Home > The Ticker > Archives > Air Travel category
Air Travel
November 11, 2009
Free wireless Internet comes to airport
Google has launched temporary, free wireless Internet service at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport as part of national program being offered at select airports this holiday season.
The move will save Austin travelers a few bucks: passengers without a special membership normally pay $7.95 for a 24-hour pass.
Google’s free program is part of a national holiday marketing scheme also offered by other providers such as Yahoo, eBay and Microsoft to offer the free service at airports, airplanes and other public places, according to the Associated Press.
In Google’s case, the program should be available in Austin and other select airports from now until Jan. 15.
Permalink | Comments (3) | Post your comment Categories: Air Travel
November 3, 2009
Airport traffic up 2 percent in September
Passenger traffic at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport rose 2 percent in September from the year-ago month, the first increase in more than a year.
More than 666,250 people flew through the airport in September.
Among major carriers, Southwest Airlines traffic was up 5 percent; American Airlines was down 13 percent, Continental Airlines was down 0.8 percent, and Delta Airlines was up 39.5 percent.
The Delta gain is skewed by the fact that it merged with Northwest Airlines last year, so the passenger count includes both airlines.
The last time the airport had a year-over-year passenger gain was in August 2008. The next month, recession-hit airlines began cutting flights and seat capacity.
Permalink | Comments (2) | Post your comment Categories: Air Travel
October 12, 2009
Austin's airport wins quality certification
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport was certified with a benchmark of service quality by the Airports Council International.
The airport is only the third so far in the world to win the designation, along with facilities in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
The council benchmarks airports on issues including leadership, customer focus, systems and process approach and continuous improvement.
The council awards the designation after a site assessment.
The council earlier ranked Austin-Bergstrom among the top three airports its size worldwide for customer service and third overall in North America.
Permalink | Comments (3) | Post your comment Categories: Air Travel
October 6, 2009
Airport traffic down 7 percent in August
Passenger traffic at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport fell 7 percent in August from the year before.
During the month, 742,109 passengers flew through the airport.
Among major carriers, traffic was up 2.5 percent at Southwest Airlines, down 13.5 percent at American Airlines, and down 3 percent at Continental Airlines.
Alaska Airlines, which launched service from Austin that month, carried 8,740 passengers.
For the first eight months of the year, traffic was down 10.5 percent compared to the same months of 2008.
Permalink | Comments (1) | Post your comment Categories: Air Travel
September 17, 2009
American to start Austin-JFK service
American Airlines will start a daily nonstop flight from Austin to JFK International Airport in New York in April, the airline said today.
American also plans to add service at several of its hubs, including JFK, Chicago, Miami and Dallas, but is cutting back at smaller hubs, including St. Louis and Raleigh-Durham.
Austin is one of six new destinations being added at JFK.
The airline also said it had raised $2.9 billion in fresh financing. It sold $1 billion worth of advance frequent flyer miles to Citigroup. The company also received $1.6 billion in financing commitments from GE Capital Aviation Services and $280 million in cash in a loan from GE Capital Aviation Services.
Permalink | Comments (11) | Post your comment Categories: Air Travel
September 1, 2009
Austin airport traffic falls 6.5 percent
Passenger traffic at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport was down 6 percent in July from July 2008.
It was the smallest percentage drop this year; this year the drops ranged from 8.5 to 16 percent.
Among major carriers, traffic was up 6.5 percent in July at Southwest Airlines, down 12 percent at American Airlines, and up 10 percent at Continental Airlines.
Delta Airlines, which merged with Northwest Airlines last year, was up 4.5 percent, and United Airlines traffic was down 11 percent.
For the year to date, passenger traffic was down 11 percent compared to the same months of 2008.
Separately, Alaska Airlines begins its Austin to San Jose, Calif. non-stop flights on Wednesday.
American Airlines canceled its San Jose route last month. Alaska will add a second non-stop daily flight in March.
Permalink | Comments (7) | Post your comment Categories: Air Travel
August 25, 2009
Hook 'em JetBlue?
JetBlue Airlines plans to announce “a major Austin partnership” at a press event Wednesday at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport.
Marty St. George, the airline’s senior vice president of marketing and commercial strategy, will be joined by DeLoss Dodds, men’s athletics director at the University of Texas, and Chris Plonsky, UT women’s athletic director.
