EXECUTIVE TRAVEL SKYGUIDE E-ALERT 06/19/06 Welcome to EXECUTIVE TRAVEL SKYGUIDE E-ALERT for the week of June 19, the weekly e-mail of essential business travel news! To sign up for the e-Alert, click here. Compromise reached on Dallas Love Field dispute LAX takes steps to shorten security waiting lines Cincinnati gets parking improvements Northwest, flight attendants meet in bid to avert strike Delta, American to overhaul business class cabins Many business fares likely to increase by $50 Registered Traveler program faces resistance from airports, airlines British Airways changes its baggage policies Airbus super-jumbo deliveries delayed again United, TACA begin code-sharing, frequent flyer partnership Varig's future still up in the air Executive Travel magazine invites you to cast your ballot for the 2006 Leading Edge Awards. Tell us what you think is the best of executive travel, from the airlines and hotels that win your loyalty, to your favorite places to unwind, to your preferred financial services companies and technology products to your favorite brands of liquor and luggage. Results will be revealed in the September 2006 issue of Executive Travel magazine. Cast your ballot today! To vote, click here to access the fax ballot form, or email skyguide@aexp.com to request a ballot via email. We look forward to hearing from you! THIS WEEK'S QUESTION FOR READERS: How do you stay connected on the road - what's the one technological device you could never travel without, and what's so great about it? Feel free to name specific brands and models. Send your reply to skyguide@aexp.com. Last week, we asked if readers ran into problems getting mileage credit or claiming awards on the global partner carriers of major U.S. airlines. Apparently those alliances aren't quite "seamless" yet. Reader Abram Hall cites "enormous problems. The worst is the Star Alliance." He said it took eight months for the miles earned on his business class Singapore Airlines trip to show up in his Air Canada account. This was not true with American and its partners, he said, "which is why I end up gravitating towards them and the Oneworld alliance for international travel." According to reader Don Kaiser, "I recently flew on a United code-share with Air New Zealand and still haven't had mileage show on my account a month after the flight." Reader Henry Harteveldt also reports "occasional" problems with Star Alliance. "This problem occurs exclusively when I check in on flights outside the U.S.," he said. "My most recent example was for bmi, flying Dublin-Heathrow - even though they entered my Mileage Plus number into the PNR. My experience has bmi as the worst Star offender." AIRPORTS Compromise reached on Dallas Love Field dispute An agreement reached last week by all parties concerned could mean that Dallas Love Field will be opened up to long-haul service, ending the so-called Wright Amendment restrictions that have limited mainline flights there to nine states adjacent or close to Texas. However, the compromise solution is not a done deal yet - it requires approval by Congress before the end of the year. It also would sharply limit the growth potential of Love Field by mandating a reduction in the number of gates there. If Congress approves the pact, the most immediate benefit would be to allow through ticketing; that would permit passengers flying in or out of Love to book connections to or from points outside the current nine-state limit, via a stop within that area. But the end of the current restriction on longer-haul non-stops out of Love won't come until 2014. Southwest Airlines has mounted a massive lobbying effort in recent months to lift the Wright restrictions, and DFW-based American has responded with an equally strong push to maintain the limits on flights from Love Field. The deal also would shrink the capacity of Love Field, shutting down 12 of its current 32 gates; the remaining 20 would include 16 for Southwest and two each for American and Continental. What's more, Southwest would have to give up additional gates if it started service at other airports within 80 miles of Love Field in the next 19 years; and American would have to cede gates at DFW if it did the same. The deal was negotiated by representatives of Southwest, American, and the cities of Dallas and Fort Worth. The two city councils will vote on the compromise within the next few weeks. After that, it's up to Congress to act on it. LAX takes steps to shorten security waiting lines The Transportation Security Administration's director at Los Angeles International Airport told the LA Times that the agency has started taking significant steps to speed up the lines and reduce the bottlenecks at the facility so that passengers won't find themselves lined up out onto the sidewalk any more. TSA's Larry Fetters told the newspaper that the agency has transferred dozens of security screeners from other locations to LAX to help handle the summer travel crunch, and has also speeded up hiring of new inspectors to deal with an anticipated personnel shortfall. TSA also reconfigured security lanes inside the terminals to speed things up, and to free up more screeners, who can be shifted from one checkpoint to another as passenger numbers require. Meanwhile, airport officials are reportedly planning another initiative to shorten lines of passengers waiting to check bags at ticket counters and at curbside: a pilot program will start this fall to permit baggage check-in at locations in the remote parking lots at LAX. Cincinnati gets parking improvements Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport has awarded a new contract