Coming soon: US Airways is adding a bunch of new flights at its Washington D.C. hub.
By Mark Chesnut
Travelers planning trips in and out of the nation’s capital now have an array of new options, thanks to new flights recently announced by US Airways, which is ramping up service at Washington Reagan National Airport as part of a major slot swap with Delta Air Lines. (more…)
Head of the class: The new US Airways Express first class cabin.
By Mark Chesnut
If business travel requires you to fly to smaller cities on even smaller planes, US Airways Express is hoping its new first-class service will help lure you on board.
By January 2012, the carrier will be adding first-class cabins to 110 of its regional jet aircraft. In addition to providing a roomier option for passengers paying to sit in the front cabin, the new feature may also be good news for elite-level members of the airline’s Dividend Miles frequent flyer program, since it will result in upgrade possibilities on 640 additional flights per day, according to the airline. (more…)
By Joe Brancatelli
American Airlines opened and abandoned a hub in Raleigh-Durham in the 1990s and it and Southwest Airlines have been fighting for control of North Carolina’s second-busiest airport ever since. But now Delta Air Lines is challenging the status quo with flights to five new cities and more service on three of its existing RDU routes. Beginning November 1, Delta and its commuter partners will launch two daily flights to Hartford, Connecticut; three daily flights to Orlando; two daily flights to Tampa; two daily flights to St. Louis and daily flights to Columbus, Ohio. Delta will also add one daily flight to three airports: its Minneapolis-St. Paul hub; its New York/Kennedy hub; and Boston/Logan.
Spend your Mexico vacation at this Pacific resort: the Villa Del Palmar in Nuevo Vallarta.
By Maria Mora
Thanks to a new service from US Airways, it’s even easier to head to one of Mexico’s coveted Pacific resorts. Since June, the airline has been offering flights from Charlotte, North Carolina, to Mexico three days a week. Flights arrive early in the afternoon and depart in the afternoon to get passengers back to North Carolina by early evening.
Take advantage of these new flights to experience the Pacific’s unique opportunities, such as the proximity to mountains, humpback whale-watching and deep-sea fishing — adventures that resorts in the Cancun simply don’t offer. (On the other hand, Cancun offers amazing snorkeling opportunities and natural reefs.) Personally, I’d have a hard time deciding between visiting the Riviera Maya and visiting Puerto Vallarta. But as a Floridian, I’m easily swayed by mountainous terrain. I wouldn’t mind zip-lining through the forest canopy on a Mexican mountainside.
Pacific resorts like the Villa Del Palmar Flamingos Beach Resort & Spa cater to families and singles. So whether you’re traveling for romance or heading on a family adventure, it’s easy to find classy accommodations. I was impressed to find dozens of family-friendly resorts considering Puerto Vallarta’s reputation for having a scorching-hot nightlife. (I mean, who doesn’t have a friend with a story about sleeping on the beach in Mexico?)
Insider tip: Book a Puerto Vallarta hotel and airfare package online at the same time to save 20 to 40% off the combined price.
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Maria Mora is a memoir blogger and wannabe photographer. She travels extensively throughout Florida and the Caribbean with her two young sons.
By Joe Brancatelli
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Joe Brancatelli is editor and publisher of JoeSentMe.com, a non-commercial Web site for business travelers. Copyright 2009 by Joe Brancatelli. Licensed by contract for Orbitz use.
by Joe Brancatelli
The struggling GoGo Inflight Internet service has a new angle: cross-airline monthly pricing. The new $34.95-a-month plan permits you to use GoGo on any of the 800 commercial aircraft where it’s available.
Meanwhile, US Airways has begun rolling out some Airbus A321s equipped with the Gogo in-flight WiFi service. Prices range from $4.95 to $12.95. The airline says all of its 51 Airbus A321s will be fitted with Gogo by June 1. Frontier Airlines also says it will install Aircell’s Gogo in-flight WiFi on its 32 Embraer jets, but will not install the service on its fleet of Airbus jets. Those planes are equipped with live, at-seat TV service.
