EXECUTIVE TRAVEL SKYGUIDE E-ALERT 11/27/06 Welcome to EXECUTIVE TRAVEL SKYGUIDE E-ALERT for the week of November 20, the weekly e-mail of essential business travel news! To sign up for the e-Alert, click here. Merger mania talk draws in Southwest, Continental American automates international check-in procedures Delta offers free downloads of Nintendo demos Web site seeks stories from angry, disgruntled air travelers All-business-class start-up carrier plans January debut Air France-KLM eyes Alitalia takeover Virgin Atlantic upgrades Premium Economy service Detroit Metro opens cell phone waiting areas THIS WEEK'S QUESTION FOR READERS: If there must be mergers in the airline industry, maybe the proposed Delta-US Airways merger isn't the one you'd prefer. Are there two airlines other than US Airways and Delta that you would rather see combined into a single carrier? Tell us your reasoning. Send your replies to skyguide@aexp.com. Last week, we asked for readers' reactions to US Airways' proposed merger with Delta. "I think (US Airways executives) Doug Parker and Scott Kirby 'get it,'" said reader Dennis Schumer. "What does it tell you when Delta management was caught 'unaware' and 'blindsided'? Interestingly, when I tried to get either free business class tickets or upgrades to Europe on Delta for SkyMiles 327 days before my travel date, none were available any day during a two-week period. Shortly after I hung up from Delta, US Airways issued me two Envoy Class tickets for the dates I wanted, using Dividend Miles." Reader Andrew Matthey said he doesn't think the US-DL merger will happen. "There is too much overlap in their systems and the anti-trust questions will be too great to overcome. A more logical merger would be between Delta and Northwest where their systems have very little overlap A merger between US Airways and Delta would also mean a drastic cut in service in some cities where they are the only two airlines." AIRLINES Merger mania talk draws in Southwest, Continental As airline industry observers and analysts continued to mull over the implications of a proposed US Airways-Delta merger last week, Southwest Airlines set its sights on possible spin-off assets, and Continental indicated it might be a willing party to even more consolidation. Southwest officials confirmed that chairman Herb Kelleher contacted the CEOs of both US Airways and Delta to let them know that Southwest would be interested in acquiring redundant assets in the eastern U.S. if the proposed merger ever happens. Although Southwest has been increasing its presence in the eastern U.S. in the past few years – especially at Philadelphia and Baltimore/Washington, and most recently with its entry into Washington Dulles – it still has the biggest gaps in the airline's route network. Southwest did not indicate if its interest extended to the Northeast Corridor shuttles, one of which would likely have to be sold if Delta and US Airways merged. Meanwhile, Continental Airlines CEO Larry Kellner sparked a wave of speculation when he said in a memo to employees last week that although the company prefers to remain independent, Continental will "do what we need to do" if "the landscape of the U.S. airline industry does change." Observers took that to mean Continental was open to the possibility of a merger. Much speculation has centered on the possibility of United making its own bid for Delta – or for Continental. But it could be the other way around. Former Continental CEO Gordon Bethune told reporters last week that when Northwest acquired a stake in Continental several years ago – a step toward a merger that was disallowed by the Justice Department – it also acquired the authority to block the acquisition of Continental by another airline. "But that didn't preclude Continental from buying someone else," Bethune noted. American automates international check-in procedures American Airlines said last week its airport self-check-in machines are being upgraded to handle international itineraries. Some 365 of the airline's airport self-service machines now have passport readers for use by passengers traveling outside the U.S., or returning to the U.S. from an overseas airport. The company said it will continue to deploy the new functionality to self-check-in devices throughout its system. International passengers holding e-tickets can simply swipe their passport or insert a credit card through the reader; if the passport is not machine-readable they can enter the required data manually. "All passengers will still have their documents verified, whether by an agent during self-service check-in or by an agent at the gate prior to boarding," an American spokesperson said. Meanwhile, the company added that