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.

Don't Swear in the Airport

A PhD student has filed a first amendment lawsuit after she was charged with disorderly conduct at John Wayne Airport in Orange County.

Why was she charged? She was saying goodbye to a friend at the airport and, in the course of that goodbye, swore rather loudly. A sheriff's deputy asked her to keep her swearing to a minimum because there were children around. The swearer replied, "Is it against the [bleeping] law to say [bleep]?" ("bleeps" added by NY Times, not me). Said the deputy, "yes it is," then cited her for disorderly conduct.

An expert quoted in the story said that charges against her will likely be dropped. Damn.

New Disney Ships

DISNEY CRUISE LINE will more than double its capacity with the order of two megaships from German shipbuilder Meyer Werft. The line signed a letter of intent with the yard to build two 122,000-ton ships with expected deliveries in 2011 and 2012. The vessels would be two decks taller than the company's existing 83,000-ton ships, the Disney Magic and the Disney Wonder. The new builds, like the existing ships, would be designed for family cruising, with a look that is a "modern interpretation of classic ocean liners of the 1930s," Disney Cruise Line said. The additional tonnage would allow Disney to expand its itineraries, which currently consist of predominately Caribbean sailings and some highly successful summer sojourns to the West Coast and the Mediterranean.

http://www.InterlineRates.com has new Disney Interline Cruise Rates. Call for details - (800) 298 8666

3 Night Bahamas from $379*
4 Night Bahamas from $459*
7 Night Caribbean from $629*
14 Night Trans-Atlantic from $599*
11 Night Mediterranean from $699*

Windstar Sold

CARNIVAL CORP. will sell its Windstar Cruises brand to Ambassadors International for $100 million. Seattle-based Windstar Cruises is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Holland America Line, a unit of Carnival Corp., and it operates three sailing vessels with a total lower-berth capacity of 772. Carnival CEO Micky Arison praised the Windstar product but said that it did not fit into the company's future growth strategy, which is now focused on expanding "core growth brands and opening new markets." The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of 2007.

13 dots spook fliers

13 dots spook superstitious fliers

Brussels Airlines recently found itself in some unexpected turbluence when superstitious passengers complained about its spiffing logo.

The airline's stylised 'b' ruffled a few feathers since it comprised 13 dots.

The company said it was "taken aback by the strength of feeling", the BBC reports. Spokesman Geert Sciot admitted: "They [passengers] said they were not pleased with an aircraft with a logo with 13 balls because they think it brings them bad luck. We are never surprised by reactions - but that it was that bad? It really took us aback."

Accordingly, Brussels Airlines has now added a fourteenth dot to its b, as you can see. Expect favourable flying weather for the foreseeable future. ®

Majesty Refurbished

THE MAJESTY OF THE SEAS reentered service this week following a refurbishment during a drydock in the Bahamas. The Royal Caribbean International ship will resume its year-round, three- and four-day schedule of Bahamas cruises from Miami. During the 28-day drydock the ship received several new dining and entertainment options, and overhauls were done on cabins, the Majesty Day Spa and ShipShape Fitness Center, conference rooms, the pool deck, the theater, the casino and the Adventure Ocean youth area, which has a new, teen-focused nightclub and lounge. The Majesty, constructed in 1992, is the third ship in the Sovereign class to be refurbished; the Monarch of the Seas was refurbished in 2003 and the Sovereign of the Seas in 2004.

Carnival Triumph Postponed

CARNIVAL CRUISE LINES said it would postpone sending the Carnival Triumph to New Orleans in August to operate weekly, year-round cruises there. Carnival CEO Bob Dickinson said that "lingering misconceptions by the vacationing public as to the recovery of New Orleans' tourism infrastructure... has necessitated a reevaluation of our timeline for adding a second ship to that port." The Triumph will instead stay in Miami at least through April 2008, Carnival said, and offer week-long Caribbean itineraries that Dickinson said have "received a tremendous amount of enthusiasm from consumers and travel agents." Carnival reintroduced its cruise program from New Orleans in October with the launch of four- and five-day cruises on the Fantasy, and it had planned to make the Triumph the only year-round ship sailing out of New Orleans beginning in late August.

AIDA Cruises Add New Ship

AIDA CRUISES will call the second of four vessels it has on order the AidaBella. Currently being built by German shipbuilder Meyer Werft at a cost of about $409 million, the 68,500-ton ship is scheduled to enter service in spring 2008. Its sister ship, the AidaDiva, will be the first of the four newbuilds to enter service when it is inaugurated in Hamburg, Germany, on April 20. Aida Cruises is a subsidiary of Carnival Corp. and currently has a fleet of four ships: the AidaCara, AidaVita, AidaAura and AidaBlu.

