The airline with the most nonstop destinations from Logan International Airport, today announces plans to kick off service to yet another new destination from Boston this year. Beginning June 19, 2009, JetBlue will offer year-round service to Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic — the value airline’s 31st destination from Boston — subject to receipt of foreign government approval.

JetBlue will initially offer nonstop flights between Boston and the Dominican capital three days per week (Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays) with plans to expand to daily service over the peak winter season. This new nonstop link complements JetBlue’s existing connecting service available daily between Boston and the Dominican cities of Puerto Plata, Santiago, and Santo Domingo.

(REUTERS)

“Passenger and cargo demand are expected to remain weak and, if fuel prices remain at their present levels, further losses on fuel hedging contracts will be incurred,” Chairman Christopher Pratt said in a statement.

Cathay, Asia’s fifth-largest airline by market value, said unrealized mark-to-market losses on fuel hedging was HKD$1.9 billion as of the end of February compared with HKD$7.6 billion for the whole of 2008.

But if the annual average price of Brent crude oil over each of the next three years is about USD$75 per barrel, there will be no further net cash impact and mark-to-market losses recognized in 2008 would then be released in subsequent periods, Pratt said.

ICE Brent crude oil futures rose 0.57 percent on Wednesday to USD$44.21 a barrel.

Cathay reported a HKD$7.9 billion (USD$1.02 billion) net loss in the July-December period, based on previously reported figures. That compared with a net profit of HKD$4.4 billion in the same period a year ago.

For the full year, Cathay posted a record net loss of HKD$8.6 billion, its first shortfall in a decade, compared with a net profit of HKD$7.02 billion in 2007.

Cathay’s results followed news that Singapore Airlines has asked staff to take unpaid leave for up to two years in a bid to reduce costs, and Japan Airlines plans to cut annual procurement costs.

Cathay — which had always been among the world’s most profitable airlines and is controlled by Hong Kong conglomerate Swire Pacific — saw its fortunes take a turn for the worse in 2008, as volatile oil prices and a gloomy economic climate weighed on earnings.

The carrier, like many of its peers, had not anticipated the substantial reduction in oil prices that started in the second half of last year and had locked in supply contracts when fuel prices were higher.

Demand growth was weak last year. Cathay said its passenger load factor fell one percentage point in 2008 to 78.8 percent, while its cargo load factor was down 0.8 point at 65.9 percent.

Revenues rose 14.9 percent to HKD$86.6 billion last year.

(Reuters)

That may be wishful thinking, however.

Carriers must fight the uphill battle of persuading people to hand over cash for vacations at a time when job losses mount and personal investments in homes and retirement plans shed value.

“Everybody is wondering if there’s another shoe to drop,” said Rick Seaney, chief executive of air fare researcher Farecompare.

Seaney said that while there is no reliable way to gauge forward airline bookings, evidence suggests a gloomy outlook for leisure travel this year.

Travelers are booking trips closer to their departures, which indicates more shopping and less buying, he said.

Furthermore, airlines now offer deeply discounted tickets in hopes of luring thrifty passengers. The sales, which last much longer this year than last year, typically shave 25 percent to 50 percent off the high fares of last summer, Seaney said.

“These are not prices that we’re going to see outside of a recession,” Seaney said.

Discretionary travel spending is highly dependent on an economy that consumers can trust. And the US economy offers very little good news these days.

The US Labor Department on Friday said non farm payrolls shed 651,000 jobs in February, while the jobless rate climbed to 8.1 percent. Since the recession started in December 2007, the economy has shed 4.4 million jobs. More than half of those jobs were eliminated in the last four months.

Despite massive downsizing last year and in 2009, airlines still struggle to keep planes full and fares supported.

Monthly reports on airline operations released this week showed sharp declines in traffic as carriers slashed capacity. Most troubling for the airlines, however, was the shrinking load factors, which measure how full a plane is.

