Airline News - North America.

Travelers should book early, experts say. Travelers should book airline tickets now to avoid higher prices as the summer season gets closer, travel experts say. Airlines continue to face high fuel prices; the cost of a gallon of jet fuel is $1.88, according to the Air Transport Association. That's up from 88 cents a gallon in 2003. Mar 31, 2006

Travelers suggest giving large jets priority. Some travelers are suggesting large jetliners should have priority over small planes at airports, The Wall Street Journal's Scott McCartney writes. A study recently found that air taxis may cause congestion at some large commercial airports. One traveler suggested prioritizing takeoffs by passenger count. Mar 31, 2006

Higher fuel costs persist for airlines. Soaring fuel prices have pushed up costs for airlines around the world. China plans to boost its fuel surcharge for domestic flights by half. Meanwhile, Europe's Ryanair expects higher fuel expenses this year but said higher fares and stronger demand will help offset the costs. Mar 30, 2006

Lost luggage often ends up in Alabama. Many mishandled bags end up at the Unclaimed Baggage Center in Scottsboro, Ala. The bags are processed, and then contents are put up for sale. The 40,000-square-foot center is one of the top tourist attractions in Alabama. Mar 29, 2006

Full planes expected domestically as airlines scale back summer flights. Travelers should expect full planes this summer, as a result of some airlines deciding not to increase domestic capacity. Air Transport Association statistics indicate the total number of available seat miles will fall 2.6% from year-ago levels. "In terms of the broad picture, it looks like there will be new choices and more seats going internationally versus last year," ATA Chief Economist John Heimlich said. "But things will be a little bit tighter domestically." Mar 29, 2006

Frequent fliers likely to find fewer seats Some frequent fliers are having a hard time using their miles to book summer trips, The Washington Post's Keith L. Alexander writes, as airlines continue to cut routes and fly smaller planes. The Air Transport Association expects carriers to reduce their domestic capacity by 2.6% this summer. ATA Chief Economist John Heimlich noted fliers have a better chance of redeeming an award ticket internationally rather than domestically. Mar 28, 2006

Light jets may flood the skies. Light jets could boost traffic at major airports by 25% and create delays for larger planes, The Wall Street Journal's Scott McCartney writes. NASA forecasting indicates that Las Vegas's McCarran International Airport will experience the biggest impact from light jets. The airport may raise landing fees for smaller planes to encourage them to use nearby airports. Mar 28, 2006

Fliers face challenges booking upgrades. Using frequent-flier miles for an upgrade is an important perk for many travelers, James Gilden writes in the Los Angeles Times. However, frequent fliers often have a difficult time redeeming their miles for upgrades within an airline alliance, he writes. Mar 27, 2006

Air Canada

Air Canada will boost capacity 9% to Atlantic Canada this summer compared to summer 2005. In total, AC and AC Jazz will offer more than 1,300 weekly flights serving destinations in Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, an increase of 100 compared to a year ago. Mar 27, 2006

Aloha Airlines 

Aloha Airlines will turn back the clock with a $39 one-way inter-island fare as it prepares to roll out an aircraft in Aloha's classic Funbird colors! Why? Just for fun! Orange was the "in" color when Aloha introduced its new Boeing 737 aircraft in 1969. The Funbird design featured a spray of bright yellow, gold and orange plumeria on the plane's orange tail, a swath of orange across the fuselage and the name Aloha in bold orange letters. Flower Power will be back in style when the Funbird livery of the late Sixties returns to Hawaii skies. Aloha's $39 Funbird Fare is available now for travel between Honolulu, Lihue, Kahului, Hilo, and Kona, during the period of June 9 through September 30, 2006. Act fast because the sale ends on April 7, 2006. http://www.alohaairlines.com/ Mar 28, 2006

American Airlines 

American Airlines, which can trace its history back 80 years, yesterday launched a daily nonstop service from Chicago O'Hare to Shanghai, its first foray into China. Flight time for the three-class Boeing 777 flight is around 14 hours. It is however not American's longest flight, that honor going to Chicago - Delhi, normally 30 minutes further, once again a 777 featuring the carrier's Flagship Suite in first class. United Airlines is already established on the route with a similar Boeing 777 operation. Until airlines in general introduce competitive single sector long haul fares business users will find difficulties in making a comparison. http://www.aa.com Apr 2, 2006

China routes put U.S. carriers at odds. U.S. airlines that have received access to the Chinese market are facing competition from rival carriers. American Airlines is among the carriers that have received limited flying rights. Continental Airlines and United Airlines are expected to compete for similar rights when they become available next year. Mar 30, 2006

American to restrict summer expansion. American Airlines plans to curtail its summer expansion this year. The carrier hopes the plan helps it break even for the first time in six years. "Our levels of flying don't peak up as much this summer," said Henry Joyner, American's senior vice president for planning. Mar 28, 2006

Market opens between China, U.S.; American launches flights. American Airlines will launch its first flight from Chicago to Shanghai on Sunday, the result of a landmark Air Services Agreement. The agreement will allow a large increase in air service between the U.S. and China by 2011. Mar 28, 2006

Hawaiian Airlines

Hawaiian Airlines will add an extra evening flight from Honolulu to Lihue, Kahului and Kona effective June 9. An extra Honolulu-Hilo frequency will commence June 30. Mar 30, 2006

MAXJET

MAXJET will today introduce its new Washington (Dulles International) service to Stansted service (operating daily except Tuesday and Saturday), using a 102-seat 2+2+2 Boeing 767 with a business class in-flight service and excellent 60" pitch cradle seats rather than the latest 'lie flat' variety. The aircraft replicates the New York - Stansted operation which now flies every day except Saturday. Eos Airways, more first class than business class, which also launched from New York to Stansted back in last November, has lost the services of its vice-president Europe, the former BA executive Dan Brewin. In the meantime it has embarked on a major advertising campaign and is also challenging BA and Virgin customers to try the service at a much-reduced price emphasizing the easy use of Stansted against Heathrow. http://www.maxjet.com http://www.eosairlines.com Apr 2, 2006

Northwest Airlines, Compass Airlines

Northwest to chart new course with Compass, releases February results. Northwest Airlines expects to have its new Regional carrier, now named Compass Airlines, up and running by June, based on a filing with the US Dept. of Transportation asking DOT to transfer Independence Air's operating certificate to Compass. NWA acquired defunct Independence Air's certificate earlier this month. Northwest asked its pilots union last fall for permission to create a wholly owned regional subsidiary under the working name of NewCo that would operate 70-seat regional jets. Mar 31, 2006

US Helicopter Corporation

New York has, after a break of many years, a helicopter service between Wall Street and JFK airport. Last week US Helicopter Corporation debuted a frequent scheduled operation between the East River site and American Airlines Admiral's Club in Terminal 9, check-in and security taking place before boarding the chopper. The US Helicopter fleet of Sikorsky S-76 helicopters can carry 12 passengers each but have been reconfigured for eight. Cost is $139 now and $20 more after 1 May which compares well will the tourist rides presently on offer from several Manhattan heliports. The company expects to expand operations in April with flights between Kennedy and the East 34th Street Heliport, and to add flights to and from La Guardia and Newark Liberty International airports later this year http://www.flyush.com Apr 2, 2006