Within hours of the European Union’s approval of a new open-routes pact with Europe, Continental Airlines applied to the U.S. Department of Transportation for new route rights to Europe — including a nonstop route from Houston (Intercontinental) to London (Heathrow). Aer Lingus also announced plans to serve three new U.S. cities from Dublin: San Francisco, Orlando and Washington (Dulles). The new open skies agreement should take effect March 30, 2008 …
Hawaiian Airlines and Alaska Airlines are no longer partners as of April 30, 2007. This move is fueling rumors that Alaska Airlines is set to offer Hawaii-bound flights of their own …
As of May 1, 2007, Choice Privileges members can earn five points per dollar, or airline or Amtrak miles/points at Suburban Extended Stay Hotel properties at qualifying rates. Members can also redeem points for Suburban stays …
Air India and Indian Airlines are merging. The two airlines already share the Flying Returns frequent flyer program …
Air Berlin is set to buy the German charter airline LTU, ensuring a strong presence in Duesseldorf …
Midwest Airlines has plans to provide six new destinations in 2007 including Seattle and Duluth, and as many as 12 new routes, increasing frequency to Los Angeles and Tampa …
Marriott Rewards and Virgin Atlantic now have a reciprocal partnership between their frequent travel programs …
Korean Air has new first class service to Seoul from San Francisco, Dallas, Toronto and Vancouver …
Alitalia and Malaysia Airlines have entered into a codeshare agreement and the two airlines are looking into a reciprocal frequent flyer program agreement …
BRANCHE Restaurant, Bar & Lounge, with locations in Germany and the Netherlands, is a new partner of Flying Blue. Flying Blue members will earn 75 miles for lunch and 150 miles for dinner when dining at any of the restaurant locations …
From June 1, 2007, members of US Airways Dividend Miles and Singapore Airlines’ KrisFlyer will be able to accrue miles on new codeshare flights or when flying either airline. Singapore Airlines customers will have access to seamless travel between Singapore and cities in the U.S. and US Airways’ customers can easily connect to codeshare flights operated by Singapore Airlines to popular destinations in Asia Pacific. US Airways will also codeshare on Singapore Airlines services to European gateways including Amsterdam, Zurich and Manchester …
Langham Hotels International has three new airline partners: Malaysia Airlines, Eva Air and Shanghai Airlines. Members of the airlines’ frequent flyer programs will earn miles when staying at six Langham properties in five cities: Hong Kong, London, Boston, Melbourne and Auckland …
Dollar Rent A Car and Thrifty Car Rental are new partners in the Northwest Airlines Biz Perks program. Biz Perks members who sign up for a Dollar or Thrifty corporate account via the Northwest Biz Perks Web site will earn 250 points per qualifying rental; additionally, members will earn 1,000 Biz Perks points following their third rental during the first year of their membership …
JetBlue is now offering connecting service via Cape Air in Boston to Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket, Provincetown and Hyannis. TrueBlue points will be earned on the Cape Air flights.
