Full Story - Discount Magazine Subscriptions - Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Nutty News - Delta Airlines