United Airlines Announces Double Miles on Flights Between New York and San Francisco, Dallas Fort Worth and San Francisco, and Dallas Fort Worth and Los Angeles
April 13, 2004 - United Airlines announced that Mileage Plus members traveling between New York (JFK) and San Francisco (SFO), Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) and San Francisco (SFO), and Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) and Los Angeles (LAX) will receive double miles for travel between April 16 and May 31, 2004 (double miles equals flight miles times two). Qualifying flights are available for booking immediately.

United Sees Higher Fuel Costs
April 16 -- United Airlines on Thursday said its 2004 fuel costs would be USD$450 million higher than previously forecast and it was nearing a deal to restructure more than a third of its 175 jet leases and mortgages. In a status report to the federal bankruptcy court in Chicago, United parent UAL Corp. cited its inability to hedge against rising fuel prices for the much higher cost estimate.

US Airways Dividend Miles Members Now Can Earn Preferred Status Faster
April 15, 2004 -- Beginning today, US Airways Dividend Miles members can earn Preferred status faster on select qualifying fare classes on US Airways, the US Airways Express carriers, US Airways Shuttle, and its codeshare partners Lufthansa and United, through Dec. 31, 2004.

The US government granted anti-trust immunity on Thursday to American Airlines and European carrier SN Brussels Airlines to coordinate routes, prices and services. (Reuters)
April 16 -- The Transportation Department said the non-equity alliance will permit enhanced code-sharing and was not likely to "substantially reduce" competition. SN Brussels was created from the aftermath of the Sabena bankruptcy in 2001. It plans to merge with rival carrier Virgin Express. American is the world's biggest airline, while SN Brussels has 38 planes and serves 52 European and 14 African cities.

American Shares Traveler Complaints
April 14 -- In a recent letter to its flight attendants, American Airlines shared the results of focus groups with business travelers that highlight service problems. The unusually frank disclosure highlights a number of prominent issues, among them flight attendants complaining to passengers about cost-cutting and work conditions.

American Airlines admits to PNR disclosure, suit filed
April 12 -- American became the third U.S. airline to be sued for releasing passenger information to the federal government or government contractors to test a new passenger pre-screening system.

New Traveler Rudeness Study
Relying on the kindness of strangers may be a thing of the past, at least when you're on the road, as up to 40 percent of travelers feel it's unnecessary to oblige when asked by a fellow passenger to switch seats, according to the Travelocity survey. Furthermore, the poll found that a large group of travelers may themselves be the culprits of sporting what many consider "rude" behaviors such as excessive cell phone usage or those who fully recline their seats in flight.

Travel Warning to Jordan
The Government of Jordan recently announced that it took steps against a terrorist cell, which had targeted several Government of Jordan facilities. The U.S. Department of State was informed that subsequent information indicates the U.S. Embassy in Amman was also a target.

Do Hotel Keys Compromise Confidential Traveler Data?
Most hotels travelers are likely to encounter these days use electronic keys, which resemble credit cards and are created as needed at the front desk. These provide much greater security and convenience overall than do the traditional metal keys most of us carry in our pockets.

Latest Air Canada Business Plan Calls for New Labor Concessions
Air Canada is seeking another $200 million in concessions from its unions in its revised business plan, the Canadian Auto Workers said Thursday.

Southwest flight attendant union raises stakes in contract talks
April 09 -- Southwest Airlines' flight attendant union called on the company to return to the bargaining table or agree to a release from federal mediation, which potentially would set the stage for the first strike in the carrier's 33 years of operations.

AWA Promotes No-Cost, Private Agency Booking Channel
APRIL 13 -- America West Airlines today announced a new online booking portal for travel agencies that provides complete access to all of the carrier's fares. HPagentlink follows closely on the heels of AWAcorpLink, America West's corporate client portal (BTNonline, March 23). The airline said reservations made on the site incur no transaction fees and are kept private.

America West - New Nonstop Service - Los Angeles to Washington D.C.
America West is bringing low-fare competition to its fifth transcontinental route and will become the first and only low-fare carrier to operate nonstop transcontinental service between Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. Beginning June 1, two daily nonstop flights will be offered between LAX and Washington Dulles International Airport.

Delta Air Lines To Offer Hourly Service between Atlanta and Philadelphia with 15 Daily Roundtrip Flights
April 15-- Delta Air Lines will begin offering customers hourly flights between Atlanta and Philadelphia starting June 1. With the addition of four flights to its schedule, the airline now will offer customers 15 daily roundtrip flights between its Atlanta hub and Philadelphia. This increase in flights is a response to increasing demand for business and leisure travel in Philadelphia.

Delta Air Lines Plans Flights to Vietnam with SkyTeam Partner Korean Air; Customers Already Can Travel Via Paris on Air France Partner
April 15 – Delta Air Lines announced that the Civil Aviation Administration of Vietnam has approved Delta’s application to place its code on SkyTeam partner Korean Air flights from Korea to Vietnam effective May 1, 2004.

Delta Air Lines and Sixt Rent a Car Announce Global Partnership
April 15, 2004 -- Delta Air Lines announced a global partnership with German-based Sixt Rent a Car, an international leader in vehicle rental-leasing and limousine services. The agreement allows members of Delta’s SkyMiles program to earn 500 miles for each vehicle rental booked with Sixt Rent a Car and Limousine services worldwide.