Bits & pieces of news for frequent travelers …
American Airlines has signed a codeshare agreement with Mexico City-based Interjet that will offer a new way to earn AAdvantage miles on codeshare flights from Mexico City to Huatulco, Villahermosa, Merida, Tuxtla Gutierrez and Oaxaca. The codeshare is pending government approval.
Southwest Airlines says with its 3,800 flights each weekday this summer, the airline will fly more than any other single airline in the world.
Southwest Airlines will begin once daily service between Orange County and Puerto Vallarta starting June 6, 2015. Other new SWA flights, starting June 7, 2015, include between Orange County and Austin, Austin and St. Louis, Boston and Indianapolis, Los Angeles and Portland and between Oakland and Nashville or New Orleans.
Lufthansa Miles & More HON Circle elite members traveling on an international business class ticket on United or Lufthansa can now access United Global First Lounges at Chicago, Hong Kong, London (LHR), New York (JFK, EWR), San Francisco, Tokyo (NRT) and Washington, D.C. HON Circle members also can access Lufthansa First Class Lounges regardless of their class of travel.
Virgin America and China Eastern are now earn and burn frequent flyer program partners.
US Airways has ended its popular Trial Preferred program that was a fast track to the top Dividend Miles elite status. Those who had already enrolled may finish the challenge but there will be no new enrollments.
Delta has announced seasonal service between Atlanta and Dublin (starting March 29, 2015), between New York (JFK) and Stockholm (starting June 5, 2015) and between New York (JFK) and Malaga (starting June 4, 2015).
The top three U.S. airline stocks for 2014 were Southwest, gaining 122.45 percent YTD; JetBlue, gaining 83.61 YTD and Delta, gaining 76.15 YTD. For 2015, the International Air Transportation Association predicts the industry’s profit will increase to $25 billion, up from the estimated 2014 figure of $19.9 billion.
JetBlue has launched twice daily nonstop flights between San Francisco and Las Vegas. The 150-seat Airbus A320 aircraft feature free seatback entertainment and unlimited free snacks and soft drinks. Customers can also access free in-flight Internet on the majority of the A320 fleet.
In 2015, Hilton will roll out “straight-to-room” capability in the U.S. by using your personal digital device to bypass the front desk and go straight to your guest room–the ability will be rolled out to the rest of the world in 18 to 24 months.
EL AL is launching the only nonstop service between Boston and Tel Aviv. Three weekly nonstop flights (Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays) will fly between Logan International and Ben Gurion International airports starting June 28, 2015.
Air China has announced new routes in 2015 including Beijing – Montreal – Havana starting Sept. 20, 2015.
Airfares are expected to fall 5.1 percent outside North America in 2015, according to the International Air Transport Association. Expedia predicts that flights within North America will increase in some markets and have mostly mild decreases elsewhere.
As of March 5, 2015, Frontier Airlines will no longer be a point transfer partner with American Express Membership Rewards. All transfers must be completed by March 4.
