United and Continental Airlines Agree to Merge

United and Continental Airlines made it official today, announcing the two companies will merge and become the largest airline in the world based on total volume. In a statement to customers, United said the companies are expected to combine later this year, pending governmental approval. Until then, the companies remain independent and will continue to compete with each other. The airlines have set up a new website which discusses the combined airlines and shows off its livery; note the Continental globe with the United brand name is proposed in this illustration.

Happening Now: Volcanic Ash Shuts Down N. Europe Air Traffic

NY Times: The shutdown, among the most sweeping ever ordered in peacetime, forced the cancellation of thousands of flights and left airplanes stranded on the tarmac at some of the world's busiest airports as the rolling cloud - made of of minute particles of silicate that can severely damage airplane engines- spread over Britain and toward continental Europe. Read more from the New York Times.

Travel Disruptions Following 8.8 Tsunami in Chile

Since coverage was initiated last night on the powerful 8.8 quake in Chile, Tsunami advisories and warnings have spread throughout the Pacific. In addition to travel disruptions in Chile, other areas throughout the Pacific may be impacted. In the state of Hawai'i where tsunami sirens have sounded and officials are preparing for at least some *minor* coastal impact.

Hilo airport has been closed, and many coastal beaches and residences evacuated. The Honolulu Star Bulletin reports evacuations in Waikiki are going smoothly. As a precautionary measure, most airlines have issued travel waiver allowing customers to postpone travel to the islands. According to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Ewa Beach, HI, the initial Tsunami impact will occur around 11:00 HST (about 1pm Pacific).

Photo from the Tsunami Warning Center. Click to enlarge

Ethiopian Airliner Crashes Near Lebanon; 90 Aboard

Breaking News

An Ethiopian airliner carrying 83 passengers and 7 crew members crashed early Monday morning while enroute to the Ethiopian capital of Addis Abada. The plane disappeared from radar shortly after takeoff from Beirut around 2:30 a.m. local time Monday. Stormy weather was reported at time of takeoff. Officials are searching an area off the Lebanese coast where the plane was thought to have gone down.

Hopes Fade for 228 Aboard Missing French Jet

All 228 people onboard an Air France plane are feared dead after encountering stormy weather late Sunday night over the Atlantic Ocean. AF Flight 447 was enroute to Paris from Rio de Janeiro when it encountered severe turbulence four hours into the flight. Shortly thereafter, a series of automatic messages were sent from the plane reporting electrical faults in the aircraft. No mayday or official communication came from the pilot, but a crew member from a nearby flight reported "bright spots" in the ocean approximately 800 miles from Fernando de Noronha archipelago, in South America.  Authorities are currently scouring the sea looking for the possible wreckage site. 

Northwest & Delta become Delta Airlines

As expected, Northwest and Delta Airlines announced the two will merge and become the world's largest airline. The process of merging is expected to take 6-8 months, and is subject to government approval. Delta will retain the name for the new airline. The airlines have contacted members of their frequent flyer programs stating their frequent flyer miles and status will be unaffected by the merger.

Meanwhile, the airlines created a new website to boast of the new airline and positive effects they feel will result.

American Cancels 900 More Flights for 3rd Day Of Inspections

3rd day of cancellations has affected more than half the companies regularly scheduled flights across the United States. More than a quarter-million passengers directly impacted. American says it is reaccomodating stranded passengers and providing refunds to customers scheduled to travel this week on MD-80 aircraft. Meanwhile, the company is getting hammered by substantial financial losses as a result of the inspections and irregular operations.
More from CNN

Security Breach At San Jose Airport

Breaking News - 9:30AM. A security breach at San Jose Mineta occurred this morning. According to officials, a bullet was found near a passengers seat onboard a United Airlines flight. This has triggered a re-screen of passengers.

Plane carrying 46 reported missing in Venezuela

08:00 am update: Plane wreckage found, no survivors.
A twin engine commercial airliner which departed from Western Venezuela Thursday has been reported missing. The twin engine ATR-42-300, operated by Santa Barbara airlines which was carrying 43 passengers and 3 crew never made contact with air traffic control after departure. The area where it disappeared was about 400 miles Southwest of Caracas.
More from MSNBC

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.

