3/16/2010

United Airlines Launches Mobile Check-in Capabilities,
Mobile Boarding Pass

Just in time for the start of the busy spring break travel season, United Airlines has introduced
mobile check-in and mobile boarding passes, enabling customers on the go to check in using a
mobile phone or Web-enabled mobile device and proceed through security and boarding without
needing to present a paper boarding pass.
Customers flying on any United or United Express-operated flight within the United States, Puerto
Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands may check in at the new mobile.united.com beginning 24 hours
before departure. Mobile check-in is especially helpful to customers in hotels or in business
meetings who want to check in before arriving at the airport.
United’s additional mobile boarding pass feature is available to customers departing from the
airline’s five hubs – Chicago O’Hare International Airport, Denver International Airport, Los Angeles
International Airport, San Francisco International Airport, and Washington Dulles International Airport
– and from airports in Dallas-Fort Worth, Las Vegas, New York LaGuardia, Orlando, Philadelphia,
Phoenix, Portland, Ore., and Seattle. United plans to introduce mobile boarding passes at additional
airports, including in Atlanta, Baltimore, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Salt Lake City and Orange County-
Santa Ana, in the coming weeks.
After checking in at mobile.united.com, customers can receive an email link to access a mobile
boarding pass that includes a two-dimensional barcode. The barcode can be scanned at airport
security checkpoints and at the gate during boarding. A refresh of the mobile boarding pass will
reflect any changes to seat assignments, gate changes and upgrade confirmations.
“Mobile check-in and paperless boarding give our customers more choice and control over their
travel experience,” said Cindy Szadokierski, vice president of airport operations planning and United
Express. “These options enable travelers to have greater flexibility and efficiency in their travel day,
particularly as we enter the busy spring break travel season, where thousands of additional
customers will pass through airports every day.”
In addition to using the more environmentally friendly paperless boarding pass option, customers
may also access mobile.united.com to check flight status, flight availability, itineraries and Mileage
Plus® accounts, and sign up for notification via email, phone or text message of any changes to
flight status. With the My ItinerariesSM function, customers can view their itineraries and, in the event
of missed connections, see the flights on which they have been automatically rebooked, rather than
waiting in line at the airport for agent assistance.

3/14/2010

Travel Warning to Mexico
United States Department of State

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_4755.html

2/3/2010

Read Article

8/24/2009

Changes To American Airlines International And Domestic Checked Bag policy and Charges, to and from Europe and India effective Sept 14th.

 www.aa.com/bag

8/21/2009

The Transportation Security Administration has updated the FAQs about Secure Flight data on its Web site. You may have read about the impending August 15 implementation, but that is an essentially soft launch. Most all travel entities, including AA, continue to prepare for implementation. Take a look at the updated TSA FAQs for good reference information.

7/28/2009

AMERICAN AIRLINES UPDATE JULY 27, 2009

AMERICAN AIRLINES ANNOUNCES CHANGES TO CHECKED BAG CHARGES

American Remains Competitive With Other Airlines

American Airlines today announced changes to charges for checking a first or second bag. The charges will increase for domestic-travel tickets that are purchased on or after Aug. 14, 2009. The changes apply for travel within the United States and U.S. territories such as Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The changes also apply to travelers on American’s regional affiliate, American Eagle, as well as AmericanConnection flights.

For tickets purchased on or after the effective date, the first checked bag will be $20 and the charge for a second checked bag will be $30, up from the current charges of $15 and $25 respectively. The current checked bag charges to and from Canada are not changing at this time.

Here are some examples of exceptions for travelers who do not pay any checked bag charge – other exemptions may also apply – see AA.com/baggage for details:

• American’s AAdvantage program members who have achieved AAdvantage Gold, AAdvantage Platinum and AAdvantage Executive Platinum levels, as well as oneworld® Alliance Emerald, Sapphire or Ruby members;
• Those who have purchased tickets in the First and Business Class cabins, as well as those who purchased full-fare tickets in the Economy Class cabin;   
• Those with international itineraries (except to and from U.S. territories such as Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands). Checked bag charges to and from Canada, as noted, are not changing at this time and remain at current levels.

Customers may pay checked bag charges at an airport Self-Service Machine, the curbside check-in counter, or at any airport ticket counter.

4/28/2009

UPDATE: Latest News on the Swine Flu Outbreak

 Please be advised that at this time, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention  recommends that U.S. travelers avoid all nonessential travel to Mexico. Changes to this  recommendation will be posted on the CDC Web site. Please check this site frequently for  updates.

 If you or your client must to travel to an area that has reported cases of swine flu, the  CDC recommends that you/they
w check updates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Secretaria de Salud and World Health Organization.
w Monitor announcements from Mexico’s Ministry of Health and local government including information about affected areas, as not all areas are equally affected.
w Follow local public health guidelines, including any movement restrictions and prevention recommendations.

