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Home Airlines Airports Destinations Fidelity Programs Travel Health Travel Tech Travel Tips Aircraft Air Safety Air Security NEWS News Center Events FLIGHTS Flight Status Airport Status Flight Schedules AIRGUIDE Subscribe Advertising Marketing Content Info Services About Us Contact Us Site Map	News Headlines The European Commission yesterday published a "blacklist" of 12 airlines including Aeroflot, Emirates, Northwest Airlines (now a part of Delta Air Lines), Olympic Airways, Turkish Airlines and Royal Air Maroc that it said failed to address concerns about misleading customers on website ticket prices and breaching EU regulations. EC officials said they are alarmed by carriers disguising charges until the end of the booking process, offering online advertisements for very low fares to draw Web traffic even if those fares are not actually available and confusing consumers by posting fares in various currencies. Several major European network carriers including British Airways and Air France KLM narrowly avoided being put on the list after committing yesterday morning to address the shortcomings, EU Consumer Protection Commissioner Meglena Juneva said during a press conference called to present the results of the final report on an EU-wide "enforcement investigation" of misleading advertising and unfair practices regarding online airline ticket sales. Colgan Air attempted to push back against allegations that the pilots of the Bombardier DHC-8-Q400 that crashed Feb. 12 near Buffalo did not get adequate rest prior to the flight because of possible overscheduling, and the US Senate announced it will hold hearings next month to examine "stunning" issues raised by National Transportation Safety Board hearings on the accident. At the hearings this week, it was revealed that First Officer Rebecca Shaw had been up for nearly 36 hr. prior to taking the right seat of the doomed aircraft after commuting all night from her home in Seattle, while Capt. Marvin Renslow had commuted to Newark from Tampa on Feb. 9 to begin a two-day trip on Feb. 10. According to NTSB, neither Shaw nor Renslow had accommodations other than the crew room at EWR. Renslow was off duty for 22 consecutive hours before the flight and Shaw had been off for three days. A proposed alliance between American Airlines and British Airways would create a "monster monopoly," British entrepreneur Richard Branson said Thursday. Branson, whose Virgin Group controls BA rival Virgin Atlantic, said in a statement that an alliance between BA and American would strangle airline competition on routes between London's Heathrow Airport and the United States. Virgin Atlantic has asked the US Department of Transportation to reject the proposed alliance, which would allow BA and American Airlines to cooperate on schedules, fares and cost-cutting. Before it can approve the alliance, which includes other airlines in the oneworld alliance, the Obama administration will accept public comment on the joint business arrangement. The application seeks an exemption from certain antitrust provisions. A final decision is expected within six months. AMR argues that there is no risk of a monopoly because more than 40 airlines fly between Europe and the United States. The company also said travelers will have greater access to cheap fares and smoother connections. The application, the second attempt by American and British Airways to expand their long-standing marketing ties, was submitted last August. The previous attempt failed in 2002 on questions over access to Heathrow. BA is the dominant carrier at Heathrow, where American also has a key presence. US Airways, others upgrade in-flight entertainment. Those are the only movies showing on most US Airways domestic flights this season. Passengers heading East before New Year's get the savvy young detective, those heading West, a puffed-up Tim Allen. The Tempe airline hopes to broaden the movie menu in the not-too-distant future with a new fiber optic in-flight entertainment system in development with an undisclosed manufacturer. It plans to test the touch screen seat-back system on one plane as early as late spring. The goal is to give US Airways an edge over its competitors in the race for passenger loyalty, while also boosting revenue. There will be a charge for the new system, but prices haven't been decided. US Airways' current movie and short-video lineup is free for customers who bring their own headsets. The airline also sells headsets for $5. Other airlines aren't standing still, of course. Delta Air Lines offers a new seat-back system on its transcontinental flights, including Phoenix to New York, that includes movies on demand, live television and HBO programming. It has aggressive plans to expand it to other routes. For more travel tech Etihad Airways unveiled a new first class cabin containing 12 individual suites with sliding doors, changing room/wash basin and a lie-flat, 80.5-in. seat with built-in massager. It invested $70 million in the upgrade. "Competition for premium customers remains intense and during the last 12 months a number of airlines have unveiled significant enhancements to their first class cabins, with others deciding to remove the cabin completely from their aircraft," CEO James Hogan said. "A downturn is exactly the time when an airline needs to demonstrate its commitment to the very highest standards of service excellence." The first aircraft equipped with the new cabin will be an A340-600 scheduled to enter service in August. Full rollout is expected by the end of 2010. More...... For More News	NEW Updated Version ! Airports - North America Airport Services, Information and Live Status from A to Z with terminal maps. Airport Status Flight Status Departures, arrivals, security wait times at terminals, weather conditions also available. Destination City Information included at each airport, just click on the city name and it will take you there or go to City Guides Subscribe
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