Tag Archives: baggage fees

This Week in Travel & Tourism — 9/24/2012

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AIRLINE

Virgin America to offer nonstop flight from N.Y. to Calif. for winter

Virgin America plans to add a nonstop route from New York’s JFK airport to Palm Springs, Calif., beginning Dec. 22. The service will run on Saturdays throughout the winter season. “We’re pleased to be expanding in the market and offering a new nonstop option for travelers coming from New York to the desert this winter,” said John MacLeod, a senior vice president at Virgin America.

British Airways eyes no-wait electronic check-in

British Airways has developed a system that checks passengers in the day before their trip, selects their seat and sends a boarding pass electronically. The system, which would eliminate the need to check in at airports, will roll out on a trial basis.

U.S. airlines collect $932 million in bag fees in Q2

U.S. passenger airlines collected a total of $932 million in baggage fees in the second quarter, up from $816 million in the first quarter, according to figures released by the Bureau of Transportation Statistics on Tuesday.

InterJet will launch Orange Country-Mexico City flights

InterJet plans to offer daily nonstop flights from John Wayne Airport in Orange County, Calif., to Mexico City and Guadalajara in mid-October.

TRAVEL AGENT

More agents are collaborating with OTA network, Expedia leader says

Expedia’s Travel Agent Affiliate Program is enjoying healthy growth in the ranks of its affiliated traditional travel agencies, and agents are boosting engagement with its platform, says Diego Pedrani, a director at Expedia Worldwide. “We currently work with more than 25,000 travel agency affiliates worldwide, and new agent signups continue to accelerate. We signed double the number of agents in the first three months of 2012 compared to the previous year,” Pedrani said.

CRUISE

2 decks of relaxation await on Norwegian Breakaway

Norwegian Cruise Line will debut its 23,000-square-foot, two-floor Mandara Spa on the Norwegian Breakaway. The spa will feature 13 heated loungers, a salt room, vitality pool, whirlpools, sauna, solarium, steam room, salon and barber shop. It will include 22 treatment rooms and offer cosmetic medical treatments including Botox injections.

ETC.

Six Vegas restaurants earn top honors from Wine Spectator

Six Las Vegas restaurants were honored with Wine Spectator’s Grand Award, the top honor in the publication’s annual Restaurant Wine List Awards. Aureole Las Vegas (at Mandalay Bay); Delmonico Steakhouse and Piero Selvaggio Valentino (both at the Venetian); Joel Robuchon Restaurant (MGM Grand); Picasso (Bellagio); and Restaurant Guy Savoy (Caesars Palace) earned Grand Award status.

This Week in Travel & Tourism – 6/11/2012

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INTERNATIONAL

EU emissions dispute could lead to higher airfares, official says

International airfares could rise if countries opposed to a planned expansion of the European Union’s emissions-trading scheme make good on their promise to retaliate, this feature says. Retaliatory measures could include reductions in flight frequency, banning EU airlines from the airspace of opposing countries and imposing fees on EU carriers that use airports in opposing countries.

AIRLINE

United follows Delta in raising baggage fee

United Airlines has raised its fee for a second checked bag on trans-Atlantic flights to $100 from $70. Delta Air Lines announced a similar increase in January to $100 from $75, or to $80 with online check-in. An industry analyst notes that the price increase comes in the face of falling fuel prices and a tenuous outlook for the European Union’s economy. United, however, attributes the fee change to “an increase in costs associated with carrying bags, such as fuel and handling.”

CRUISE

Norwegian cruise sale bases savings on state residency

Norwegian Cruise Line has introduced a cruise sale promo that offers savings for passengers based on the state in which they live. Passengers who book between now and Sunday can save up to $1,000 for cruises to destinations such as Hawaii, the Bahamas and Alaska.

Scenic Cruises unveils all-inclusive river sailings for 2013

Scenic Cruises is touting the “first truly all-inclusive luxury river cruising experience” it will provide in its 2013 schedule for Europe river cruises. The itineraries include new shore activities and dining options for passengers, who will get free Wi-Fi, beverages, private butler service and themed dinners.

OTA

Tourico Holidays implements AA’s direct connect

Online travel wholesaler Tourico Holidays said it is using American Airlines’ direct connect to book the airline’s fares and ancillary products.

Carnival overhauls loyalty program

Carnival Cruise Lines revamped and rebranded its loyalty program into a five-tier structure called the Very Important Fun Person Club, or VIFP. The new categories are based on the number of cruise days sailed, rather than the previous number of cruises.

ETC.

The Changing Face of All-Inclusives

Wave goodbye to your grandmother’s all-inclusives. The concept that once just meant a buffet along with a bed now encompasses just about anything a client desires on a vacation.