FEATURED PARTNER: SOUTH AFRICAN AIRWAYS
Book your next trip to Africa in May, with South African Airways, SAA, while availability is good and fares are low. With seasonal fares starting at only $1188 per person, there’s no reason to put this off. When you travel with SAA, you will experience; more legroom than any other airline to Africa, a generous free checked baggage allowance, complimentary amenity kits, delicious meals & beverages and on-demand in-flight entertainment. SAA, the most awarded airline in Africa, is famous for warm, genuine hospitality and exceptional service.
AIRLINE NEWS
Delta Air Lines plans to offer its Detroit to Paris flights year round starting June 1. Previously Delta intended to only offer this service seasonally, June through August. (USAToday.com, May 8 )
Virgin America may go public sometime next year if market conditions keep trending up and the carrier continues its healthy economic growth. British billionaire, Richard Branson, holding a controlling interest in the airline and founding partners are contemplating an initial public offering. (LATimes.com, May 4)
One million passengers have been screened through the Pre-Check program operated by the TSA thus far and the agency considers this as huge success. Pre-Check grants expedited screening upon check-in at certain airports, to frequent, known travelers, who have voluntarily given personal information. (TheHill.com, May 3)
AA PLAN TO EMERGE FROM BANKRUPTCY
American Airlines unveiled a four tiered plan to add $1 billion in revenue to its bottom line by 2017. The carrier will focus on increasing the international percentage of service from 38 to 44 percent. AA will perfect inventory control where it believes it can achieve 66 percent of its goal to increase revenue, by tailoring the use of regional jets to optimal demand. The airline plans to make more code-sharing agreements with other carriers to add more passengers while avoiding additional operating costs. And AA will aggressively market onboard a-la-carte services like Wi-Fi and roomier coach seats. (WashingtonPost.com, May 9)
OPENING OF NEW AIRPORT FOR BERLIN IS DELAYED
The opening of the newest German airport, Berlin-Brandenburg, originally scheduled for June 3, must be delayed due to fire safety issues. This facility is expected to handle 27 million passengers annually, when the two other Berlin Airports, Scheonefeld and Tegel are shut down sometime this year. (News.Airwise.com, May 8 )
DREAMLINER ON DISPLAY AT NATIONAL AIRPORT
The brand new Boeing 787 Dreamliner has arrived at Reagan National Airport for public viewing as part of its “Dream Tour”. This much anticipated aircraft, built of composite materials and a more fuel-efficient engine, is touted as a marvel of modern aerodynamic engineering. Though you may not get the opportunity to fly in it till sometime in 2014, you can see it this week in Terminal A. (WAMU.org, May 7)
EVENT VENUE ENVY
San Diego hotel owners voted overwhelmingly to approve a new room tax which will help to finance a $520 million expansion of the Convention Center. City authorities and hoteliers believe San Diego has lost the chance to host large conferences and events in recent years because the facility is too small. (UTSanDiego.com, May 7)
COSTA CHRISTENS NEW SHIP
Costa is introducing a new ship, the Fascinosa. It is the largest vessel in the Costa fleet, with a capacity of 3800 passengers. The Fascinosa will set sail in the Mediterranean this November and reposition to South America next spring. Not four months ago, 32 people died when the Costa Concordia sank quickly at night, after running aground. Costa and the entire cruise industry have adopted new safety procedures to prevent another such tragedy. (MiamiHerald.com, May 5)