Report: United considering a merger, passes on Delta.
After a firm statement from United Airlines denying merger talks with Delta Airlines, Business Week is reporting a merger between some other airline may be in the works.
Meanwhile, UAL chief says a industry merger would be a plus.

Sacramento to Santa Barbara now available Nonstop

ExpressJet Airlines began new service from Sacramento International Airport to Santa Barbara this month. Sacramento travelers can fly nonstop with ExpressJet to Albuquerque, Bakersfield, Colorado Springs, Spokane, Oklahoma City, Santa Barbara, Tucson and San Antonio.

ExpressJet Airlines aircraft are quiet, fuel-efficient and configured with no middle seat. Amenities include complimentary headseats and over 100 channels of XM Satellite Radio, along with "beer for a buck" on most flights. Visit http://www.xjet.com/

SFO-Las Vegas Air & Hotel package (with extras!) for Under $200 bucks

Amazing Las Vegas hotel & air package.
TravelZoo posted a deal at the Monte Carlo Hotel in Las Vegas... $50 bucks a night, including great perks like 2 free buffets, 2 admissions to their spa, $10 in slot pay, and 2 cocktails. Minimum 2 night stay. GREAT offer viewable here.

Combine that hotel deal with the Virgin America 2 for 1 promo mentioned here a few days ago... $50 bucks per person round-trip to Las Vegas, and you have a great vacation getaway!

San Francisco - Boston, MA $180/Roundtrip including taxes. Continental Airlines.
Available certain dates during January and February. www.farecompare.com

Southwest to add San Francisco - Phoenix flights

Southwest Airlines, which relaunched flights from SFO earlier this year, continues to expand its network of routes. In a press release, the airline announced new non-stop service from SFO-Phoenix will begin March 8th. 5 daily departures are currently scheduled.

Since returning to San Francisco Airport, Southwest has commenced flights to Chicago-Midway, Las Vegas, San Diego and Los Angeles. This new service to Phoenix is in addition to non-stop flights it offers out of Oakland, San Jose and Sacramento.

JetBlue has announced today it has begun selling tickets on online travel sites, such as Orbitz, Travelocity and Priceline.com. The deals mean JetBlue can expand its customer base and step up competition on the US domestic market. Until today, travelers had to purchase tickets directly from JetBlue.

San Francisco - Rochester, MN $118+ tax roundtrip Northwest Airlines.
Travel valid 7 days a week thru December 14th. Fare Basis K3QA6NC.
Available for purchase after approximately 11am Pacific Time. www.farecompare.com
Many other small to medium sized cities throughout Wisconson and Minnestota have been reduced in price as well.

Virgin America: Buy 1 Get 1 Free Offer

H O T T E S T airfare deal of the year! (thanks FW)
Virgin America has a promo code Buy 1 Get 1 Free valid system wide.

For example: San Francisco-New York is $169+ tax ROUNDtrip when 2 people fly together on the same reservation.
For Example2: San Francisco-Los Angeles $50+tax ROUNDtrip when 2 people fly together on the same reservation.
The source of this promo code is a blog called DIGGNation - diggnation.com, and apparently the code was given to some of their subscribers, but seems to work for everyone.
Book at: Virginamerica.com enter code: DIGGNATION on the start page where it asks "have a promo code?"
T&C
*Digg Promotion: Promo Code discount is only valid for two guests traveling on the same itinerary. Offer ends at 11:59pm Pacific Time on December 7, 2007. Promo Code is valid for travel in the Main Cabin between November 26, 2007 and March 19, 2008. Blackouts are December 19, 2007 through January 6, 2008, February 14, 15 and 18, 2008. If travel is changed to a date outside of this window, or if itinerary is modified so that there are not two guests traveling on the same flights, Promo Code discount will become inapplicable, and guest will be responsible for any increase in air fare. The Promo Code may be used only towards newly-booked travel and may not be applied to prior bookings. Promo Code discount will be deducted off of base fare. Promo Code may not be redeemed for cash. Offer may not be combined with any other sale or promotion.

HOT FARE: San Francisco to Minneapolis $98+ tax roundtrip! Sun Country Airlines
Fare valid through December 14th. Visit www.suncountry.com

A safety video that's FUN to watch

Compliments of Virgin Atlantic

Earning cash-back & frequent flyer miles for online purchases

"Black Friday" is upon us, and like animals hunting for prey in the wild, shoppers around the country are in rapid chase to find the perfect holiday bargain. But some of the best bargains can be found online, in the safety of your own home.

