News

Continental Airlines Joined the Star Alliance Network On October 27, 2009

Continental Airlines is now officially a member of the Star Alliance network. Previously, Continental Airlines had belonged to the SkyTeam, along with Delta Airlines and Northwest Airways. Up until October 24, 2009, Continental OnePass members could earn and redeem miles on SkyTeam parters. After October 27, 2009, Continental OnePass members can earn and redeem miles on Star Alliance partners. Last year, Continental had also announced a strategic alliance with United Airlines.

Continental adds its hubs of Newark LIberty International Airport, Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport, Cleveland Hopkins International Airport and Guam International Airport to the cities served by Star Alliance members, and also its 262 destinations, many of which are international which can be reached with nonstop flights from the airline's hubs.

The Star Alliance consists of: Adria Airways (Slovenia), Air Canada, Air China, Air New Zealand, ANA (All Nippon Airways Co., Ltd.), Asiana Airlines, Austrian Airlines, Blue1 (Finnish), bmi (UK), Continental Airlines, Croatia Airlines, EGYPTAIR, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, SAS Scandinavian Airlines, Shanghai Airlines, Singapore Airlines, South African Airways, Spanair, SWISS (Swiss International Air Lines), TAP Portugal, Thai Airways International, Turkish Airlines, United Airlines, US Airways.

eXpectdelaYs.com has extensive Pittsburgh G-20 Summit delay and traffic related information

Pittsburgh, PA - September 2009 - eXpectdelaYs.com has compiled a useful collection of Pittsburgh G-20 Summit information and links to help you get around during the G-20 Summit. Information available includes links to major Pittsburgh G-20 web sites, maps of road closure and restricted areas, lists of closures and mass transit information as well as other useful links and information.

Full details are found at the eXpectdelaYs.com G-20 Summit Delay and Traffic page.

TSA Implementing New Enhanced Threat Detection Capability at Checkpoints Nationwide - Will now screen certain powders at airport security checkpoints

Washington - Sep 2009 - The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced today it is further bolstering existing explosives detection capabilities by deploying additional tools to screen powdered substances at checkpoints. TSA Acting Administrator Gale Rossides said, "These enhancements are part of TSA's efforts to stay ahead of emerging threats while continually strengthening our layered approach to security." The TSA is deploying powder explosives detection kits to airports around the country to enhance existing explosives detection capabilities and further strengthen our layers of security. Passengers should know that while common powders are not prohibited, a small percentage may require additional screening. Typical security checkpoint procedures will remain the same. The vast majority of commonly carried powders, like most medication, infant formula and makeup, are unlikely to need further screening.

Why is TSA testing powders?
TSA knows that chemical powders may be used to create improvised explosive devices. By further bolstering explosives detection capabilities, TSA is strengthening layers of security to help mitigate risk and keep the traveling public safe. For more information about TSA, visit www.tsa.gov.

Excepted from: http://www.tsa.gov/press/releases/2009/0908.shtm

FlightCaster goes "live" and helps to predict flight arrival delays

August 20, 2009 -- A new web site has come on-line to help predict flight delays. It is called FlightCaster (flightcaster.com). One simply enters the flight number of the flight that he/she is interested in, and FlightCaster will return results including the likelihood of the flight's arrival being delayed and the probability of how delayed it might be (greater or less than 60 minutes) and the reasons for possible delays including weather and other airport status issues. FlightCaster also reports the estimated arrival and departure times as supplied by FlightStats.com.

At this point, FlightCaster predicts only arrival delays, rather than departure delays, and they discuss this in their FAQ. So while one could use this information for some guidance in predicting departure delays, one will still have to rely on the updates from airlines and airports, or websites such as eXpectdelaYs.com and FlightStats.com (and the estimated arrival and departure times posted on FlightCaster as well) for this information.

FlightCaster certainly should be a useful tool if one wants to anticipitate the flight arrival time of a friend, relative or business associate, or to plan one's own contigency plans in anticipation of a flight arrival delay. It would be great to also have a reliable prediction of departure delays, and the FAQ implies that some information will be provided for this in the future. However, the folks at FlightCaster imply that flight delays may be difficult to predict due to the difficulty in predicting how the airlines will respond to delays. And I think we are all familiar with that ....

United Airlines removes extra fee for award tickets purchased or changed 20 or fewer days prior to departure

United Airlines - Effective July 30, there will be one less fee to pay for United  Mileage Plus members when purchasing award tickets. Currentlly, an extra fee is added to tickets purchased or itineraries changed 20 or fewer days prior to departure. This fee will no longer be in effect beginning July 30, 2009. The other fees for reward tickets remain unchanged, but this is a definite improvemement because one can use their frequent flier miles to "purchase" tickets at the last minute and not incur an additional fee.