Trans-Atlantic luxury for less
Trans-Atlantic luxury for less — For almost a year, airlines have been rushing to add capacity to their trans-Atlantic routes, especially the one between New York and London. Why? That’s where the money is  at least in the front of the plane. Yet, as capacity increases, corporations have new muscle to demand discounts for volume. (The New York Times)
More fliers let someone else lug their bags — Times are good for business travelers tired of schlepping luggage. In the past few years, a mini-industry has built up around the notion that travelers will pay a premium price for someone else to pick up, ship and deliver their bags. (USA Today)
Passengers order up pie-in-the-sky airline amenities — So as the nation’s airlines are looking at redesigning their planes, BizClass asked its readers: What features would you most like to see your favorite airline add to planes with the new space? A majority of readers hoped the airlines would use the space to create extra legroom. (The Washington Post)
American says Love service won’t make money — American Airlines Inc. will compete aggressively with low-cost Southwest Airlines Co. at Dallas Love Field, said an airline executive Monday, adding it’s doubtful the legacy carrier will make money flying from its newest airport. (Dallas Business Journal)
PC tips for your PC — It’s your notebook, workmate, business consultant, mobile office, movie theater and — more often than not — your solitaire buddy. The variety of traveling PCs is mind-boggling: from widescreen to compact to tablet to palm-size. Whichever the variety, your PC is often a hassle when you fly. Here are 10 tips to make your computer a better travel companion. (James Wysong on Tripso)
Australia bars Singapore Airlines route — The Australian government on Tuesday denied Singapore Airlines access to the lucrative route between Sydney and Los Angeles, despite years of lobbying from Singapore. (AP)
New Orleans rebuilding plan takes shape — Long-awaited plans to rebuild New Orleans and compensate hundreds of thousands of hurricane victims took shape on Monday as Louisiana Gov. Kathleen Blanco announced details of a program that would give homeowners up to $150,000. (Reuters)
Helpful Amtrak conductor fired over injuries — Amtrak conductor Rebecca Gettleman never so much as got a thank you for keeping a tipsy passenger from stumbling down the train stairs. She did, however, get fired. (The San Francisco Chronicle)
Travel agent accused in Winfrey scam — The head of a travel business was indicted on theft charges for allegedly stealing money from elderly fans of Oprah Winfrey, officials said Monday. (The Chicago Tribune)
US Airways posts fourth-quarter loss — US Airways Group reported a fourth quarter loss of $261 million, as the reconstituted carrier was plagued by higher fuel costs and expenses related to its acquisition by America West Holdings in September. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
Airlines cramming more seats into Boeing’s Dreamliner — Airlines are choosing to cram more seats into Boeing’s hot-selling new 787 Dreamliner than the company expected, giving the plane a potentially decisive advantage over its Airbus rival. (Reuters)
Air India, Indian Airlines may merge — State owned carriers Air India and Indian Airlines may be merged after their initial public offerings are completed, India’s Minister for Civil Aviation Praful Patel said Monday. (AP)
New union struggles at United — Their timing was miserable. In December 2002, two months before United Airlines declared bankruptcy, the carrier’s 437 engineers and airplane technicians voted to join a union. Since then, the airline and the engineers have negotiated over a contract, but without results. (The San Francisco Chronicle)
Virgin America ready to hire pilots — Virgin America Inc. is about to hire the first of roughly 100 pilots it wants to add in 2006 as the startup airline continues preparations to start flying this year. (San Francisco Business Times)
The flying luxury hotel — The next generation of cruise vessels will resemble blimps, but they’re not. The new Aeroscraft, and when it’s completed, will ferry pampered passengers across continents and oceans as they stroll leisurely about the one-acre cabin or relax in their well-appointed staterooms. Yet unlike its dirigible ancestors, the Aeroscraft is not lighter than air. Its 14 million cubic feet of helium hoist only two thirds of the craft’s weight.
Carrie Charney, Christopher Elliott, John Frenaye, Charles Leocha, Marge Purnell, Valerie Schneider, Mary Staley, Stephanus Surjaputra, Richard Wong.