Alaska Airlines
TSA TO EXTEND REACH OF PRECHECK
TSA will offer PreCheck expedited passenger screening service at five more airports beginning April 1, bringing its total to 40 participating locations, including new additions Austin, Cleveland, Memphis, Nashville and Raleigh-Durham. PreCheck’s expedited process enables eligible passengers on participating airlines to keep on their shoes, light outerwear and belt, keep their laptop in its case, and keep their compliant liquids/gels bag in a carry-on. Select passengers on Alaska Airlines, American, Delta, United, and US Airways are eligible to participate. Those eligible include U.S. citizens who have opted-in through the participating airlines, as well as members of U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Trusted Traveler programs. (TSA News You Can Use email 2/22/13)
AIRLINE ON-TIME ARRIVAL STATS RANKED
For the 3rd year in a row Japan Airlines ranks #1 in on-time arrivals and All Nippon Airways had the lowest number of cancelations worldwide. No U.S. carriers appeared in the top 10 international rankings. In the U.S., the North America category includes carriers operating at least 30,000 scheduled flights annually. Alaska Airlines is on top with an 87.26% on-time record. The other 4 Finalists are: Airtran Airways, Delta Air Lines, Jetblue Airways and US Airways. (Flightstats.com, 2/18/13)
FEATURED PARTNER: ALASKA AIRLINES
Alaska Airlines is expanding its code-sharing with American, putting its code and flight number on American’s flights between Los Angeles and a number of cities and on some flights out of DFW, while American will code-share on some Alaska routes also. The code-share expansion, starting this week, will offer Alaska’s customers greater access to American’s extensive network, including the same elite-level frequent flier benefits they receive on Alaska flights. Alaska has been named “Highest in Customer Satisfaction Among Traditional Network Carriers in North America, Five Years in a Row” by J.D. Power and Associates for 2012, and also received a 2012 Travel + Leisure Global Vision Award for Sustainability. (Dallas Morning News, 2/5/13)
AIRLINES STEP UP ON-TIME EFFORTS
During the first 10 months of 2012, on-time arrival rates at US airports were the highest they have been since 2003, with 82% of flights landing within 15 minutes of their scheduled time. Late flights cost the airlines customers,
and money. With the margin between profits and losses so thin in the post-recession economy, many airlines are paying more attention to punctuality, and the stepped-up efforts are showing results. All JetBlue employees on a flight, whether they are flight attendants or the chief executive, start cleaning right after passengers leave. Within a minute of landing, Alaska Airlines cabin doors are opening. JetBlue Airways executives are donning plastic gloves to help flight crews pick up trash, and American Airlines baggage handlers are tracking luggage using handheld devices. Southwest Airlines operations supervisors are poring over the timing of every flight, tweaking locations for crew changes and scheduled maintenance. Boston.com, 12/23/12
NEW ROUTES FOR DCA
The Department of Transportation announced that four carriers have been awarded new routes from Washington Reagan National Airport. The following airlines will operate nonstop flights, schedules to be determined; Alaska Airlines to Portland, JetBlue to San Juan, Southwest to Austin and Virgin America to San Francisco. (USAToday.com, May 14)
FUR-ST CLASS
 Alaska Airlines is partnering with Banfield Pet Hospital to assist passengers with preparing their pets for flights. Banfield, the largest veterinary practitioner in the U.S. operating in 43 states, will offer Alaska customers a free office visit and $10 discount on the required health certificate. This service is offered for pets riding in-cabin or shipped via air freight. (USAToday.com, April 9) |
AIRLINE NEWS & UPDATES
AIRLINE NEWS & UPDATES
Delta Sky Clubs located in many airports throughout the U.S. will undergo makeovers to attract younger travelers. Delta’s lounges offer a haven from the airport hustle, with many perks and log over 10 million visits each year. The carrier will conduct renovations after hours so as not to limit use of the lounges to member travelers. (AJC.com, July 24)
Alaska Airlines posted a second quarter profit of close to $29 million in spite of rising fuel costs. Gains were down from last year’s same period profit of $56.6 million, but in line with market expectations. (USAToday.com, July 22)
SHIFTING FEES & FARES
fare hikes
On May 1 Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air will raise the fee for the first checked bag, from $15 to $20, and charge $20 per bag to check the first three bags. Both airlines will now charge passengers a $25 stand by fee for changing to another flight on the same day. (USAToday.com, April 23)
Airfares for the peak summer travel season are on the rise. Expect to pay on average about 22% over last summer’s domestic ticket prices and 29% more for tickets to European destinations. (Bizjournals.com, April 23)
