Thursday, February 3, 2005

Despite pay cuts, United's mechanics will not strike (02/01/2005) -- United Airlines yesterday received good news from unions representing pilots and flight attendants as each agreed to new contracts. Both groups indicated the latest round of cost cuts would be the last they would agree to as part of UAL Corp.'s bankruptcy restructuring. Meanwhile, the judge overseeing the company's case yesterday imposed temporary pay cuts on employees represented by a mechanics union, which last week rejected the newest offer from management and threatened to strike if a long-term agreement is unilaterally forced upon it by the bankruptcy court.

United offers a special fare sale, romantic getaways, goodie bags and bonus miles for gift purchases in honor of Valentine's Day (02/02/05) -- Lovers and others are invited to celebrate Valentine's Day with United® and united.com by snapping up last-minute special fares to see faraway loved ones, whisking a sweetheart away on a UnitedEscapes® package, indulging in luxurious holiday goodie bags on United's p.s.SM service or earning Mileage Plus® bonus miles for lavishing valentines with FTD flowers, Nirvana Belgian chocolates or other luxurious treats from Mileage Plus partners.

US Airways Offers Introductory Fares on New Nonstop Service to and from Washington, D.C. -- US Airways is celebrating the launch of new nonstop service between Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and Atlanta, Chicago, Cleveland, Dallas, Detroit and Houston beginning Feb. 6, 2005, with an introductory fare sale.

US airline losses topped $9 billion in 2004 (02/02/05) -- US airline industry losses for the 11 largest passenger airlines (excluding ATA, which is in bankruptcy and has not reported financial results) soared to $9.21 billion last year from $2.38 billion lost by the same carriers in 2003.

Delta Prepares for Revolutionary Schedule Change January 31(01/20/05) -- Customers can look forward to more flights and destinations under a massive schedule change. Beginning Jan. 31, customers will notice changes in the cities Delta serves specifically designed to improve on-time departures, reduce airport congestion and create a better travel experience.

TSA Considers Charging Passengers for Faster Service (01/30/05) -- Travelers may soon be given the option of paying a toll if they want to move through airport security checkpoints faster. Just as state and local governments use tolls to make drivers pay for the roads they ride on, the federal Transportation Security Administration is considering charging travelers to cover the cost of a technology intensive program that lets them move more quickly through airport security checkpoints.

TSA deployed the latest technology to detect weapons and explosives in a variety of transportation environments. Passengers at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, John F. Kennedy in New York, Los Angeles and Chicago O’Hare may undergo screening by an explosives detection Document Scanner. Under this pilot program, the Document Scanner analyzes samples collected by swiping the surface of a document over a collection disc and alerts the screener if explosive residue is detected. If the presence of explosives is indicated, the passenger is referred for additional screening. A more highly automated version of this same technology is under review by TSA.

Airlines Become More Aggressive About Baggage Fees (01/30/05) -- While some carriers threaten to stop carrying luggage, others are becoming more aggressive about imposing--and collecting--excess weight charges.

Marriott Rewards Opens Customer Service Center in Mexico City (02/01/05) -- Marriott Rewards, Marriott International, Inc.’s award-winning hotel loyalty program, has opened a customer service center in Mexico City to serve members in Latin America and Mexico.

Hilton Lets Guests Check In From Airport Kiosk (02/02/05) -- Hilton Hotels Corp. this month completed a beta test of the first kiosk in an airport that enables guests to check in to their hotel while they wait for luggage. Hilton last fall began testing four kiosks in the baggage claim area in two terminals at Honolulu International Airport for use by meeting attendees and other travelers staying at the Hilton Hawaiian Village. The terminals serve flights from United, Northwest, Continental and American Airlines.

Austrian Air To Cut 100 Jobs (02/03/05) -- Austrian Airlines will cut about 10 percent of its roughly 1,000 administrative and service jobs as it drives down costs to cope with overcapacity in Europe, discount airline competition and high fuel prices.

High Fuel Prices Will Dent Emirates Profits (02/03/05) -- High fuel prices will dent profits at Emirates for the second half of the current financial year, a spokesman for the airline said on Thursday.

US Takes Over More US Airways Pension Plans (02/02/05) -- US pension insurers assumed control of underfunded retirement plans covering more than 51,000 workers and retirees at bankrupt US Airways, a drastic money saving step the airline claimed was necessary for it to survive, the government said on Wednesday.

JetBlue Plans Boston Airport Expansion (02/02/05) -- Low-cost airline JetBlue on Wednesday said it planned to embark on a major expansion at Boston's Logan Airport, leasing an entire terminal and boosting its gates at the airport to 11 from 2.

Management Of US Airport Screening May Go Private (02/02/05) -- A senior congressional Republican is considering a plan that would take the government out of managing passenger and bag screening and let the private sector oversee parts of the system.

Bookings open at Wynn Las Vegas (01/28/2005) -- The highly anticipated Wynn Las Vegas opened the books on phone reservations for stays at the $2.7 billion resort, set to debut April 28. Would-be guests who have a certain date in mind for their stay or who would prefer a specific room category -- such as a Resort Room, Tower Suite or Parlor Suite -- are advised to book as early as possible.

Clients who would rather book an air-inclusive package with accommodations at Wynn Las Vegas can book plans with United Vacations beginning this spring. Packages that include accommodations in a Resort Room will be available May 1; stays in a Tower or Parlor Suite will be available May 13.

Two-night stays with accommodations in a Resort Room and roundtrip air from Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco or Fresno, Calif., start at $374 while packages featuring accommodations in a Tower Suite and air from Chicago, Detroit, Indianapolis, Milwaukee or Minneapolis start at $679.

Parlor Suite plans with air from Baltimore, Boston, Newark, New York or Washington are priced from $1,094. All rates are per person, double, for Monday departures between June 7 and July 31 with air on United.

For more information, call (800) 328-6877.