The Flying Critic News

Frontier cancels 50% discount for infant seats

Frontier Airlines to charge $100 for flying antlers, up from $75.  Yes, antlers.

AP reports that Airlines boost domestic fares by up to $60 roundtrip:

UAL Corp.'s United Airlines led the bigger round of increases late Thursday, lifting roundtrip ticket prices by $10 to $60, depending on how far passengers fly and the competition on the route.

AP reports that Boeing delays plan for replacing popular 737:

Boeing has pushed back the date for a possible replacement to its popular 737 jet by several years, saying it needs more time to advance the underlying technology.

KPUA Hawaii News reports Hawaiian Airlines to be listed on Nasdaq.

Hawaiian Holdings Inc., the parent company of Hawaiian Airlines Inc., says it has been approved to be listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market under the symbol ``HA.''

Joe Sharkey At Large blogs that Mesa Air Warns of Bankruptcy.

American Airlines to cut about 300 flights:

The reductions — almost double what American forecast only a month ago — will likely mean elimination of at least 300 flights a day from the 4,300 that it and its regional affiliates offer. That will also likely lead to elimination of more than 6,000 jobs. The company plans to retire at least 75 mainline and regional aircraft.

The TSA might allow some types of laptop bags to keep laptop in the case for x-ray machine.

Fliers, experts expect complications from AA's new bag fee - From Today in the Sky - USATODAY.com.

AMR Corporation to ground 75-85 airplanes, cut facilities and jobs, increase fees and come up with new ones like $15 to check a bag.

OSHA lobs another $195K in fines on United for worker safety violations:

Federal officials, Tuesday, proposed fining United Airlines $192,500 for multiple violations of worker health standards that inspectors uncovered during an audit of the carrier's O'Hare International Airport operations.

American Airlines will charge $15 for checking your FIRST bag

Alaska Airlines Announces New Service To Minneapolis And Hawaii.

Continental Airlines begins nonstop service from Cleveland to Paris tomorrow.

Labor problems brewing at Alaska Airlines as Alaska pilots picket meeting.

The Wall Street Journal reports that premium cabin air travel was down in March:

The number of people flying business or first class globally fell sharply in March, according to the International Air Transport Association.

An IATA report released Tuesday said premium traffic fell 3.9% in March compared with the same period last year, the largest monthly drop since 2003.

San Antonio Spurs spend night on plane after charter is grounded in New Orleans

Naked pilot, flight attendant charged after romp in woods  What were they thinking? 

The Dallas Morning News reports that Southwest Airlines will stepup 2008 growth plans:

To do so, Southwest will be keeping two airplanes that it had planned to retire. In all, it now plans to expand its fleet by a net of 13 airplanes this year, compared to the seven that it projected on April 17.

Consumer satisfaction on the rise, but not at airlines CNN reports

Delta nonstop flights to Kuwait start Nov. 7, 2008

One Mile at a Time points us to a press release about United Airlines and Jet Airways Announcing a Codeshare and Frequent Flyer Partnership.

The Arizona Republic reports that:

The merger talks between US Airways and United continue, but the pace is slow. No deal is expected to be announced ahead of the Memorial Day weekend.

PointNiner blog reports on a Delta CRJ that caught fire on taxiway yesterday. No one was reported injured.  Link has a picture.

itravelnet.com Travel Blog mentions that Qantas announced their first A380 route as being between Melbourne and Los Angeles.  Qantas is expecting their first A380 in October.

Union rejects American Airlines offer

Negotiators for union mechanics and bag handlers at American Airlines have rejected a contract proposal from American Airlines that called for lump-sum payments instead of wage increases.