Longhorns mascots Bevo and Hook’em also will make appearances.
Airport spokesmen declined to say what the announcement would be.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment Categories: Air Travel
July 30, 2009
Airline to launch routes with fare sale
When Alaska Airlines launches new flight offerings in Austin in the coming weeks, many routes will come with a deal.
Here’s the fare sale that will begin tomorrow and ends Aug. 17:
Austin to Seattle fares starting at $99 each way for travel through Nov. 18
Austin to San Jose fares starting at $89 each way for travel from Sept. 2 to Nov. 18
Austin to Portland fares, with a stop through San Jose, starting at $99 each way for travel from Sept. 2 to Nov. 18
For booking information, go to http://www.alaskaair.com
Permalink | Comments (1) | Post your comment Categories: Air Travel
July 7, 2009
Southwest, American fare sale starts at $30 each way
Southwest Airlines launched a fare sale, with tickets priced based on distance and starting as low as $30 each way. American Airlines quickly matched the deals on routes where it competes with Southwest.
But move fast: the tickets must be purchased by 9:59 p.m. Wednesday.
The tickets are available for travel between Sept. 9 and Nov. 18. Southwest is charging $30 for flights under 400 miles, $60 for 400 to 750 miles, and $90 for more than 750 miles.
The sale covers most of the 68 cities where Southwest flies, and excludes travel on Fridays and Sundays.
Airline industry analysts said other airlines are likely to launch their own sales as a result of Southwest’s move.
Permalink | Comments (11) | Post your comment Categories: Air Travel
June 30, 2009
Austin airport Passenger traffic down almost 15 percent in May
Passenger traffic at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport was down 14.5 percent in May, continuing several months of year-over-year declines.
Most carriers saw drops in May, including Southwest, down almost 6 percent; and American and United, both down 17.5 percent.
Delta Airlines, which merged with Northwest Airlines last year, saw an increase in May at 36.5 percent.
For the year, passenger traffic was down 12.5 percent through May compared with the same period last year.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment Categories: Air Travel
June 22, 2009
Alaska Airlines to launch Austin-San Jose nonstop
Just days after American Airlines said it would cancel its Austin-San Jose nonstop flights on Aug. 25, ending a 17-year tradition, Alaska Airlines stepped into the breach.
Alaska said its new flights will begin Sept. 2.
The flights will leave Austin at 3 p.m. and arrive in San Jose, Calif., at 4:40 p.m. The return flights will leave at 8:55 a.m. and arrive in Austin at 2:15p.m.
Alaska also is starting a San Jose-Portland, Ore., nonstop.
Tickets will be sold starting Thursday at alaskaair.com.
Alaska Airlines earlier said it would start Austin-Seattle nonstops on Aug. 3, the airline’s first flights in and out of Austin.
Permalink | Comments (26) | Post your comment Categories: Air Travel
June 4, 2009
Airport traffic down 8.5 percent in April
Passenger traffic at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport was down 8.5 percent in April, compared with April last year, It was the smallest decline of the year.
Among major carriers, Southwest Airline traffic was up 1 percent from April 2008; American Airlines was down 11 percent; Continental Airlines was down 8 percent; and Delta Airlines was up 4 percent.
The biggest percentage jump was at JetBlue Airways, whose traffic rose 63 percent from a year earlier.
In April, 670,491 people flew through the airport.
The declines were much deeper from January through March, ranging from 10 to 15 percent.
For the first four months of the year, traffic is down 12 percent from the same period of last year.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment Categories: Air Travel
May 15, 2009
VivaAerobus stops Austin flights
VivaAerobus will cease its operations at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport effective June 1.
The Mexican discount carrier flies nonstop from ABIA to Cancun and Puerto Vallarta.
The Mexican carrier blamed, in part, the outbreak of the swine flu, which it said “;has caused an unprecedented rise in the level of requests from American passengers looking to cancel or change flights.”
The airline said it has seen a 50 percent increase in requests for cancellations, and passenger no-shows have risen 30 percent.
“Based on the level of demand for people seeking refunds, the level of no shows and the dramatically reduced level of demand for travel to these destinations, it makes little sense to continue to operate these routes in the short term,” the company said in a press release.
