Airline News.

Sleep is always a problem on a long haul flight. For some it is easy, others less so. Pillows are usually provided but they are not usually the complete answer. Now a US company has come out with a simple product called "Travel 'n Sleep" which provides direct comfortable head support for both sides of the cranium. It consists of two independently inflatable pillows connected to form a comfortable air cushioned cradle on both sides of the head, where it counts. At one-third the size of neck pillows it is guaranteed to prevent side-to-side head movement, while sleeping in any reclined chair, as it supports the head directly. And one size fits all and it weighs virtually nothing. It can be used as a lower back support and leg exerciser to reduce leg cramps when not sleeping. http://www.travelnsleep.com Mar 26, 2006

Extra fees allow travelers to buy back comfort. Airlines have scaled back amenities to lower their costs, and Northwest Airlines recently joined other carriers by charging a fee for some choice seats in coach, the USA Today editorial board writes. Travelers will have to decide whether a more comfortable seat is worth paying for, the board writes. Mar 24, 2006

Live music, rocking chairs top list of airport must-haves. Every airport should have live music, rocking chairs, wine bars and art galleries, USA Today's Gene Sloan writes. Sloan also suggests napping pods, free wireless Internet, and day spas. Mar 24, 2006

IATA official: U.S. airspace is efficient. U.S. airspace is among the most efficient in the world, said Giovanni Bisignani, chief executive of the International Air Transport Association. The U.S. system is up to 70% more efficient than Europe, he noted. Bisignani also said that in the U.S., the airlines operate a mass-transit system, and they should not be taxed as if they are luxury operations. Mar 23, 2006

Readers contribute more memorable navigation fixes. Humorous navigational fixes used by pilots include CHOO CHOO near Chattanooga, Tenn., and WALET near the Tunica, Miss., casinos, the Wall Street Journal's Scott McCartney writes in his column. Mar 23, 2006

Flyers offered gourmet meals-to-go. As airlines increasingly scale back on in-flight dining options, some luxury hotels are stepping up to fill the gap, offering travelers takeout bags or boxes with gourmet meals. Some airlines that haven't cut out meals completely have started selling their passengers light meals. Mar 21, 2006

Airline workers perform a variety of tasks. Airline employees perform many roles as their companies lower costs and cut jobs. AirTran Airways employee Bernardo Dunbar is a ticket agent, luggage handler and snack carrier. Sometimes he drives the tugs that nudge planes away from their gates. Mar 21, 2006

Chances of landing a choice seat are slim. Airplanes are packed with travelers because airlines have reduced their capacity, the New York Times' Joe Sharkey writes. Some frequent fliers are having a harder time booking a choice seat, he said. Domestic yields rose 12.2% in February, according to the Air Transport Association. Mar 21, 2006

Report says airlines mishandled 30 million bags in 2005. The world's airlines mishandled about 30 million bags in 2005, according to SITA, a consulting firm. Of those bags, about 200,000 were never returned to their owners. Airlines processed 3 billion bags in 2005. To help airlines track luggage, SITA is promoting use of a tiny computer-style chip on luggage tags that will reduce the number of misdirected bags.

Mar 21, 2006

Airlines see slight growth in demand for workers. Some large airlines have started hiring workers again, but the stronger demand may not mean all workers laid off since Sept. 2001 will return to airline jobs. Other carriers continue to shed jobs. Mar 20, 2006

Small jets poised to take off. New tiny passenger jets with room for up to six people may lead to a new era of affordable business travel. The Federal Aviation Administration expects companies to eventually deliver up to 500 of the planes. Mar 20, 2006