TRAVEL BRAZIL-AIR: Emirates Airline

Emirates Airlines started service between Dubai (DXB) and São Paulo (GRU) back in August - I think. Connections in Dubai for Australia, New Zealand and Asia. Pior to this option one had to go to the Middle East via South Africa or Europe.
- 12213 km (7,633 miles)
- SP to Dubai: 13 hrs 50 min
- Dubai to SP: 15 hrs 15 min
- Boeing 777-200ER
- non-stop

http://emirates.com/br/english/index.aspx

Philadelphia Campus Continuing to Meet Airline Mechanic Demand

PHILADELPHIA, PA (11/24/08) – Aviation Institute of Maintenance (AIM) is continuously looking for ways to meet the airline industry’s need for trained airline mechanics. The latest method is with the introduction of the Aviation Maintenance Technician Electronics program. This 100-week certificate program offered at the Philadelphia campus, adds the electronics portion to the school’s current Aviation Maintenance Technician (AMT) curriculum. This hybrid program takes students from the basics of flight through the latest technological advances in the world of aviation.
“Adding the avionics portion to our already successful AMT program, allows students to be more qualified for immediate employment with the airlines upon graduation,” states Kyle Berry, School Director, “As airplanes become increasingly computerized, avionics knowledge is a must for A&P mechanics to stay competitive in the job market.”
About Aviation Institute of Maintenance
AIM –Philadelphia campus is part of the nation’s largest family of aviation maintenance schools, headquartered in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Through AIM’s FAA-approved program, students prepare for a high-flying career in aviation maintenance. AIM graduates are meeting the increasing global demands of commercial, cargo, corporate and private aviation employers. AIM’s other campuses are located in Atlanta; Chesapeake, Virginia; Dallas; Houston; Indianapolis; Kansas City, Missouri; Manassas, Virginia; and Orlando.

http://news.aviationmaintenance.edu/2008/11/aviation-school-continuing-to-meet-airline-mechanic-demand/

Delta Hits One Out of the Ball Park, Becoming the Official Airline of the New York Yankees

NEW YORK, Nov. 24, 2008 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Further supporting the world's largest airline's commitment to New York, Delta Air Lines (NYSE:DAL) today announced it will become the Official Airline of the New York Yankees beginning in 2009, which will include the private jet category for Delta AirElite Business Jets.
Also, as the exclusive sponsor of the Delta Sky360 Suite, the airline will offer Suite holders an opportunity to sample the world-class Delta brand and customer experience. The Suite encompasses the nine sections of the Main Level directly behind home plate, and its elevated position allows for some of the best views of the field in Yankee Stadium, which is set to open in spring 2009 with a capacity of 52,325.
"Delta and its more than 75,000 employees worldwide are thrilled to become the Official Airline of the New York Yankees, further demonstrating our commitment to New York, which also serves as a global hub for Delta," said Gail Grimmett, Delta's senior vice president - New York. "Our Delta Sky360 Suite at Yankee Stadium will offer Suite holders a sampling of the Delta experience. As the world's largest airline, Delta offers more flights from JFK and LaGuardia to more destinations worldwide than any other carrier, and we are committed to remaining the airline of choice for New Yorkers."
In addition to the Delta Sky360 Suite, Delta's signature presence at Yankee Stadium will include a permanent scoreboard advertisement in left field; home plate and baseline rotational signage; HD centerfield scoreboard and Terrace Level LED branding; and print advertisements in Yankees publications. The Delta Sky360 Suite will offer Suite holders the opportunity to experience elements of the Delta brand firsthand, such as access to a computer station to sign up for Delta's SkyMiles Frequent Flier Program, Crown Room Club membership and more.
"We are very excited about our new partnership with Delta," said Michael J. Tusiani, Yankees senior vice president of Corporate Sales & Sponsorships. "It is a fully-integrated relationship, inclusive of a premium entitlement area, prominent signage, team charter and hospitality."
Delta's commitment as the official airline of the Yankees also extends to George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, Fla., the spring home of the New York Yankees where the Delta brand will be displayed on home plate rotational signage, LED advertising and program advertising. There is also a game day sponsorship, hospitality and an affiliation with the Tampa Yankees, the Yankees' Class-A affiliate.
Delta Air Lines is the world's largest airline. From its hubs in Atlanta, Cincinnati, Detroit, Memphis, Minneapolis-St. Paul, New York-JFK, Salt Lake City and Tokyo-Narita, Delta, its NWA subsidiary and Delta Connection carriers offer service to more than 376 destinations worldwide in 66 countries and serve more than 170 million passengers each year. Delta's marketing alliances allow customers to earn and redeem either SkyMiles or WorldPerks on more than 16,000 daily flights offered by SkyTeam and other partners. Delta and its 75,000 worldwide employees are reshaping the aviation industry as the only U.S. airline to offer a full global network. Customers can check in for flights, print boarding passes, check bags and flight status at delta.com.
The Delta Air Lines, Inc. logo is available at

http://globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=1825

US Kills Al Qaeda Mastermind of Airline Liquid Bomb Plot - Rashid Rauf

I sure hope Allah has a bunch of virgins – our boys sent him another present…From National Terror Alert --

