Are Good Times Back Or Just a Great Summer

It appears good times are finally back for the nation's airlines. For you the traveler, it could mean fare bargins may be harder to find .Although today many of the carriers were offering reduced August rates to a number of destinations
This summer's travel season got off to a great start, fares were up, and fees from baggage and other items formerly free brought in large amounts of incremental revenue...
The six biggest U.S. airlines earned about $1.3 billion in the second quarter, and more profits are expected for the rest of the year. .
Here's a look at what travelers can expect in the months ahead:
FEES
A recent study shows that worldwide, carriers took in $13.5 billion from fees in 2009, a 43 percent jump in just one year.
"Fees are going to be around for awhile. Spirit Airlines' announced a fee of $45 for some carry-on bags beginning on some flights starting Aug. 1.
Summer fares are up an average of 18 percent, However, travel demand will taper off as fall approaches —
LOAD FACTORS
Leisure travel demand has been strong and although we are seeing some over the board sales for August. Seats are full like never before. Including regional flights, Delta filled 88 percent of its seats in June, Continental sold 87 percent, and American 86 percent — that's about 2 percentage points higher than last summer
Although the summer has been strong, advance bookings for the month of August are running behind last year's numbers..So, are we  out of the recession or just having a good summer?
EuropebyAir has some of the best bargins to and within Europe...Check out Flight Pass for hop scotching around Europe and beyond.

Flybe Expands Maintaining Profitability

British airline Flybe has ordered 35 aircraft worth USD$1.3 billion from Brazilian planemaker Embraer, as it drives expansion in continental Europe.

The order, which comprises 35 firm initial orders of the Embraer E series aircraft for USD$1.3 billion with options for 65 more and purchase rights for a further 40, has a potential total value of USD$5 billion.
Flybe chief executive Jim French said he was confident of growth, despite challenges earlier year from the ash cloud and nervous consumer sentiment.
"We have grown by about 20 percent compound, we see anything up to 10 percent going forward," he said.
He said the group was confident of its business model which focuses on domestic flights from smaller regional airports, after maintaining a profit through the recession. Flybe currently operates a fleet of 72 planes.
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Airbus Says Recession Over

Airbus pronounced the recession over from its point of view on Thursday, as it wrapped up the Farnborough Airshow with a total of USD$13 billion in firm orders.

The European planemaker confirmed it would exceed its order target for 2010 and said it was considering a fresh increase in production to meet an upswing in demand.
"Ladies and gentlemen, the recession is definitely over," sales chief John Leahy told a news conference after a string of deals mainly with leasing companies betting on an upturn.
"Liquidity is back in the market, traffic is back in the market and GDP growth is back," Leahy said. "It looks as though we have turned the corner and that is why we are seeing strong growth."
He said airline figures showed that premium traffic was rebounding after a slump during the financial crisis.
It went down when investment bankers and lawyers got fired, but they got hired back and planes are flying full again."
Chief executive Tom Enders said Airbus would sell "north of 400" planes in 2010 compared with a previous target up to 300.
He and Leahy said Airbus was considering further increases in its single-aisle production rate and may also increase wide-body production.
Several companies at the air show reported positive signs from the market but said economic signals also looked mixed.
Planning a trip to Europe or beyond? Check with EuropebyAir.com for our insider fares..

Passenger Travel in Europe Increases

Two years after the financial crisis that affected countries across the globe, it seems that there are some improvements in business particularly air travel.

According to the AEA, or the Association of European Airlines, data shows that for the month of June this year, the passenger traffic in Europe has returned to its normal rate before the strike of the recession. This means that the number of air travellers in Europe has reached figures similar to that before the financial crisis.
More and more passengers are booking themselves on longer flights this year, thereby increasing passenger kilometres to eight per cent compared to data from June 2009. When making your plans to Europe and beyond ck with EuropebyAir for our insider fares.

Boeing 787 Makes First Overseas Landing at Farnborough

July 18, 2010

Boeing's new 787 Dreamliner touched down in Britain on Sunday on its first trip outside the United States, thrilling hordes of eager plane spotters who came out to see the breakthrough carbon-composite plane.
A media circus ensued as Boeing executives, including chief executive Jim McNerney, emerged smiling from the plane, though McNerney did not actually fly to the UK on the plane, instead getting on board after landing.
Social media was active with blow-by-blow coverage of the arrival, pointing to the intense interest in the plane not only within the business but also in the flight-enthusiast community.
The 787 is expected to take the spotlight at this week's Farnborough Airshow. Last-minute technical issues had raised fears in recent weeks that the plane might not make its long-anticipated trip to the show, but the plane arrived doing a flyover with a "tilt and wave" before landing.

