San Francisco to Palmdale Flights End Saturday

On Saturday, United Airlines/Skywest will end flights into Palmdale, a small airport located 90 minutes Northeast of Los Angeles. The airline had been struggling with just 30-40% passenger loads since it began the route in mid-2007. The cancellation of the route means Palmdale airport will no longer offer commercial airline service, ending, for now, one dreamed up solution to partially unclog LAX of air traffic congestion. 

Read more: earlier inFLIGHTout announcement of the route cancellation. 

Midweek Round Up Of Airfares

Thanks to a significant drop in the price of crude oil, many airlines recently announced a drop in fuel surcharges. These charges were choking the price of an airline ticket adding $50-$250 to the price of a round trip flight. Delta, American, United, Air France and Virgin Atlantic all announced cuts in fuel surcharges. Other airlines are maintaining the heavy fee citing unpredictable short term charges in the cost of oil.

Now may be the time to capitalize on recent drops in fuel surcharges, and discounts on some routes. Here is a roundup of fares from Wednesday morning. All prices below are round trip and include all taxes and fees. Most travel dates valid through Fall 2008, some longer.

San Francisco to:
Long Beach $118 (JetBlue/B9)
Seattle $149 (Virgin America/VX and Alaska/AS)
San Diego $118 (Virgin America/VX)
San Jose, CR $513 (Continental/CO))
San Juan, PR $304 (U.S Airways/US)

Sacramento to:
Berlin , DE $765 (United/UA and Continental/CO)
Cabo San Lucas $329 (United/UA)

Santa Rosa to:
Las Vegas $179 (Horizon/QX)

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United Express To Drop San Francisco to Palmdale

United Express will terminate flights between San Francisco and Palmdale in early December, according to Los Angeles airport officials. Over the years, Palmdale regional airport was sought after to help absorb some of the air traffic flying into nearby congested Los Angeles International.

In this most recent attempt, the federal government pumped in financial incentives to United during the first year of operations. The airline initially operated two daily flights on regional jets, then expanded to four daily flights using smaller aircraft. Unfortunately, the airline saw no significant improvement in flight loads, averaging a mere 30-40% of capacity. With federal incentives slashed, and the cost of jet fuel up, United's move to withdraw from Palmdale was probably an easy decision.

Service between the cities officially ends December 7, 2008.

JetBlue's San Jose-Boston Nonstop Ends Today

After today, JetBlue will discontinue nonstop service between San Jose and Boston. The carrier will continue to operate flights between San Jose and Long Beach and New York's JFK.
The carrier had stated that flying this coast-to-coast route, one of its longest flights, is not profitable due to the high costs of fuel and existing competition.

Earlier in the month, JetBlue cancelled San Francisco to Boston route, citing similar reasons.

Zoom Airlines Grounds Flights, Files Bankruptcy

Canadian-based Zoom Airlines failed to receive additional funding from creditors Thursday, causing the airline to suspend operations and enter into Bankruptcy. Yet another victim to the high cost of fuel.

In a press statement today, co-founders of Zoom stated, "We deeply regret the fact that we have been forced to cease all Zoom operations. It is a tragic day for our passengers and more than 600 staff."

The discount carrier operated intra-Canada flights, and internationally between Canada and the U.K, Paris and Rome. Additional service was provided to/from New York, San Diego, Fort Lauderdale and Bermuda.

On the Zoom website, customers holding confirmed reservations are given direction on how to apply for a refund, and an option to receive a discounted price for re-booking with select carriers.

JetBlue drops Bay Area routes to Boston

Citing high fuel costs, JetBlue says it will cut routes between San Francisco and San Jose to Boston next month. Flights will end on September 3rd from SFO, and September September 16 from SJC. The airline will continue to offer flights to/from Oakland and Boston.

Demand and Disappointment for Fuel Efficient Car Rental Reservations

The spike in fuel costs is driving a big demand for fuel-efficient car rentals. Too big actually. Car rental companies typically offer something for everyone, from the compact Ford Focus right on up to a full size Toyota Avalon (pictured left). Problem is, too many people, it seems, are reserving the smaller, fuel efficient drives only to find they've been (involuntarily) upgraded when arriving to pick up the vehicle.

This article from the L.A times uncovers what car rental contracts say about these less than desired upgrades, and how reserving a compact car may actually start costing you more.

U.S Airways To Shut Off In-Flight Movies

It a fuel savings estimated at $10 million a year, US Airways says it will stop showing in-flight movies on its domestic flights. According to Bloomberg news, the video systems add about 500 pounds to a plane, increasing overall fuel consumption. The movie systems will be turned off November 1st, but will remain operating for Hawai'i and trans-Atlantic flights.