The airline also said that all passengers will receive an immediate full refund on the tickets they purchased.
“They haven’t said this is temporary,” ABIA spokesman Jim Halbrook said. “For now, this means they are no longer serving Austin.”
Halbrook said that VivaAerobus flew less than 1 percent of all passengers out of ABIA. In March, the latest figures available, VivaAerobus had 4,862 passengers, out of a total of 663,829 people flying.
From January to March, VivaAerobus had 11,793 passengers, out of a total 1.7 million flyers.
Read the company’s press release here.
Permalink | Comments (27) | Post your comment Categories: Air Travel
April 7, 2009
Southwest to start flights to LaGuardia
Southwest Airlines will start service to New York’s LaGuardia airport this summer.
Austin passengers will have to take connecting flights through either Baltimore or Chicago when the service starts June 28.
Southwest is offering introductory fares as low as $49 each way from Baltimore and $89 from Chicago for tickets purchased through April 20 for travel between June 29 and Aug. 13.
The airline will have five daily nonstops from Chicago and three from Baltimore.
Despite a sharp slowdown in air travel, Southwest has been expanding. It started service to Minneapolis last month and will add Boston’s Logan Airport in the fall.
Southwest long has had service to Long Island’s Islip airport, but travelers headed to New York City faced a long cab or train ride into the Big Apple.
The airline traditionally has focused on secondary airports in large cities because costs are lower. In Chicago, for example, Southwest flies to Midway Airport instead of O’Hare.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment Categories: Air Travel
April 2, 2009
Airport passenger traffic falls 14 percent in February
Passenger traffic at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport fell 14 percent in February from the year earlier, the second big drop in a row.
All of the top five carriers had drops, ranging from 0.22 percent at Southwest Airlines, the leading carrier in Austin, to 36.5 percent at Delta Airlines, the fifth largest carrier.
But some smaller carriers continued to grow. JetBlue Airways’ traffic rose 58 percent, and US Airways was up 24.5 percent.
Passenger traffic fell 10 percent in January at the airport.
Airports across the country are seeing fewer passengers, as companies cut back on business travel and consumers take fewer vacation trips.
Austin is likely to see better figures when March traffic is reported. The South by Southwest film, music and interactive festivals bring several thousand people to town each year, and March typically is one of the airport’s busiest months.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment Categories: Air Travel
March 19, 2009
Austin airport traffic dives 10 percent
Passenger traffic at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport fell 10 percent in January, with two of the three top carriers all posting double-digit percentage drops.
Top carrier Southwest Airlines had a 1 percent increase. But No. 2 American Airlines was down 26 percent; Continental Airlines was down 16.5 percent.
Traffic more than doubled at JetBlue Airways, putting the airline ahead of Delta for the fourth spot. Delta traffic fell 18.5 percent, to 34,221, while JetBlue’s traffic rose 103.5 percent, to 35,284.
Permalink | Comments (1) | Post your comment Categories: Air Travel
March 17, 2009
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport shines in international survey
Austin’s airport was ranked third worldwide among airports its size in an international survey of airports around the globe and third best in North America.
Airports Council International conducts the survey on an ongoing basis each year, with personal interviews with at least 1,400 travelers at each airport.
In the category of airports with between 5 million and 15 million passengers a year, the top five airports were Central Japan (Nagoya); Tel Aviv; Austin Bergstrom International; Houston Hobby and Jacksonville, Fla.
The top five airports in North America included Halifax and Ottawa airports, in Canada; Austin, Houston and Jacksonville.
DFW ranked second worldwide among airports with more than 40 million passengers a year, behind Hong Kong.
AIrports Council International interviews passengers as they depart from their flights on 30 aspects of service. In 2008, the surveys included 200,000 people at 108 airports.
Permalink | Comments (35) | Post your comment Categories: Air Travel
February 12, 2009
Austin's airport gets Boingo as new WiFi provider
Austin Bergstrom International Airport has switched to Boingo for WiFi Internet access.
The service previously was provided by Wayport Inc. and TMobile. As their contracts were up, the airport decided to switch to a single provider, airport spokesman Jason Zielinski said.
The new service is available terminal-wide, not just in the concourse, he added.
