The Rearden Personal Assistant mobile application has two exciting enhancements

Mobile check-in and paperless boarding passes are here
Travelers will be able to check-in for a flight and create a paperless boarding pass using the Mobile Personal Assistant. After a traveler checks-in via a mobile device, they will be directed to the airline’s mobile website to complete the check-in process. It’s important to note that paperless boarding passes are only available for certain airlines and airports; you can visit the TSA website for more details on participating airports.

Mobile Personal Assistant on any smart phone
Now travelers can access their information from the Rearden Personal Assistant on any smart phone. Similar to the BlackBerry and iPhone apps, it combines the functionality of many travel apps, so when traveling, your road warriors can find all their travel information in one location.

Just two more reasons why Rearden's Mobile Assistant is an important efficiency tool for your travelers. For more information, please contact your account manager.

Union Wins Court Fight with British Airways on Strikes

Thousands of travelers are facing disruption in coming weeks after the union representing British Airways cabin crews won a landmark ruling against a legal block on its planned strikes.

The Unite union said staff would walk off the job from Monday for a series of back-to-back strikes totaling 15 days if it cannot agree with BA management before then on a resolution to a bitter dispute over changes to pay and working conditions. Cabin crews will not begin strike action until the planned start of the second of the original four blocks of five-day walkouts — May 18-22, May 24-28, May 30-June 3 and June 5-9. Read more

Will Volcanic Ash Stop? Some Flight Restrictions Relaxed as Icelandic Eruption Continues

Flying to and around Europe these days can seem a bit like spinning a roulette wheel as governments there periodically impose flying bansbecause of ash from Iceland's Eyjafjallajokul volcano. Read more

U.S. Embassy in Bangkok shut amid violence; some airlines waive fees for ticket changes

After a nighttime curfew and a military offensive Wednesday, Bangkok remained in the grip of deadly clashes between army troops and “Red Shirt” anti-government protesters. Central World, one of the city’s biggest shopping malls, was destroyed after rioters reportedly set fire to it. Read more

Southwest Airlines adds "Free Bags Fly Here" stickers

Southwest Airlines (Dallas) is taking its Bags Fly Free advertising campaign one step further. Over the next six weeks, the airline will decal more than 50 aircraft with the slogan, "Free Bags Fly Here" and an arrow pointing to its cargo bin. The airline will also tag approximately 1,000 luggage carts across the system with banners that say "I Carry Free Bags." Using its most visible assets--airplanes and ground support equipment--is just another way Southwest is reinforcing its commitment not to charge for Customers' first two checked bags! Read more

AmtrakConnect Wi-Fi now available

AmtrakConnect Wi-Fi available on Acela trains and select stations in Northeast Corridor. On your wi-fi enabled, wireless device, look for

• In Station, "AmtrakConnectStation."
• On Acela Express, "AmtrakConnectAcela."

Any other network is not an official AmtrakConnect network

• Step 1: Search for available wireless network.
• Step 2: Select the network name.
• Step 3: Open or refresh your browser; you should see the AmtrakConnect welcome screen at this point.
• Step 4: Click "Get Conneted Now" to proceed to the Internet. You must complete all of the above four steps before you can access the Internet.

Elimination of the paper arrival/departure form for travelers coming into the US

Secretary Napolitano announced the elimination of the paper arrival/departure form for travelers coming into the US. The updated process, The Visa Waiver Program, Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) will include collecting passenger information prior to departure, which will enhance airport security measures. It will also be less hassle for travelers. See article. For more information on the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), ESTA, and a list of participating countries visit.