international travelers can also save time now by providing certain government-required information – such as country of residence and emergency contact data - at the airline's web site (www.aa.com), whether or not they bought their ticket through the site. "The data can be entered and edited when the reservation is retrieved, and will help simplify and expedite passenger check-in at the airport," the spokesperson said. Delta offers free downloads of Nintendo demos Delta passengers at Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson Airport can get free video game demos from Nintendo if they bring their Nintendo DS video game systems with them to the Delta terminals at the airport. The wireless downloads are available from special units set up on Concourses T, A and B. "Delta also plans to provide this exciting enhancement in other airports in the coming months," a spokesperson said. Available games include Brain Age, Elite Beat Agents and Clubhouse Games. Web site seeks stories from angry, disgruntled air travelers Many consumers are starting to realize that by taking their complaints to a larger public, they might be more likely to get a response from a large, unfeeling corporation than they would by sending an email or phone message to the offending company. That's part of the rationale for a new web site/blog called Aircomplane (www.aircomplane.com), an online venue for airline passengers who have suffered bad personal experiences "to vent, document, share, crusade, and otherwise complain about poor, disrespectful or downright abusive airline service." The site notes that aggrieved passengers often have trouble finding "a responsive or professional line of communications to most airlines," so it also encourages users to share their own advice – along with email addresses and phone numbers – about how to get complaints heard at the carriers. One caveat: The site said it will not permit criticisms or negative comments about airport security. Why not? "We are patriotic," the site says. The site's motto: "The herd being heard." ADVERTISEMENT Midwest Airlines Increases Kansas City Service Effective December 3, Midwest Airlines will add a fifth weekday nonstop roundtrip between Kansas City and New York La Guardia. Plus, the airline is adding an eighth daily roundtrip between Kansas City and Milwaukee. All flights are aboard Signature Service on Boeing 717 aircraft, featuring two-by-two wide leather seats and generous legroom. Flights between Kansas City and New York will feature buy-onboard Best Care Cuisine. www.midwestairlines.com INTERNATIONAL b>All-business-class start-up carrier plans January debut A third all-premium-seating airline plans to begin service between the U.S. and the U.K. in January, according to wire reports. U.K.-based Silverjet (www.flysilverjet.com) has reportedly won government approvals to operate between Newark and London's Luton Airport, and expects to launch its inaugural flight on January 25, 2007. The airline will use 100-seat 767s with flat-bed seats that are six feet three inches long. According to the airline's web site, it is offering introductory fares as low as $799 each way for bookings made by December 31, plus various fees and taxes. Air France-KLM eyes Alitalia takeover Will Europe's largest carrier soon get bigger? Air France-KLM, which is now a single company, disclosed last week that it has started negotiations aimed at a possible acquisition of Alitalia. Both companies are already members of the global SkyTeam alliance, along with Delta, Continental and Northwest, and Alitalia has been looking for new investors for a while. Half of the carrier is still owned by the Italian government. However, some analysts question the wisdom of a possible acquisition by Air France-KLM, since Alitalia has been steadily losing money for almost a decade. Cost-cutting efforts at the Italian carrier have been complicated by its intransigent unions, which have a reputation for conducting wildcat strikes over the slightest provocation. And any takeover by an outside company would likely require the elimination of overlapping routes and subsequent job losses. Virgin Atlantic upgrades Premium Economy service Virgin Atlantic Airways is deploying new seats in the Premium Economy sections of its long-haul aircraft. The company said the new leather seats will offer a 38-inch pitch and a width of 21 inches, which is "wider than many airlines' business class seats," a spokesman noted. The seats will also feature "enhanced ergonomics for improved comfort, a dual position footrest, lumbar support, adjustable headrest with wings, laptop power and a redesigned tray table," the spokesman said. The meal service in Premium Economy is also being redesigned. Virgin