AIR

United Economy Plus - More room for business travelers in the Economy cabin
United's new Economy Plus® section. Economy Plus is a premium seating area in our Economy cabins - consisting of the first 6-11 rows (depending upon the fleet type) - that offers up to 5 inches more legroom per seat. This means more space and greater comfort for business travelers who are flying in coach - especially when it's not possible to upgrade to First Class. Economy Plus provides more room so you can get your work done inflight. More »

United Aims For $100 Million In Distribution Cost Cuts
April 11, 2005 -- United Airlines by 2007 expects to cut distribution costs as much as $100 million annually as part of a companywide effort to further reduce non-labor expenses. The airline, which has been operating under bankruptcy protection since December 2002, said it achieved its first quarter mainline unit cost goal of 8.13 cents per seat mile, excluding fuel. More »

US Airways Offers Special Web-Based Fares For Premium Travel To Barcelona
April 11, 2005 -- US Airways is offering a special web-based $1,999* roundtrip fare for Envoy Class travel to Barcelona from its full U.S. network, making premium travel to one of Europe’s most vibrant cities more affordable. US Airways will begin new nonstop Philadelphia-Barcelona service on May 16, 2005. More »

US Airways Express to Begin Nonstop Service From Asheville to Washington and Philadelphia
April 11, 2005 -- Beginning June 5, 2005, US Airways Express will operate a nonstop roundtrip Asheville-Philadelphia flight each Saturday and Sunday on 50-seat Canadair Regional Jets (CRJ) operated by Mesa and PSA Airlines. More »

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US Airways' dominance at airport dwindling
April 9 , 2005 -- While US Airways is still Pittsburgh International Airport's dominant airline, its share of the market is eroding, largely a result of its decisions to drop Pittsburgh as a hub and eliminate hundreds of daily flights over the last four years. More »

US Airways, America West merger rumors are flying
April 12, 2005 -- Talk about some sort of a combination between US Airways and America West Airlines, the seventh and eighth largest carriers in the United States, continues to surface despite refusals by either company to lend credence to the speculation. More »

SkyTeam Round The World And Europe Pass Fares Now Offer Travelers More Choices
April 13, 2005 – At a meeting in Noordwijk, the SkyTeam Steering Committee announced that passengers traveling via the alliance’s Round the World (RTW) and Europe Pass products will have greater options, in terms of schedules and destinations, with the addition of Continental’s, KLM’s and Northwest’s route networks. More »

Delta Begins Atlanta - Rio de Janeiro Service October 1
April 13, 2005 – Whether hitting the famous beaches at Copacabana or Ipanema, ascending the rocky spire of Corcovado, or soaking in the Dionysian spirit of Carnaval, customers will have access to more of Brazil’s charms with Delta Air Lines’ (NYSE: DAL) new daily service from Atlanta to Rio de Janeiro, beginning Oct. 1. More »

Delta AirElite Adds Challenger 300 to Charter Fleet
April 12, 2005 - Delta AirElite Business Jets now offers customers the superior comfort and performance of the Bombardier Challenger 300 business jet. Delta AirElite has added the Salt Lake City-based aircraft to its operating certificate through a charter management agreement. More »

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Northwest/KLM Modify Nonrefundable Ticket Change Policy

Northwest Airlines and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines have modified their policy on when customers can make changes to their unused and partially used domestic and international tickets, including WorldPerks frequent flyer program award travel tickets*. The new changes will take effect for tickets issued on or after April 15, 2005. This new policy will have no impact on the vast majority of customers and will help Northwest and KLM to better manage inventory.

New Change Policy for Domestic Tickets - Wholly Unused and Partially Used

Currently, refundable and nonrefundable domestic tickets expire one year after the original outbound travel date designated on the original ticket, and changes can be made during that entire one-year period. Beginning April 15, 2005, to remain valid, nonrefundable tickets must be exchanged within 90 days after the first missed flight on the ticket. Changes requested after 90 days are not permitted.

New Change Policy for International Tickets

Wholly Unused : Currently, wholly unused refundable and nonrefundable international tickets are valid for exchange within one year of the date of issue. Beginning April 15, 2005, to remain valid, wholly unused nonrefundable tickets must be exchanged within one year from date of issue or 90 days after the missed original outbound travel date designated on the original ticket, whichever comes first.