In what would be another major blow to al Qaeda, a CIA missile strike reportedly killed the long-sought British al Qaeda figure believed to have coordinated and planned the 2006 plot to use liquid bombs to blow up eight aircraft bound for the United States and Canada.
27-year old Rashid Rauf was killed, according to Pakistani officials, in an unmannedPredator missile strike against a home in the North Waziristan village of Khaisur shortly before dawn today.
A senior Pakistani intelligence official told ABCNews.com his death cannot be officially confirmed until the results of DNA tests are known because the bodies were burned beyond recognition in the attack.
But the official said the U.S. believes it is certain Rauf was killed.

http://nationalterroralert.com/updates/2008/11/23/us-kills-al-qaeda-mastermind-of-airline-liquid-bomb-plot-rashid-rauf/

The Airline Industry Needs More Creative Marketers

Lately, the airlines have been roundly criticized for keeping all the added fees they imposed due to the increased price of fuel, but kept when fuel prices went down. I think they could escape this criticism by developing more creative marketing programs.
For example, did you hear about the woman’s mother who was lost by US Airways last week? And no, I’m not kidding. According to The Consumerist, a US Airways employee put a 83-year-old wheelchair-bound passenger on the wrong flight and deposited her in San Juan while her daughter was waiting for her in Tampa.
Okay, I think we can all agree this was a total screw-up on the part of US Airways. On the other hand, here they were presented with a great marketing opportunity, and they blew it.
If US Airways executives had thought really quickly, just think of this great interview opportunity:
Reporter: “Hello, US Airways? This is Associated Press and I’m calling for a comment on that lady you mistakenly sent to San Juan.”
US Airways: “That was so unfortunate, and we apologize for the inconvenience caused, but she was mistakenly identified as a test subject in a new added-fee program we are currently developing.”
Reporter, darting in like a barracuda about to snatch a goldfish: ”A new added fee program? What’s that all about?”
US Airways: “Well, it has been confidential, but since you’re so interested…all of us in the industry realize that all those fees we’ve been adding on — for shipped baggage, water, food, pillows, etc., etc. — haven’t added up to a hill of beans so we’ve been forced to develop new programs to generate more revenue.”
Reporter: “And this was a new program?”
US Airways: “This was a test run for our newest program, called “Lose Your Mother-in-Law.” For an added fee of $250 we will misdirect your mother-in-law to some distant airport so you don’t have to spend the holiday with her.”
Reporter: “You’ll get rid of someone’s mother-in-law for $250?”
US Airways: “Absolutely. And after a predetermined time we will return her safely to the airport of your choice.”
Reporter: “All for $250?”
US Airways: “Yes, but during peak travel periods such as the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays we will be forced to add a 50% surcharge, as well as the normal fuel surcharge fees, shipped luggage fees, water fees, food fees, pillow and blanket fees…”
Reporter: “Thank you, and can you send me a release on this?”
US Airways: “Of course. And would you like to hear about our “Screaming Baby as Cargo” Program? For only $400, plus the normal fuel surcharge…”

http://ferriandpartners.com/trends/the-airline-industry-needs-more-creative-marketers/

I Am Looking For Discount Airline Tickets

November 22nd, 2008 by MissFee
Traveling to another country can be very exciting but sometimes the airfares can be more expensive than we anticipated. To help their passengers out with this dilemma various airlines have produced discount airline tickets. These discount tickets are available during certain times of the year.
To find when you can buy discount airline tickets you should check with your travel agents. These people will be able to inform you of the various airlines that are offering discount airline tickets and what sort of prices you can expect to pay. You should ask questions that concern you about the tickets before you make any further plans.
Discount airline tickets are great for the individuals who want to travel to other countries but have a limited budget for traveling purposes. As these discount airline tickets are for the most part very low in price it is perfect for these people.
Read More About I Am Looking For Discount Airline Tickets At

http://militarydiscountairtravel.com/i-am-looking-for-discount-airline-tickets.php

