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Southwest adding more nonstop service for Southern California -- Southwest Airlines Co. today extended its bookable flight schedule through Nov. 4, 2016. The airline is adding four new nonstop routes for Southern California customers, linking the LA Basin nonstop from both Ontario and Burbank to Portland, Ore. and from Los Angeles (LAX) to Pittsburgh; in addition, San Diego Customers will have a faster route to the Midwest with new, daily nonstop service to Milwaukee. (Press Release preview courtesy Southwest Airlines)
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Alaska Airlines adds new route from John Wayne Airport to San Jose -- Alaska Airlines announced Wednesday it would add daily flights to and from San Jose and John Wayne Airport starting June 5. The new service will operate three times a day. Alaska Airlines also will add additional flights from San Diego to San Jose. In March, Alaska Airlines will add new flights from JWA to Santa Rosa/Sonoma County and Reno/Tahoe. Hannah Madans/Orange County Register
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Japan, U.S. agree on new daytime slots at Tokyo's Haneda Airport -- Japan on Thursday agreed to add new landing and take-off slots at Tokyo's crowded Haneda airport on routes to the United States, allowing daytime flights by both nations' carriers from Haneda to the U.S. for the first time. Aviation officials from Washington and Tokyo agreed in talks in Japan to give Japanese and U.S. carriers five new slots each between 0600 and 2300, and cut the number of slots between 2200 and 0700 from four to one, Japan's Ministry of Land Infrastructure and Land said in a news release. Tim Kelly/Reuters Related: American Airlines applauds new U.S.-Japan aviation agreement
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What was learned on the Gold Line Foothill Extension's first passenger test ride -- The first passenger ride on the 11.5-mile Gold Line Foothill Extension went off with only a few glitches Wednesday, a preview of the public opening March 5 of the easternmost Metro Rail train in Southern California. Metro board member Supervisor Michael Antonovich said he wants to see the line's next phase - from Azusa to Montclair and eventually to Ontario International Airport - be built using funds from the next one-half-cent sales tax expected on the November ballot. Steve Scauzillo/San Gabriel Valley Tribune
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Why Chicago needs an express train to O'Hare -- All the money, attention and controversy focused on runway and gate expansion at O'Hare International Airport makes it easy to forget about another important aspect of the airport experience-getting in and out of the place. Anyone who has shivered for 45 minutes in an O'Hare cab line or sat fuming in traffic as precious minutes tick away toward departure time can testify that airport delays start long before you reach your gate, and continue after you collect your bags. Joe Cahill/Crain's Chicago Business
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American: Swankier airport lounges are on the way -- American Airlines announced a substantial overhaul for its airport lounges on Tuesday. The carrier revealed plans to redesign to its existing premium "Flagship Lounges" and expand them to more of its hub airports. American also said it would add its standard Admirals Clubs lounges to two busy airports that don't currently have one. Also coming to American's lounges: "Flagship Dining," which the airline describes as "a one-of-a-kind, pre-flight meal with full tableside service and elegant dining." Ben Mutzabaugh/USA Today
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Airbus, Boeing announce $3B in airplane deals at Singapore Airshow -- Airbus and Boeing announced modest aircraft orders at the Singapore Airshow on Wednesday that indicated a lull in demand for the big manufacturers after the 2014 show hauled in more than $30 billion of deals. Airbus announced an order for six A350-900s, valued at $1.8 billion at list prices from Philippine Airlines. Boeing announced a deal for 12 of its 737 jets with a privately-owned Chinese carrier Okay Airways, valued at $1.3 billion. Annabelle Liang/AP
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L.A. ready for its Olympic close-up -- Only six months of planning time may pose a challenge for many American cities to make an effective bid to host the Olympics. However, LA 2024 organizers say they are ready for the Wednesday deadline of their first major submission to the International Olympic Committee since it was selected as America's candidate city in September, according to Athletics Business. "In a very real sense, L.A. is virtually a plug-and-play opportunity for the 2024 Games," LA 2024 chairman Casey Wasserman said. Los Angeles Business Journal
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Ex-Alaska Airlines pilot pleads not guilty to flying drunk -- A former Alaska Airlines pilot has pleaded not guilty to flying a jetliner while drunk. David Arntson entered a plea Tuesday in Los Angeles to a federal charge of operating a passenger plane while under the influence. He's free on bond and could face up to 15 years in prison if convicted. Prosecutors say the 60-year-old Newport Beach, California, man was legally under the influence when he piloted two Alaska Airlines flights in 2014. One plane flew from San Diego to Portland, Oregon, and the other from Portland to John Wayne Airport in Orange County, California. AP
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Airlines to offer cheaper flights, but are they worth the savings? -- Rock-bottom fares once unique to low-cost carriers like Spirit and Frontier may, in the coming months, be offered by all three of the nation's legacy airlines, American, United and Delta. Great news for you and your wallet, right? The answer isn't so clear-cut. Spirit Airlines cemented its no-frills reputation a couple of years ago when it declared itself the "home of the bare fare": a ticket that doesn't include a seat assignment, a checked bag, even water. Stephanie Rosenbloom/New York Times