American Airlines, for example, said its load factor was 73.9 percent, down 2.9 percentage points from February 2008. Continental Airlines reported a load factor of 72.9 percent, a decline of 3.1 percentage points from a year ago.

Airline leaders link the shrinking load factors to a slowdown in business travel after politicians attacked lavish corporate trips in recent months.

Airline leaders such as Doug Parker, chief executive at US Airways, hold out hope that leisure travel will not take the same hit.

“What we see… right now is that the softness is mostly in business, as opposed to leisure,” Parker said on Tuesday. “You stimulate leisure somewhat with lower fares.”

(Reuters)

Only This Weekend!

Discounted airfare from Continental Airlines!

Fares start from $110.00 for Round-Trip!

Call to book now 1-877-5-ALVONA!

Terms and Conditions

The fares listed are valid only for the dates indicated. Seats are limited. Fares are non-refundable and non-changeable. Fares do not include Passenger Facility Charges of up to $18 per roundtrip or the September 11 Security Fee of up to $10 per roundtrip, depending on routing. Domestic fares do not include a federal excise tax of up to $3.50 per flight segment. A flight segment is defined as a takeoff and a landing. For travel to/from Hawaii and Alaska a U.S. Excise Tax of $7.70 per departure. International taxes and fees of up to $86 for travel to Canada, $98 for travel to Latin America and the Caribbean are not included.

Continental Airlines has enhanced its audio/video inflight entertainment. You can use your own headset at no charge on board a Continental operated flight and enjoy feature films or short-subject programs.

If you need a headset, they can be purchased for $1 or one Continental Currency coupon on board Continental aircraft.

The charge is applicable on flights:

• within the contiguous United States
• to/ from Alaska, Hawaii and Canada
• to/ from select destinations in Mexico, the Caribbean and the mid-Pacific.

You may keep and reuse your purchased headset on your next Continental flight. Continental will continue to offer free headsets on select international flights.

These new headsets fit easily over-the-ear, versus over-the-head, and utilize twin pin jacks. Customers who use personal headsets with single pins may not receive stereo sound on some aircraft.

From February 1st, the New York-based airline began a new non-stop flight to Nassau in the Bahamas, with a further route to Costa Rica set to be launched on March 26th.

Commenting on the new flights, Dave Barger, JetBlue’s chief executive officer, said: “JetBlue remains committed to growing our Latin American and Caribbean destinations in 2009 and we are thrilled to continue our expansion in Orlando, providing residents with the first and only nonstop daily flight to Bogota.”

The new flight will be operated on a 150-seat Airbus A320, which features leather seating and an unlimited selection of snacks and drinks.

JetBlue announced last week that it would be introducing daily flights from Los Angeles to Boston and New York this summer.

John Borghetti, the airline’s executive general manager, said: “The response from our customers has reaffirmed what we set out to achieve with the aircraft - to create a designer aircraft which exceeded our customers’ expectations when it comes to comfort and functionality.”

The first A380 services were launched in January, following the delivery of a third aircraft at the end of last year.

Qantas’ new services will add to the 28 weekly return services the airline operates between the UK and Australia.

1. Make sure you have your tickets ready.

Electronic flight tickets (e-tickets) are just as secure as paper flight tickets and can make checking in faster. If you’re not checking luggage, and have an e-ticket receipt, you can go straight to the security screening point and bypass the line at the check-in counter.
Also, e-tickets are cheaper. Many travel agents charge a shipping fee for paper flight tickets.
Lastly, e-tickets mean less worry. If you lose a copy of your e-ticket receipt, simply print out another copy that shows your flight numbers and airline ticket numbers.

2.      Use good judgement when packing
All passengers are restricted to one carry-on bag and one personal item, such as a purse, laptop, or briefcase, to bring on board a flight. Look at everything you normally pack for a flight. You are not allowed to pack knives of any kind in your carry-on luggage - even everyday items like scissors and pocket knives will be confiscated.

