Cargo Plane Crash Lands, Breaks Apart, After Takeoff
American Airlines Announces Route Cuts
Fuel Prices Aren’t the Only Rising Costs
Sabre to Offer E-Voucher For Car Rentals
Privacy Trumps Legacy of Shared Sleeper Train Cars
CARGO PLANE CRASH LANDS, BREAKS APART, AFTER TAKEOFF – Agence France-Presse
On Sunday, an American-owned Boeing 747 cargo plane crashed almost as soon as it left the ground at Brussels Airport. Upon crashing, it split into three pieces; however, the five-person crew was unharmed, though one member appeared to be in a state of shock. According to residents, who live alarmingly close to this specific runway, the crash was all too predictable. For years, residents have raised complaints about the proximity of the runway to their homes, and this crash took place approximately 1,500 feet from houses in the suburb Zaventem. As no apparent reason for the accident has surfaced, airport spokeswoman Tru Lefevre says, “”It seems that the plane must have suddenly left the runway as it was attempting take-off, and crashed. It was perhaps a technical problem, but we don’t know.”
Link: Agence France-Presse
AMERICAN ANNOUNCES ROUTE CUTS – Chicago Tribune
American Airlines announced Tuesday which routes it will be discontinuing as part of a first round of cuts to combat skyrocketing fuel costs. It will cut its Chicago-Buenos Aires and Boston-San Diego services on September 3; between September 3 and January 5, 2009 it will operate the Chicago-Honolulu flights on peak demand days, before cutting it entirely. The airline also announced that it will restructure American and American Eagle operations at San Juan, Puerto Rico, beginning in September. The ultimate plan is to reduce domestic capacity by 11 to 12 percent.
Link: Chicago Tribune
FUEL PRICES AREN’T THE ONLY RISING COSTS – The Wall Street Journal
As fuel prices skyrocket, so does everything else. American Airlines and United Airlines plan to charge a $150 penalty on domestic tickets if travelers make changes to their plans prior to traveling, while international change fees can be as much as $300. Additionally, American increased the cost of carrying a pet on any flight to $100, up from $80. Most legacy carriers, including American, United, Delta, Continental, Northwest, and US Airways are now charging $50 round-trip to check a second piece of luggage, and a handful of those will charge up to $200 to check a third bag. If you want to reinstate miles to your frequent flier account, get ready for a charge of $150. Oh, and don’t forget about airport parking while you’re away.
Link: The Wall Street Journal
SABRE TO OFFER E-VOUCHER FOR RENTAL CAR COMPANIES – Business Traveler
Last week, Sabre Travel Network announced that it will now offer an e-voucher system for rental car companies, which compares closely with the e-ticket for air travel. The system will allow travelers to pay for their selected cars online, thus eliminating the need to make a payment when physically picking up the car. Additionally, proof of booking will no longer have to be shown to the rental car company. Users of the e-voucher will be able to print the itinerary from their own computers, or simply cite the reference number as booking verification. So far, Hertz is the first of the big suppliers to sign up with Sabre.
Link: Business Travel
PRIVACY TRUMPS LEGACY OF SHARED SLEEPER CARS – The Times (UK)
The legendary shared sleeper car, offered by England’s First Great Western on midnight trains, is being abolished for passengers traveling solo. In the name of privacy, two people booking separately will no longer be placed in the same berth, when previously one person took the top bunk, the other, the bottom. Couples will pay £30 a person to share the sleeper, and individuals will pay £40 one-way. A spokesman said: “It is considered more appropriate in the modern age to allow people their privacy. You wouldn’t expect to share a hotel room with a stranger and nor should you expect to share a sleeper carriage with someone you don’t know.” The allure of the sleeper car was made famous in the Hitchcock film North by Northwest wherein Cary Grant seduces Eva Marie Saint into his couchette.
Link: The Times (UK)
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