Airline Carry On Luggage - Some Great Helpful Tips

Preparation is one of the necessary things to get works done excellently. As what others say, failing to prepare is a preparation to fail. One of the works that need a careful preparation is a flight across the country. Before the flight, you must already pack your carry on luggage for the airline trip. Failing to prepare it may cause your flight uncomfortable. This can be just simple or annoying especially when you make a mistake in packing your carry on luggage for the airline. To avoid this annoying ordeal, proper packing must be consider. It is the first key to have a comfortable trip, so learn to pack your things properly to save time and avoid hassle along your trip. Airline Carry on Luggage is a Big Help on Your Trip!
You can consider the length of your flight in preparing for your carry on luggage for the airline. If your flight is short, packing should be a snap. Unnecessary things like portable DVD player may be put in other bag, since there’s a little for this kind of activity in a short flight. If it is your laptop, you must still consider the hassle and risk it may bring, especially taking it out at the security point, before packing it. Because of the limited space given to the passenger of an airplane, using it can make you feel uncomfortable.
If it will take you for at most two days, having one bag as your carry on luggage for the airline is recommended. Having only one bag will give you guarantee that you have all your things in you and avoid putting it on other’s luggage. Keep in mind not to overstuff your bag since you must consider the overhead bins or under the seat in front of you where you need to fit it. Therefore, packing as compact as possible is highly encourage. Airline Carry on Luggage, a Big help in Travel!
If it is longer than an hour, you can consider bringing electronics or other diversions, unless you plan to sleep throughout the flight. Movie player is a great choice to bring though you need to wait until you are allowed to turn it on. Along with the movie player, you can also use headphones in consideration of other passengers and your privacy as well. Other things like books can also be consider in your carry on luggage for the airline. Information on
If you plan to bring just one or two diversions, a small bag is more recommendable rather than a suitcase. It is less of a hassle to take your things out from your small bag under the seat in front of you. You’re going to have a comfortable flight if careful planning is in your mind. Avoid risk and hassle, prepare your carry on luggage for the airline properly.

http://travelseek24.com/351-airline-carry-on-luggage-some-great-helpful-tips.html

Obese Have ‘Right to Two Airline Seats’ in Canada

OBESE people have the right to two seats for the price of one on flights within Canada, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled on Thursday.
The high court declined to hear an appeal by Canadian airlines of a decision by the Canadian Transportation Agency that people who are “functionally disabled by obesity” deserve to have two seats for one fare.
The airlines had lost an appeal at the Federal Court of Appeal in May and had sought to launch a fresh appeal at the Supreme Court. The court’s decision not to hear a new appeal means the one-person-one-fare policy stands.
The appeal had been launched by Air Canada, Air Canada Jazz and WestJet.

http://cheapoair.wordpress.com/2008/11/24/obese-have-right-to-two-airline-seats/

Airline sends 83-year-old woman to Puerto Rico instead of Florida

An 83-year-old woman flying home to Tampa from New York was accidentally put on the wrong flight earlier this week, a mistake that sent her to Puerto Rico instead of back to Florida, according to the St. Petersburg (Fla.) Times. The switcheroo came on Monday, when the woman -– Elfriede Kuemmel –- was returning to Tampa on a US Airways flight. Kuemmel's daughter, who was not traveling with her, had contacted the airline to request her mother be given a wheelchair and assistance reaching her flight.
Keummel successfully boarded her flight on New York, but the Times says "things went wrong in Philadelphia, where (she) was supposed to switch planes." Keummel's daughter tells the Times she thinks the Tampa and San Juan flights both departed from the same gate out of Philadelphia, and that the snafu occurred when her mother got in line for the wrong flight. "As much as they make you go through, I just don't understand it," daughter Vera tells the Times. "Not that she needed to be hand-held, but you'd think someone would take her under their wing. It's just unbelievable."
US Airways spokeswoman Valerie Wunder confirmed the mistake to the Times, adding that the airline wasn't sure why Keummel was able to board the San Juan flight despite having a boarding pass for the Tampa flight. "We are looking into what we could've done on our end to prevent that," Wunder tells the paper. US Airways put Keummel up in a San Juan hotel for the night, then returned her to Tampa -– via Charlotte –- on Tuesday, all in first class

http://eturbonews.com/6370/airline-sends-83-year-old-woman-puerto-rico-instead-florida

Actress says she lost her bag, airline officials deny claim

Mumbai: In yet another case of baggage loss during transit, a Jetlite passenger travelling from Delhi to Mumbai lodged a complaint with the airport police about losing her bag that contained valuables.The passenger, Shraddha Sharma, who is a Bhojpuri actor, was travelling to Mumbai from Delhi by a Jetlite flight. She alleged that after reaching Mumbai, she found her suitcase open, with a bag containing approximately Rs 1 lakh in cash, a camera and a mobile, missing. According to police, she had stuffed her handbag inside a suitcase before her luggage was checked in and had locked it using a tiny lock."After reaching Mumbai, she discovered that the lock from her suitcase had vanished and the bag had gone missing,'' said a police official. "She had asked an airline official at Delhi airport if it was safe to keep a bag containing valuables in the luggage to be checked in. The actor claimed it was on his directive that she put her bag in the suitcase,'' he added.Though Sharma claims she only did what she was instructed to do, airline officials point out that she had ignored the warning given about luggage safety.Jetlite officials denied Sharma's claims. "Her suitcase weighed the same when she had checked it in at Delhi and after it reached Mumbai,'' said a Jet Airways official. "When asked, she couldn't even specify the denomination of the currency, nor could she tell us the make of the camera and the phone,'' she added.23/11/08 Times of India

