Travel-On Travel Industry News
May 6, 2011
Events We're Watching

UA/CO Merger Prompts Upcoming Schedule Changes

United and Continental are aligning flight numbers in preparation for selling as one single airline code – UA -- in the first quarter of 2012. Current UA and CO flight numbers are transitioning in phases and the move to common flight numbers will continue through the summer. Between May 5-12 United will be shifting select flight number ranges -- primarily with code-share and Express partners.

Strike in Italy to halt trains and planes

Italy's national carrier Alitalia says it is taking measures to guarantee intercontinental flights during a nationwide strike Friday called by the powerful CGIL union confederation. Read more

OTHER NEWS

JetBlue Announces Partnership with Icelandair

The carriers announced a new interline partnership today, saying the deal "opens up new travel opportunities for customers connecting between JetBlue's network in the United States and the Caribbean and Icelandair destinations throughout Scandinavia, the United Kingdom, and Continental Europe." Read more

American Airlines to Test Streaming Video In-flight

American is the first North American airline to begin testing the new inflight streaming video product from Aircell which will offer the airline's customers a brand-new, innovative inflight entertainment option. The new product will allow customers to wirelessly stream content such as movies and TV shows from an inflight library to their personal Wi-Fi-enabled devices during flight. Read more

PAHO/WHO Urges Travelers to the Americas to Get Vaccinated Against Measles and Rubella

In addition to recommending vaccination of travelers to the Americas, the alert also recommends that residents of the Western Hemisphere get vaccinated before traveling to other regions. "Travelers who have not been vaccinated against measles and rubella are at risk of contracting these diseases when visiting countries where the viruses are currently circulating," says PAHO/WHO. Read more

How to Help Frequent Travelers Stay Healthy

Most people in the travel industry have a gut feeling that constant travel can have an impact on their health and wellbeing. Now they have more than a feeling. Read more

Looking to Speed Frequent Fliers Through Security

Drawing data from airline frequent-flier programs, the TSA plans to identify trusted travelers and indicate their status with a bar code on their boarding passes. When the boarding pass and valid identification are presented at the security checkpoint, a trusted flier will be directed to the expedited screening line. Read more

Celebrate National Train Day, May 7, With Major Events Across the Country

On Saturday, May 7th, hundreds of National Train Day festivities are taking place across the country including four major events in Washington, DC, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, and Chicago. Enjoy free live entertainment, interactive and educational exhibits, kids' activities, model train displays and tours of Amtrak equipment, freight and commuter trains, and of notable private railroad cars, and much more. You can attend an event near you, host one of your own, or participate online. Read more

Palate Pleasers at 30,000 Feet

Besides making you feel dehydrated, air travel affects your taste buds. At 30,000 feet, travelers lose 30% of their palate, experts say. That can make a full-bodied wine taste dull and a lightly seasoned meal taste flat. Read more

NYC's Taxi of Tomorrow

Transparent roof panel, driver navigation system, overhead reading lights, a mobile charging unit replete with a 12V outlet and two USB ports., an emphasis on passenger and pedestrian safety with front and rear-seat curtain airbags, standard traction control, and an external lighting system designed to alert others when the doors are opening. The van's microbial seat fabric should help assuage the fears of many germophobes, while its "low-annoyance" horn promises to put a (probably miniscule) dent in the city's noise pollution. Read more

Planes Take Off, Passengers Wander Through Terminals and Workers Tend to the Jets, But This is No Ordinary Airport

The world's largest model airport/railway, the Knuffingen Airport, now on display in Germany. See it in action: Read more

Travel Tips for Leaving That Laptop At Home - And How to Avoid Leaving Data "Crumbs" Behind

Q: I'm going to be traveling extensively this summer and would like to avoid dragging my laptop around if possible. I'm open to buying a tablet, but I'm not sure I can do everything that I'd want with it. Thoughts? Read more

Best Western Rewards Members Can Donate Points for Tornado Relief Efforts in Southeast U.S.

Members of Best Western Rewards®, the hotel chain's global frequent-stay program, can now donate their Rewards points to tornado and storm relief and recovery efforts underway in the Southern United States. Best Western Rewards members should visit www.bestwestern.com/stormrelief to make a donation of 4,000 points, equaling $15, or more to World Vision, Best Western's official charity partner. Read more

Some Hotels Don't Live Up to Online Hype, Disappointed Guests Say

With the rapid growth of the Internet, many travelers rely on hotel photos and marketing descriptions - as well as consumer reviews on TripAdvisor and other travel websites - to select a hotel. Too frequently, they say, photos and marketing information do not accurately portray the hotels and lead to disappointing stays. Read more

Hotels Offer, and Charge More, for Allergy-Free Rooms

Hotels are setting aside - and charging more for - rooms that they claim are "hypoallergenic," thoroughly cleaned to reduce dust mites, bacteria, and other irritants. They're using "greener" cleaning products. New menus reflect changes to cater to shellfish-, gluten- or lactose-intolerant guests. Read more

An Expensive Convenience! Car Rental Gas Prices Hit $9+ per Gallon

Rental companies say they're not in the fuel business and offer gas as a customer convenience. Read more

Good News for Meeting Planners

Enter Autography, a media technology firm who can dazzle your attendees with some nifty eBook signing tricks, with the author signing eBooks in-person or even from a remote location. Autography's technology extends well-beyond the eBook realm and can be used to personalize an assortment of digital files, including conference programs, posters, and photographs. What's that I hear? Could it be the happy cheers from meeting planners who no longer have to schlep books here, there and everywhere? Read more

Site Selection Know-How - When Smaller is Better

Smaller, nontraditional destinations and venues can be the right choice for meeting groups who want unique settings and lower costs. But meeting planners aren't always aware of these destinations and venues - or the advantages they offer. Read more