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To be like American Airlines' CEO, think like a startup and avoid business dinners -- American Airlines CEO Doug Parker began his stint as chief executive of America West Airlines 10 days before the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. The resulting turmoil nearly swamped the low-cost carrier, and when the Air Transportation Stabilization Board refused to bail it out with an emergency loan, he was prepared to liquidate America West. But when, on Parker's return flight from that board meeting, America West employees told him how much they depended upon their jobs, he was moved to reapply for the loan. Bill Snyder/Quartz
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American Airlines sues to exit Gogo inflight Wi-Fi -- How bad is Gogo's inflight Internet service? So bad that American Airlines is suing to disconnect from it. The airline has filed suit to void its contract with Gogo so that it can connect with a competitor that could deliver better onboard broadband service to passengers. "Providing superior WiFi options to passengers is critical, as American competes for travelers who increasingly demand a WiFi experience in the air that is on par with their wired internet connections at home or work, including the ability to stream music and movies on smartphones, tablets, and a host of other WiFi-enabled devices," said attorneys for the airline in a suit filed Feb. 12 in a Texas district court. Mike Snider/USA Today
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Advice for avoiding costly airline fees for changing plans -- Airlines now get one-fourth of their revenue from sources other than fares - mostly fees - and one of the biggest is a charge of up to $200 to change or cancel a ticket. The fee galls consumers who find themselves with an unexpected need to change their travel plans. In some cases, the fee is more than the price they paid for the ticket. When all the receipts are counted, it is likely that consumers paid the airlines more than $3 billion in fees to cancel or change a flight in 2015. David Koenig/AP
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American to offer free, restaurant style meals for first class customers -- Many of the world's most powerful airlines have nearly given up trying to promote true luxury with international first class. But not American Airlines. American said Wednesday it will invest significantly in its ground experience for travelers who buy the most expensive tickets. In International Flagship Lounges in New York, Los Angeles, Miami and Dallas, American says next year it will serve elegant and free restaurant-style meals. You'll have to be flying in first class on three-class airplanes to qualify. BrianSumers.com
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Delta, in alliance with Danny Meyer, aims to elevate airline food -- It is no secret that airlines are waging an increasingly pitched battle for the biggest-spending passengers who fly in premium classes: The carriers have deployed amenities like fluffy feather duvets and spa treatments. Now, Delta Air Lines is trying to gain an edge with its food - a decidedly tall order. The company has struck an alliance with Union Square Hospitality Group, the food service empire behind Shake Shack and restaurants like Union Square Cafe, Blue Smoke and Gramercy Tavern. Stephanie Strom/New York Times
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'Serial Stowaway' arrested at Chicago's O'Hare Airport once again: Sources -- So-called "serial stowaway" Marilyn Hartman is back behind bars. Hartman was arrested Wednesday afternoon at O'Hare airport, when an electronic monitoring bracelet she was ordered to wear by Cook County Judge William Raines alerted authorities, multiple sources told NBC5. At a hearing earlier this month, Raines agreed to relax restrictions on Hartman's confinement, allowing her transfer from the locked mental health facility where she had been living since last December to another facility where she would be allowed to come and go as she pleased. Phil Rogers/NBC Chicago
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Body scanners and explosives: TSA starts academy for screeners -- On a chilly afternoon in south Georgia, more than 100 Transportation Security Administration trainees are huddled together on metal bleachers overlooking a field. They're watching an explosives instructor demonstrate what can happen if they don't do their job well. "All right, confined smokeless powder in three, two, one." BOOM! The trainees (and an observing reporter) jump, startled by the explosion 100 yards or so before them. Brian Naylor/NPR
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She's a frequent flier, he checks bags -- One spouse rushes through PreCheck security screening, leaving the other seething with the baby and diaper bag in the slow screening lane. Or maybe one heads off to the bathroom shortly before boarding, spoiling the other's carefully planned early-boarding rush. Travel is full of stresses. But for couples with different flying predilections, the knives can really come out, especially when only one is an experienced traveler with deep-rooted habits. Scott McCartney/Wall Street Journal
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LA to hire oil and gas expert to help diffuse controversies -- The Los Angeles City Council voted on Wednesday to hire a petrochemical expert to oversee the city's relationship with oil and gas operations near residential neighborhoods. The person hired will likely manage such issues as the fallout from the Porter Ranch gas leak, controversial oil drilling facilities in South Los Angeles and growing criticism of major refineries in Wilmington. Sharon McNary/KPCC
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