Travel & Travel Technology News.

Edited by Aram Gesar, [e-mail] For more global news, data, analysis and features, please go to: http://www.AirGuideOnline.com/order_formsubs.htm Sep 18, 2006

Pressure increasing for FCC to rule on cell phones. Ryanair's decision to allow passengers to use cell phones during flights puts pressure on U.S. regulators to make a decision on in-fight cell phone use in the U.S., the Los Angeles Times editorial board writes. "If cell phone use is approved, let's hope airlines can find a way to balance the needs of overly chatty passengers and those they drive nuts," the board writes. Sep 15, 2006

Fliers may use electronic barcodes for check-in by 2010. Some experts say airline passengers may eventually check in and board flights using an electronic barcode transmitted to their cell phones. Virgin Atlantic and British Airways are considering using the technology, and some observers say barcode boarding passes on mobile phones and printed passes will replace magnetic strip passes by 2010. Sep 14, 2006

Software rebooks a planeload of passengers in minutes. Most airlines now use computer programs to rebook passengers whose flights have been cancelled. The software uses special algorithms to assign seats and can rebook an entire list of passengers in a few minutes. The systems give priority to loyal customers and to business travelers who pay high fares, but airlines say passengers who don't like their new itinerary can discuss other options with an agent. Sep 11, 2006

Air Canada

Air Canada signed a deal with ITA Software to develop a new reservation management system for deployment late next year. Sep 15, 2006

Delta Air Lines

Delta Air Lines this week unveiled "the industry's first two-class domestic flight experience to feature [on-demand] digital entertainment," a result of the carrier's decision to fold its low-cost Song subsidiary and reintegrate the 48 757s and portions of the Song inflight product into the mainline fleet. The service will be available on select flights longer than 4 hr., mostly from the Atlanta and New York JFK hubs "where Delta is a major competitor for long-haul customer loyalty," according to COO Jim Whitehurst. Approximately 18 repainted former Song aircraft will be equipped each month through November, with a combined 117 757s, 767-300s, 767-400s and 737-800s brought online by the end of 2008. "Going forward, this new service will also be available to customers flying from Florida to the West Coast, as well as on many of our overseas routes, as we continue making improvements to our international BusinessElite and international coach class products," Whitehurst said. The aircraft will feature a two-class configuration with 38-in. pitch in the 26-seat first class section and 33-in. pitch on 158 coach seats. All seats are leather. Screens will offer at least 24 channels of live TV, more than 20 movies, 10 video games and a music program allowing passengers to create customized playlists from more than 1,600 songs, DL said. The carrier will designate which flights feature the new inflight entertainment with a TV icon on its website. Sep 15, 2006

TriaGnoSys

TriaGnoSys of Germany said its satellite Internet technology was tested successfully on the flights and that it will provide inflight connectivity software for the aircraft, allowing A380 passengers and cabin crew to go online via laptops or seatback IFE systems. Sep 11, 2006