for its parking operations to Chicago-based Standard Parking Corp., and the company said it plans some improvements for passengers. Starting in August, the company said, it will initiate a new parking shuttle service at CVG. "The shuttle service will pick patrons up at the terminals and drop them off at their cars - a significant upgrade from the current system that requires patrons to walk to designated shuttle stops," a company spokesman said. Standard Parking said it also plans to deploy 12 new buses to haul passengers between the terminals and the long-term parking facility. ADVERTISEMENT Special Business Class Fares on Emirates Fly Emirates' Business Class from New York's JFK Airport to select destinations and receive up to 35% off the standard Business Class rate. These low fares apply to over 60 destinations in the Emirates service network. To take advantage of these special fares, book by July 31st for travel until August 31st at www.emirates.com/usa or call us at 800-777-3999.  AIRLINES Northwest, flight attendants meet in bid to avert strike Representatives of Northwest Airlines and its flight attendants' union went back to the bargaining table last week in a renewed effort to agree on wage and benefit concessions that can reduce the carrier's operating costs. An earlier tentative pact was voted down by members of the Professional Flight Attendants' Association two weeks ago. Northwest has threatened to impose its own wage levels on the flight attendants unilaterally, and they have threatened to walk off the job if that happens. Under a truce that governs their current talks, Northwest has said it would not cut the flight attendants' pay prior to June 30; and if it does, the union has promised not to strike before mid-July, or at least 15 days after Northwest imposes new, lower pay levels. The bankruptcy court last week approved new cost-cutting wage deals between Northwest and its pilots' union, as well as a deal with another group representing ground workers and baggage handlers, but those deals won't kick in until the flight attendants come to terms with the airline. Delta, American to overhaul business class cabins Delta Air Lines said last week it has started renovating the BusinessElite cabins on 767s and 777s used on international routes, and American Airlines intends to unveil its own new business class in mid-July. Delta said it has already made the changes in four 767-300ERs that fly overseas routes, and will finish four more by the end of June. The overhaul of BusinessElite will take until next year to complete, affecting a total of 75 767 and 777 models. Delta said it is improving its existing sleeper seats by offering "60 inches of legroom and a wide-angle recline, with higher-rising leg rests and additional cushioning that includes memory foam under the knees for extra support, stylish new leather coverings, better headrests and tray tables, and in-seat laptop power outlets." The cabins also provide personal on-demand entertainment systems and video screens at each seat as well as enhancements in dining and wine selections, Delta said. One Atlanta reporter who had an advance look at the cabin noted that Delta "has not replaced its business class seats with the emerging industry standard that reclines into a lie-flat bed," but instead will continue the 160-degree recline and 2x2 seating of the previous business class. Meanwhile, American Airlines is reportedly planning a mid-July announcement of its own new business class. No details were available yet, but one American executive told the New York Times that the new cabin will offer "a lie-flat business-class seat that we have designed after incredibly exhaustive research on all the alternatives available. It's horizontal, at a seven-degree angle," with personal controls for adjusting the seat, he said. The cabin will also provide a portable video monitor for each passenger, the newspaper said. Many business fares likely to increase by $50 Delta Air Lines tried again last week to impose a hefty $50 one-way increase on business fares, and industry observers said the fare hike - which Delta has tried unsuccessfully before - appeared likely to "stick" in the marketplace this time. The $50 increase applies to unrestricted first class tickets as well as walk-up economy prices. The move by Delta to boost fares was matched by United, American, Continental, Northwest and US Airways. FAA/SECURITY Registered Traveler program faces resistance from airports, airlines The Transportation Security Administration's proposed "Registered Traveler" program - which would create separate security lines and biometric identification devices for frequent travelers who go through a security clearance check and who pay a fee - is facing more resistance from both airlines and airports, raising doubts about whether it will ever become an effective option, available at most major airports nationwide. The Air Transport Association, a trade group of the nation's commercial airlines, recently sent a letter to all airport directors urging them not to adopt the program. "As currently designed, the program will unnecessarily drain limited TSA resources and detract from the agency's ability to craft more comprehensive programs benefiting all travelers," ATA said. The group also charged that checkpoint modifications required by the program will decrease screener productivity during the summer travel crunch. "To date, TSA has been unable to model a program that demonstrates the operational efficiencies it is expected to deliver," ATA said. Meanwhile, the Boston Globe reported that officials at Boston Logan Airport have decided