News Highlights

Business travel expected to pick up
Business travel is expected to pickup in 2010 after sharp cutbacks during the global recession, a senior Airbus executive says. Airbus chief operating officer for customers, John Leahy, says signs are emerging that the corporate traveller is returning as the economic outlook improves.

Airlines ratchet up holiday surcharges
Most of the largest U.S. airlines have increased a surcharge for travel on the busiest travel days to $20 each way, up from $10. The surcharges apply to a large number of flights within the U.S. on more than a dozen peak days around holidays including Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's.

US Airways hints at new fees for better seats
US Airways allows customers to pay between $5 and $30 per flight to reserve aisle and window seats in the front of the coach cabin when they check in, but not when they buy.

American Airlines flight attendants to hold mock strikes in November
American Airlines which carries about 8 percent of the passengers that travel through Orlando International Airport, has not come to a new labor contract agreement with about 18,000 flight attendants. As a result, the union that represents the flight attendants has announced they would hold mock strikes throughout the American Airlines system this month and seek permission for real strikes beginning next year.

With Airlines Shrinking, Your Flight Could Be Cut
Airlines are cutting money-losing flights during the current travel slump, and that can cause headaches for passengers who bought tickets on those trips. The airlines will usually rebook a passenger on another flight close to the original schedule. But sometimes the change can mean a delay of several hours — even overnight. What can you do if the delay in your new flight ruins your plans?

One airline ticket for the price of two
Llouellynde Orahood's flight from Los Angeles to Dallas has all the makings of a trip from hell, including weather delays, cancellations and almost-missed flights. What could be worse? Having to pay again for the same tickets. Now, neither the airlines nor the online travel agency is willing to help recover the money the traveler should have never had to spend. Is there any hope for a refund?

Less capacity, fuller flights in October for biggest U.S. airlines
U.S. airplanes are getting fuller, even as U.S. airlines are getting smaller, as we see in October's traffic reports for the big airlines. The nation's nine largest carriers as a group saw traffic decline 2.2 percent in October, with capacity dropping even more, down 6.0 percent. Delta Air Lines and Northwest Airlines, under common ownership, are lumped together.

Avis Budget In Preparation To Charge No-Show Fees
Car hirers should take note as distribution systems operators around the globe are preparing to take credit card information with bookings for Avis Budget Group in the event of the car hire firm looking to apply a new policy on no-shows.

Rental car taxes are getting jacked up
Anyone renting a car in Maine would be paying the state 12.5% of their bill in excise taxes starting last month if the legislature there had its way.