Harmony Airways Ends

Fledgling Canadian airline Harmony Airways said on Tuesday it will end scheduled passenger service next month, blaming rising costs and competition from larger rivals.

United's Dirty Plane

A few of my airline friends have started to send me news worthy email and I must say... "THANK YOU"

This article on the Comsumerist about a United Airlines flight from Hawaii to Chicago is just gross. Apparently, the plane was never cleaned prior to departure and I guess it was a "little" dirty.

Being an ex-Flight Attendant, these pictures did not surprise me. People can be real pigs after a long flight. Now, why United decided to board customers onto a dirty plane for another long haul flight is beyond my comprehension.

Adventure by Disney

Disney has a new product named "Adventure by Disney". The concept is a Tour product laced with all the Disney touches. i.e. Special behind the scene tours etc.

The product is high end but well worth the extra dollars. Go Visit, North America in SW Splendors, or Sol de Espana in Spain, Viva Italia, or Taste of Tuscany in Italy.

Now the good news, 25% off retail rates for all qualifying interliners.

A380 Lands in JFK & LAX

NEW YORK, March 19 (Reuters) - The world's largest passenger plane makes its debut in the United States on Monday, as two of Airbus' A380 superjumbos head for simultaneous landings in New York and Los Angeles.

The first trans-Atlantic flights for the 555-seat, double-decker plane are part of exercises to ensure that it is compatible with two major U.S. airports, which have spent hundreds of millions of dollars in upgrades to accommodate the giant plane.

New Princess' Godmothers

PRINCESS CRUISES appointed two mother-daughter stars of 1970's TV sitcom shows as the godmothers of the line's two newest ships, to be named in a dual ceremony on May 12 in Santorini, Greece, during Mother's Day weekend. Florence Henderson, who played Carol Brady on "The Brady Bunch," and Marion Ross, who played Marion Cunningham on "Happy Days," will name the Emerald Princess. Their TV daughters, Susan Olsen, aka Cindy Brady, and Erin Moran, aka Joanie Cunningham, will christen the Royal Princess. Princess is also looking for a real mother-daughter duo to join it in Greece for the festivities. Contestants may enter the sweepstakes, called "The Ultimate Mother and Daughter Mediterranean Escape,"

Spirit Makes Changes Quietly

It seems that Spirit Air has quietly made some changes in hopes that nobody would notice. No More First Class Service, they are now called "BIG FRONT SEATS", and now we charge you for your bags you check.

March 6th, they announced they will be lowering fares by as much as 40% and has now called themselves ULCC (Ultra Low Cost Carrier)

Here's a quote: "Our customers have called for even lower fares and we have listened," said Barry Biffle, Spirit's Chief Marketing Officer. "We can offer incredibly low fares by enabling customers to pay for only those options they want. As customers have told us over and over, it's all about the fare!"

Now Sodas, Drink and Snacks are extra (I can understand that) and checked bags are $5 each. Wait a minute, the last time I remembered, they wanted me to check my bags because my shampoo was an airport security threat !

Here's their list of "optional Service":
BIG FRONT SEAT, Hotels, Cars, Vacation Packages & Cruises, Event Tickets, Golf Tee Times & Tours, Travel Insurance, Onboard beverages and snacks, Discounted Airport Parking, Checked baggage, Personal Cargo.

I don't know about you, but I do not remember EVER asking an airline to book my Golf Tee Times.

New Carnival Freedom

THE CARNIVAL FREEDOM was officially named March 4 in Venice by its godmother, supermodel Kathy Ireland. The 110,000-ton, 2,794-passenger megaship, which was delivered to Carnival Cruise Lines on Feb. 28 by Italian shipbuilding company Fincantieri, is the 22nd vessel in the Carnival fleet. The Freedom departed Feb. 5 on its maiden voyage, a nine-day Mediterranean cruise. The ship will offer 12-day cruises in the Mediterranean and Greek isles through October and will begin a Caribbean program from Miami on Nov. 17.