not to offer the Registered Traveler program, citing a lack of distinct consumer benefits. It also reported that airports in Atlanta, Las Vegas, Detroit and San Francisco have also decided to opt out of Registered Traveler for the same reason. INTERNATIONAL British Airways changes its baggage policies British Airways next month will start phasing in new rules for carry-ons and checked luggage. Starting July 5, BA said, passengers will be limited to one standard-sized carry-on bag and one briefcase, laptop computer bag or the equivalent; passengers must be able to lift the former into an overhead bin and fit the latter under the seat. Carry-on bags can't be larger than 22 by 18 by 10 inches. On October 11, a 50-pound weight limit will apply to all checked luggage, and new fees for overweight checked bags will apply, ranging from $55 for domestic U.K. flights to $220 for long-haul services. Passengers in World Traveller, Euro Traveller and UK Domestic cabins will be allowed only one free checked bag - except for flights to or from the U.S., Canada and a few other nations, where two will still be permitted. For full details of the new rules, go to www.ba.com/baggagepolicy. Airbus super-jumbo deliveries delayed again If you were planning to be the first business traveler on your block to book a seat on Airbus' next-generation, double-decker super-jumbo, the A380, don't make travel plans just yet. The launch customer for the new plane is Singapore Airlines, which had originally expected to receive its first aircraft by now, but production delays pushed that back to late 2006. However, Airbus last week confirmed that new bottlenecks have developed in the installation of electrical systems, so the first ready-to-fly A380 won't be delivered to Singapore Airlines until sometime in 2007. Moreover, Airbus now says it only expects to put nine A380s into service by the end of 2007, instead of 20 or so as previously planned. United, TACA begin code-sharing, frequent flyer partnership United Airlines last week started a new code-sharing partnership and frequent flyer program reciprocity with TACA Group, which serves 35 destinations in Latin America and the Caribbean through its hubs in San Salvador, El Salvador; Lima, Peru; and San Jose, Costa Rica. Members of United's Mileage Plus program will be able to earn and redeem miles on TACA flights, and will be able to get a single ticket and check in just once for United/TACA connections. TACA's previous partnership with American Airlines and its AAdvantage program ends June 30. Varig's future still up in the air A court in New York has reportedly extended until June 21 an injunction that prevents some 30 leased aircraft operated by Varig Brazilian Airlines from being repossessed by their owners. The assets of the bankrupt carrier are up for auction, and a Brazilian court last week had initially backed a bid of just $125 million from an employees' group, but Varig attorneys reportedly said that a second bidder has emerged who is willing to invest $450 million in the ailing operation. AIR ROUTES ATLANTA (ATL). From June 22 to November 12, Delta Connection/Atlantic Southeast Airlines will operate regional jet service six times a week between Atlanta and the golfing mecca of Pinehurst, N.C. BOSTON (BOS). Effective June 19, US Airways plans a big capacity increase between Boston and Buffalo, boosting its weekday schedule from three roundtrips a day to seven. DENVER (DEN). Air Canada has started up one daily A319 non-stop between Denver and Montreal. LOS ANGELES (LAX). China Southern Airlines on June 22 will increase its LAX-Guangzhou schedule of 777 non-stops from five a week to daily service. OAKLAND (OAK). On June 22, Canada's Harmony Airways will launch twice-weekly 757 service between Oakland and Vancouver, on Thursdays and Sundays. DEALS AND SPECIAL OFFERS FOR BUSINESS TRAVELERS Got business in Britain this fall? MAXjet, which operates all-business-class service to London Stansted on its 102-seat 767s, is offering low sale fares for travel between September 12 and November 10, as long as bookings are made by July 14. The fare is $1,199 roundtrip from both New York JFK and Washington Dulles. Book online at www.maxjet.com and use promotional code FALL06. MAXjet plans to increase frequencies on the IAD-Stansted route from four a week to five effective June 29 with the addition of a Thursday departure. Frontier Airlines (www.frontierairlines.com) has formed a frequent-travel partnership with Marriott Hotels. Members of the Denver-based airline's Early Returns loyalty plan will be able to earn two miles for every dollar they spend at Marriott, Renaissance and JW Marriott hotels, or one mile per dollar at Courtyard, Fairfield, TownePlace Suites, Springhill Suites, Residence Inn or Horizons by Marriott properties. They'll also be able to exchange points earned in the Marriott Rewards program for Early Returns miles. For links to other websites where you can search for bargains, click here: www.executivetravelonline.com/reference/deals.html For in-depth analysis, news, features and opinions about the current business travel scene, check out Joe Sent Me (www.joesentme.com), produced by veteran traveler advocate/journalist Joe Brancatelli and a team of contributors. What's new in luxury travel? Watch for the September issue of Executive Travel magazine for an analysis of half a dozen leading-edge trends in upscale travel, and a look at some of the companies that are leading the way in developing innovative travel products and services. By Jim Glab Have a question or comment? Send it to skyguide@aexp.com. To sign up for the e-Alert, click here.