Airline News - North America

Feb 4, 2008

Average domestic fares fall in Q3. Travelers turning to discount carriers and searching for bargains online caused average airline fares to fall in the third quarter. The average fare was $328 in the third quarter, compared with $330 a year earlier. Jan 31, 2008

The difference between a direct flight and a nonstop flight. A direct flight can stop somewhere en route to refuel, or to embark or disembark passengers; you may or may not stay on the plane while this is going on. A direct flight has a single flight number (or code-share numbers); whereas a "connecting" flight has two flight numbers and will involve a change of aircraft, and possibly a change of terminal or airport. A nonstop flight means just that: no stops. Jan 31, 2008

Tips for finding inexpensive fares. Travelers may find the cheapest fares by checking airline sites. It is also recommended to register with online agencies that send updates about low fares on particular routes. Jan 30, 2008

U.S. airlines increase fuel surcharges. American Airlines, United Airlines and US Airways doubled their fuel surcharges to $40 from $20 on domestic roundtrip tickets over the weekend, matching a move by Continental Airlines last week. After two industry efforts to raise fuel surcharges failed, airlines were more selective in increasing the fees, raising them on 66 percent of their respective networks The previous two attempts

one led by United Airlines and the other by American were initially matched by other major airlines but failed to hold after consumers balked at the higher fees. With the U.S. economy slowing, airlines have struggled to pass higher fuel costs on to passengers. In the last few days, American Airlines parent AMR Corp , United Airlines owner UAL Corp, Delta Air Lines Inc and US Airways all posted fourth-quarter losses because of soaring fuel costs. Jan 29, 2008

Air Canada

Air Canada announced the following new routes: Twice-daily Ottawa-Washington National beginning May 1 operated by Air Canada Jazz CRJ100/200s, daily Toronto-Austin from May 1 aboard a Jazz CRJ705, twice-daily Toronto-Richmond from May 1 aboard a Jazz Dash 8, daily Calgary-Chicago O'Hare starting May 15 on an E-190. AC also announced a 19% year-over-year increase in seats to and from Ottawa from May 1, which will include new service to DCA, Saskatoon (daily on a CRJ705), Thunder Bay (daily on a CRJ100/200) and Charlottetown (daily on a CRJ100/200). Jan 28, 2008

American Airlines

American Drops Fares from Florida to Caribbean. American Airlines has launched a web page specifically for South Floridians, which offers weekly specials to the Bahamas and other Caribbean destinations. The bargain fares could prompt travelers to make more last-minute travel plans. This week, offers include $49 each way (with roundtrip purchase) on American Eagle from Fort Lauderdale to Nassau, Bahamas. There also are flights from just $74 each way (with roundtrip purchase) from Miami to Kingston, Jamaica. Fares and destinations change weekly. Jan 31, 2008

American Airlines

American Airlines introduced a mobile version of its website that will allow users to check in and confirm their itinerary and schedule/status in addition to other features. Booking, reservation changes and loyalty program features will be available this spring. Jan 28, 2008

American Eagle Airlines

American Eagle Airlines will launch twice-daily Dallas/Fort Worth-Grand Junction service on April 7 aboard Embraer ERJ-140s. It started six-times-weekly Milwaukee-Marquette, Mich., service with ERJ-145s and six-times-weekly Chicago O'Hare-Gulfport/Biloxi aboard ERJ-140s. It also launched flights to Santa Fe from DFW (daily) and Los Angeles (twice-weekly) aboard ERJ-140s. Jan 31, 2008

Continental Airlines

Continental To Offer Live TV, Email On Domestic Flights. Continental Airlines said on Tuesday it will offer live television and email service on domestic US flights, starting in 2009. With the economy slowing, US carriers have stepped up efforts to offer better in-flight services in order to attract higher-paying passengers and boost revenue. Southwest Airlines last week said it plans to start testing satellite-based Internet service this summer. Jan 29, 2008

Delta Air Lines

Delta Air Lines will launch twice-daily Atlanta-Lawton/Fort Sill service on March 3 aboard an Atlantic Southeast Airlines CRJ200. On June 5 it will start daily flights from Los Angeles to Lihue and Kona and operate the routes with a mix of 757-200s, 767-300s and 767-400s. Seasonal Atlanta-Edinburgh service will operate thrice-weekly June 2-30 and daily July 1-Sept. 30 on a 757-200. Twice-weekly New York JFK-Antigua and Barbuda begins June 12. DL also will place its code on Air France's daily London Heathrow-LAX service scheduled to commence March 30 with a 777. Jan 29, 2008

Delta Air Lines

Delta may add charge for curbside check-in. Delta Air Lines said it is considering charging customers $2 per bag to check their luggage at the curb. Delta is one of the few airlines that does not currently charge for curbside check-in service. Jan 29, 2008