ExpressJet Inaugurates Sacramento-Bakersfield this week

Airline begins non-stop service from Sacramento to Bakersfield CA on September 9th.

Scheduled daily departute out of Sacramento is 635pm arriving Bakersfield at 7:37pm.

The route will be operated by an Embraer ERJ-145 aircraft configured with no middle seats. ExpressJet also offers premium in-flight service including upgraded entertainment with more than 100 channels of free XM® Satellite radio, complimentary recognized name-brand snacks and cushioned leather seating.

ExpressJet flies non-stop to other small to medium size markets as well: Sacramento, CA
Albuquerque, Colorado Springs, Oklahoma City, San Antonio, Spokane, Tucson and Tulsa.

They also flight non-stop between Monterey and San Diego and Ontario.

Official Website for ExpressJet

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Megabus pulls into the Bay Area this week

MegaBus is expanding their coach service to the San Francisco Bay Area. Beginning Wednesday, Bay Area buses begin rolling non-stop from the Bay Area to Los Angeles city center with travel time less than 7 hours.

So where is the flight tie-in since this is a travel blog?

OK There is no direct connection! But, with the first 4 seats on each coach costing a mere $1 each (there are 56 seats total on each bus), a fairly quick ride south dropping you off near downtown L.A and 3 X daily service - including a "red eye" bus ride (leave 1130pm arrive L.A 6am), it's certainly worth considering over a flight to LAX.

What about Greyhound? (oh yea...Greyhound)

They're still around, and with a well established infrastructure of schedules and routes, it would seem Megabus is driving against some stiff competition. Megabus asserts however that their low price, tiered pricing structure (tickets never cost more than $36 each way) and non-stop service make them a superior product.

What I see absent from their press release is how coach service will meet a need for travelers. In the U.S at least, shady stories are ever present as it relates to Greyhound, not the least bit because of where the bus stations are located. A marketing campaign to drive people onto the buses because of a superior product such as service, onboard movies/entertainment or buy-on-board food is needed. The company should also remove itself from the present image of a dark, seedy Greyhound Bus Station by emphasizing where bus drop off points are located (ie: Cal-Train Station in the exciting SOMA, or near Dodger Stadium in L.A).

Still, Megabus is an option people have as an alternative to air travel, at least to Los Angeles for now. While I doubt business travelers are lining up to purchase, small groups of friends may find some fun riding the bus down to L.A for the weekend. Megabus

Source: Megabus Press Release

Premium airline - Jet Airways coming to San Francisco

Above: Exclusive mini-suites on Jet Airlines

India-based Jet Airways says it is rolling out aggressive plans to expand into the North American market. Currently Jet Air flies to 50 destinations across the globe, and with brand new Boeing 777 plans about to be delivered, the airline plans on adding Toronto, Newark, JFK and San Francisco to Mumbai.

Jet Airways is known internationally for their posh first class section; divided suites with shutterlike doors. Inside there is a seat that reclines into an 83-inch-long lie-flat bed, a 23-inch entertainment monitor and dual credenzas that eliminate the need for overhead-bin storage. Economy passengers aren't left out either, with the latest onboard video/audio entertainment systems.

Newark service begins this week, followed by Toronto next month. By January the airline expects service to commence from San Francisco and JFK, offering connecting service in Shanghai or Brussels.

Airlines to replace "No Smoking" with "No Mobile"

With the introduction of mobile phones services onboard some European-based airlines next year, the outdated "no smoking" signs above each seat will soon be replaced with "no mobile."

The illuminated "no smoking" signs have now become outdated since almost universal bans on lighting up on scheduled passenger planes were introduced in the late 1990s.

The "no mobile" sign will show a mobile phone crossed out and will be illuminated during takeoff until the plane has reached a certain altitude in order to ensure there is no interference with mobile networks on the ground.

Grabbing a cup'o joe at SFO (and other airports) will cost a few more pennies starting this week at Starbucks location across the country.
Starbucks has announced brewed coffee and Batista-made beverages will increase an average of 9 cents starting July 31st. Spokeswoman Bridget Baker attributed the increase to a rising "cost of environment," including increased dairy, fuel, and energy costs. The actual price change will vary by region and drink.