http://avindia.blogspot.com/2008/11/actress-says-she-lost-her-bag-airline.html

Zagat's 2008 Airline Survey Results Are In

The results of our 2008 Airline Survey are in, and while there were a few positive developments, the industry as a whole is hardly flying high in the public’s eyes.
First, the good news: average overall ratings – factoring in Comfort, Service and Food scores – rose slightly for premium and economy class performance in both the domestic and international ranks. Not surprisingly, premium class showed the most improvement.
And a number of carriers – including Continental, JetBlue, Midwest and Virgin America domestically and Air New Zealand, Cathay Pacific, Emirates, Singapore and Virgin Atlantic internationally – turned in solid performances despite the tough conditions facing the industry.
Still, in the domestic economy ranks, several airlines again scored better for their websites than for their in-air performance. And the 9,950 surveyors who participated continued to express a high degree of airborne discontent (read some of their comments here).
Other survey highlights:
– Among large domestic airlines, Continental was voted No. 1 in premium class while JetBlue took top honors for economy. Looking at just the U.S. “Big Six” – American, Continental, Delta, Northwest, United, US Airways (soon to be “Big Five” with the merger of Delta and Northwest) – Continental led in all categories, as it did in ’07. It was also deemed the best value among all airlines for international flights.
– Among midsized domestics, Virgin America, the low-cost, high-style newcomer launched by Richard Branson in 2007, continued to impress, ranking No. 1 in premium and No. 2 – after winner Midwest – in economy.
– Singapore Airlines keeps gaining altitude: it topped the international ranks in both premium and economy classes for the ninth Survey in a row.
– Delay-weary fliers cited Southwest as having the best on-time performance among domestics. Southwest was also saluted for offering the best value domestically as well as the best website, frequent-flier program and luggage policy.
– Top in-flight entertainment honors went to JetBlue domestically, Virgin Atlantic internationally.
– When booking, 60% of surveyors use airline websites, while only 4% call the airline. Sites such as Expedia, Travelocity and the like are used by 18%, while 9% book through work and 8% use a travel agent.
– 65% of surveyors use their frequent-flier miles for free flights; 25% use them for upgrades; and 10% don't use them.
This year’s Survey included 17 domestic airlines and 68 airlines that fly internationally. Each surveyor took an average of 16.3 flights per year, for a total of 162,000 annual trips; 38% were for leisure, 62% for business.

Thanksgiving tips for airline, train travel

Airline— Be patient. The three busiest travel days of the year will be Wednesday, Sunday and Monday, Dec. 1.— Carry valid photo ID.— Allow plenty of time for check-in and security screening.

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— Be familiar with items permitted and prohibited by the Transportation Security Administration (www.tsa.gov).— Pack light because carry-on space is limited and some airlines charge fees for extra/oversized checked bags.Amtrak— Allow plenty of time at stations prior to departure.— Carry valid photo ID.— Make sure all luggage is tagged with your name and address.— Limit of two carry-on bags per person (excluding laptops, purses, briefcases).Source: Transportation Security Administration; Amtrak

UATP, Moneta Partner for Airline Payments

Universal Air Travel Program (UATP) has announced that it has partnered with Moneta to support Moneta's online payment wallet for the 250 airlines utilizing UATP payment gateway services. Moneta offers consumers, airline and merchants an alternative payment method which is distributed and marketed through the consumer's bank. Airlines using the UATP payment gateway connection can activate Moneta on their retail checkout site with no infrastructure investment and minimal configuration.
"The Moneta-UATP partnership provides a low-cost payment option for airlines while enhancing consumer confidence and loyalty for both airlines and banks," said Ralph Kaiser, president and chief executive officer, UATP. "As our network of airlines continues to grow, we look forward to assisting Moneta in expanding their airline distribution."
Initially, Moneta transactions will use the U.S. ACH debit network, enabling consumers to pay directly from their checking or money market accounts. In 2009, Moneta plans to offer additional payment options including international debit payments, credit cards, pay later and pay early functionality. The Moneta service is free to consumers and is available to customers in the United States, Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands.
"Partnering with UATP underscores the ease of implementing Moneta's online wallet for airlines," said Guido Sacchi, CEO of Moneta. "By integrating into the UATP gateway service, airlines can take immediate advantage of lower online transaction costs. Additionally, airlines offering Moneta will enjoy the ability to reach new customers through our bank partner network. Airlines selecting the UATP-Moneta solution will realize not only cost savings, but the ability to market their airlines through online banking customers either on a per-market basis or around the country