Travel Industry News

Continental Applies for Nonstop Flights Between Houston and Buenos Aires, Argentina
Continental Airlines has submitted an application to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) for approval to operate daily nonstop flights from its Houston hub at Bush Intercontinental Airport to Buenos Aires, Argentina. If approved, Continental will introduce the service in November 2005 utilizing a Boeing 767-200, carrying 25 BusinessFirst and 149 economy customers. MORE >>

SkyTeam Members Expand Travel Offerings for 2005 Summer Season
April 25, 2005 – SkyTeam, the global airline alliance partnering Aeroméxico, Air France, Alitalia, CSA Czech Airlines, Continental, Delta Air Lines, KLM, Korean Air and Northwest, today said its members are anticipating passenger growth in 2005 and launching new flight options this summer season, which runs from April to October. MORE >>

British Airways - Spanish General Workers Strike called off - 29 April and 4 May 2005
Further to communication earlier today issuing a commercial policy for the threat of industrial action general workers in Spain on 29 April and 4 May 2005, British Airways have been advised the action has been called off. Therefore, the commercial policy issued has been withdrawn with immediate effect. MORE >>

Fuel costs may slow AirTran growth
April 28, 2005 -- In a sign of just how much high oil prices impact U.S. airlines, discount carrier AirTran Airways says it may slow its breakneck growth pace unless fuel costs go down. MORE >>

America West Airlines Announces Changes to Fully Refundable Fare Ticketing Time Limits
To further reduce denied boardings that can impact our best customers, effective May 1, 2005, America West will impose 24-hour ticketing time limits (TTL) on all fully refundable fares. The ticketing time limits will also apply to refundable fare reservations made prior to May 1, 2005.

This change will allow America West to better forecast no-show rates and manage overbookings more effectively. Fully refundable fares (excluding government contracted fares – which must include HP GOVT FARE PAX in the OSI field of the PNR for exemption) will now go through the same inventory management process that restricted fares follow. By enforcing the TTL, seats held by un-ticketed bookings will be returned to inventory, increasing availability particularly during peak travel periods.

Reservations that remain un-ticketed after 24 hours will be identified and queued to the booking agent for action before cancellation. It is important that your agency either ticket the reservation within the time limit specified, or cancel it prior to the departure date. If the reservation is not ticketed by the time limit specified, America West will automatically cancel the reservation in our system. However, this will not cancel the reservation showing in your GDS. If the reservation is un-ticketed, and you do not cancel the reservation in your GDS at least one day prior to departure, America West will incur GDS fees. These fees will be subject to debit memo and applicable service charges.

Spirit Drops In-flight Cash
April 24, 2005 -- Put away the cash on a Spirit Airlines flight. It isn't any good. It's not that the low-fare carrier is giving away booze and food. They just insist fliers pay with a credit or debit card. MORE >>

Amtrak: Life expectancy of Acela brakes overestimated
April 27, 2005 -- Amtrak President David Gunn said Wednesday he believes the makers of the Acela Express trains overestimated the life expectancy of their brake rotors, forcing Amtrak to pull the entire fleet out of service for repairs. MORE >>

Hilton Garden Inn® Gives Consumers the Chance to Win the Latest in Cutting-edge Guestroom Amenities
April 28, 2005 - Hilton Garden Inn® offers travelers the chance to take home the latest offerings in cutting edge guestroom amenities with the Evolution Solution ExpressTM by Hilton Garden Inn Sweepstakes. The online sweepstakes coincides with the brand's Evolution Solution Express (ESE) tour-a 72-foot long, 67,000 pound, 26-foot wide mobile marketing vehicle currently trekking its way across the country-and offers the chance to win the Garden Sleep SystemTM by VSS Sleep SystemsTM or the modified "Mirra"TM chair by Herman Miller. MORE >>

Starwood Debuts Online Meeting Space Booking Service
April 28, 2005 -- Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide has deployed new online meeting space booking capabilities for small, single-day meetings at 21 properties in Atlanta, Boston and Florida. The new service, called “Meetings in a Moment,” enables buyers to purchase meeting space, food and beverage and audiovisual services for meetings of up to 25 attendees. MORE >>

InterContinental Hotels Group Offers Point Redemption At Non-IHG Hotels
April 26, 2005 -- InterContinental Hotels Group today announced an expansion of its Priority Club frequent guest program to allow U.S. members to redeem points earned at IHG-brand hotels at non-IHG properties worldwide. In a lodging-industry first, IHG partnered with American Express to issue a debit card that allows Priority Club members to convert points to a cash equivalent that then can be used for free stays at other hotels. MORE >>

Marriott, United and Visa Serve Up Family Facation Savings
This summer it pays to Stay for Breakfast® at Marriott hotels. Customers who purchase the Stay for Breakfast rate with their Visa® card at participating JW Marriott Hotels & Resorts, Marriott Hotels & Resorts and Renaissance Hotels & Resorts will receive a $100 Bonus Bucks® coupon toward a future two-night stay worldwide at those brands. In addition, they will receive a coupon for $50 off the ticket price of their next qualifying roundtrip United® flight. The Marriott summer promotional rate is available seven days a week and requires a Friday or Saturday night stay.* MORE >>

Sunstone Hotel Investors, Walton Street Capital and Marriott International to Purchase 32 Hotels from CTF Foldings
Sunstone Hotel Investors, Inc. (NYSE:SHO), Walton Street Capital, L.L.C and Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE:MAR) have today signed purchase and sale agreements that will result in their separately acquiring 32 hotels and certain joint venture interests from CTF Holdings Ltd. Marriott International or its subsidiaries operate 29 of the hotels under the Renaissance Hotels & Resorts brand and three of the hotels under the Courtyard by Marriott brand. MORE >>

-- TOP --