As was the case with Wayport and TMobile, users must have an account with Boingo or one of its roaming partners, which includes Wayport. They also can buy a 24-hour pass to use the service.
However, the airport plans eventually to have kiosks with free Boingo access, Zielinski said.
Permalink | Comments (16) | Post your comment Categories: Air Travel
February 3, 2009
Alaska Airlines to launch Seattle-Austin flights in August
Alaska Airlines said today it will start new service between Seattle and Austin in August, filling a gap created when American Airlines stopped its Seattle nonstops last year.
Alaska Airlines said the daily flights will leave Seattle at 9:45 a.m. and arrive in Austin at 3:40 p.m. The return flight will leave Austin at 4:40 p.m. and arrive in Seattle at 6:45 p.m. local time.
“Austin represents a great opportunity for Alaska Airlines, filling in a gap in our route map and fitting in our strategy of increasing capacity in markets where we can grow,” said Steve Jarvis, Alaska’s vice president of marketing.
Passenger travel at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport has been slipping for the past few months, as business and vacation travelers pull back because of the recession.
Permalink | Comments (17) | Post your comment Categories: Air Travel
January 6, 2009
Austin airport traffic falls 9 percent
Passenger traffic fell 9 percent at Austin Bergstrom International Airport in November, one of the toughest months so far in the economic downturn.
Top carrier Southwest Airlines was flat from a year ago, but American Airlines, No. 2, was down 22.5 percent, followed by Continental Airlines, down 15 percent, and Delta Airlines, down 16 percent.
Among smaller carriers JetBlue Airways was up 70 percent, and U.S. Airways was up 47 percent.
For the first 11 months of 2008, airport traffic was up 2 percent compared to the year earlier.
Permalink | Comments (1) | Post your comment Categories: Air Travel
December 8, 2008
Airport traffic falls for second month in a row
Passenger traffic at Austin Bergstrom International Airport was down 2.5 percent in October, the second drop in a row.
The 6-percent September drop was the first in more than four years.
Year to date, Austin’s airport still is 3 percent ahead of last year in terms of passenger traffic. While some airlines have cut back, Austin has been spared the deep route cuts that have hit other cities.
Among major carriers in October, No. 1 Southwest Airlines was up 11.5 percent; American Airlines was down 15 percent; Continental Airlines was down 12.5 percent, and Delta Airlines was down 16 percent.
The biggest gains came from smaller carriers. JetBlue Airways traffic was up 77.5 percent, and U.S. Airways was up 57 percent;
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment Categories: Air Travel
October 29, 2008
Austin airport traffic falls
Passenger traffic at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport fell 6 percent in September from a year earlier, the first drop in more than four years.
While traffic was up 3.5 percent at the biggest carrier, Southwest Airlines, it fell sharply at American, Continental and Delta.
Among smaller carriers, JetBlue trafffic jumped 57.5 percent, and US Airways reported a 48 percent gain.
The last time traffic fell year-over-year was January 2004, when it slipped a half-percent.
Permalink | Comments (5) | Post your comment Categories: Air Travel
October 1, 2008
Southwest to test onboard WiFi
DALLAS — Southwest Airlines is planning to start testing WiFi on one plane in December. For the four to six weeks of the test, it will be free.
You can probably expect to pay about $10 for it after that, although Southwest is considering offering some sort of flat fee — perhaps yearly — to business frequent fliers, according to vice president Dave Ridley.
There will be one plane with WiFi in December, and Southwest hopes to add three in the first quarter of ‘09.
Southwest also planning is to launch special express security lanes for business passengers (the ones who pay the high “Business Select” fees) and its top frequent fliers starting in Oct. DFW is on the list, but Austin won’t be in the initial rollout. It’s not clear when it might happen here.
Southwest I also announced it will take delivery of 10 new Boeing 737s, instead of the planned 14, in 2009. It will delay deliver of those last four planes until 2016.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment Categories: Air Travel
July 23, 2008
Austin airport traffic surges to record
Passenger traffic at Austin Bergstrom International Airport broke a record last month, up a healthy 8.5 percent from the year earlier.
More than 869,300 passengers flew through Austin in June. That’s 4.4 percent higher than the previous record, set in July 2007.
No. 1 carrier Southwest Airlines had a 12 percent increase in passenger traffic. But traffic was down at the next three major carriers — American Airlines, Continental Airlines and Delta Air Lines.