Norwegian Pearl

I just got back from the Norwegian Pearl on a 9 nt Caribbean Cruise, and what a fantastic trip we had.

We visited the ports of Dominica, Barbados, St. Lucia, Antigua and Tortola. We went with a group of Airline Friends & Family. I ate, I bowled & I partied. The restaurants were great and the spa relaxing! The staff, one of the very best I've experienced.

I am not sure where to begin. You just have to see it for yourself.
Given a chance, you should check out this ship. There is an inexpensive Pacific Coastal Cruise on this ship, May 6. 5 nts from Los Angeles to Vancouver BC starting at $229.

Interline Cruise Specials at InterlineRates.com (make sure you qualify b4 booking)

Well Did She or Didn't She?

The Qantas stewardess who claimed she rejected an amorous Ralph Fiennes on a flight to India has admitted having sex with him in an aircraft lavatory.

Lisa Robertson told friends she was a big fan of the British actor and found herself luring him to the cubicle.

But they apparently shared more than a 15-minute fling at 35,000ft. Interline Story

One Day Cruise Sale

InterlineRates.com has a Valentine's Day Sale you wouldn't want to miss.

Just for the day, you can book a cruise on Carnival, Holland America, Princess and NCl and receive additional discounts. Here's the catch, it must be booked online & by midnite February 14, 2007. Make sure you qualify for interline pricing (airline employment verification required) otherwise, you could be shocked when the price adjust.

Fired for having Sex with Actor

A Qantas flight attendant may be fired for having an alleged sexual encounter with Ralph Fiennes in a first class bathroom while she was working. The flight attendant disputes the charge, saying she went to the bathroom after having a conversation with Fiennes and that he followed her in. The odd (well, another odd) part of this is that Fiennes was on his way to India to promote safe sex practices. Perhaps he was practicing. Interline Story

Man Held After Security Strip

A German man who was so angered by airport security in the Philippines that he took off his trousers has been arrested for lasciviousness.

Hans Jurgen Oskar von Naguschewski, 66, performed the impromptu strip after being asked to go through the X-ray machine twice at Manila airport.

Instead of boarding his flight to Frankfurt, he was detained by police and is due in court on Monday. He could face a sentence of between six months and six years in jail.

We all feel kind of vialated when going through security sometimes. I guess this will stop me from wanting to do the same thing. Full Interline Story

Last Minute Costa Cruise

Costa Cruises is trying to fill their ships on Feb 4 2007. Two Caribbean Sailing from Ft. Lauderdale, one to Eastern and the other Western.

Inside from $299. Price is also good for friends & family. For details contact http://www.InterlineRates.com at 800.298.8688

New passport requirements

New passport requirements in effect today
Effective Jan. 23, 2007, all passengers traveling by air to or from the U.S must hold a valid passport. This new requirement applies to everyone, including U.S. citizens traveling to and from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and the Caribbean.

But if you are driving or Cruising you have until 2008, but why wait til the last minute. GET IT NOW !

Disney Cruise from California

DISNEY CRUISE LINE is sending the Disney Magic back to Los Angeles during the summer of 2008 to operate eight-day Mexican Riviera sailings. The ship ran a similar itinerary from Los Angeles during the summer of 2005 for six weeks in a tie-in with Disneyland's 50th anniversary, and according to Disney Cruise Line President Tom McAlpin, "the guest reaction to the itinerary was tremendous." Beginning on May 25, 2008, the Magic is scheduled to sail 12 eight-day cruises from Los Angeles to Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan and Puerto Vallarta. The ship will spend this summer sailing 11- and 12-day Mediterranean cruises from Barcelona. Interline rates available from http://www.InterlineRates.com

BA Flight Crew Strikes

The union confirmed yesterday that it called on its BA flight attendant members to conduct a three-day strike Jan. 29-31. It also warned of two additional three-day stoppages starting Feb. 5 and Feb. 12 unless there is a deal. About 11,000 of BA's 14,000 cabin crew are T&G members.

UAL Miles Expires

United Airlines revised its frequent flyer program policies over the weekend so miles now expire after 18 months. Worse, this is retroactive to July 1, 2006.

CAL Pilot Dies Mid Flight

The pilot of a Continental Airlines flight became ill after takeoff and was later pronounced dead after the plane made an emergency landing, a company spokeswoman said.