Many online businesses are offering incentives such as free shipping or coupons for post-Thanksgiving purchases. But, you can even do better: A website called RewardsDB adds icing to the cake by telling you where cash-back or frequent flyer miles can be earned for shopping at certain websites. (And you typically don't earn these bonuses by shopping at the brick & mortar stores).

Websites that you may already use or have considered such as Buy.com and Expedia which sometimes already have great deals, give an extra little commission for shopping with them. It's easy and nearly an automatic process.

Visit the RewardsDB website for more details.

Zagat: Hooooray to Virgin America, Midwest Airlines

Zagat, best known for its reader-generated restaurant guides, also applies its methodology to the airline industry. Latest survey results shout "swell job" to Midwest Airlines, known for their freshly baked onboard cookies, and Virgin America, a newcomer, who delivers top-notch onboard entertainment to all passengers.

Meanwhile, the news is grim for other airlines. Since Zagat began covering airlines in 1990, only Continental and Southwest Airlines have improved in reader survey results.

HOT deal! 25% off your next Virgin America flight.
Book book before December 7, 2007 for travel through March 19, 2008. Click on the Redeem button or enter this promo code when you book your travel online at http://www.virginamerica.com/: ELEVATE25

ATA's 3 'Be's' for smooth airline travel this week

The busiest travel week of the year is in progress. Here are some great travel tips from the American Travelers Association:

Be Early
- Be Early Rule #1 - you can never be too early for your flight.
- Be Early Rule #2 - Allowing extra time is often the only thing that gives you the ability to solve many airline delay problems.
- Be Early Rule #4 - Arrive early at the departure gate and board the aircraft as early as possible to help to avoid being bumped from your flight (unless you want to be! =) )
Be Informed
- Be Informed About Your Flight and Use Advance, Online Check-in to Obtain your Boarding Pass
- Confirm all of your flights well before departure day either online or through the airline's toll-free telephone numbers.
- Check-in and print boarding passes online at least 24 hours before departure.
- Confirm the actual departure time of all of your flights: before leaving for the airport; when you get to the airport; and when you are waiting at the airport. Things change.
- Know the TSA 3-3-1 Rule for liquids and gels in carry-on bags
- 3-ounce containers in 1 quart-sized zip-top bag with only 1 zip-top bag per passenger.
Be Prepared to
- Use Self service check-in kiosks to obtain boarding passes, obtain or change seats,
and at some airports to check bags.
- Go directly to the security checkpoint if you have a boarding pass and no bags to check.
- Confirm that all checked bags have bag tags on the outside and inside that contain your name, address, e-mail address, home phone number, cell phone number, destination phone number, and flight information.
- Be Prepared for the Security Check Point w/ ID and boarding pass in hand
- Be Prepared for Long Lines and Delays from the Time you Arrive at the Airport Until You Get on the Plane.
- Be prepared for: lines on the roads into the airport; lines to get into the parking lots; lines at the check-in counter; lines at the security checkpoint; lines to get food and drinks; lines at the
Starbucks; and lines at the gate.
- Be prepared to be self sufficient during flight delays on the aircraft, by bringing food and snacks with you from home and buying drinks after passing through the security checkpoint.
- Be prepared to call the toll-free number of your airline if your flight is cancelled or delayed, to re-accommodate yourself on an earlier or later flight. Do this in addition to standing in line with
passengers waiting to be accommodated, until you are re-accommodated
on the phone or at the desk.
-Be Ready to Have a Good Flight and a Happy Holiday!

Use Caution when buying airline coupons on Ebay

Scam Alert: Auction site Ebay is filled with attractive coupons and discounts for many airlines in the U.S. Whether you need discounted tickets on Southwest, Continental, Northwest and Alaska (to name a few), Ebay seems to have the discount your looking for. Most have rules however stating the certificates cannot be sold, traded, etc., so you need to be mindful of this.

But this story is really about United Airlines $100 off e-certificates on the Ebay site. It seems someone very creative, arguably bored, may have found a way to "crack the code" and is trying to sell fraudulently obtained e-certs by transposing numbers. The technique for doing this is described on travelglitch. The result: some people on Ebay are selling these codes at a steep discount.