On a percentage basis, the biggest gains were at United Airlines, up 16 percent, and JetBlue, up 70 percent.
JetBlue added several nonstop flights from Austin earlier this year. On Tuesday, the airline announced flight cutbacks nationwide, but said there would be no service cuts in Austin.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment Categories: Air Travel
July 22, 2008
JetBlue cutbacks won't affect Austin routes
JetBlue Airways Corp., which posted a $7 million second-quarter net loss on Tuesday, is reducing seating capacity but has no plans to cut back on its new Austin routes, a spokesman said.
The New York-based discount airline tripled its Austin offerings this spring, adding nonstop service to San Francisco, Long Beach, Calif., Fort Lauderdale, Fla. and Orlando, Fla. It began nonstop service from Austin to Boston and New York two years ago.
Austin has already felt the effects of the airline shakeout, as several nonstop flights getting the ax in recent months. In May, American Airlines said it would eliminate nonstop service from Austin to Seattle, Orange County, Calif. and Raleigh-Durham, N.C. as of Sept. 3. Meanwhile, Aeromexico ceased its nonstop service between Austin and Mexico City in June.
JetBlue said Tuesday that it will cut seating capacity by 10 percent in September to counter record fuel prices. CEO Dave Barger also said the company does not plan to grow in 2009.
Permalink | Comments (6) | Post your comment Categories: Air Travel
July 9, 2008
ExpressJet to stop flights on Sept. 2
ExpressJet Airlines, which offers several nonstop flights from Austin, will stop its flights on Sept. 2, citing high fuel costs that “made the operation impossible to sustain.”
“If we had any other choice, we would not take this difficult action,” said President and Chief Executive Jim Ream in a statement.
ExpressJet said it will continue selling tickets for travel through Sept 2. Customers holding tickets for travel after that date may contact the company for a refund.
ExpressJet started service in Austin last year, and currently has nonstop flights to Albuquerque, New Orleans, Jacksonville, Tucson and Ontario, Calif.
Permalink | Comments (11) | Post your comment Categories: Air Travel
June 13, 2008
Southwest Airlines chief is known to yuk it up
Southwest Airlines may be the nation’s busiest airline, but workers there also pride themselves on having fun on the job. (Think about the often humorous pre-flight announcements by the flight attendants.)
And CEO Gary Kelly, who was in town Thursday to meet informally with several flight crews, has been know to lead by example — in his own goofy, little way.
For example, Kelly, like a lot of Southwest workers, likes to have fun on Halloween. At the airline’s Dallas headquarters, some of the costumes can be pretty outrageous.
Kelly has dressed up as Gene Simmons (pictured above) of the rock group Kiss, as well as Jack Sparrow of the movie “Pirates of the Caribbean” and Edna Turnblad (pictured right) from the movie “Hairspray.”
Check out the video interview with a seemingly normal and professional Kelly that I conducted.
Permalink | Comments (7) | Post your comment Categories: Air Travel
May 21, 2008
Fly Delta there, fly your own plane home
As if there wasn’t enough proof of the airline industry’s struggles, this picture arrives by e-mail today.
Paul Adamson snapped the photo this morning, just before boarding his connecting flight in Atlanta.
Adamson, the director of strategic accounts at Austin electronics recycler Round2 Technologies Inc., was traveling on Delta to Columbus, Ohio, when he noticed the sign. (Thanks to Round2 CEO Ian Bagnall for sending it along.)
Given plans for a Northwest-Delta merger, maybe you can get this one on the cheap. And given the rising complaints about airline service, it might just be worth it.
So how do we go about arranging a test drive?
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment Categories: Air Travel
May 6, 2008
Austin loses Aeromexico and American nonstops
The airline shakeout has hit Austin, with the elimination of several nonstop flights. Aeromexico will cease its nonstop service between Austin and Mexico City on June 13, Jim Halbrook, spokesman for Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, said today.
Aeromexico, which has entered and exited Austin before, was the only airline offering service to from Austin to Mexico City. Last week, Mexican discount carrier VivaAerobus began nonstop service from Austin to Monterrey and Cancun.
American Airlines, meanwhile, will discontinue its nonstop flights from Austin to Seattle, Orange County, Calif., and Raleigh-Durham, N.C., as of Sept. 2, Halbrook said.