The 210 passengers on Saturday's flight, which departed from Houston, were never in danger and the co-pilot landed the plane safely, Continental spokeswoman Macky Osorio said.

The airline said only that the pilot suffered a "serious medical problem." Continental believes the pilot died of natural causes, Osorio said. The pilot's name was not released.

The flight, bound for Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, took off from Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport and was diverted to McAllen-Miller International Airport. The flight continued to Mexico with a new crew, Osorio said.

Airbus CEO Dropped Pants

Airbus' CEO dropped his pants in front of US Airways' former chairman Stephen Wolf to help seal an aircraft deal.

Jean Pierson, the colorful Frenchman who built Airbus into Boeing Co.'s (BA.N: Quote, Profile , Research) biggest competitor, dropped his trousers to seal a key U.S. plane order in 1997, according to a book to be published on Tuesday.

Delta & Northwest Talks?

Delta Air Lines and Northwest Airlines are in talks on a possible link-up, according to a newspaper report on Wednesday.

The Wall Street Journal, which cited sources "familiar with the matter", said representatives of the two carriers, which are numbers 3 and 5 in the United States respectively, have met regularly for weeks discussing a possible link-up after they both emerge from bankruptcy.

NWA files reorganization plans

By JOSHUA FREED AP Business Writer

MINNEAPOLIS Jan 12, 2007 (AP)— Northwest Airlines Corp. has filed a bankruptcy reorganization plan that is 66 pages long, but short on details about what the airline will look like once it finishes its layover in Chapter 11.

The plan filed on Friday was silent on the largest question surrounding Northwest right now: Whether it will merge with another carrier.

NicoDerm Commercial

Psycho Flight attendant from Hell, doing a NicoDerm Commercial. She really need a vacation !!

See Where Flight Attendants Rest

My friend Lisa sent me this email and I LAUGHED & LAUGHED...

Airbus 340


Boeing 777


Air Canada


KLM


Singapore Airlines


Philippine Airlines

8 hour on Tarmac, no toilet

For more than eight hours Friday, passengers on American Airlines Flight 1348, rerouted from Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport during Friday's storms, sat on the tarmac at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport – with no food, dirty toilets and frustration levels rising.

They watched out their windows as planes landed and took off... Interline Story

Delta Rejects US Air Bid

Saying that US Airways' $8 billion unsolicited takeover proposal is plagued by "overwhelming" antitrust and labor issues, Delta Air Lines' board of directors formally rejected the offer and submitted its own plan of reorganization that calls for it to emerge from bankruptcy in spring 2007 as a standalone airline with a disciplined cost structure and a heavy emphasis on international flying. >>

Baby Put Through X-Ray

A woman put her 1-month old grandson through the X-Ray machine at LAX on Saturday, not realizing that she shouldn't do that (don't ask). The baby was taken to the hospital and was completely fine. Security officials, however, were successful in keeping 4 ounces of toothpaste off the aircraft, but not in keeping a baby out of an x-ray machine. Keep up the good work.

Mass Mouse Escape

More than 100 passengers on a Saudi plane were left panic-stricken by the unexpected appearance of furry fellow flyers - dozens of mice.

The small rodents - about 80 in total, according to a local newspaper - escaped from the bag of a man travelling on the domestic flight. >>

Continental, United Merger?

Rumor are flying... (12/13/06)

Continental and United Airlines are in preliminary talks regarding a possible merger that could create the nation's biggest carrier.

Talks between the two got under way before US Airways made a hostile bid for Delta Air Lines several weeks ago and then intensified, a source in New York familiar with the talks said Tuesday.

Here are two Merger stories from 2 difference sources: Houston Chronicle, Cleveland.com

"tis NOT the Season

No Christmas Tree at SEA-TAC All nine Christmas trees have been removed from Sea-Tac International Airport instead of adding a giant Jewish menorah to the holiday display as a rabbi had requested.

For more than 25 years, the airport has celebrated the holidays with Christmas trees over its entrances. But overnight, the Port of Seattle ordered all of them removed.

Flatulence, not turbulence

Flatulence brought 99 passengers on an American Airlines flight to an unscheduled visit to Nashville early Monday morning.

American Flight 1053, from Washington Reagan National Airport and bound for Dallas/Fort Worth, made an emergency landing here after passengers reported smelling struck matches, said Lynne Lowrance, a spokeswoman for the Nashville International Airport Authority.