This causes duplicated e-certificate numbers, with one person using the code they legitimately obtained from United, the other using the code they ultimately obtained from a fraudster.

inFLIGHTout recommends you ask the seller for a scan or other documentation showing they have the actual e-certificate from the airline before deciding to purchase. If they airline becomes tuned in to the fraudulent situation, you may find yourself, and your mileage plus account under scrutiny. (Yes, they have suspended & closed accounts for not adhering to frequent flyer program rules).

Free luggage tags from our friends at Tripadvisor.com

Click here

British Airways has been flying "ghost flights" across the Atlantic ocean right into the United States.
Citing a lack of cabin crew, the airline has been shuttling their huge planes across the globe without a single passenger on board. Details from USA Today

Friday Comic Relief

Earn 1,000 bonus Delta SkyMiles when you spend $20 or more with Shutterfly. Great for uploading & printing holiday photos, greeting cards and more.
Offer expires December 31st. Visit Shutterfly for more information.

Save $50 bucks on your next Northwest Airlines Purchase

Paypal has partnered with Northwest Airlines whereby you get $50 bucks back on your next airline ticket purchase when using paypal as your payment method. Minimum airfare is $250, and you must purchase by November 21st. Click here for more details.

HOT FARE. Sacramento - Philadelphia, PA $105+tax roundtrip ($137 all in) December 1-19th
Continental, Delta and Northwest Airlines.

Priceline Eliminates Airline Ticket Booking Fees
This month, Priceline began eliminating airline ticket booking fees on all published domestic and international fares. The change does not apply to Priceline's Name Your Own Price airline ticketing service, which offers already discounted tickets.

There are many pro's and con's to using Priceline and other travel sites such as Expedia, Orbitz and Travelocity. A con has historically been the added service charge for airline tickets, though often only $5-$15 per ticket. This policy change at Priceline may be a wake up call to the other travel sites to reexamine their fees, while at the same time making such travel sites a more attractive option to consumers.

Virgin America Falling Fall (and Winter) fares

Fly in High Style for Less On Virgin America Now Through December 18, 2007, With Fares as Low as $129 SFO-New York, $39 SFO-Las Vegas, $119 SFO-Washington Dulles

Tickets are on sale today on Virgin America's website www.virginamerica.com
Tickets must be purchased by November 15, 2007.

Bay Area Departutes & Arrivals: Qantas, Jet Airways, Jet Blue, United

Qantas Airline's San Francisco - Vancouver service ends seasonal service on January 6th.

The airline was operating a limited 2 x weekly schedule with full onboard service and amenities, before it (and many of its passengers) continued on to Sydney.

Jet Airways has confirmed its San Francisco - Mumbai, India service will begin "soon". The airline has posted several employment opportunities at SFO.

United airlines has pushed back the inauguration of San Francisco to Guangzhou, China service to June 2007. Previously the airline announced plans to start flights on March 25th.

JetBlue will be chopping the Oakland-Ft Launderdale non-stop service come this January, just two years after they began service on this route.

Most delayed flights in America: SFO makes the list!

The US Department of Transportation released its monthly on-time statistics report this week, and September 07' wasn't so bad. While Nationwide statistics showed overall improvement for on-time performance compared to August 2007 and the September 2006, there were 5 flight routes that reported being late more than 85% of the time. One of those "top 5" is a flight that departs San Francisco. DOT considers a plane late when it arrives at its destination 15 minutes or more after the scheduled time.

Most Frequently Delayed Flights

Comair flight 5042 from Philadelphia to New York JFK – late 90.91 percent of the time!
Atlantic Southeast Airlines flight 4822 from Atlanta to Myrtle Beach, SC – late 89.66 percent of the time
Atlantic Southeast Airlines flight 4377 from Lafayette, LA to Atlanta – late 87.50 percent of the time
Atlantic Southeast Airlines flight 4423 from Atlanta to Lafayette, LA – late 87.50 percent of the time
Alaska Airlines flight 688 from San Francisco to Los Angeles – late 86.36 percent of the time
(Alaska Airlines has since dropped this evening flight from its schedule)

Southwest Airlines "Special" and "Not so Special" customers

The airline announced several changes including added perks for frequent or high paying fare customers; stops short of calling themselves a 2-class airline. (Let's just call them "special").

First, yes - the "Cattle class", unique to Southwest remains, but with some minor changes. The airline will start giving passengers an assigned number within the current A, B and C boarding groups and then have you line up in your respective group and board together. To this point in Southwest's history, passengers simply queued according to their assigned group.

Other changes:
A "Business Select Class" will be created, whereby those paying the highest fares (often last minute and/or refundable) pay an extra $10-$30 and receive a guaranteed "A" boarding pass (first on the plane), free cocktail and ability to earn RapidReward credits a bit faster.