In addition, American will end its eight daily flights from Austin to Dallas Love Field Airport after July 1, he said. That leaves Southwest Airlines the only airline offering service from Austin to Love Field.
“With the state of the airline industry and high fuel costs, you have to assume there would be dropoffs,” Halbrook said. “There will probably be more to come.”
Permalink | Comments (21) | Post your comment Categories: Air Travel
February 12, 2008
JetBlue to start Austin-Long Beach nonstops
JetBlue will start Austin-Long Beach nonstop flights May 1, adding to a fast-growing list of places Central Texans can fly without changing planes.
On Monday, USAirways said it would start nonstop service to Charlotte May 5.
All told, Austin has gained nine new nonstop destinations this year, with most of the new service starting in May.
Permalink | Comments (1) | Categories: Air Travel
February 11, 2008
USAirways to start Austin-Charlotte nonstop
USAirways will start an Austin-Charlotte nonstop May 5, the eighth new nonstop destination announced this year for Austin Bergstrom International Airport.
Mesa Airlines, part of USAirway’s Express subsidiary, will operate two flights daily from Austin, plus two more from San Antonio. The planes will be 86-seat Bombardier CRJ900 regional jets.
Passengers can start buying tickets now at www.usairways.com.
Permalink | Comments (3) | Categories: Air Travel
January 11, 2008
GSD&M unveils new Southwest campaign
Austin ad agency GSD&M’s Idea City has unveiled an unusual new campaign for Southwest Airlines that didn’t even mention the airline when it first aired in December.
The “Be More Productive” campaign geared toward business travelers features the fictional character “Nick” as the uber-productive co-worker you love to hate.
GSD&M spokeswoman Melanie Mahaffey said the airline is highlighting its new assigned seating changes, suggesting it will now be easier and faster to board.
Southwest also has a “Business Select” service that allows certain passengers to board first, get free drinks and earn points on their Southwest accounts.
GSD&M will slowly reveal the connection between the “Nick” character and Southwest, not even mentioning the airline, and then only revealing the Southwest logo in the second round of advertisements.
It’s not until Jan. 12, during NFL playoffs, that the full connection between “Nick” and the airline is revealed. There are seven TV spots in all.
Southwest is one of GSD&M’s longest clients. The agency has worked with them since 1971.
Permalink | | Categories: Advertising, Air Travel
July 9, 2007
Aeromexico begins daily Austin-Mexico City flights
A news release from Aeromexico
Aeromexico, Mexico’s largest airline, today began offering daily flights between Austin and Mexico City, an increase from the previous four times weekly service.
The flights, the only scheduled international non-stop flights from Austin, depart daily at 3:00 p.m., arriving in Mexico City at 5:10 p.m. The flight from Mexico City will depart there each day at 12:00 p.m. and arrive in Austin at 2:10 p.m. Also, with the frequency increase, the service will switch to the Embraer RJ-145, operated for Aeromexico by Aerolitoral.
“It is exciting to be able to increase our service substantially to daily flights in order to better service the Central Texas market,” said Carlos De Uriarte, Aeromexico District Manager for Texas.
For more information and complete flight schedules from all U.S. gateways served by Aeromexico, please visit Aeromexico’s Web site at http://www.aeromexico.com/ or call 1 (800) 237-6639.
Aeromexico serves more than 40 cities in Mexico, more than any other airline, and 15 gateway cities in the United States including; Austin, Chicago; Ft. Lauderdale, Houston; Las Vegas; Los Angeles; Miami; New York City; Ontario, Calif.; Orlando; Phoenix; San Antonio; San Diego, Seattle and Tucson — and five countries in Europe and South America. Founded in 1988, Aeromexico has become the leading carrier in the region by maintaining the highest service levels, which have earned the airline numerous top rankings in the industry. The airline was the first Mexican carrier to introduce a frequent flyer program. Today, Aeromexico’s Club Premier program enjoys more than two million members. Aeromexico is a founding member of the SkyTeam global airline alliance, which provides customers with extensive worldwide destinations, flights and services. The airline’s corporate headquarters are in Mexico City.
