New Airline Routes and Route Changes
Mexico, Caribbean and Central America
Sun Country Airlines will expand its winter service to include weekly flights between Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport and St. Maarten, between Minneapolis and Manzanillo, Mexico and between Minneapolis and Rio Hato, Panama from December through April.
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Sydney, Australia
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SunWing Airlines will launch weekly seasonal winter service between Fort McMurray in Alberta, Canada and Cancun, Mexico.
International Connections
QANTAS will add a seventh weekly service (Tuesdays) between Sydney, Australia and Dallas, Texas from December 9, 2014 through January 20, 2015.
Airline Alliance News
JAL (Japan Airlines) and TAM Airlines plan to begin codeshare service on December 12. TAM will operate JAL flights between New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport and both Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo, while JAL will operate a TAM flight between New York-JFK and Tokyo Narita.
Tokyo's Skymark Airlines will begin Airbus A380 service from Tokyo Narita International Airport to New York-JFK in December.
Other Airline News
Grupo Viva will launch another Viva-branded low-cost carrier in Latin America by the end of 2015; the group will also take over VivaAerobus' order of 52 A320 aircraft.
ClipperJet Inc. has launched individual and membership private jet service between Los Angeles and New York. The program, which flies Gulfstream IV (G4) aircraft, allows frequent bi-coastal fliers to cut travel time in half and have access to up to four one-way flights per month as well as unlimited 24-hour standby access.
Airport News
JetBlue Airways has added a terminal extension (dubbed T5i) at New York-JFK, which is equipped with six international gates and immigrations and customs facilities and will handle the JetBlue's international flights at the airport.
American Airlines has consolidated operations at Los Angeles International Airport, moving all US Airways operations from Terminal 3 to Terminal 6.
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South African Airways
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Loyalty Program News
JetBlue Airways has added South African Airways to its TrueBlue loyalty program, allowing members to earn points when traveling on flights operated by SAA.
Club Carlson members can earn either double points or double elite-qualifying nights via stays at participating Carlson hotels through December 30.
HHonors members can earn double points for their second and subsequent stays at participating Hilton family hotels, through January 31, 2015.
Hotel News
Marriott Rewards program members will receive free, standard in-room Wi-Fi at most Marriott family hotels beginning January 15, 2015. Reservations must be made on Marriott's website, mobile app, toll-free line or via the hotel itself.
The Dreams Las Mareas Costa Rica is now open in the northern Guanacaste region of the country. The 447-suite beachfront resort offers conference facilities, a 44,000-square-foot pool with water slide, 10 spa therapy cabins, eight restaurants, five bars and lounges and 24-hour concierge services.