Northwest Airlines continues to cancel flights across the nation today. Friday and Saturday reports indicate up to 8% of NW scheduled flights had been canceled. (Usually an airline cancels no more than 2% of daily flights for various reasons). San Francisco and Sacramento airports are included on the list of cancellations this weekend, which are expected to continue as a result of ongoing pilot shortages. Be sure to check your flight status with the airline before heading on down to the airport. Northwest Airlines.

JetBlue commences San Francisco
- Salt Lake City flights today

The airline is offering introductory $79/one way fares booked now through August 8th for travel between September 5-November 14th.

JetBlue offers the most legroom in coach, and is the only airline to offer free seatback satellite television -- featuring the airline's signature 36 channels of DIRECTV(r) -- on all flights to/from Salt Lake City International Airport. They have plenty of complimentary munchies and drinks on board as well.

The 1X daily flight leaves SFO at 420pm arriving Salt Lake City at 715pm except on Saturdays when the flight leaves at 220pm, arriving SLC 535pm local time.

On May 3rd, JetBlue began offering flights out of San Francisco. This new daily Salt Lake City service compliments the nonstop flights already offered to Boston and New York City.

First Airbus 380 Flight to be sold to charity
Singapore Airlines, the first commercial airliner to fly the long awaited double-decker Jumbo Airbus 380 airplane is auctioning off seats for their first flight scheduled for October 2007. Money raised will be donated to charity organizations.

Singapore Airlines Chief Executive Officer, Chew Choon Seng says "the first commercial A380 flight will be a moment in aviation history. It will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience, on an aircraft that will mark a new chapter in air travel"
Click here for more information or to place a bid

TSA: Breast milk, welcome aboard

The TSA has relaxed its rules on lighters and breast milk. Effective August 4th the U.S Transportation Security Administration will begin permitting passengers to carry regular ciggarette lighters (not torch lighters) on flights. Easy enough to understand.

But the real story rests on the breasts.

The TSA has indicated passengers traveling with a small child can bring a larger quantity of baby formula or breast milk (larger than the 3.4oz permitted for other liquids) through security. The liquid/food is subject to inspection, but according to the TSA's "straight answers" page, "security officers will not test or taste the formula or breast milk."

United Airlines announced plans to install the first 180º, lie-flat business class seat to be offered by any U.S. airline. Seat amenities will include configurations allowing for a 180-degree recline to a full 6-foot, 4-inch bed, an ottoman, 15.4" personal TV monitor (3 times larger than the previous ones), ergonomically designed tray table that comfortably accommodates a laptop and other items and an iPod adapter that enables customers to play their own music and videos on the seat's entertainment unit while recharging the iPod. Planes will soon begin configuration to the new Business Class product, expected to be changed on all fleet by 2009.
See more on United's new International business class product here.

BART considering airport parking for SFO

Last week, BART's Board of Supervisors gave preliminary approval to a plan to offer long-term parking for travelers at four stations near San Francisco International. BART officials still need approval from federal officials to implement the plan.

The cost would be $6 a day, cheaper than most other parking lots at or near the airport. But travelers would have to pay extra for the trip required from the BART station to the airport. For example; drive to the Millbrae BART station, park your car and hop on BART to SFO.

The plan is to offer 500 spaces — 100 each at the Colma, South San Francisco and San Bruno stations, and 200 at the Millbrae Station. But the number may vary month to month. The four stations are on "The Peninsula" extension of the line that reaches the airport. If the spaces reserved for airport parking aren't occupied by 10 a.m., they will be available for general use. BART hopes that the program would improve the line's ridership, which has fallen short of original estimates.

1245pm Virgin America Update
VirginAmerica website seems to be having difficulties handling the masses. The site has been up and down through the morning.
Alternatively, you can book Virgin America tickets through ORBITZ

Here is a run down on their offerings:
-from$44/each way to/from Las Vegas or Los Angeles and San Francisco
-from $139 each way to/from New York and San Francisco

Flights start August 8th to L.A and N.Y
You can call 1-877-FLY-VIRGIN to make reservations ( I was able to get through in less than 10 minutes).

Be sure to sign up for their flying club frequent flyer club program on their website.