Engine fire forces American Airlines plane into emergency landing

All passengers & cabin crew walked away uninjured.
Reuters is reporting an American Airlines flight from St Louis bound for Chicago was forced to turn around and return this afternoon after 1 of the 2 engines on the MD-80 aircraft caught fire. None of the 137 passengers or 5 crew were injured.

Separately, a Delta Airlines flight on Thursday aborted take-off when it was discovered that an engine on an Atlanta bound MD-88 plane was on fire. Everyone was evacuated without injury.

Plane crash in resort island of Phuket kills 88 people

BREAKING NEWS
A One-Two-GO airliner has crashed in the resort island of Phuket Thailand Sunday, killing 88 people on board. The airline, one of a handful of budget air carriers in Asia, was making a 2nd attempt of landing in strong winds and heavy rain. Despite the many fatalities, Health Ministry officials report several survivors managed to escape before the plane burst into flames.

Read more here

FAA orders emergency inspections on newer 737 planes

Aviation authorities have ordered emergency inspections of newer model Boeing 737 airliners in response to last week's explosion and fire that destroyed a China Airlines plane in Japan.
The Federal Aviation Administration on Monday ordered all U.S. airlines to check for loose hardware in panels which are extended on the wings to increase lift for take-off and landing.

The FAA said loose hardware appeared to have punctured the fuel tank of the China Airlines jet on August 20 in Okinawa, Japan. Leaking fuel caused a fire that engulfed and destroyed the airliner. All aboard escaped safely.

There are more than 780 affected planes registered to U.S. airlines. About 1,500 are in service with other airlines around the world.

China Airlines plane bursts into flames, 2 injured

A possible leaky fuel line is the blame for a China Airlines flight which burst into a wall of flames shortly after landing in Okinawa airport Sunday. Amazingly all 165 passengers and flight crew escaped before the plane was engulfed in fire. Details from USA Today.

Here is a Video of firefighters working to extinguish the inferno.

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After years in the making, Today marks San Francisco based - Virgin America's inaugural flight

CNN Coverage

Domestic on time arrivals in the United States have hit an all-time low. According to a Department of Transportation (DOT) press release, the first 6 months of 2007 saw more than 1 out of every 4 flights delayed, the worst record in the 12 years statistics have been recorded by the DOT.

American Airlines reported only 57.9% of its flights on time among the major carriers, while Southwest had the most on time flights at 75.3%.

Sacramento International record: 1 Million+ passengers in June

Sacramento International Airport broke an all time record of serving over 1 million passengers during the month of June. The airport, which has seen a 5% growth year-to-date, has added new airlines and destinations, thereby making Sacramento an alternative to some Bay Area airports.

Complimentary Wi-Fi in the terminals & hand lotion and sanitizer in the restrooms are some of the extras one will find at the airport. J.D Power and Associates recently ranked Sacramento Airport #2 in the nation among mid-sized airports.


Above: One of the interesting walkways at SMF

Midwest Airlines announced plans to begin talks with would-be acquirer AirTran airlines. AirTran which has been attempting a takeover of Midwest Airlines in recent months had always been flatly rejected by Midwest. Now Midwest seems a little more open-minded. Midwest said a nine-member board had formed a committee to explore strategic and financial alternatives...

Midwest Airlines offers daily service from San Francisco to Kansas City and other destinations across the U.S and is known for their superior inflight service, including complimentary fresh basked cookies.

Three global airline alliances include 82% of the world's top 60 carriers

Oneworld 21.6% (ie: American Airlines)
Star Alliance 27% (ie: United Airlines)
SkyTeam 22.5% (ie: Northwest Airlines)
Unaligned 28.9% (ie: JetBlue)


All three airline alliances are seeking to sign carriers out of such emerging markets as China and India.

For the consumer, the added benefit may be more opportunities to earn and spend frequent flyer miles with airlines in each alliance without having to belong to each airline's frequent flyer program.
Contributing source: Business Travel News