All members of its RapidRewards program who have flown 32 one-way flights or 16 round-trips in 12 months will be placed on the carrier's "A-List," where they will be automatically checked in for their flight in advance, and will most likely receive an "A" boarding pass.

Although the airline has operated on a one-class system - no first class cabin and no elite levels in the RapidRewards program, quite unlike most other U.S airlines, the changes announced yesterday begin to erode away at a single class Southwest society many people are use to.

Virgin America announces new San Diego service

Virgin America announced today ticket sales has begun for daily flights between its home base of San Francisco International Airport and San Diego International Airport. The service will begin on Feb 12, 2008 with three daily flights and will expand to five daily flights on March 9, 2008. Prices are available as low as $39 each way in economy and $149 each way in First Class. San Diego will be the 6th destination served by the airline.

Virgin America's brand new planes feature moodlighting, custom-designed leather seats and the Red Inflight Entertainment system which allows guests to order food, watch one of 25 movies, satellite TV, play a videogame, create a personal playlist from over 3,000 MP3 music tracks onboard or instant message with other guests -- all from a 9" video touch-screen and keyboard at every seat

Travelocity Promotion: $50 off a 3 night stay at participating hotels, when using your Mastercard. Expires November 30th.

Taca Airlines begins Oakland - El Salvador service soon

Taca Airlines begins Oakland - San Salvador, El Salvador service November 17th. The flight departs at 12:30am arriving at 7:50am later that morning. Departures are currently scheduled for Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays. This route compliments an existing daily Taca flight from SFO to San Salvador.

Southwest Airlines Credit Card from Chase: Free trip after 1st purchase

I posted this several weeks ago, and it is well worth re-posting. Chase is again offering 16 Rapid Rewards credits after your first purchase on their Southwest Airlines card. 16 credits is enough for a free round-trip flight on Southwest. You pay $59 for the annual fee. Here is the link

It took about 2 weeks for the rapid rewards credits to post to my account - no hassles or problems.

A few good fares found today:
Oakland-Los Angeles $78+ tax/roundtrip United & Delta Airlines
Oakland-Long Beach $78+tax/roundtrip JetBlue
Oakland-Chicago-Midway $57+tax one-way Southwest DING! Fare
San Francisco-San Diego $78+tax/roundtrip United Airlines
Sacramento to Columbus for $58+ one-Way Southwest Airlines DING! Fare

Most of these fares have holiday black-out date exclusions or other travel date restrictions. Visit farecompare.com or download the DING! program from Southwest for more information.

Breaking News 2:40pm A small executive jet has crashed into a heavily populated neighborhood in Sao Paulo, Brazil - at least 8 people dead.

Earlier this year a Tam airlines flight crashed into a building in Sao Paulo killing 199 people.

San Jose - Palm Springs now available - NONstop

Horizon Air will inaugurate new once-daily, nonstop jet service between San Jose and Palm Springs today. The seasonal service will run through April 6, 2008. The only other competition in this market is from United Airlines with twice daily service from SFO.

The new flights will be operated with 70-seat CRJ-700 regional jets and feature Horizon’s special brand of inflight service, including snacks, Starbucks coffee, and wine and microbrews at no extra charge. A quick check of fares showed prices as low as $74.00 each way for advance ticketing.

Horizon and Alaska currently serve Palm Springs with year-round nonstop flights from Sacramento, San Francisco.

Back with the Friday Funny!

(click to enlarge)

Have a great weekend everyone

Sacramento to Philadelphia, PA $98+tax ROUNDTRIP ($139 all in) Northwest Airlines
December 1-19th. travelocity.com. Fare basis TY03RBV9

No 'Mile High Club' Memberships on Singapore's Airbus 380

Singapore Airlines has taken the unusual step of publicly asking passengers on its new Airbus A380 plane not to engage in any sexual activities. The potential problem has arisen because the first class area of its giant superjumbo contains 12 private suites complete with double beds.

Singapore, which is the first airline to start flying the A380, said the suites were not sound-proofed. It said it did not want anyone to offend other travellers or crew.
Singapore added that while the suites were private, they were also not completely sealed.

"All we ask of customers, wherever they are on our aircraft, is to observe standards that don't cause offence to other customers and crew," the airline said in a statement. "Nothing different applies for our Singapore Airlines Suites customers." -BBC News (Thanks Yih!)