Storm and Security Updates
Winter storms continue to delay passengers in the U.S., particularly in cities in the northeast, including Boston, New York, Newark, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. Many airlines are waiving fees and allowing passengers to change their flights in advance to minimize the affects of winter storm Thor, which is expected to cause problems today and possibly Friday. Car, train and bus travel are likely to be affected as well.
As a result of demonstrations and illegal roadblocks in Mexico City and the state of Guerrero, travelers are warned to travel on toll roads during daylight hours and travel by air when possible - especially around Guerrero.
New Airline Routes and Route Changes
South America
United Airlines will introduce the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner on service between Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport and Sao Paulo's Guarulhos Airport on April 7.
Mexico and Central America
Interjet has launched two weekly flights between Acapulco International Airport and Tijuana International Airport in Mexico.
vivaAerobus will offer three weekly flights between Guadalajara International Airport (Mexico) and Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (Texas, U.S.), and two weekly flights between Mexico's Monterrey International Airport and Dallas/Fort Worth as of April 7.
Caribbean
Seaborne Airlines will launch three weekly flights between San Juan, Puerto Rico's Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport and Anguilla's Clayton J. Lloyd International Airport on April 30.
International Connections
Delta has resumed nonstop service between New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport and Rome's Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino airport and will restart seasonal nonstop service between New York-JFK and Venice, Italy's Marco Polo airport on March 29.
Airline Alliance News
American Airlines announced a codeshare agreement with Korean Air, in which Korean will place its flight numbers on American-operated flights.
JetBlue Airways and Icelandair have begun a codeshare partnership that will focus on gateways at U.S. airports in Boston, New York-JFK and in Reykjavik, Iceland.
JetBlue also has entered into a codeshare partnership with Morocco's Royal Air Maroc, which will place its AT code on JetBlue flights to 22 U.S. destinations out of New York's John F. Kennedy Airport.
WestJet entered into a codeshare agreement with Philippine Airlines, in which Philippine will begin marketing and selling WestJet-operated flights.
Air France has expanded codeshare operations with WestJet, with new flights within Canada from Vancouver, British Columbia to Calgary, Alberta; Edmonton, Alberta; Kelowna, British Columbia; and Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Chinese carriers Shandong and Qingdao Airlines have begun a codeshare partnership, placing codes on more than a dozen flights out of Qingdao Liuting International Airport in Shandong Province, China.
Malaysia Airlines expanded its codeshare partnership with ETIHAD of the United Arab Emirates, displaying the MH code on flights between Abu Dhabi, UAE, and the German cities of Dusseldorf, Frankfurt, Munich as well as Muscat, Oman.
Somali-owned Daallo Airlines and Jubba Airways merged under the single holding company African Airways Alliance.
Other Airline News
Starting next year, Delta will upgrade its in-flight Wi-Fi service and extend it to Latin America and the Caribbean, adding satellite-based technology on long-haul aircraft. The technology will also speed up onboard access.
United Airlines has introduced freshly prepared entrees served on chinaware and expanded meal- and snack-service times for United First and United Business customers on regional flights.
Lufthansa introduced a new first class experience on long-haul flights from its Munich hub, including new First Class cabins with lie-flat beds, new Business Class seats, expanded in-flight entertainment options and Premium Economy class with 50% more space.
Alaska Airlines passengers can obtain discounted (and sometimes complimentary) ski lift tickets when trading in an Alaska Airlines boarding pass at select mountains and resorts in the U.S. and Canada.
British Airlines is running a contest in partnership with TimeOut and The Telegraph to send 10 Instagrammers to 10 British Airways destinations for 3-day stays and professional photography lessons.
AirAsia has officially launched two versions of its ASEAN Pass, allowing for 30 or 60 days of travel within 10 Southeast Asian countries for US$160 and US$290 respectively.
Japan Airlines-JAL will expand Wi-Fi service to its Boeing 767-300 ERs and Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners on European, North American and long-haul Asian flights.
Loyalty Program News
Through the end of this month, Delta will offer 2,500 frequent flier miles to passengers whose checked bags do not reach the carousel within 20 minutes on domestic flights. The offer is in place through the end of March.
Southwest Rapid Rewards members with an Atlanta mailing address can earn a Companion Pass after three round-trip flights through May 17. Flights must originate and terminate in Atlanta.
Through April 17, AAdvantage members flying between the U.S. and Germany on American Airlines, US Airways or airberlin can earn double miles.
Hilton HHonors re-launched its "Double your HHonors" promotion, which allows members to choose between double HHonors points or double airline miles for eligible hotel stays through May 31, at participating properties.
Starwood Preferred Guest members can now link their SPG and Uber accounts to earn 1 point per U.S. dollar spent with Uber, as well as bonus points for using the peer-to-peer ground transportation app during Starwood stays.
Choice Privileges members can earn 8,000 points after two stays between now and April 22.
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Hampton Inn and Suites by Hilton Aguascalientes
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Hotel News
The Hampton Inn and Suites by Hilton Aguascalientes opened in Aguascalientes, Mexico, 3.8 miles from the airport. The Hilton property includes 188 rooms, complimentary airport shuttle, free Wi-Fi, a boardroom, an 870-square-foot conference room, an outdoor pool and 24-hour business center.
Hotel Pipeline
Mexican hotel company Fibra Inn announced plans to invest US$320 million during the next two years on acquired and developed hotels to bring more U.S.-based brands to Mexico. The hotels will have a strong focus on the business segment.
Travel Services
CheapAir.com has become the first online travel agency to allow U.S. travelers to book flights between the U.S. and Cuba in a single online transaction.