Don't Get Triped Up Labor Strikes can cause delays and cancelations

Don’t Get Tripped Up

 Know the ground rules: There are no federal requirements when it comes to airline delays, so each carrier has its own guidelines. They’re listed in its “contract of carriage” agreement, available on its website (use the search function) or at ticket counters. Print out the relevant sections on delays and cancellations and take them with you, as well as your trip-insurance policy, if you’ve purchased one.
Consider using a travel agent: If you’re booking an international trip or a complicated itinerary, it can really pay off. When widespread cancellations occur, good agents have the know-how to rebook you through other cities or on other carriers.
Charge your trip: Use a credit card for payment in case your airline delay is because the carrier—or any of your other travel providers—has gone belly up.
Call ahead: To avoid getting stranded at the airport in the case of a problem, check your flight status online or by phone.
 Ask for help: If your plane is delayed, find out how long the disruption is likely to be and whether it’s a force majeure situation. That way, you can find out whether you might be entitled to any meals or a hotel room. Either way, it can’t hurt to ask for assistance.
 If your flight is cancelled, skip airport lines: Call reservations or your travel agent instead—it may be quicker than waiting at a customer-service counter. If you qualify, go to the airline lounge for help. Ask whether you can get rebooked on another airline. Using another carrier probably won’t speed things up if the delay is due to weather, but if could help if the delay is due to airline-specific issues like mechanical problems.
 Use you status but be nice: If you’re an elite frequent flyer or traveling in premium class, or if you booked a full-fare tickets, be sure you let the airline rep know that because it may help you get freebies like phone cards or meal or hotel vouchers. Just keep in mind that airlines are not required to offer compensation “damages” in the case of delays, so demanding them can be a waste of energy. But you might have luck asking for credit toward a future flight.

Ryan Air Complaining Again. Give us your opinion

Ryanair is to cut its overall UK winter capacity by 16% from November. The airline said this is due to the UK government's GBP 11 tourist tax, which it claims is continuing to damage British traffic, tourism and jobs, Rte Ireland reported on June 29. Winter capacity at London Stansted will also be cut by 17% from November. Ryanair said it will base 22 planes in Stansted this winter, down from last year's 24. The airline said it will switch those London based aircraft to other European bases where tourist taxes have been scrapped and which offer reduced passenger charges. Ryanair said it will cut winter flights at most of its other UK bases, except Edinburgh and Leeds Bradford. 'Ryanair's 16% UK capacity cutback shows just how much the UK tourist tax and the BAA's high airport charges are damaging UK tourism and the British economy generally,' commented Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary. Wonder what happen to pay toilets and stand up discount...Let us know what you think about this article

UPS offers 'luggage boxes' as alternative to checking bags

Only days after federal officials announced that the nation's airlines had collected 33% more revenue this year from checked luggage fees, UPS offered its alternative to the hassle and expense of lugging a suitcase through an airport.

The world's largest package delivery service announced last week that it was selling specially designed boxes that resemble suitcases. Passengers can ship the "luggage boxes" to their final destination to avoid the airlines' check-in lines and luggage fees.
The new UPS boxes include carrying handles and come in two sizes.The UPS announcement came a few days after the U.S. Department of Transportation reported that the nation's 10 largest airlines collected nearly $770 million in checked baggage fees in the first three months of the year, a 33% increase over the same period last year.

The new luggage boxes are also hitting the market as demand for airline seats begins to rebound from a two-year slump.
The International Air Transport Assn. announced that international airline traffic jumped nearly 12% in May from a year earlier, raising airline traffic numbers 1% above pre-recession levels.
UPS officials say they created the new boxes simply to make life easier for frustrated travelers.
"It's meant to be a convenience," said UPS spokeswoman Susan Rosenberg.
She conceded that airlines can usually deliver luggage faster than UPS but said luggage shipped by UPS can cost $30 to $80 less per package, depending on the route and the weight of the box.
Rosenberg noted another advantage to the UPS luggage box: A tracking number lets passengers know its exact location.
EuropebyAir would like to hear your input or comments on this LA Times article and of course when planning your next trip to and within Europe  contact us for great insider fares EuropebyAir.com 

Want an Airline Seat for 6 bucks

Budget airline Ryanair is planning to sell tickets for as little as $6 — if you're willing to stand.

Michael O'Leary, the airline's chief exec, will outline a series of new proposals today including charging customers to use the loo (bathroom).
A new standing area with "vertical seats" will also be introduced at the back each of its 250 planes.
He said he hoped charging $1.50 to use the toilets in flight would encourage travellers on short haul flights to use the loo at the airport instead of on the aircraft.
Mr O'Leary said he wanted to install the coin operated loos and said: "The other change we've been looking at is taking out the last ten rows of seats so we will have 15 rows of seats and the equivalent of ten rows of standing area."
A Ryanair spokesman said Boeing had been consulted about fitting the "vertical seats" — which would cost between $6 and $12 per person.
When planning your next trip check with EuropebyAir for the best European fare options.