Permalink | | Categories: Air Travel
May 23, 2007
Aeromexico to continue Austin flights
A news release from U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett
Washington, DC - Congressman Lloyd Doggett announced today that he has helped broker a compromise between the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Aeromexico that will allow continued nonstop service from Austin to Mexico City.
“Today’s compromise keeps the ‘International’ in Austin-Bergstrom International Airport,” said Congressman Doggett, a senior member of the House Ways and Means Committee. “This agreement helps our capital city to attract other carriers in the future, with more direct flights abroad. I commend the hard work of the airport and other parties that has helped advance the best interests of Central Texas travelers and businesses.”
Aeromexico and CBP agreed to continue service between Austin and Mexico City, flying a smaller regional jet flight three days a week. The flight will arrive in Austin later in the evening to accommodate additional business travelers. The new flight schedule will begin July 1st.
Permalink | | Categories: Air Travel
May 7, 2007
American Airlines adds Austin-Orange County nonstop
A news release from American Airlines
FORT WORTH — American Airlines is expanding its nonstop service to the West Coast from Austin, Texas, again — this time with new service to John Wayne Airport in Santa Ana (Orange County), Calif.
American, a founding member of the global oneworld(R) Alliance, will fly one roundtrip each day on the route beginning Sept. 5, 2007. Westbound service out of Austin will be flown with American’s 136-seat MD80 aircraft. Eastbound service out of Orange County will feature American’s 148-seat Boeing 737-800s.
Following is the schedule for American’s service between Austin (AUS) and Orange County (SNA), effective Sept. 5, 2007.
Flight 1465 Departs AUS: 7:50 a.m. Arrives SNA: 9:00 a.m. Flight 1622 Departs SNA: 5:45 p.m. Arrives AUS: 10:20 p.m.
“This new service will be our fourth nonstop West Coast destination out of Austin,” said Henry Joyner, American’s Senior Vice President — Planning. “Orange County is an attractive business and leisure destination airport that many of our customers find convenient and easy to use. We believe this new route will also drive additional Southern California traffic into Austin. We expect it to be another winner.”
Besides Orange County, American also provides nonstop service from Austin to Seattle, San Jose, Calif., Los Angeles, Dallas/Fort Worth, Chicago, St. Louis and Raleigh/Durham. American Eagle also flies nonstop between Austin and Dallas Love Field, as well as St. Louis.
In addition to Austin, American and American Eagle offer nonstops from Orange County to Dallas/Fort Worth, Chicago, St. Louis, San Jose, Calif., and San Francisco.
Permalink | | Categories: Air Travel
January 31, 2007
Virgin America considers Austin for future air service
A news release from Virgin America
Virgin America, the new start- up airline to be based in San Francisco, announced today four additional cities the carrier plans to serve, pending its certification by the U.S. Department of Transportation.
The airline has previously announced its inaugural flight will be between San Francisco and New York City (JFK). Within nine months of operation, Virgin America also plans to serve Washington, DC (Dulles), Los Angeles (LAX), San Diego and Las Vegas.
Virgin America expects to serve as many as 10 cities within a year of operation and up to 30 cities within five years of service. Additional cities under Virgin America’s consideration include: Atlanta, Austin, Baltimore, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, Hartford, Houston, Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Kansas City, Miami, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Nashville, Newark, New Orleans, Orlando, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, Providence, Portland, Ore., Raleigh-Durham, Sacramento, Salt Lake City, San Antonio, San Jose, Calif., Sarasota, Seattle, St. Louis, Tampa and West Palm Beach.
The airline is inviting travelers to visit its website, http://www.letvafly.com/, to rank where Virgin America should fly next.
“It’s exciting to share our plans for our first destinations we plan to serve this year,” said Fred Reid, Virgin America’s CEO. “Of course, we’re still working hard to complete our certification process. Considering the far reaching, significant changes our investors recently made to the company to address the Department’s concerns, we are hopeful to complete the certification process at the earliest possible date.”
Virgin America recently unveiled its onboard cabin, including first class seats with 55 inches of seat pitch (legroom) and massage chairs, as well as mood lighting and a digital inflight entertainment system providing on-demand movies and TV, games, music and online chat rooms — and even self-service mini-bars for snacks and beverages available throughout the flight.
