Airline News - North America.

For more airline news, data and analysis, please go to: http://www.airguideonline.com/order_formsubs.htm Jul 31, 2006

Airlines invest in keeping fuel supply steady. Airlines are spending more on fuel storage, pipelines and energy infrastructures to avoid jet-fuel shortages. So far, it's worked. Still, Air Transport Association Chief Economist John Heimlich notes, the fuel market remains tight. Heimlich says it helps that carriers are in better communication with fuel suppliers and with other carriers. Jul 28, 2006

Industry experts shared their views on streamlining bag-handling costs yesterday in a ATW webcast, "Don't Get Left Holding the Bag: Creating Value in the Airline Luggage Chain." SJ Consulting Group President Satish Jindel argued for an "unbundling" of airline ticket pricing that would allow carriers to charge passengers per bag checked, just as they now charge for onboard meals. Luggage Express Chairman Richard Altomare advocated that carriers separate moving passengers from moving luggage. Jul 28, 2006

Airlines post record load factors. Strong demand for travel and limited capacity allowed airlines to increase fares for flights departing in the U.S. by 10.3% in the first quarter of 2006, according to Department of Transportation data. Travelers continue to fly despite the higher fares -- travel agencies report more bookings, and airlines are posting record load factors. Jul 27, 2006

Booking screen prompts fliers to buy cheaper tickets. Some corporate executives say seeing a low ticket price on a computer screen pushes them to buy the ticket, even though the fare might require connections, The Wall Street Journal's Scott McCartney writes. More companies are taking advantage of this "visual guilt" phenomenon and asking employees to book their own tickets. Jul 26, 2006

Air Canada

Air Canada Senior VP-Customer Service David Tait pointed out that AC carried 400,000 tons of hold baggage last year, and that does not include "the plague of so-called carry-on baggage." He noted that AC now offers travelers using its Tango fares a C$5 "Go-fares" discount per segment if they agree not to check bags. The program will be expanded to other fare categories. He also said that when AC lowered its weight limit for checked bags from 70 lb. per item to 50 lb., it experienced a 70% reduction in workplace injuries related to baggage handling. Jul 28, 2006

Alaska Airlines

Alaska Airlines will operate four-times-weekly flights from Seattle to Cancun and from Portland, Ore., to Los Cabos and thrice-weekly PDX-Puerto Vallarta service aboard 737s from the end of October through the end of April. Jul 26, 2006

American Airlines

American Airlines is rolling out an enhancement in its self-service check-In machines, which will now offer travelers the opportunity to purchase one-day passes for its Admirals Club lounges as they are checking in. Essentially aimed at the massive US domestic market the one-day passes are available for purchase immediately and can be used at any of the more than 40 lounges on the day of travel. Its workings are very simple. During the check-In process, customers will be offered the passes at a cost of $50. Additionally, if a customer purchases an Admirals Club lounge annual membership within 30 days of using a one-day pass an allowance will be given. In the US the Admirals Club offers much the same facilities as those abroad but not free alcoholic drinks. American has more than 750 self-service machines available throughout its network which allow customers to check in, confirm a same-day flight change, purchase an available upgrade and now obtain a one-day pass to the Admirals Club lounge. http://www.aa.com/self-service Jul 29, 2006

American Airlines

American offering lounge passes at kiosks. Fliers can now buy one-day passes to American Airlines' Admirals Club airport lounges at self-service check-in kiosks. A pass purchased at any machine is valid at any American lounge. Jul 26, 2006

Delta Air Lines

Delta Air Lines will launch eight-times-weekly Atlanta-Marathon, Fla., service Nov. 16 aboard an Atlantic Southeast Airlines 40-seat CRJ. Jul 28, 2006

Delta Air Lines

Delta Raises Domestic Fares By USD$5. Bankrupt Delta Air Lines raised its ticket prices by USD$5 one-way on most domestic routes to offset high fuel prices, an airline spokeswoman said on Wednesday. Jul 26, 2006

Delta Air Lines

Delta Air Lines will launch daily New York JFK-Punta Cana flights aboard an MD-88, daily Atlanta-Santiago de Los Caballeros service with 737-800s and four-times-weekly ATL-Port of Spain service, also with dash 800s, on Dec. 9. It will begin daily Boston-Dayton and daily Jacksonville-Pensacola service on Sept. 11 operated by Comair. Delta Connection carrier Atlantic Southeast Airlines will initiate Saturday Washington National-Savannah service on Sept. 16. Jul 25, 2006

MAXjet Airways

MAXjet Airways took delivery of its third 767 and reported that it carried around 3,950 passengers from New York JFK to London Stansted in May, achieving a load factor of 72%. The all-business-class carrier will add a fourth aircraft this year and a third US city to its network. It also serves Washington Dulles five times weekly. Jul 24, 2006

Midwest Airlines

Midwest Airlines will launch daily Milwaukee-Fort Myers service from Oct. 14 through April 30 and nonstop MKE-Fort Lauderdale flights on Oct. 1 (service currently operates through Kansas City). From Nov. 16 through April 30 it will add second daily flights to Fort Myers, Fort Lauderdale and Tampa. Jul 24, 2006

Northwest Airlines

Northwest Airlines Computer Glitch Causes Delays. Northwest Airlines suffered a computer glitch on Tuesday that caused delays for about 285 flights, the carrier said on Wednesday. Jul 26, 2006

Republic Airlines, Chautauqua Airlines

Republic Airlines's ERJ-175s will replace 20 50-seat ERJ-145s currently operated for US Airways by Chautauqua Airlines. Those aircraft will be switched over to service for Continental, which finalized its capacity purchase agreement with Chautauqua last week. The remaining 10 175s will either replace retiring aircraft or be used for future growth. Republic operates 1,000 flights per day to 89 cities in 35 states. Republic Airways Holdings also is the parent of Shuttle America and Chautauqua Airlines. The Indianapolis-based carriers operate a total of 166 aircraft including 71 ERJ-170s. In addition to US Airways, the company has codeshare agreements with Delta Air Lines, United Airlines and American Connection and recently announced its fifth codeshare partner, Continental Airlines. Jul 25, 2006