AirTran makes bid for rival Midwest Air
AirTran makes bid for rival Midwest Air — AirTran said Wednesday it has offered to buy rival Midwest Air. AirTran is offering $11.25 a share in cash and stock, or about $210 million. Midwest shares closed at $9.08 on the American Stock Exchange on Tuesday, valuing the company at about $170 million. (Reuters)
United and Continental flirt with merger — United Airlines is reportedly in talks with Continental Airlines, discussing the possibility of a huge merger that could reshape the airline industry, according to a report. (CNNMoney.com)
American Airlines spruces up first class — Few routes are as important to American Airlines as the one that shuttles high-paying business travelers between New York and Los Angeles. Those are the kind of passengers who value service over price, and American doesn’t want them to think that the nation’s largest airline has slipped. (AP)
JetBlue launches daily flights to Puerto Rico from Boston — JetBlue Airways said today that it continues to expand its presence at Boston’s Logan International Airport with the launch of new daily nonstop flights to San Juan, Puerto Rico. (The Boston Globe)
Frontier adding Denver-Vancouver flight — Frontier Airlines said Tuesday it would begin daily nonstop service between Denver and Vancouver, British Columbia, on May 5. It would be the second Canadian city to be served by the Denver-based low-cost carrier. (AP)
O’Hare program lets passengers mail or store banned items — Officials at O’Hare International Airport are offering passengers an alternative to tossing out precious perfumes and other liquids banned on carry-on bags. In a 60-day pilot program that started Monday, passengers can either mail the items or have them sent for storage to the Hilton Chicago O’Hare Airport. (AP)
Troy Smith has Heisman Trophy shipped — Troy Smith’s Heisman Trophy was shipped home Tuesday to keep it safe and avoid the type of mishap that happened the last time an Ohio State player won the award. Smith was not allowed to carry the trophy on his flight from New York to Columbus. (AP)
‘Tony Soprano’ will rule over Mardi Gras — Actor James Gandolfini — Tony Soprano himself — will reign as celebrity monarch Bacchus during the 2007 Carnival season, the Krewe of Bacchus said Monday. (AP)
Carrie Charney, Christopher Elliott, John Frenaye, Charles Leocha, Marge Purnell, Valerie Schneider, Mary Staley, Stephanus Surjaputra, Richard Wong.