“This is a product that will knock travelers’ socks off!” Mr. Reid said. “But it’s the U.S. traveler who stands to lose most if Virgin America is denied the chance to fly. We’re inviting our future guests around the nation to visit http://www.letvafly.com/, sign our online petition supporting more competition, a better airline experience and lower fares — and rank where we should fly first!”
The airline intends to create more than 1,000 new U.S. jobs in its first year and up to 5,000 within five years. In addition to this direct job creation, by its fifth year Virgin America will be responsible for indirectly creating approximately 50,000 new U.S. jobs in total.
Permalink | | Categories: Air Travel
December 18, 2006
American Airlines starts Austin-Seattle nonstop flight
A news release from American Airlines
American Airlines announced today it will begin new service between Austin, Texas, and Seattle on April 10, 2007. American will operate one round trip a day on the route with its 136-seat MD80 aircraft featuring 16 First Class and 120 Main Cabin seats.
“The Austin and Seattle markets are important to American and its customers,” said Henry Joyner, American’s Senior Vice President — Planning. “We’ve done very well with our other flights between Austin and the West Coast — we expect this one to be a success as well.”
American, a founding member of the global oneworld(R) Alliance, offers other nonstop West Coast flights from Austin to both Los Angeles and San Jose, Calif.
Here is the schedule for American’s service between Austin and Seattle, effective April 10, 2007 — all times local:
Flight 1893 Departs Austin: 8:15 a.m. Arrives Seattle: 10:25 a.m. Flight 1960 Departs Seattle: 3:35 p.m. Arrives Austin: 9:35 p.m.
Permalink | | Categories: Air Travel
November 29, 2006
American allows free flight changes during storm alert
A news release from American Airlines
American Airlines will allow its passengers ticketed for travel in four states Nov. 29 - Dec.1 to change their flights to travel through Dec. 1 with no change fees due to an approaching winter storm.
American Airlines storm policy applies to its customers traveling to, from or through cities in Texas, Oklahoma, Illinois and Missouri. One ticket change is allowed.
Passengers should call American’s reservation office, at 1-800-433-7300 to change their travel. Customers may also check the status of their flight at AA.com.
Permalink | | Categories: Air Travel
November 13, 2006
Aeromexico to start Austin flights
A news release from Aeromexico
Aeromexico, Mexico’s largest airline, today announced it will begin the only international non-stop service from Austin with flights to Mexico City starting December 15, providing Central Texas access to all of Mexico’s great destinations.
“We are very excited to expand our service from Central Texas, providing the only non-stop flights from Texas’ capital city to Mexico’s capital,” said Carlos De Uriarte, Aeromexico vice president of sales and marketing, U.S. Division. “The service from Austin, along with our expanded daily service from San Antonio to our Mexico City hub, will provide great access for both business and leisure travelers to Mexico’s business centers, our wonderful colonial cities and exciting beach destinations.”
From Austin, the flight will depart Sunday, Monday, Thursday and Friday at 2:45 p.m. and the return flight from Mexico City will depart there at 11:15 a.m.
Aeromexico is committed to consistently exceeding passengers’ expectations and takes pride in its high level of service. All passengers, including coach class, enjoy traditional Mexican hospitality with meals, complimentary cocktails, exceptional in-flight service, and superior on-time performance.
For the most discriminating traveler, Aeromexico’s Clase Premier first class cabin offers an exemplary travel experience featuring spacious seating, a personal entertainment system, gourmet dining menu designed by world- renowned chef Thierry Blouet, and one of the best-rated selections of wines in the sky.
For more information and complete flight schedules from all U.S. gateways served by Aeromexico, please visit Aeromexico’s Web site at http://www.aeromexico.com or call 1 (800) 237-6639.
Aeromexico serves more than 40 cities in Mexico, more than any other airline, and 15 gateway cities in the United States including; Austin, Boston; Chicago; Ft. Lauderdale, Houston; Las Vegas; Los Angeles; Miami; New York City; Ontario, Calif.; Orlando; Phoenix; San Antonio; San Diego; and Tucson - and five countries in Europe and South America. Founded in 1988, Aeromexico has become the leading carrier in the region by maintaining the highest service levels, which have earned the airline numerous top rankings in the industry. The airline was the first Mexican carrier to introduce a frequent flyer program.
Permalink | | Categories: Air Travel
