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Thursday, July 31, 2008

Airline news roundup: Delta, British Airways, United have news that you need to know

For the almost-dog days of August, there sure is a lot of airline news this week. I'm catching up on several stories that are of interest to travelers, both international fliers and those who just use the big carriers domestically.

  First, Delta revamped its frequent-flier progam, and this is something you need to pay attention to even if you're not a member of that program. Delta's changes boil down to one fact: It's going to cost most travelers more miles to get the flights they want. Why should all airline customers care? Watch for the other carriers to mimic Delta's move. If your favorite airline doesn't adopt similar higher requirements for award tickets, count yourself lucky and continue to patronize it. Read the most complete story we found on this topic here:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/31/business/31delta.html?_r=2&scp=3&sq=airlines&st=nyt&oref=slogin&oref=slogin

 A day before Delta's announcement, there was industry consolidation news but this time it's about European airlines. British Airways and Iberia, Spain's flag carrier, said they were in talks to merge. The carriers also want to broaden their code-sharing alliance with American Airlines; all three of them already are in the oneworld alliance.  Here's more detail on that:

http://www.philly.com/philly/wires/ap/business/26037524.html

Also yesterday, United  sued its pilots' union, asking a federal court to stop a loosely organized work slowdown that has forced hundreds of flight cancellations recently. United alleged that some of its members were using the Internet to ask pilots not to answer calls to fill in when other pilots call in sick. United doesn't have a good track record getting along with its pilots. They caused enormous havoc, late and delayed flights, in 2000 in an organized work slowdown. More info on that one is here:

http://www.philly.com/philly/wires/ap/business/26113729.htmla
Posted by Tom BELDEN @ 3:33 PM  Permalink | 1 comment
Comments   
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 8:16 PM, 07/31/2008
    Anyone wanna guess how long it takes US Airways to match this?
    — ChrisInConshy


1 comments
About Tom Belden
Tom Belden has been reporting about Philadelphia International Airport and other air travel subjects for more than 20 years, writing columns for The Inquirer's Travel and Business sections. His reporting (with colleague Craig McCoy) on baggage handling problems in Philadelphia have been credited with helping to improve the system. His previous blog was called Road Warrior. He can reached at tbelden@phillynews.com.
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