Further, please be advised that Mexico has instituted swine flu screening at airports and land borders for travelers departing Mexico, according to Mexican health authorities. Passengers showing symptoms of swine influenza will be asked to submit voluntarily to physical examination and further evaluation, if needed. Entry and exit screening may cause significant delays at airports.

At this time, the United States is not conducting enhanced entry screening of passengers arriving from Mexico, nor is the United States conducting exit screening of passengers departing for Mexico.

The Department of Homeland Security will provide Travel Health Alert Notices to US travelers going to and coming from Mexico at all airports, seaports, and land border crossings. These notices provide advice to travelers on how to reduce their risk of getting sick, the symptoms of swine flu, and what to do if the traveler becomes sick.

CDC will provide all ill passengers and their contacts arriving from Mexico with Travel Health Alert Notices. These notices provide advice and information regarding seeking health advice from a physician and how to prevent illness in persons who have been exposed but who are not ill.

4/24/2009

BAGGAGE UPDATES
Delta and Northwest Baggage Policies Aligned
US Airways Adds $5 Fee to Airport Checked Bags
Alaska / Horizon to Charge First Bag Fee

Effective for tickets issued on or after April 23, 2009 for travel on or after July 9, 2009, US Airways will charge an additional $5 fee to check a bag at the airport, resulting in a $20 fee for the first checked bag and a $30 fee for second checked bag. Bags checked-in online will pay $15 for their first checked bag and $25 for their second.

Delta’s and Northwest’s baggage policies are aligned. As a result, Delta’s new $50 second bag fee for international travel also applies to Northwest flights.

Effective for tickets issued May 1, 2009 for travel on or after July 7, 2009, Alaska/Horizon will charge $15 for the first checked bag.

It is important that you inform your customers of the airlines’ fee policies when the information has been conveyed to you by the airline. Some airlines do not charge baggage fees and the out-of-pocket difference for a family of four traveling on an airline that charges fees could total as much as $400 if each traveler checks two bags.

ASTA’s Baggage Fee Chart has been updated to reflect these changes.

4/15/2009

Star Alliance Upgrade Awards Now Available   
 
We have reintroduced Star Alliance Upgrade Awards (SAUA) for our Mileage Plus members as of April 7th.  Star Alliance Upgrade Awards allow Mileage Plus members to redeem the Mileage Plus miles they've earned for an upgrade on participating Star Alliance carriers.    Star Alliance Upgrade Awards have many benefits for Mileage Plus members:   * The upgrades are confirmed so passengers don't have to stand by at the airport;  * Passengers get to enjoy the benefits of the upgrade from the time they check in, going through security, lounge access to priority boarding;  * Upgrades are electronic and don't require any paper certificates; * Miles will not be deducted until the upgrade is confirmed by the partner carrier; and * Upgrades can be requested up to 331 days from the date of travel for most carriers.   Star Alliance Upgrade Awards are currently available on Air China, ANA, Asiana, Austrian, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Shanghai, SWISS, TAP Portugal, THAI and Turkish Airlines.  Additional Star Alliance member airlines will be added in the future.   If you would like to learn more about Star Alliance Upgrade Awards, including full terms and conditions, please visit united.com/starallianceupgradeawards.
 
 
 

3/31/2008

Aloha Airlines announced that it will be shutting down its inter-island and transpacific passenger flight operations.
Aloha's last day of operations will be today, Monday, March 31, 2008. On that day, Aloha will operate its schedule with the exception of flights from Hawaii to the West Coast and flights from Orange County to Reno and Sacramento, and Oakland to Las Vegas. Code-share partner United Airlines and other airlines are prepared to assist and accommodate Aloha's passengers who have been inconvenienced.

Please see the Aloha Airlines site at www.alohaairlines.com for more information and FAQ.
For more information on United Airlines accommodation options, contact United at 1-800-UNITED1 or www.united.com. Passengers who do not wish to be re-accommodated by another airline should contact their travel agent or credit card company to request an immediate refund.

06/27/07

For clients processing their passports and may not have them by the time they travel they can go to www.travel.state.gov and print out their confirmation of their passport being processed.  Will need picture ID. along with confirmation for travel.

03.03.07

Attention Spring Breakers: New Documents Required for Air Travel to U.S.

If you are traveling by plane on spring break to Mexico or Canada, please keep in mind that the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative requires all travelers to and from the Americas, the Caribbean, and Bermuda to have a passport or other accepted form of documentation to enter or reenter the United States.

