Travel News
1. TSA Secure Flight Program – This Weeks Featured Q & A
Question: Will Secure Flight affect my airline frequent flyer accounts? I have heard that if the name I use to make my reservation matches my ID but not my frequent flyer account that the airline’s frequent flyer system will not recognize my name. What should I do? Answer: Passengers should ensure that the name used when making a reservation matches the ID that will be used when the passenger checks in. If that name differs from the one on their frequent flyer account, passengers should consult the airline frequent flyer program regarding the process to update their frequent flyer account information.
2. Airline Baggage Fees
The US Department of Transportation reported that the 10 US carriers collecting the highest amount in baggage fees racked up a total of $566.3 million in the first quarter, more than four times the $122.6 million collected in the year-ago period. American Airlines led with $108.1 million, followed by Delta Air Lines (excluding its Northwest Airlines subsidiary) at $102.8 million and US Airways at $94.2 million.
Airline baggage fees
Here's a rundown of baggage fees at major U.S. airlines. All charges are for domestic flights, except where noted. The charges generally don't apply to first-class or business-class travelers.
American Airlines, AirTran Air ways, Continental Airlines: $15 for first checked piece of luggage, $25 for second.
Delta Air Lines and Northwest Airlines: $15 for the first, $25 for the second. For international tickets, the first two checked bags are still free. But for flights to Europe, Delta and Northwest are adding a $50 charge for the second checked bag beginning with tickets bought May 23 for travel beginning July 1.
JetBlue Airways: First bag is free, $20 for the second.
Southwest Airlines: First two bags are free.
United Airlines: $15 for the first, $25 for the second, if paid online. If paid at the airport, United adds an extra $5 for tickets purchased beginning May 14.
US Airways: $15 for the first, $25 for the second. Beginning with flights on July 9, US Airways will add $5 if the fee is paid at the airport for tickets purchased beginning April 23.
SOURCE: Airline Web sites
3. Clear's expedited airport security service shuts down
Verified Identity Pass, which operates the Clear security clearance program in 18 airports, has given notice that it has been "unable to negotiate an agreement with its senior creditor to continue operations." As of 11:00 Pacific Time on Monday, June 22, 2009, the Clear service was suspended at all 18 airports.
4. ACTE names interim president
The Association of Corporate Travel Executives on Tuesday named Richard Crum interim president, a day after Doug Weeks resigned. The board filled the slot by unanimous decision. Crum is president of AirPlus International, a vendor of corporate travel payment systems. He is a former ACTE president and board member. Weeks resigned saying he could not support a board decision to remain an independent organization. He was in favor of a tie-up with the National Business Travel Association, but the ACTE board voted earlier this month not to pursue a merger with NBTA.
Domestic Travel
5. Continental Says Biofuel Did Well In Flight Test
Continental Airlines said a blend of biologically derived fuel and jet fuel performed slightly better than jet fuel alone during a test flight by the airline. During some parts of the 90-minute test flight in January, the blended fuel displayed a 1.1 percent increase in fuel efficiency over traditional jet fuel alone. Continental estimates greenhouse gas emissions were cut at least 60 percent by using the blend. Airlines have been exploring alternative fuel sources for years in an effort to counter volatile fuel prices. Continental test pilots flew a Boeing 737-800 that had one engine operating on jet fuel and the other operating on a blend of biofuel and traditional fuel. The biofuel blend consisted of oil derived from algae and jatropha plants.
International Travel
6. Delta Air Lines News
Delta Air Lines petitioned the US Department of Transportation for permission to make the following scheduling adjustments “in light of the adverse global market conditions that are continuing to suppress demand for international air travel”: Dormancy waivers from September 1, 2009 to September 1, 2010, on seven weekly frequencies from Atlanta to Shanghai and Capetown (via Dakar); a delay in the launch of five-times-weekly seasonal New York JFK-Buenos Aires service from this December to December 18, 2010; conversion of three year-round New York JFK-Kiev Boryspil frequencies and four year-round Atlanta-Moscow Sheremetyevo frequencies to seasonal effective September 1, 2009.