Well it turned out it was just someone farting... More Interline News

CAL Clip Cockfighting's Wings

Continental Airlines has banned shipments of adult chickens after a national animal rights group complained that many of them were being sent to Guam for cockfighting.

The Humane Society investigated Continental after a confidential informant reported the Houston-based carrier was the only airline shipping roosters to Guam. A Humane Society investigator called the airline's cargo department and asked whether he could ship fighting roosters to Guam. He was told he could, the Humane Society reported in a letter to Continental Chairman and CEO Larry Kellner.

Rynair Reinstate Air Hostess

A FORMER Ryanair cabin crew member sacked for allegedly falling asleep on the job has said she is "delighted" that a tribunal has found she was unfairly dismissed.

Vanessa Redmond was fired in July last year after a passenger complained she had blocked off rows of seats and fallen asleep while reading a novel on a Dublin to Durham flight.

Please Use Toilet B4 You Board

A Chinese airline has calculated that it takes a litre of fuel to flush the toilet at 30,000 feet and is urging passengers to go to the bathroom before they board.

The company has asked logistics staff to fill the water tank only 60 percent full.

What will they think of next, in the name of saving fuel.

Man Loses Stinky Lawsuit

A court in Germany rejected a man's compensation claim against an airline after a cabin crew ordered him off a plane because other passengers were offended by his smell, authorities said Thursday.

The passenger, who said he stunk because he had to carry his bags in the heat prior to the flight, was asked to change shirts by flight attendants. The smelly guy had no clean shirts with him (they were in his checked baggage), so he was asked to leave the flight (much to the happiness, I must imagine, of the person sitting next to him).

Did you KNOW...
"...the airline's terms and conditions made clear they could bar passengers because of their smell."

Mickey's Calling on Christmas

InterlineRates.com has an offer that is just the perfect gift for Christmas. If you are planning to give the family a Walt Disney World Vacation next year, this is just too much fun. (Interline discount for Disney is 50% off retail, you can't beat that)

You must book by December 23 and your family will receive a personal phone call from the big cheese himself -Mickey Mouse.

Give InterlineRates.com a call at 800.298.8688 and Happy Holidays

Continental May have to Merge

HOUSTON (AP) -- The chief executive of Continental Airlines Inc. says the company would consider a merger to remain competitive if the industry continues to consolidate.

In a message to employees Friday, two days after US Airways Group Inc. made a hostile bid for bankrupt rival Delta Air Lines, Continental chief Larry Kellner told employees the airline wants to remain independent and continue to grow.

"However, if the landscape of the U.S. airline industry does indeed change, we'll do what we need to do to act in the best interests of you, our customers, our shareholders and the communities we serve," Kellner said in the message released by the airline, the nation's fourth-largest carrier.

SWA will buy Delta's Assets

Low-cost carrier Southwest Airlines has told Delta Air Lines and US Airways Group it would buy any assets they sell if they merged, according to a report on Monday.

Southwest Chief Executive Gary Kelly said if the bid were to proceed, US Airways and Delta would have to sell some assets to address antitrust concerns, according to the report.

Southwest wants to buy any aircraft and airport gates put up for sale, especially on the U.S. East Coast, and it has told Delta and US Airways of its interest, the report said.

Brian R. on Flight Attendants

Just found this little clip, with the commedian Brian Regan talking about the boarding process and if you are a flight attendant or interliner, you can relate. Like I said, http://www.youtube.com is one of my favorite sites right now! Flight Attendant Clip >>

Southwest Commercial

YouTube.com is one of my favorite sites right now. My friends from the airlines are sending me links to videos that are just cracking me up. This Southwest airlines commercial, is very funny, but I don't it is real. At least I haven't seen it. Interline Commercial >>

A Dash of Electoral Humor

I know this has little to do with the airline industry but I think it is important that we as Americans, excercise our right to vote. Especially if there are issues that matters. Remember, "If you don't Vote, you don't matter".

From a pirate running for Congress to a fight for the right to play bingo, some bring fun to the polls. Now here are some humor from Yahoo, News.

Rynair say "BINGO"

Ryanair said on Wednesday it had formed a gaming partnership with Internet bingo group Jackpotjoy, adding another new revenue stream as it seeks to boost cash flow from areas other than ticket sales. Full Interline News >>

In August the firm struck a deal with communications joint venture OnAir to fit aircraft with technology to allow passengers to use their mobile phones onboard. Users will be charged by mobile service providers on their monthly bills and Ryanair will receive a commission from OnAir.