Southwest may adopt assigned seats on flights
Southwest may adopt assigned seats on flights — Southwest Airlines acknowledged yesterday that it was considering abandoning its free-for-all boarding process and implementing assigned seating. The nation’s largest low-cost carrier said it spent $5 million to enhance its reservation system as part of an internal test to see if it could easily implement assigned seating. (The Washington Post)
For now, Florida visitors taking hurricanes in stride — Despite the state being hit or affected by eight storms over the past two years, a record 85.8 million people visited Florida last year, generating $57 billion in economic activity and $3.4 billion for government coffers. That’s 6 million more visitors than in 2004, a 7.6% increase. (AP)
Poll: Most residents unprepared for hurricanes — Despite Hurricane Katrina’s devastation of Louisiana and Mississippi, coastal residents have not taken steps to protect their families if a hurricane were to threaten their homes, according to a poll released Tuesday. (AP)
Next wave of camera-wielding tourists is from China — For the first time in history, large numbers of Chinese are leaving their country as tourists, resulting in an unparalleled explosion in Chinese travel. If current projections are met, the global tourism industry will be undergoing a crash course in everything Chinese. (The New York Times)
Utah breaks record in skier visits — Utah ski resorts have broken a record for the number of skiers visiting slopes for third straight year, ski industry officials said Tuesday. (AP)
Miami tops auto club list for rude drivers — Stressed Miami drivers speed, tailgate and cut off other drivers so frequently that the city earned the title of worst road rage in a survey released Tuesday. (AP)
Travel discounts drying up for senior citizens — Once upon a time, older travelers got big travel discounts that could significantly reduce the cost of their trips. Many of those benefits have evaporated in recent years, however, as airlines have all but erased such terms as “senior citizen” and “golden-ager” from their lexicons. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
Magic Johnson starts travel agency — Magic Johnson Enterprises said it has launched Magic Johnson Travel Group, Monday, and plans to headquarter the multicultural, home-based travel agent initiative and franchise network in Miami. (Los Angeles Business)
NWA warns flight attendants that talks are over — Northwest Airlines Corp. is warning flight attendants that they won’t get a better deal if they reject the wage-cutting pact they’re voting on now. Flight attendants are voting through June 6 on whether to accept a tentative agreement that would cut their pay 21% and require them to work longer hours. It would save Northwest $195 million a year. (AP)
Teen creates disturbance at Buffalo airport — A teenager was charged with disorderly conduct after shouting “It’s time to die” while ripping off a backpack and reaching inside it at Buffalo Niagara International Airport, authorities said Tuesday. (AP)
Tourism campaign: Get your kicks on Route 51 — Crooner Nat King Cole helped make Route 66 famous in a song. Now officials in 15 communities hope a newly launched ad campaign will make U.S. Highway 51 just as “unforgettable” in Wisconsin. The Wisconsin towns along U.S. 51, from Beloit to Stevens Point to Hurley, teamed up to create a tourism campaign to encourage people to travel the highway. (AP)
Tycoon ups the ante at the Palms in Las Vegas — George Maloof Jr., whose family owns the Sacramento Kings, is plowing $650 million more into what will be a $915 million casino, resort and condo development known as the Palms. (AP)
O’Hare expansion in holding pattern — Although runway construction at O’Hare International Airport falling behind schedule and hikes in oil prices and inflation driving up costs, officials are questioning the timetable and even the viability of the $15 billion airport expansion project. (Chicago Tribune)
Calif. county sues United over fuel deal — A suburban San Francisco county sued United Airlines, the city of Oakland and a state tax board on Tuesday over a fuel-purchase deal with the company that directed tax revenue out of the county. (AP)
Carrie Charney, Christopher Elliott, John Frenaye, Charles Leocha, Marge Purnell, Valerie Schneider, Mary Staley, Stephanus Surjaputra, Richard Wong.