Atlantic noted that due to increased demand, it has increased the number of Premium Economy seats in its fleet by more than 30 percent in the past year and a half. AIRPORTS Detroit Metro opens cell phone waiting areas The Wayne County Airport Authority has opened two cell phone waiting areas at Detroit Metro, where persons coming to pick up passengers can sit in their cars until they get a call that their party is waiting at the terminal's curbside. A few weeks ago, the first cell phone waiting area opened for persons making pickups at the airport's Smith Terminal; the waiting lane is on inbound Rogell Drive, just past the exit to the departures level. A similar waiting area that is more convenient for pickups at the McNamara Terminal just opened on inbound Dingell Drive. Both areas are clearly marked with signs. ADVERTISEMENT At the heart of Conrad Hotels lies a celebration of individuality. Its hallmark is the uniqueness of each of its hotels and resorts. While each hotel stands alone as a dynamic reflection of its destination city, all exemplify the brand's core values - luxury presented through exclusive offerings, a genuine attitude embodied by warm and attentive staff; and vibrancy felt through a stylish approach to cultural traditions. Stay at Conrad and experience the greatest luxury of all: the luxury of being yourself. www.conradhotels.com AIR ROUTES ATLANTA (ATL). Starting December 1, Delta Connection/Atlantic Southeast Airlines will inaugurate a daily non-stop between Atlanta and Leon/Guanajuato, Mexico, using a 70-seat regional jet. December 4 is the launch date for Delta's new service from Atlanta to Johannesburg, South Africa. Delta will use a 777 on the route, which includes a stop in Dakar, Senegal. CHARLOTTE (CLT). US Airways Express/Air Wisconsin will begin new service between Charlotte and White Plains, N.Y. on December 3, operating three daily roundtrips with 50-seat regional jets. DENVER (DEN). From December 1 through January 31, Mexicana will operate twice-weekly seasonal service between Denver and Zacatecas, with southbound service Mondays and Saturdays and northbound flights on Fridays and Sundays. KANSAS CITY (MCI). Midwest Airlines on December 3 will increase its Kansas City-New York LaGuardia schedule from four daily roundtrips to five, and its Kansas City-Milwaukee service from seven daily roundtrips to eight. NEW YORK KENNEDY (JFK). JetBlue Airways on November 30 will add a new international route when it launches daily non-stop service between JFK and Cancun, Mexico, with one flight a day. Starting December 1, British Airways will boost its JFK-London Heathrow schedule from seven flights a day to eight, with the addition of an 8 a.m. departure from Kennedy; the new return flight leaves LHR at 6:55 p.m. and arrives in JFK at 9:35 p.m. ORLANDO (MCO). Delta on December 1 will begin non-stop 737-800 flights between Orlando and Mexico City three times a week, operating southbound Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays and returning on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays. SALT LAKE CITY (SLC). Starting December 1, Delta will operate three 737-800 flights a week between its Salt Lake City hub and Mexico City, on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays. On December 2, Delta kicks off 737 service three times a week between SLC and Guadalajara. DEALS AND SPECIAL OFFERS FOR BUSINESS TRAVELERS For links to other websites where you can search for bargains, click here: www.eskyguide.com/reference/deals.html Got business in New Orleans? The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans (800-241-3333; www.ritzcarlton.com) on Canal Street will finally reopen its doors December 4 after 15 months of restoration and improvements following Hurricane Katrina, including the addition of a Club Level. To mark the reopening, the hotel is offering special rates starting at $169 a night through the end of December, vs. a normal rack rate of $419. Two Westin Hotels in Boston have cut prices for stays from now through March 2007. Revised winter rates, single or double occupancy, start at $169 a night at the Westin Boston Waterfront; starting rates are $199 a night at the Westin Copley Place Boston, including a $25 dining credit. Book at www.westin.com or at 866-716-8119, referring to rate plan WINSALE. Some blackout dates may apply. Honolulu can be a vacation destination, a business destination (if you're lucky), or both. If Hawaii is on your travel agenda for the months ahead, check out the December issue of Executive Travel for an update on what's new and different in the capital city. By Jim Glab Have a question or comment? Send it to skyguide@aexp.com. To sign up for the e-Alert, click here.