3.      Don’t forget your ID
Pack a Government-issued form of photo identification. All passengers taking flights are required to show a valid government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license or passport when checking in.

4.      Leave plenty of time before your flight departs
For a domestic flight, plan on getting to the airport about 90 minute before your flight departs, especially if you have luggage. (All checked and carry-on baggage must be screened). For international flights, get to the airport at least two hours before departure. If you depart during a peak period or from a major hub airport, you may want to allow more time.
And if you’re driving to the airport, make sure you leave enough time to park. You may have to leave your car some distance away from the terminal for security reasons.
If you arrive early you can be first in line and get the best seats on board the aircraft. If you arrive late you might miss your flight or get the left over seats.

5.      Be ready to be searched
Be aware that more law enforcement personnel are stationed outside and inside airport terminals. Security personnel will be conducting thorough searches of you and your baggage, checked and carry-on, at your originating airport. Remember NOT to take any sharp objects in your hand luggage or they will be confiscated such as kitchen cutlery, toyreplica guns (metal or plastic), catapults, sporting bats, billiards or pool cues, tools, scissors, tweezers, razor blades, knives with blades of any length, knitting needles, darts, hypodermic needles (unless required for medical reasons) are all not allowed on board.

6.      Leave enough time to get to the gate
Airlines are requiring their passengers to arrive at the gate for their flights earlier than in the past. Plan on getting to the gate at least 30 minutes before your flight departs or risk being denied boarding.

7.      Weight of Luggage
Make sure your bags are not overweight. Most airlines have a limit of 70lbs/32kgs per bag. Three bags are allowed per person. Two or three bags can be checked in and one bag can be carry-on luggage. Many airlines have restrictions on the size of the hand baggage you carry.

Make sure you have eaten correctly before flying.

8.      Meal Preference
If you are a vegetarian or if you would like a special meal, make sure you have set up the meal preference for your travel. You can ask your travel agent while booking the ticket about the available choices and you can call the airline to make sure that it is entered in their system.

9.      While In Flight
There has been considerable media attention relating to the risk of passengers developing deep venous thrombosis (DVT) whilst on long flights. Doctors tell us that the following measures may provide some protection on long flights: Take something to do along with you to keep yourself occupied during your journey.

10.  Move Around
Make a nuisance of yourself if necessary but regularly try to take a walk around the aircraft cabin. I know that this may be difficult to do as the cabin staff have trolleys to move around the aircraft, but exercise is important too.

11.  Exercise
When you are not moving around the aircraft, exercise your legs, feet and ankles - try lifting your legs and feet up and down and rotating your ankles. Do this regularly - at least every hour but more often if possible.

12.  Drink Plenty Of  Fluids
Try and leave the duty free alcohol alone as well as tea and coffee as the alcoholic and caffeine effect of these can be enhanced by cabin pressure and cause dehydration. Drink plenty of fluids (preferably water, not fizzy drinks) throughout the flight to ensure that you do not become dehydrated.
If you don’t want to bother the cabin staff with numerous requests for water, take your own large bottle with you.

13.  Warning
Do not take aspirin if you suffer from stomach ulcers or are taking any medication which precludes this, i.e. ‘blood thinning’ medicine (Warfarin) and some other medications. Make sure that you read the aspirin packet instructions thoroughly first. Check if there are warning notes relating to aspirin on the instructions of any other medication you are taking.
Asthmatics should never take aspirin unless it has been specifically prescribed.
If you are in any doubt whether you or your family should take aspirin, please check with your own doctor first.

14.  Smoking
All airlines (and most airports) are non-smoking. If not having a cigarette/cigar/pipe for some hours is likely to be a problem for you, you could try nicotine replacement patches or gum etc for your flight but remember not to use these as well as smoking when you’ve arrived or you could start your vacation being sick! Ask your pharmacist for advice…

15.  Damaged Luggage

Check your bags for any damage and report to the airline staff. You will be compensated forthe d amage by the airlines.