The 'Capsule Hotel' at London Gatwick

Resting somewhere between a cramped airport seat with security announcements blasting overhead and and a quiet, spacious hotel with complimentary health club access lies the Capsule room by Yotel. The first Yotel opened June 30th at Gatwick Airprort and essentially offers private resting accommodations for delayed or in-transit passengers. Each room sleeps 2 people, includes flat screen TV's with 60 stations, 24 hour "room" service, restroom and free Wi-Fi. A premium capsule measures 75 square feet and runs $80US for four hours, with different pricing options for overnight stays or standard cabin stays. Another Yotel is expected at London Heathrow Airport within a year.

Related: Sleep Stations coming to SFO

Breaking News 425pm
A Tam Airlines Airbus 320 plane carrying over 150 people has crashed into an airport and burst into flames shortly after landing at the Sao Paulo Brazil International Airport. So far no report on injuries or casualties. Updates from Reuters.

Later and L a t e r flight arrivals

U.S. based airlines had their lowest on time performance rating in nearly 3 years; just 68% of flights arrived on time during the month of May according to the Department of Transportation.

Redeem 15,000 American Airlines miles for short hop awards
American announced today the return of their Short-Hop Economy MileSAAverSM Awards which allows folks to redeem 15,000 AA miles (instead of the regular 25,000 miles) for flights up to 750 miles. In the Bay Area that means SFO or San Jose-Los Angeles or Orange County and San Jose to San Diego. Valid for travel September 1 - February 28, 2008.

American Airlines officially released Dealfinder today, a downloadable desktop tool reportably to offer people more options and control when booking travel. The program was available on a limited Beta basis before today. Some say it has the same feel as Southwest Airlines Ding! downloadable program, but has fallen short since it focuses on more vacation packages and less on bargain basement cheap down and dirty give it to me for next to free fares, that Southwest sometimes offers. Also unlike Southwest, American hasn't so far announced any free miles/credits for giving the program a try.

A lack of "Sun" at San Francisco Airport (soon to change)

Have you seen this plane hanging around at San Francisco Airport?
(probably not)

Sun Country Airlines, recently named top 5 on the list of Top Domestic Airlines in Travel+Leisure’s 2007 World’s Best Service Awards has daily service out of SFO. So where are their planes?
Well according to its schedule, the planes are on the ground at SFO for a mere 50 minutes - a quick drop off and reload of passengers, hardly time to gatch a glipse of their fairly new & crisp planes.

So who are they? The privatly owned company initiated its first flight in 1999 and today has over 1200 employees on staff. Based in Minneapolis, Sun Country offers year round service from San Francisco to destinations in the U.S such as New York's JFK, Washington Dulles and Dallas via its Minneapolis hub. Sun Country is really known however for its flights to Sunny destinations including Miami, St.Petersburg/Tampa, South Padre Island, Puerto Vallarta, Zihuatanejo/Ixtapa, Acapulco, Montego Bay and San Juan.

The airline just announced a "UFLY" frequent flyer program in attempt to attract new business. For coach passengers this means 10 round-trip flights=1 free flight with no blackout dates or restrictions.

Beginning later this month, Sun Country will add to its existing 1240am "red eye" service to include a 605pm departure to its Minneapolis hub (arriving at almost midnight). The airline's entire 737 fleet is young, averaging less than 5 years old. Each plane has leather seats in both first and coach class, along with high fidelity audio programming.

With this added 2nd plane you may be seeing more "Sun" at SFO.
More information about the airline can be found here.

7 hours sitting on a plane - without leaving the ground

We are beginning to hear more stories about airlines refusing the let passengers off the plane when it's clear the aircraft will be stuck at the game for a while. Robert McKee (thanks Consumerist.com) shot this video of a recent Delta Airlines flight where passengers were provided multiple excuses for the problems. My favorite line is when one of the airline employees explained to customers that after calling Delta headquarters, they could not provide food to the passengers because the flight was not scheduled for food service - despite the many hours stuck on the tarmac.



While we here at inflightout try not to report on individual complaints, this video helps capture the many other incidents that have been reported on other airlines and other airports. In some incidents, such as this one, the airline is simply following federal policy about maximum hours flight crew can work. But often it's more important how the airline responds to such delays and treats its customers. It's likely we'll see more videos like this going forward.