Virtuoso and Virgin Galactic Name New ASA's

In case you were looking for that random, out -of-box holiday gift for the person on your list that has everything, you might want to check out Virgin Galactic's specials with Virtuoso. Virgin Galactic, in partnership with Virtuoso, named 18 new "Accredited Space Agents" (ASAs) that join 56 other Virtuoso travel advisers to become the sole team responsible for selling space travel with Virgin Galactic. The travel agents had to go through a rigorous application process and intensive training process. All the 120 worldwide agents will be invited to Mojave, California, for the unveiling of SpaceShip Two which is the first space vehicle of its kind developed to take private passengers to space. Its sure to be a great program and we are thrilled that our affiliate agency, Andavo Travel, has an agent on the list.

Airline Wrap Up for the Week

There's good news and bad news, so let's start with the positive. There are expected to be fewer travellers this holiday season, so hopefully that will cut down on the lines at the airports, taxi cabs, hotel check-ins, etc. Even better, the airlines are all offering last minute fares! For example, I just booked a ticket for a client looking to travel this weekend to Denver and returning home to LAX on Tuesday...just $199 where as a week ago the price was closer to $300.

On the plus side, United is giving its image a complete overhaul from planes to customer service areas to Red Carpet lounges. According to the Chicago Tribune, United will be giving each airplane in its fleet a total makeover...this is the first one of this decade. The "tequila sunrise" theme will be thrown out; as well as any reminiscences of the Ted carrier. The previous one-cabin aircraft's will now offer a roomier first class seating and the 80's and 90's style overhead bins, and coach class seating will also be updated. Airline executives hope the image re-haul will help buffer it from poor customer service ratings and bashings receive by The Onion and YouTube.

Now on the bad side, I hope that many of you flying can steer clear of the New York area's three airports and any of its limited air space. For the first nine months of 2009, all three NYC airports respectively placed 1, 2, and 3 in the industry's worst on time arrivals rating scale. This rating compared all 31 major US airport hubs. In 2007, three quarters of all delays were traced back to issues surrounding these 3 airports alone. Modifications have been made from opening up additional airspace, changing the take off time between airplanes; but even on busy days planes waiting to land at La Guardia alone are often in line for a 40 mile stretch. Maybe DOT can add this to its list of current industry issues.

For all those who are flying this Thanksgiving season, I hope the skies will be friendly to you.

United to Introduce New Linebuster Option

Untied Airlines will be introducing a new technology called "Linebuster" at the Chicago O'Hare International Airport over the Thanksgiving weekend. United agents will be stationed in the post security customer service areas with a handheld device that will tell them if passengers have been rebooked if their current flight has been missed or cancelled. These United agents will be able to assist and answer limited issues, but the aim is to reduce the lines in the customer service desks during the busiest airport holiday of the year. If a passenger has been rebooked, they are directed to utilize the self service kiosks to reprint their boarding passes and head to their new gate.

According to United, about 75-80% of its passengers are rebooked immediately upon a cancellation or missed flight, but only 3 out of 10 customers utilize the kiosks. It will be interesting to see how well this new option will fly since its being introduced over Thanksgiving. Not the holiday I would personally pick to introduce a new device but if it reduces United's lines anywhere I'll take it! Let us know your feedback if you come across it during your travels.

American Express May Pull Frequent Flier Miles

American Express is notifying its customers of co-branded cards with airlines and hotels, that if you are late on your payment you will forfeit the miles you thought you might have earned during that billing cycle. In order to get your miles back, Amex will charge a $29 reinstatement fee, on top of the normal late payment fee and your interest rate on balances carried will increase to 27%. Apparently the move is to better align Amex's co-branded cards with other cards offered by Amex and other credit card companies. You might wonder if Amex is trying to dodge the new credit card rules that take affect in February.

FAA Glitch Causes Nationwide Delays

The FAA radar system experienced a "glitch" this morning that affected flights across the nation, with Atlanta Hartsfield being the hardest hit. Its the 2nd issue FAA's had in two months. While I would love to say how shocked and surprised I was to wake up to this delightful news this morning, I'm not. Glitches, shutdowns, whatever you'd like to call it tend to happen when you run a radar tracking system that's based off World War II era technology. Just last week the DOT and Obama administration met with airline and FAA officials. The FAA acknowledged they had been working on the new system, NextGen, for over a decade had spent roughly between $14-20 billion on it thus far. Airline officials made it very clear they would be requesting the government to pay the remaining $16-20 billion to outfit the planes and finish the system. It makes you wonder how friendly the skies really are these days?

