Airlines..

United Airlines Plans In-Flight Wi-Fi
United Airlines plans to equip its planes with wireless Internet access starting next year. UAL Corp. and Verizon Communication Inc.'s Verizon AirFone demonstrated that they could send wireless data from the air to the ground without disrupting the plane's navigational tools. The Federal Aviation Administration has approved installing de-activated cabin equipment, but barriers remain. The FAA has approved just one type of plane, the 757-200 used in test flights showing that the Wi-Fi system did not interfere with navigational systems. Before it can equip all of its aircraft, the carrier must demonstrate on each type of plane that the wireless technology doesn't interfere with navigational equipment. And, the system will only work in North America airspace. Solutions for overseas travel will require another type of technology that the airline hasn't yet started to test

Newark Screeners Among the Best
Security screens at Newark Liberty International Airport are among the best in the nation when it comes to passing annual tests on checkpoint and bomb-detection machine procedures, according to the Transportation Security Administration. More than 97 percent of the 1,234 Newark screeners passed the tests, which were given between October and April. The agency said 32 screeners who twice failed exams on the procedures were either fired or allowed to resign. Newark's pass rate is among the highest of the nation's 30 largest commercial passports. (Source: USA Today)

More Price Hikes as Fuel Prices Rise
As the price of a barrel of crude oil hit $60, more carriers were increasing fares or adding surcharges to cover fuel costs. Late last month (June) United Airlines raised by three percent most domestic and international published fares. United excluded fare sales, select international fares and 'contracted pricing' from the systemwide fare action. The first domestic summer increase follows heavy price activity this spring and various surcharge announcements by international carriers. North of the border, Air Canada said it will raise all one-way domestic fares between C$8 (U.S. $6.50) and $15 (U.S. $12.18). Delta increased its surcharge on international flights by $10 each way, blaming fuel prices. (Source: Business Travel New, press reports)

Regulators Seek Safety for Runways
As the summer travel rush begins, there is increasing concern about a type of traffic congestion most people don't think of: the bumper-to-bumper conditions on airport runways. Pilots and air traffic controllers have known for years that the riskiest portion of a typical commercial flight in the United States often has nothing to do with flying. Instead, the greatest safety threat comes from taxiing around congested airports-crossing busy runways in poor visibility, weaving around obstacles and generally trying to avoid on-the-ground collisions. (Source: The Wall Street Journal)

Business Travelers Cite Concerns
Inconsistency among airports and long lines were among the chief concerns about passenger screening practices in a recent online poll of business travelers and travel managers conducted by the Business Travel Coalition (BTC). Varying practices from airport to airport was the top concern (38 percent), barely edging out long lines (37 percent). In almost a footnote, removing shoes (9.6 percent) was the third most-cited peeve in the survey. Of participants in the poll, sponsored by biometric 'fast-pass' vendor Verified Identity Pass, 66 percent identified themselves as business travelers, 13 percent as travel managers and 21 percent said they completed the survey in both roles. The survey of 651 respondents was conducted May 6-31. (Source: Travel Weekly).

Car Rentals

Rental Car Rental Industry Raises Prices
The rental car industry is going through a major change that in recent weeks has started contributing to some aggressive price increases. Historically, rental companies have maintained close ties with auto makers-buying vehicles at a discount and always having a supply readily available. Now, however, car makers are starting to pull back from these relationships, in an effort to shed the "fleet car" stigma that has tarnished some models and hurt showroom sales. Partly as a result, rental-car rates are starting to climb as the companies face the prospect of a dwindling supply of vehicles at the same time that travel demand is rebounding. Avis, Hertz, National and others have all boosted their prices five percent to 15 percent or more. (Source: The Wall Street Journal).

More Rental Cars Add Navigation Systems
A growing number of rental car vehicles come equipped with satellite navigation systems and satellite radio. It's the industry's first widespread technological breakthrough since compact disc players became standard in cars about five years ago. Many business travelers welcome the navigational systems' ability to guide them through unfamiliar cities. (Source: USA Today)

Traveling Smart During Busy Summer Season

The Air Transport Association (ATA) predicts that about 200 million people will fly on the nation's airlines between Memorial Day and Labor Day-4.1% more air passengers than they carried last summer. Despite the higher numbers, however, the ATA says the industry will continue to face the ongoing challenges of high fuel prices, high taxes and low fares.

In response, business travel guru Joe Brancatelli, editor of JoeSentMe.com, suggests a few summer travel strategies:

• Plan: program flight, hotel and car reservation numbers into your PDA and research alternative flights before leaving for the airport.
• Dress simply: the less you have to take off while going through security, the faster you get through. Bag spare change, iPods, PDAs, etc., in advance.
• Fly early in the day; the Air Travel Consumer Report consistently shows that flying early minimizes delays.
• Fly up front-Brancatelli points out that with last winter's fare caps, the difference between coach and business sometimes can be just a few hundred dollars; discount carriers such as AirTran and Spirit often offer inexpensive upgrades. With economy class more crowded than ever, working in coach becomes tough, upgrades can make flight time, productive work time.
• Join an airport club. Join an individual club, augment membership with Priority Pass, which gives visitation privileges, take advantage such as American Express' elite cardholder program that gives day-of-travel privileges with Northwest, Continental and Delta clubs when you're flying the carrier.
• Smile and be nice. With airline employees worried about their jobs and tired business travelers and bewildered leisure travelers, a cheery "good morning" can only help. (Source: ATA press release and JoeSentMe.com)

Williamsburg Travel- American Express is committed to providing you with useful information on the latest developments in the travel industry. The following information has been compiled from a variety of sources and is updated monthly.