And speaking of in-flight WiFi, Southwest Airlines has also begun installing WiFi service on its flights. Southwest’s WiFi is a satellite-based system from a company called Row 44.
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Joe Brancatelli is editor and publisher of JoeSentMe.com, a non-commercial Web site for business travelers. Copyright 2009 by Joe Brancatelli. Licensed by contract for Orbitz use.
By Joe Brancatelli
Working with slots from American Airlines received in an alliance move, JetBlue Airways has set up its schedule for its entry into Washington’s National Airport. Effective November 1, there will be seven daily nonstops to Boston/Logan; a daily flight to Fort Lauderdale; and one to Orlando. JetBlue will use Terminal A at National, which the carrier called “nostalgic” — airline-speak for old and in need of an upgrade of passenger amenities.
Especially notable is the $39 one-way introductory price on the Washington-Logan run. That’s a direct challenge to US Airways‘ “shuttle” operation using Airbus A319s between the two airports; there’s also 50-seat regional-jet flights from Delta Air Lines and 37-seat RJ flights from American Airlines. JetBlue will use 100-seat E190s against the three legacy carriers.
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Joe Brancatelli is editor and publisher of JoeSentMe.com, a non-commercial Web site for business travelers. Copyright 2009 by Joe Brancatelli. Licensed by contract for Orbitz use.
By Joe Brancatelli
Never let it be said that airlines let a little thing like volcanic ash clouds stand in their way if they think they can find (or resume) a profitable international route to fly. So get out the scorecard, dust off the ash and take note.
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Joe Brancatelli is editor and publisher of JoeSentMe.com, a non-commercial Web site for business travelers. Copyright 2009 by Joe Brancatelli. Licensed by contract for Orbitz use.
By Joe Brancatelli
American Airlines and the carrier that it once tried to kill in the crib, JetBlue Airways, struck a startling cooperation deal this month and it’s a sure sign that the battle for control of New York may be a fight to the death. As part of a wide-ranging arrangement to keep its flagging New York operations competitive, American is turning to JetBlue for passengers. American and JetBlue will interline on non-overlapping routes, especially AA’s overseas service into and out of New York/Kennedy and Boston/Logan.
To seal the deal, American and JetBlue are swapping take-off and landing slots. Pending government approval, JetBlue will give American a dozen slot pairs at JFK and American will turn over to JetBlue nine slot pairs at Washington/National and Westchester, New York. (JetBlue will use the Wasington slots to launch flights there in November 2010.) The cooperation between both airlines is interesting in light of AA’s first response to JetBlue’s arrival in 2000: it tried to run the newcomer out of business. And American has lost ground lately to JetBlue in Boston.
The other AA moves? It’ll add 13 routes from JFK and LaGuardia, and is talking to its OneWorld partner British Airways about bringing BA’s flights into an expanded American Airlines terminal.
And what’s all this New York activity about? Some of it is simply because the Big Apple is the nation’s largest and most lucrative market. But some of it is also a reaction to the proposed deal between Delta Air Lines and US Airways. They’re trying to swap slots in Washington and New York, too, so Delta can grow its LaGuardia presence to twin with its JFK hub.
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Joe Brancatelli is editor and publisher of JoeSentMe.com, a non-commercial Web site for business travelers. Copyright 2009 by Joe Brancatelli. Licensed by contract for Orbitz use.
Five major airlines have pledged not to charge for carry-on baggage, Sen. Charles Schumer told CNN. His announcement follows Spirit Airlines’ decision two weeks ago to begin charging up to $45 to stow luggage in overhead bins.
Schumer was able to personally secure commitments from American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, JetBlue, United Airlines and US Airways, according to the network.
“We have begun to put the brakes on runaway and out-of-control airline fees,” Schumer told CNN. “I am pleased some of the major carriers have responded to our efforts and have agreed not to charge for something that has always been free.” Check out CNN.com for the full story.
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