One of the most comprehensive global survey of passenger use of air transport self-service technology – SITA/Air Transport World Passenger Self-Service Survey – now presents the results.The respondents were interviewd mainly at these airports:  Beijing International (PEK), Frankfurt International (FRA), Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta (ATL), Mumbai International (BOM), Moscow Domodedovo (DME), Sao Paulo Guarulhos (GRU) and Johannesburg Airport (JNB). The survey shows that passengers now demand mainly non-traditional areas of self-service (through online, kiosk and mobile phone channels).

Not only online booking and check-in are very popular. Passengers want self-service for even more steps of the journey. According to the survey, automated security checks are acceptable to 70% of respondents (in comparison to 58% in 2009) and automatic boarding gates are acceptable to 70% (in comparison to 57% in 2009).

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Petra Vaškových Africa, Airlines, Airports, Asia, Australia, New Zealand etc., Europe, North America, South and Central America

British Airways announced that it would increase the number of flights from London Gatwick to the Caribbean starting from March 27, 2011. The airline offers the selection of 15 destinations.

Increases and new flights:
Flights from London to Barbados will increase from 10 to 12 services a week, Antigua will increase from 5 to 6 flights a week and the St Lucia – Port of Spain flights will be operated daily (instead of five a week). The new route from London to Cancun will be launched in November.

Moreover, British Airways is also increasing its flights from London to Tampa from 5 to 7 a week. Another highlight recently announced includes a new direct flight from London to Buenos Aires. More details and complete timetable can be found at ba.com.

Petra Vaškových Airlines, British Airways, Europe, New Routes, South and Central America

Low cost airline JetBlue Airways announced that it planned to serve the popular Caribbean destination – Providenciales in the Turks & Caicos Islands. The airline will launch daily service from New York (JFK) to Providenciales (PLS) from February 17. It will also launch seasonal (November – April) Saturday service beginning February 19, 2011 from Boston to Providenciales. JetBlue’s flights to the Turks & Caicos Islands are expected to go on sale in October.

Providenciales would be JetBlue’s 64th destination and its 17th destination in the Caribbean. With the addition of the Turks & Caicos Islands, the carrier would serve 40 nonstop destinations from Boston.  JetBlue intends to operate its Providenciales service with Airbus A320.

Petra Vaškových Airlines, JetBlue, New Routes, North America, South and Central America

Have you always wanted to discover Brazil? And have you already heart about the new Star Alliance Airpass? It is now possible to discover Brazil’s multitude of attractions and natural beauties thanks to the new Brazil Airpass launched by the Star Alliance.

The Brazil Airpass covers TAM’s entire domestic network (more than 45 destinations). Itineraries can be selected according to individual travel plans and must include between four and nine flight coupons. Each city can be visited once although it is possible to use the same airport more than once for connecting flights. Prices vary according to the number of coupons purchased – fares range from USD 133 to USD 212 per coupon (without taxes and surcharges).

In addition to TAM, another ten airlines in the alliance fly to Brazil: TAP Portugal, Air Canada, Air China, Continental Airlines, Lufthansa, South African Airways, Swiss, Turkish Airlines, United and US Airways.

Petra Vaškových Airlines, Asia, Europe, Lufthansa, South and Central America, Swiss International Air Lines, TAP Portugal

Latin America’s biggest airline LAN Airlines and TAM decided to merger and create top airline in Latin America to be called LATAM Airlines. TAM has 63 destinations in 14 countries while LAN has 70 destinations in 17 countries.

LATAM Airlines should be based in Santiago and it would be the world’s 15th largest carrier providing services to 116 destinations in 23 countries. According to Caio Pereira Dias, an aviation analyst, the new company will be “a global player for sure”. Details can be found at lan.com.

Petra Vaškových Airlines, LAN Airlines, Other, South and Central America

Alaska Airlines announced that it would launch new services from San Jose to Los Cabos. New flights will be operated with Boeing 737-700 three times a week on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays from November 20, 2010.  All details can be found at alaskaair.com.

Petra Vaškových Airlines, Alaska Airlines, New Routes, North America, South and Central America

Delta Air Lines submitted an application to the U.S. Department of Transportation to expand its service between the United States and Brazil, which would allow increased flights from Detroit to Sao Paulo.

Delta has received approval to begin twice-weekly service between Detroit and Sao Paulo. However, Delta wants to operate this new service five times a week. The flights will be operated with 216-seat Boeing 767-300ER aircraft. Delta currently offers service from Atlanta to Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Manaus; and service from New York to Sao Paulo.  For more details visit delta.com.

Petra Vaškových Airlines, Delta Airlines, New Routes, North America, South and Central America

Most of us experienced the same problem – having to get ourselves ready for a flight trip without packing our entire house. Is that possible at all? It is! Follow the several few tips and avoid paying unnecessary excess baggage fee with you airline and other annoyance!

Take just the most important items usually including:

• toothbrush & toothpaste,
• clean underwear,
• enough money (a credit/debit card),
• driving license, passport or/and other ID cards,
• good mood for traveling

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Ada Petrova Africa, Airlines, Asia, Australia, New Zealand etc., Europe, North America, Other, South and Central America

The Portuguese leading airline and a member of Star Alliance TAP Portugal is going to widen its network of destinations with a new flight service. In addition to the existing connection form Lisbon to São Paulo – Guarulhos International Airport, which is the city’s primary airport, TAP decided to fly from Lisbon to an airport located nearly 100 km off the capitol, The airport is a gateway both to the capitol – even though it lies a bit far a field from it – and to the prosperous Campinas region.

The new connection will be put into operation as of July 3, 2010 and in order to draw the travellers’ attention to the new service TAP comes up with the following offer – book your seat until the September 8, 2010 and travel directly from Lisbon to Viracopos-Campinas International Airport between August 12, to September 08, 2010 for €899. This is all-inclusive round trip. More details can be found at flytap.com.

Slawomir Budziak Airlines, Europe, New Routes, South and Central America, TAP Portugal

Hello everybody! We have collected some tips in order to help you avoid paying unnecessary charges when traveling by plane. So first of all – you had better read terms and conditions of carriage. I know, this stuff is pretty boring, so what you can do is to check company’s FAQ and use a common key shortage „ctrl + F“ to find „baggage“, „fees“ and „credit card/debit card“. Congratulations, you should know all the important information about your airline’s fees by now.

Another thing one can do is to bring along just the things that are necessary to you. Mind you, every kg counts when flying! Some airlines (especially low cost airlines) let you take as little as 7 kg. So check the terms and conditions twice before boarding and finding out you have to pay an extra baggage charge. You could end up paying €10 – €15 for every kg overweight!

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Ada Petrova Africa, Airlines, Asia, Australia, New Zealand etc., Europe, North America, Other, South and Central America