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Archive: May, 2009

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Friday, May 29, 2009
Southwest adds fees for pets, third bags, unaccompanied minors

Southwest Airlines, under pressure to increase revenue in tough times, said today that it will start charging fees for things that it says are "truly an extra service." The fees apply to a third checked bag or one that is overweight, meaning 51 to 70 pounds; small pets carried in the cabin; and unaccompanied minors. Southwest will continue to be one of the only carriers that doesn't charge for the first two pieces of checked luggage. Read more at www.southwest.com.

Posted by Tom BELDEN @ 9:58 AM  Permalink | 5 comments
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Expedia 'permanently' deletes online booking fees
Expedia, the online travel agency, says it is permanently deleting fees for booking airline tickets online. The no-fee promotion, started in March to stimulate business in the depths of the recession, was scheduled to end this Sunday. Look for Orbitz and Travelocity to consider matching the Expedia move on their own no-fee promotions. Read more here. 
Posted by Tom BELDEN @ 2:39 PM  Permalink | 1 comment
Thursday, May 28, 2009
New airline selling $9 (plus plus) tickets
JetAmerica, a new airline that serves Newark and a few other smaller cities, has announced that it will start flying July 13 and is sellng the first nine seats on each flight for $9. Read the fine print at the bottom of the airline's Web site to see what it really costs, although it's still a bargain. Remember what you're getting with this type of new airline: Limited flight schedules to a limited number of cities. 
Posted by Tom BELDEN @ 1:51 PM  Permalink | Post a comment
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Suburbs sue city to limit airport expansion

Here's The Inquirer's report this morning on a lawsuit filed by Delaware County and Tinicum Township to limit expansion of PHL's runways. The expansion plan is designed to reduce flight delays. Read more ...  

Posted by Tom BELDEN @ 9:46 AM  Permalink | Post a comment
Thursday, May 28, 2009
American joins other airlines in cashless flights
American Airlines says you will need a credit or debit card to make a purchase on board one of its flights. American joins Southwest in this policy, and we expect others to join soon. Ten minutes spent on US Airways Web site provides no easily found information on its policy. 
Posted by Tom BELDEN @ 9:34 AM  Permalink | Post a comment
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Delta drops fee for second international checked bag
Delta couldn't get other airlines to join in charging passengers $50 on international flights and has dropped the fee to remain "competitive."  Read more ...
Posted by Tom BELDEN @ 3:40 PM  Permalink | Post a comment
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
What is Southwest up to?

You may need to be an airline news junkie as I am to enjoy a blog posting this morning from the Dallas Morning News, speculating why Southwest announced it's putting on hold its plans to code-share with WestJet of Canada. (And no, the reason Southwest made the announcement is not because someone there read my column yesterday questioned the value of airline code-sharing; the announcement came first.)

The interesting theory put forth by Dallas blogger Eric Torbenson is that Southwest may be looking to acquire AirTran Airways. Yes, that's right, and the writer goes into considerable detail to make the case that such a deal makes sense if you're Southwest. The blogger apparently didn't ask Southwest or AirTran to comment but it doesn't matter, since companies never comment about such things until they're ready. If you read Torbenson's commentary, also go to the end to see reader comments, one of which includes an alternate theory why Southwest suspended its effort with WestJet.

Why am I going on like this? Because Southwest and American Airlines are both local stories for the Dallas News, and its two airline writers are about as plugged in to what's happening in the industry as any journalists I know of. And the blog post just makes good reading, once again, if you're an airline junkie.    

Posted by Tom BELDEN @ 11:59 AM  Permalink | 1 comment
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
US Airways sets Dec. 2 Rio start date
US Airways said today it will start its first South American route, from Charlotte to Rio de Janiero, on Dec. 2, as long as the Brazilian government says OK. The daily flights will start at PHL with a CLT stop enroute. The airline said you can start shopping for tickets any time.
Posted by Tom BELDEN @ 6:08 PM  Permalink | 1 comment
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
More airports add PHL-like transit links
An article today about U.S. airports that are adding rail links for passengers barely mentions PHL, one of the first airports to have a rail line that connects directly to a metro area's public transport system, but still includes some useful inforrmation for travelers. The USA Today story mentions PHL last in a list of eight of the 20 largest airports with rail links similar to what's available at many airports in Europe and Asia.
Posted by Tom BELDEN @ 11:04 AM  Permalink | 5 comments
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Recession spurs change in airlines' premium service
Airlines whose profits depend on a small percentage of long-haul international travelers paying for first- or business-class seats are in trouble. Business class fares have fallen sharply as the recession has reduced demand for the premium cabins. It's reached the point where British Airways and Qantas, the Australian flag carrier, have removed some first class seats, expanded the number of "premium economy" seast available, or plan to stop selling first-class tickets and use the space to upgrade some customers. Read more about the developments in an article about BA's financial woes and a separate piece about Qantas's action.
Posted by Tom BELDEN @ 10:15 AM  Permalink | Post a comment
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About Tom Belden
Tom Belden has been reporting and writing about Philadelphia International Airport and other air travel subjects for nearly 25 years. He has written business travel columns for The Inquirer's Travel and Business sections. His ground-breaking reporting (with colleague Craig McCoy) on baggage handling problems in Philadelphia have been credited with helping improve the system. His previous blog was called Road Warrior. He can reached at tbelden@phillynews.com.
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