Business Travel Tips

Seven U.S. airlines have filed a lawsuit against the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) over the new rules on crew rest.

The new FAA rules would require that pilots on the longest international flights get more rest before flying again. The extra rest would be required even when only 10 percent of flights on a particular route exceed 16 hours.

The airlines say that Federal Aviation Administration did not show how the rule will advance safety. Also they say that FAA denied them the right to comment before it notified some carriers of the new rules.

The airlines filing suit include American, Continental, US Airways, United Airlines, JetBlue and two smaller carriers.

The global economic recession is forcing Virgin Atlantic to cut capacity and reduce fares.

Bloomberg News notes that Virgin Atlantic is slashing fares to as low as $377 round-trip between New York and London.

However Virgin Atlantic CEO Steve Ridgway stressed that airline has no intention of abandoning any markets.
The newspaper quoted Steve Ridgway as saying “We’ll probably shrink a bit this year, but we’re trying not to cut routes.”

Steve Ridgway also said that given the two-year delay in the scheduled delivery of its first Boeing 787 jets, Virgin Atlantic is in talks with both Boeing and Airbus to secure temporary long-range aircraft.

On January 12, 2009, new regulations for entry to the U.S. will be effective for citizens of Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries*.

Beginning Jan. 12, all nationals of VWP countries who plan to travel to the United States for temporary business or pleasure must require an approved electronic travel authorization — Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), 72 hours before departure to the U.S..  

To apply for authorization to travel to the United States under the VWP, travelers must register via the internet — through the ESTA web-based system, and complete an application online providing the required information. (Find out details here)

* Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries include: Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Republic of Malta, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom.

U.S. airlines start the New Year with mega airfare sales.

United launched a promotion for domestic flights beginning January 14 through April 30. Tickets must be purchased by January 7.

Below a sampling of United’s discounts on U.S. and Canada routes.
They are each-way fares based on required roundtrip purchase.
Boston - Washington Dulles $66
Chicago - Honolulu $329
Chicago - Los Angeles $201
Denver - Los Angeles $126
Los Angeles - San Francisco $65
San Francisco - San Diego $55
San Francisco - Vancouver $117
Seattle - Victoria $94
Washington Dulles - Maui $349
Washington Dulles - Orlando $90
Find out details of this sale here

Southwest Airlines launched a mega New Year’s sale with fares starting as low as $49 one-way (for travel Tuesdays and Wednesdays; $59 for other days). You can fly Coast-to-coast for $89 one-way. Below a few examples:
- Baltimore to Orlando, $49 one-way
- Chicago to Ft. Lauderdale, $59 one-way
- Ft. Lauderdale to Los Angeles, $89 one-way
- Chicago to Los Angeles, $99 one-way
Travel period: January 15 through April. Booking must be made by January 19; a 14 day advance-purchase is required.
Details of Southwest’s sale at Southwest hotfares.

Beginning January 11, 2009 Northwest Airlines will reduce flights between Portland, Ore. and Amsterdam from five flights a week to four.

The carrier has announced it is a temporarily reduction of the service; the schedule of five weekly flights will resume on March 23.

NWA will also continue to provide daily flights between Portland and the Dutch capital throughout the summer months starting in July.

As a NWA service between Hartford’s Bradley International Airport and Amsterdam is expected to start on June 2 2009.