Partially Used : Currently, partially used refundable and nonrefundable international tickets expire one year after the original departure date. Beginning April 15, 2005, to remain valid, partially used nonrefundable tickets must be exchanged within 90 days after the first missed flight (and again after any subsequently missed flight) and expire one year after the original departure date.

All domestic and international non-refundable fare rules have been changed to reflect the modified ticket change policy. Additional information may be found on the Resource Center tab on WorldAgent Direct or in the Rules section of DRS.

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Virgin Express, SN Brussels complete merger
April 13, 2005 -- Shareholders of Virgin Express and SN Brussels Airlines successfully concluded merger negotiations and yesterday confirmed the terms of the deal that sees the two Brussels-based carriers come under common ownership while maintaining operational independence.Virgin Express will continue to target the low-cost market with SN Brussels remaining a full-service airline. Further plans and expected synergies have not been revealed, but under terms of the deal the Virgin brand has to be eliminated by 2007. More »

Continental Airlines Announces Nonstop Service Between Los Angeles and Two New Destinations in Mexico
April 11, 2005 -- Continental Airlines announced it will begin nonstop service June 9 between Los Angeles International Airport and two Mexican destinations -- Durango and Queretaro -- pending government approval.

With the addition of the new routes, Continental will serve five destinations in Mexico from Los Angeles. In December 2004, Continental began flights from Los Angeles to Aguascalientes, Leon-Guanajuato and Morelia, Mexico. Continental's Los Angeles-Mexico flights complement the airline's existing service to these markets from Houston, Texas. Continental serves 30 Mexican destinations from the U.S. -- more than any other U.S. airline. More »

Continental Airlines Applies to Begin Nonstop Flights From New York/Newark to Shanghai, China
April 7, 2005 -- Continental Airlines announced today that it has formally submitted an application to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) for approval to operate nonstop flights from its hub at New York/Newark Liberty International Airport to Shanghai, China. If approved, Continental will introduce flights in March 2007 and will use the 283-seat (48 BusinessFirst, 235 economy) Boeing 777 aircraft. Continental will also offer online connecting service between Shanghai and points throughout the U.S., Europe and Latin America. More »

Continental Airlines to Inaugurate Daily Non-Stop Service Between New York and New Delhi, India
April 6, 2005 -- Continental Airlines will launch daily nonstop flights between its New York hub at Newark Liberty International Airport and New Delhi, India beginning Oct. 31, 2005 subject to government approval.

The service will reduce travel time between New York and New Delhi by at least two and a half hours by eliminating any stop or connection en route. More »

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Mexico launches new airline, Click
April 12, 2005 -- Mexicana de Aviacion said on Monday it will launch Mexico's first low-cost carrier in July, moving the government closer to privatizing its airline industry. More »

Qantas ups fuel surcharge on tickets
April 8, 2005 -- Qantas Airways Ltd., Australia's biggest airline, has increased its fuel surcharges as record oil prices threaten its earnings. More »

Qantas Tightens Security After Camel Suit Stunt
April 14, 2005 -- Australia's Qantas Airways will install cameras in baggage handling areas at airports around the country and in the holds of some aircraft after a series of security breaches, one involving a camel suit. More »

Northwest sends layoff notices to 600 mechanics
April 13, 2005 -- Northwest Airlines informed 600 Minnesota mechanics they would be laid off on Wednesday as part of a previously announced plan to cut up to 930 mechanics jobs this year. More »

Royal Jordanian and America West Airlines Announce Increased Service Between the U.S. and Jordan
April 11, 2005 -- America West Airlines and Royal Jordanian, the Jordan-based premier Middle East carrier, announced the expansion of the only nonstop service between the U.S. and Jordan. The enhancements will increase flight options during the busy summer season, making it even more convenient for customers to schedule connecting flights between the U.S. and Jordan via each of the three gateway cities served by Royal Jordanian in the U.S. -- New York/JFK, Chicago/O'Hare, and Detroit. More »

Independence Air halts flights to Norfolk
April 12, 2005 — Independence Air will stop flights to Norfolk at the end of May as part of a restructuring aimed at keeping the fledgling low-fare carrier out of bankruptcy. More »

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CAR/RAIL

NYC subway gets a computerized facelift
April 13, 2005 -- A subway train rattles halfway into Manhattan's Union Square station and shudders to a halt. Over a crackle of static, a voice on the PA system announces congestion ahead and says it will be several minutes before service resumes. More »

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