Travel News
American Airlines and US Airways Merge 
American Airlines and US Airways have officially merged. The two large U.S. carriers now make up the world's largest airline, under the company name American Airlines Group. Although the full merger of the two airlines is expected to take up to two years, US Airways plans to leave the Star Alliance on March 30 and enter oneworld, which American is already part of. For now, the two airlines continue to operate as separate entities.
The company expects to begin reciprocal loyalty program benefits by January, when fliers should be able to earn and redeem frequent flier miles on either airline, enjoy elite status recognition on either airline and access reciprocal American Admirals Club and US Airways Club benefits.
The new American Airlines Group has nearly 6,700 daily flights and services more than 330 destinations in 50 countries.
New Airline Routes and Route Changes
South America
A new airline has launched in Bolivia: Cochabamba-based Linea Aerea EcoJet began scheduled passenger flights with four 93-seat Avro RJ85 aircraft. The airline flies daily between the Bolivian capital of Sucre and Cochabamba and between Sucre and Santa Cruz, Bolivia. It also runs three weekly round-trip flights each between Cochabamba and the Bolivian cities of Riberalta and Trinidad. The airline also flies from Cochabamba to the Bolivian cities of Potosí, La Paz, Cobija and Guayaramerín.
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Aruba
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LAN Airlines introduced new nonstop service between Bogotá and Aruba, on Mondays and Thursdays.
Mexico
Mexico-based Volaris launched four new routes within Mexico: Wednesday and Saturday, it now flies between San Luis Potosi and Cancun and between Hermosillo and Cancun; Thursday and Sunday, it now flies between Veracruz and Cancun and from Cancun to Mexicali; Monday and Friday, it offers flights from Mexicali to Cancun.
Interjet, the low-cost Mexico-based airline, began twice weekly flights between Guadalajara, Mexico and San Antonio, Texas (U.S.).
Caribbean
JetBlue Airways began daily flights between Port-au-Prince, Haiti and New York's John F.
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LaGuardia Airport
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Kennedy International Airport. The U.S.-based airline also began twice-daily flights between Port-au-Prince and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport in South Florida.
International Connections
As part of the American Airlines-US Airways merger, American will transfer 17 slot pairs at New York's LaGuardia Airport to Southwest Airlines and Virgin America. Virgin America's six pairs will allow it to service LaGuardia for the first time.
Airline Alliance News
A new interline ticketing agreement between JetBlue Airways and Silver Airways allows passengers to connect more easily between the two U.S.-based carriers' networks via airports in the Florida cities of Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, Tampa and Fort Myers.
Other Airline News
Private equity firm Indigo Partners finalized its purchase of Denver-based Frontier Airlines from Republic Airways Holdings. The airline will continue to be based in Denver (Colorado, U.S.)
New TSA Pre-check Options
The U.S. Transportation Security Administration began taking direct applications for its Pre-check expedited security screening program. Pre-check allows U.S. citizens to use expedited security lines; leave on shoes, lightweight jackets, sweaters and belts; and keep laptops and liquids or gels in their carry-ons. Previously, passengers could only apply to Pre-check if they were already part of certain frequent flier programs or the U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Global Entry program. Now, U.S. citizens can apply directly by first filling out an initial application online at tsa.gov and then visiting an application center to provide additional identity and fingerprint information. Currently, the only application site is at Indianapolis International Airport in Indiana, although the TSA expects to open centers in the New York City, Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. metro areas before the end of the year.
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Allure Bonbon
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Hotel News
Karisma Hotels & Resorts launched its new Allure by Karisma brand of boutique city hotels with the opening of the 14-room Allure Bonbon and the 33-room Allure Chocolat in Cartagena, Colombia. Both hotels are in the Zona Rosa section of Cartagena, near the convention center, and offer free in-room Wi-Fi. The Allure Chocolat has a restaurant and an events terrace with capacity for up to 110 people, as well as a business center, conference room and gym.
The 103-room Grand Residences Riviera Cancun opened in Puerto Morelos. The condominium resort includes complimentary Wi-Fi throughout, as well as a private beach, spa and fitness center.
The 238-room Riu Palace Jamaica opened near Montego Bay. The adults-only all-inclusive resort includes free in-room Wi-Fi, five restaurants, a gym and access to amenities at the Riu Montego Bay, which is next door.
The Round Hill Hotel and Villas completed a renovation, including refurbishing and updating of villas, a redesigned lobby garden and expanded vegetable garden.
Sandals Resorts International will spend US$125 million to refurbish and rebrand the Grand Pineapple Beach Antigua, turning it into a Beaches resort.
The 100-room Hotel Boutique opened in New York City near Manhattan's Grand Central Station. Rooms include free Wi-Fi and bottled water, and a guest lounge offers complimentary coffee, wireless printing and charging stations.
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Hyatt Times Square New York
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The 487-room Hyatt Times Square New York opened on West 45th Street. The newly-built, 54-story, hotel includes two restaurants (one on its rooftop, with a lounge overlooking Times Square), a fitness center. Its 8,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, in six rooms, includes a 2,000-square-foot ballroom and a 1,400-square-foot outdoor terrace. A spa is expected to open soon.
Also in New York City, The William hotel will open on January 6 near Bryant Park. For extended stays only, the property has a minimum stay of 30 nights. The 33-suite William targets upscale travelers with amenities such as two restaurants and personalized recommendations for restaurants, shopping and sights.
The Staybridge Suites Atlanta Airport hotel opened 2.75 miles from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. The InterContinental Hotels Group property has 149 suites with work separate work areas and fully equipped kitchens, as well as 4,500 square feet of flexible meeting space across five rooms.
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National Car Rental
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Loyalty Program News
For bookings made by January 31, American Airlines is offering certain award flights bookings for fewer miles to members of its AAdvantage loyalty program who have an AAdvantage credit card from Citibank or American Express. Discounts, which apply to travel through March, range from 10% to 30% and apply only to certain destinations.
National Car Rental will no longer count rentals that earn airline or hotel points towards elite status in its Emerald Club loyalty program.
