It’s flights and hotels that consume most of our funds when traveling. And it’s usually the plane tickets that we book first – because they set the beginning and end dates, as well as the intermediary stops during our itinerary. This is especially for traveling far away, but even on short routes, it’s often the air travel services that are most expensive. So, fining your way to save on flights, will obviously make your entire trip cost a lot less!
American Airlines
Virgin Atlantic Names Ridgway Successor
In airline news, Virgin Atlantic has named Craig Kreeger the company’s new CEO to assume the helm as of February 1st.
Air Berlin: Trimmed Down & Refined for 2012
2012 will no doubt be a challenging one for the airline industry. AMR going bust, and even budget carriers feeling the pinch in 2011, many will likely founder in the coming months. One carrier, Germany’s second biggest carrier Air Berlin, looks to be applying lessons hard learned early on in the year.
Selling Soap, Seats, & Other Hospitality Services In 2012
An article on Tnooz last Friday peaked our interest, Xotels boss Patrick Landman offering up key variables in what will become the biggest online trade war ever. When Google, all the big corporate OTAs, and key independent online travel entities lock horns for a final round, a few will not be left standing.
American Airlines: Darkest Hours Loom
For years it led the way in air travel innovation, inventing the frequent flyer program, designing the world’s first computer reservation system and filling up its empty seats with the discount Super Saver Fare. But this week’s news that American Airlines have filed for a Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization has brought the US’s seemingly untouchable, de facto national carrier crashing back down to earth with a bang.
Travelport Chief Envisions Better Cooperation With Airlines
Amidst all the kerfuffle regarding the failed attempt by American Airlines to change the way that global distribution systems operate, one of the key players in the squabble, Travelport CEO Gordon Wilson, has predicted a much more harmonious relationship between airlines and GDS companies in the future.
Billions in Airline Fees – No Laughing Matter
An article by Hugo Martin in the Los Angeles Times yesterday reveals still more bad PR and just bad business for airlines. At a time when any industry can well afford negative news, over $1.5 billion in nickel – dime baggage charges and reservation fees makes America’s biggest air carriers seem anything but transparent.
Starwood Hotels & Resorts: The Luxury You’d Expect
Starwood Hotels’ Luxury Collection Hotels & Resorts has released a limited edition US destination guide published by Assouline. Part of a set of bound books, the luxuriously crafted books show off the Luxury Collection’s most exquisite properties around the world.
Orbitz Future Hinges on Travelport Debt
In news from Chicago, the state court of appeals there upheld an earlier decision forcing American Airlines (AMR) to allow Orbitz to sell tickets for its flights. Orbritz, the US’s second largest online ticket seller, has for months been embroiled in dispute with AMR.
American Airlines Wins Court Round – Travelers Losing Still
A Texas judge has ruled that Sabre Holdings Corp. cannot stop American Airlines (AMR) from seeking a court order to bar Sabre from diminishing the position of AMR’s flight listings. American is seeking an injunction to stop Sabre from listing the airline’s flights beneath competitors routinely. While AMR has won the most recent court round, passengers may lose in the end.
Orbitz Stock Into Orbit With American Airlines Verdict
For all those investors who emailed to ask me if the American Airlines slash Orbitz fight would be a game changer, the news today of skyrocketing Orbitz stock prices is as good an answer as any. Orbitz Worldwide Inc. bounced shares upward on an Illinois court reversal of their case against American Airlines. The court ordered American to resume selling flights via the online travel agency.
Non-stop Tokyo-Boston Flights Boost Local Economies
The new service will only start April 22, 2012 – a long time to wait, still good news for business travelers in Boston, who previously had to connect through San Francisco or Chicago.
Travelport Hits Back at American Airlines Lawsuit
The Travelport flight and fare information portal has asked the US Federal Court in Fort Worth to dismiss an antitrust lawsuit filed against it by American Airlines, claiming that its purpose is solely to gain leverage over them in contract negotiations. The lawsuit is just the latest action in a growing confrontation between global distribution […]
American Airline’s Sues Orbitz and Travelport, BTC Responds
In response to an American Airlines antitrust lawsuit against Travelport and Orbitz, the Business Travel Coalition (BTC) released a statement saying the travel programs are simply pawns in the airline’s game, and the lawsuit is a symptom of a larger problem. American filed suit against Orbitz and Travelport for discouraging travelers from using the airline’s […]
Higher Airfares from American Airlines
American Airlines has bumped up domestic fares by $10 per round trip, and raised round-trip fares to Canada and Hawaii by $21, atop other price increases they made last week.