Delta To Add Fuel Service Charge To "Free" Award Tickets

Redeeming frequent flyer miles for a "free" ticket
on Delta Airlines will soon cost you

In yet another setback for consumers, Delta airlines announced this morning they will begin charging customers a fuel surcharge fee when redeeming Delta SkyMiles for an otherwise "free" flight. In a press release, Delta stated effective August 15th, a $25 fee will be charged for flights within the United States and Canada, and $50 elsewhere in the world. The fuel surcharge will not impact existing itineraries or tickets purchased before August 15th.

This is the first known U.S-based airline to institute a fuel surcharge to customers redeeming banked frequent flyer miles. In the press release, managing director of Delta's SkyMiles program said, “This was a difficult but essential decision in the face of record-high fuel costs. We hope this is temporary, and should fuel prices subside from current levels, we will reevaluate this surcharge."

With the cost of oil exceeding $140 a barrel, airlines are struggling for ways to recoup operating losses. The fuel surcharge on award travel is surely seen as one possible solution. But already, consumers are crying foul, as the once advertised "earn a free trip" when redeeming 25,000 miles no longer applies. With the added fuel surcharge, it will soon become impossible to obtain a free trip with Delta.

Earlier this month, and with less uproar from the traveling community, American Airlines quietly announced they would add a $5 charge for all award tickets redeemed on their website effective June 21st. Without a huge public backlash - yet, in effect, American's move may have helped pave the way for Delta to institute the fuel surcharge announced today.

U.S Airways Eliminates Complimentary Pretzels

Starting on June 1st, US Airways passengers will no longer enjoy free pretzels on domestic flights, due to the carrier’s latest cost-cutting measures. Biscoff cookies, served during early morning departures, will be axed as well. It's unknown how much money the airline will save by eliminating these onboard munchies.

Also: American Airlines to increase the price of liquor and fresh food for sale sandwches starting June 1st.

U.S Airways to charge for 2nd checked bag

If you think this sounds familiar, you're right!

In a press release Tuesday, U.S Airways announced the introduction of a $25 fee for most passengers checking-in more than one bag. The change takes effect May 5th and is expected to generate $75 million in cost savings (fuel, manual labor) and new revenue to the airline. The fee will not apply to passengers with the highest elite status in the U.S Air Dividend miles program.

Earlier this month United Airlines announced it would begin charging $25 for additional bags as well.

Continental doubles fuel surcharge

In a struggle to keep the engines running and show a profit, Continental Airlines announced today a doubling in the fuel surcharge on domestic airline tickets. With the increase, consumers will now pay an additional $40 for domestic airline tickets.

United and American Airlines surprised in the industry last week by charging as much as $50 for fuel surcharges. Although initially matched by other airlines, most of these charges were scaled back or dropped altogether after consumers balked at the higher fees.

The airline industry has been hammered with rising fuel costs. American, United and Delta all came out with 4th quarter losses directly attributed to the cost of fuel. Continental however did show some profit, mainly related to higher revenues from International routes. The fuel surcharges are seen as an immediate way to escape the red and bring the airlines back into profit mode.

Analysts expect other airlines will adjust their surcharges upward in response to Continental's announcement.

United Airlines bumps fuel surcharge to $25

Delta matches increase, expect higher ticket prices system wide
United Airlines said Friday it more than doubled its fuel surcharge price to $25 each way to offset higher fuel costs.

In an email, a United spokesperson said it raised its surcharge price from the previous range of $0 to $10, depending on the market. "Every penny increase in a gallon of jet fuel costs our industry $195 million annually, and while we operate more efficiently, we must be able to pass commodity costs on to customers, as other industries do." According to Rick Seany of FareCompare, Delta Airlines has matched this unprecedented increase as well.

Changes to Southwest's Checked Baggage Policy

Historically known for its liberal baggage policy, Southwest Airlines will soon modify its limits on checked baggage. According to the Southwest website, the airline states passengers may now check up to 2 bags free of charge effective January 29th. Previously, and generously, the airline had allowed up to 3 bags free of charge. The new policy is on par with the competition and is at least partially in response to rising jet fuel costs.

Monterey - Salt Lake City service to be discontinued

Delta Airline's Monterey to Salt Lake City service will be discontinued Sunday. The airline which had up to 2 daily flights connecting fliers from the far South Bay to its SLC hub cited rising fuel costs and ridership as the chief reasons for ending service. Delta says while they are considering bringing back service over the summer, overall the route faces an uncertain future.