Pro Bowl Packages Available

Since my beloved Georgia Bulldogs have somewhat faltered this year, I decided to turn my attention to the Denver Broncos. The first games were very impressive, if not lucky; and I was able to justify my new love of pro football because Moreno was on the team. Unfortunately, the Donkey's too seemed to have lost a bit of footing during the last few games. But that hasn't kept me from thinking of Pro Bowl and Super Bowl packages that might be available.

The 2010 Pro Bowl will be the first one to be played in the continental US in more than 30 years and the first one to be played before the Super Bowl.

The most recent Pro Bowl offering to hit my inbox starts off at a respectable $1025 per person. Included in the package are 3 nights accommodations, tickets to a VIP open practice on January 30th, tickets to a VIP Land Shark Stadium tour on the 30th, tickets to the NFL Pro Bowl Tailgate Party on the 31st, tickets to the game, and round trip coach transfers to the events and game.

And since it is only 22 degrees in Denver right now, the fact that the game will be played in Miami makes these offers all the more enticing!

Earn AA miles for hosting a meeting

As I listen to the large chucks of snow and ice falling off my roof, I feel quite certain that Sonesta Bay Hotel in Coconut Grove and American Airlines are on to a great and warm idea for 2010. Both companies have teamed up to offer 10,000 frequent flier miles for hosting a meeting at the property in 2010. In addition, the hotel is offering a complimentary welcome reception for up to 50 people. The offer is only valid if you book 50 rooms per night and the contract must be signed by December 31, 2009. As visions of palm trees dance in my head, I'm all ready for a warmer climate, how about you?

Peter Greenberg & A Week in the Life

CNBC's special that took Peter Greenberg deep into "A Week in the Life" of American Airlines was airing today and it was very insightful. After being in the travel industry for over 15 years, I thought I had a good handle on one of the most important aspects of our business: the airlines. As I said in an earlier Southwest post "my job would often be easier if I didn't have to deal with the airlines," but this show gave me a slightly better perspective on the airlines and I have to say, I think we as travel agents have the better end of this deal.

Greenberg and his cameras were allowed exclusive access to everything that embodies an airline: the cockpit, the revenue management, the call center, the management center, pilots, maintenance crew, plane inspections, control tower. You name it, they were there. And kudos to Greenberg who even attempted to decipher the often bizarre world of fares and pricing. If you have time and are a travel industry buff like myself, then try to find when it is airing again in your location. In the meantime check out the website: http://www.cnbc.com/id/18576787

Las Vegas and San Fran Report Visitor Increase

In hopefully what is a good economic sign and a turnaround for the travel industry, the Las Vegas CVA announced for the first time since May 2008 the city saw an increase in the number of visitors for September. San Francisco also announced an increase in hotel occupancy rates although the average cost per room is still lower than normal.

Southwest Debuts "Green" Plane

Everyone knows of my new found crush on Southwest Airlines, and if you haven't you are more likely to hear me complain of how much I hate the airline industry than profess my love for it. In fact my favorite saying is "I would love my job more if I didn't have to deal with the airlines."

Now I'm even more excited to know that Southwest is focusing on efforts to create a more eco-friendly industry. WN222 was recently taken out of service and completely retrofitted to save the airline an estimated 5lbs per seat. Just a few of the enhancements include: InterfaceFlor carpet which is totally recyclable and the manufacturing process was carbon neutral, completely recyclable seat covers, life vest is lighter and smaller, foam fill by Garnier Purtec offers better comfort while being lighter in weight, wind screen bulkhead, and plastic aisle rub strips. All are lighter weight products which will make the plane more fuel efficient.

WN222 will fly in regular service and will be identified by a green nose cap and an announcement by the flight attendant once on board. It is truly a test aircraft and additional plane retrofits will be determined by this new fleet addition.

Additional eco-programs initiated by the airline include: noise reduction techniques, pursuing LEED certification in all new construction, a member of the Environmental Protection Agency's Green Power Leadership club, implemented a system-wide recycling and water conservation program.

Thank you Southwest!