More Than 1,000 Business Travel Buyers Register for GBTA Convention 2011 - Registration at Record-Breaking Pace--Nearly 5,000 Registered

“Travel buyers are the heartbeat of a company’s travel program—they make sure travel continues while also making sure company dollars are wisely invested. There is no better place than the Convention to bring together these agents of growth, connecting travel managers and suppliers and continuing the conversation of smarter travel,” said Michael W. McCormick, executive director and COO, GBTA. Read more

Medical Evacuations for Your Employees Who Travel Overseas: What You Need to Know to Save Lives

Often, people have images of “MASH” type helicopters swooping down in the middle of a desert or high atop a snowy mountain peak to rescue those in need. But usually they are nothing like this. Read more

50-Mile Wide, Mile-High Dust Storm Engulfs Phoenix

The air around the Phoenix area was a hazy shade of brown and a layer of dirt coated cars and buildings Wednesday following a massive dust storm overnight that was up to 50 miles wide. The huge dust wall that crossed the metro Phoenix area drastically reduced visibility, halting all flights coming in and out of Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport Tuesday night. Check out the amazing photos of this haboob. Read more

SmartGate: Scanning Your Passport and Face At the Airport

SmartGate also uses facial recognition technology to perform the customs immigration checks that are usually conducted by a Customs and Border Protection officer. As of today, this technology is available in every Australian international airport. Read more

Putting Baggage Fees into Context

Remember how Delta was criticized for all the bag fee revenue it earned? When put in context, it’s not that bad! The DOT finally released the rest of the 2010 financial data. Personally, I believe finding how much of total revenue comes from baggage fees is the better than looking at the total number. The other thing I’m wondering is how many bags carried by the legacy airlines are carried for free through credit card deals, elite status, etc. Read more

How the FAA’s Upgrade Could Affect Passengers

At the heart of NextGen is a gradual switch from land-based radar navigation to GPS-satellite navigation. The FAA says that travel will be safer and more predictable and that this new aircraft surveillance will result in a cascade of efficiencies for the passenger. Read more

Social Media Uses Jumps In Managed Travel Space

Travel managers see increasing value in social media platforms as a way to enhance a corporate travel programme, according to a new report. 59 percent of those surveyed believe social media helps travel managers understand what is most important to travelers and anticipate their needs. Read more

Lufthansa Opens Senator Lounge in Dubai - Gate 126 Terminal 1

Lufthansa has opened its new Senator Lounge at Dubai International Airport which is open to First Class, Senator, Star Alliance Gold and HON Circle members. Read more

American Airlines In Talks For 250 New Planes

American Airlines is in talks with aircraft manufacturers Airbus and Boeing Co. to purchase at least 250 aircraft in a deal valued at about $15 billion, The Wall Street Journal said. Read more

Australian Airports To Get X-ray Body Scanners For 12-Month Trial

Full body scanners that penetrate to the skeletal level will be introduced into Australian airports for a year-long trial. Read more

AA Flight Attendants Criticize New Boarding Policy

A boarding procedure quietly implemented in May by American Airlines is being met with frustration by its flight attendants...the procedure has resulted in "complete chaos" prior to takeoff..."More often than not, the result is congested aisles and flight attendants having to explain to bewildered and already stressed passengers why there is complete chaos in the cabin," the union said on its website. Read more

Shopping for a Mileage Reward Credit Card? This Might Help

Australia Seeks to Keep Tiger Airways Grounded

Australia's air safety regulator said on Wednesday it would seek a court order to keep budget carrier Tiger Airways grounded in the country until Aug. 1 due to ongoing safety concerns. Read more

Some Hotels Charge Wireless Fees Per Device

Some hotels not only charge for Wi-Fi access in the rooms, but some properties will also charge for each device that logs on. Read more

Why a Down Economy Can Be Good For Associations

Association meetings re-gained their stature with hotels and other suppliers during the recent economic downturn, thanks to a decline in corporate meetings. Read more