travel posts
FeedPosted Jul 2nd 2010 12:30PM by Mark Fightmaster (RSS feed)
Filed under: Google (GOOG)
News is surfacing that Google (GOOG) will purchase ITA Software. ITA is a technology company that owns specialized software that enables customers to find "sophisticated flight information." The acquisition will allow Google users to comparison shop for airline tickets.
Before we get all excited about how much money this is going to add to Google's bottom line, remember that it will not be earning money on tickets sold as the company is not entering the travel business. That said, this acquisition and the airline search service could drive more traffic to Google (if that is even possible), which leads to more page views, which leads to more money.
Continue reading Google to Purchase ITA Software
Posted Jun 7th 2010 3:30PM by Joseph Lazzaro (RSS feed)
Filed under: Forecasts, Good news

Monday's economic good news data point came from the airline industry: The
International Air Transport Association (IATA) now expects the industry to post a $2.5 billion profit in 2010.
In March, the IATA had forecast that the industry would lose $2.8 billion in 2010.
"The global economy is recovering from the depths of the financial crisis much more quickly than could have been anticipated," Giovanni Bisignani, IATA's Director General and CEO said Monday,
in a statement. "Airlines are benefiting from a strong traffic rebound that is pushing the industry into the black. We thought that it would take at least three years to recover the $81 billion 14.3% drop in revenues in 2009. But the $62 billion top line improvement this year puts us about 75% on the way to pre-crisis levels."
Continue reading Airlines Now Seen Earning $2.5 Billion Globally in 2010, IATA Says
Posted Mar 11th 2010 5:00PM by Joseph Lazzaro (RSS feed)
Filed under: International Markets

Need another sign that the global economic recovery is gaining momentum?
Here's one: global airlines continue to recover, with emerging markets in Asia and Latin America (not surprisingly) leading the way.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) Thursday lowered its 2010 airline loss estimate
to $2.8 billion from the previously released $5.6 billion loss. The IATA also lowered its 2009 loss estimate to $9.4 billion from the previously-released $11 billion, due to the year-end momentum in travel.
Continue reading Emerging Markets Seen Leading 2010 Global Air Travel Rebound
Posted Mar 10th 2010 4:30PM by Joseph Lazzaro (RSS feed)
Filed under: JetBlue Airways (JBLU), Delta Air Lines (DAL)

It's a bitter pill for U.S. airlines, but it's medicine they have to take.
Beginning next month, airlines can be fined up to $27,500 per passenger if a plane is delayed three hours and passengers can't get off the plane, according to a new federal rule issued by the U.S. Department of Transportation, The Associated Press
reported Wednesday.
Airlines may respond by canceling flights, but the goal of the program is to encourage airlines to do a better job of scheduling flights and crews -- and, by extension, a better job of treating passengers.
Continue reading U.S. Airlines to Face $27,500 Per Passenger Fine for Long Tarmac Delays
Posted Mar 2nd 2010 5:20PM by Joseph Lazzaro (RSS feed)
Filed under: Bad News, Consumer Experience
Travelers using the U.S.'s air travel system, already groaning from more than a decade of inadequate maintenance, will have to bear with another hardship for four months as the longest runway at New York's JFK International Airport undergoes repairs, The Wall Street Journal reported (subscription required.)
One-third of JFK's traffic and half of its departures with be diverted to three smaller runways, resulting in longer lines at take-offs/landings, the AP reported.
How does work on JFK's Bay Runway affect travelers in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Dallas, etc.? As veteran air travelers know, the U.S.'s air travel system is so efficient and interdependent that travel delays at one hub frequently ripple throughout the system.
Continue reading JFK Runway Repair May Increase Spring Air Travel Delays
Posted Feb 12th 2010 4:40PM by Steven Mallas (RSS feed)
Filed under: Earnings Reports, Internet, Expedia Inc (EXPE)
Online travel entity Expedia, inc. (EXPE), whose big competitor in the space is Priceline.com (PCLN), posted fourth-quarter data (this link opens to a .pdf file) on Thursday. Judging by the growth presented in the release, I believe one can say the company is executing its strategies pretty well.
Revenues increased 12%. Unfortunately, the margin on that revenue dipped. On the other hand, let's not forget that adjusted earnings expanded by over 30% to 30 cents per share. According to Reuters, analysts wanted 29 cents per share. Yep, it's the proverbial beat-by-a-penny scenario.
Continue reading Expedia Posts Strong Fourth Quarter
Posted Feb 9th 2010 9:40AM by Tom Johansmeyer (RSS feed)
Filed under: Bed Bath and Beyond (BBBY), AMR Corp (AMR)

American Airlines (
AMR) has become about as low-rent as one could imagine. I can stomach paying to check bags and for snacks. To me, it makes sense, as they provide important revenue streams and strike me as products and services for which it's possible to charge with little disruption to the passenger experience.
But, as of May 1, 2010,
the airline will be charging $8 for a blanket and inflatable neck pillow on flights lasting more than two hours – including flights to Hawaii, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central America. But, for your trouble, American will toss in a $10 coupon towards a purchase of more than $30 from Bed Bath & Beyond (
BBBY).
Of course, on flights lasting less than two hours, American's policy is BYO.
If you want to stay warm, cram your own blanket into your carry-on.
Continue reading AMR Finds New Way to Nickel and Dime You
Posted Jan 5th 2010 9:40AM by Tom Johansmeyer (RSS feed)
Filed under: Good news, Employees, Contl Airlines'B' (CAL)
No profit no bonus -- hell, make that no salary. The new CEO of Continental Airlines (CAL), Jeffery Smisek, says he won't take any salary or annual bonus until he brings the airline to profitability.
Smisek took the top job at Continental after the previous CEO, Lawrence Kellner, left the gig to go to a private equity firm. Last year, the firm lost $367 million in the first three quarters. A Thomson Reuters survey of analysts expects a fourth quarter loss of at least $38 million, though they're looking for a profit of at least $190 million for this year. So, Wall Street has already set Smisek's goal for him.
Continue reading Continental CEO Not Taking a Dime Until Profit Comes
Posted Nov 6th 2009 1:20PM by Robert Jackson (RSS feed)
Filed under: Columns, Technology

Imagine being able to fetch water when you need it mid-flight? Or grab a snack between meals? As I found recently, you get a bit more freedom within the confines of the walls of the largest commercial aircraft.
My first flight aboard the gigantic
Airbus 380 was approached with hesitance and fear of spending the next half-day in a middle seat. That's a fear, I'm sure, we've all had at least once in the past. My fear tempered when I spotted a window-seat behind my assigned row. The last row, but a window in the last is much better than a middle in the second-to-last!
Continue reading Road Warrior: My first ride on the Airbus 380, one heck of a plane
Next Page >