11.7.06

European Union Sets New Security Standard, UK & Canada Make Adjustments

Effective Nov. 6, 2006, travelers departing from any European Union (EU) airport are subject to new carry-on liquids policies. The United Kingdom (UK) also announced that it would relax its liquids policy for outbound flights, bringing its system-wide liquids policy inline with the EU standard. In addition, Canada adjusted its liquid container size limit from 90 milliliters (ml) to 100 ml, bringing it inline with the EU. As a result, all EU, UK and Canada travelers may carry-on liquids, gels and lotions that are in containers no larger than 100 ml, approximately 3.4 ounces (oz). All containers must fit comfortably in one, 1-liter, clear plastic zip-top bag. In addition, the clear plastic bag, with contents, must be presented for examination at the initial airport security point. Medicine, baby food, as well as drinks and perfumes bought at airport shops in secure areas prior to boarding are exempt. The EU's new liquids policies are only minimum standards and individual countries may have more restrictive policies. While similar policies are in place in the United States, the notable difference is that liquid containers are limited to 3 oz (90 ml) in the United States, rather than the 100 ml (3.4 oz) standard set by the EU. The links found in the chart below will provide you with a printable document for each country or region's policies that you can share with your customers. Please note: travelers to, from and within the UK are still limited to one carry-on item. All other bags, such as a handbag, must be carried within this single item.

Liquids, Pastes, Gels and Aerosols Carry-On Policies (11/6/2006)

* If travel plans require a connection in the US, pastes, gels and aerosols purchased at the airport that are larger than 3 ounces and do not fit in your clear plastic bag may need to be included in checked luggage at the first arrival point in the US.
** The EU's policies are only minimum standards and individual countries may have more restrictive policies.

10.4.06

On Sept. 29, Congress passed language to extend the deadline for the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI). Here_s what the extension means for passport requirements for U.S. citizens:

WHAT'S THE SAME ...

Air Travel

Passport Deadline: Jan. 8, 2007
U.S. citizens will be required to have a valid passport for exiting and reentering the United States starting Jan. 8, 2007 for all air travel.

WHAT'S CHANGED ...

Sea and Land Border Entry Ports

Passport/PASS Card Deadline: June 1, 2009

U.S. citizens traveling by sea and land within the Western Hemisphere _ Caribbean, Bermuda, Canada and Mexico _ will be required to have a valid U.S. passport or a yet-to-be-determined, new economical travel document known as a Passport Card on or before June l, 2009.

IMPORTANT TO NOTE: Congress stipulated that the Departments of State and Homeland Security must meet seven criteria in developing and implementing the PASS card for sea and land ports of entry. If the seven criteria are met within the 17 month extension period, the implementation of WHTI becomes effective three months after the criteria is approved, or by June 1, 2009; whichever is earlier. In other words, the June 1, 2009 implementation date for WHTI may be moved back if the agencies can comply with the seven specifications set out by the Congress in the extension legislation.

The U.S. Department of State_s Office of Passport Services reports that 70 million U.S. citizens now have passports. U.S. Passport Services is receiving 225,000-250,000 passport applications a week, which is up 60 percent from two years ago. The current turn around period for obtaining a U.S. passport remains at four to six weeks. ASTA continues to urge all U.S. citizens to apply for a U.S. passport, which will ease travelers confusion on what document is required and when.

9.25.2006

Airport Security Update: TSA Adjusts Liquid Ban

Effective Sept. 26, 2006, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will adjust its airport security screening procedures as follows:

1) Pre-Screening - Passengers may carry travel-size toiletries (3 ounce or less) that fit comfortably in ONE quart-size, clear plastic, zip-top bag through the security checkpoints.

2) Post-Screening - Passengers may bring items, including beverages and duty-free items, purchased in the secure gate area on-board the aircraft.

According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the U.S. is working to align its policies with those found in Canada and Europe, but some differences may currently exist. As more details are released, ASTA will provide updates. Details can be found at www.tsa.gov

9.11.2006

Today we remember the victims of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and their families. Our thoughts and prayers are with them as we mark the 5th anniversary of that tragic event. We also remember everyone that partakes in this industry and we are proud of the resilience and spirit it has shown and its role as one of the most tangible expressions of freedom.
Our Freedom Statement, issued on September 12, 2001, continues to uphold our emotion and dedication of our role in the lives of those we serve:
Our role of guiding and assisting you, the traveler, has intensified like never before. Coping with the memories of a global tragedy, we all remain committed to preserving many basic rights, including the freedom to travel. All Direct Travel’s clients worldwide are similarly committed to fostering the exchange of cultures and experiences throughout their travels every day. Boundaries divide; travel unites. And you are our utmost priority.

8.25.2006

Effective December 31, 2006, a passport will be required for all air and sea travel to or from the United States when traveling from the Western Hemisphere.  The U. S. State Department implemented the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 requiring passports to or from Western Hemisphere countries.  The Western Hemisphere includes Mexico, Canada, Bermuda, the Caribbean, the West Indies and Central and South America.

This is a change from prior travel requirements and will affect all U.S. citizens entering the United States from countries within the Western Hemisphere who do not currently possess valid passports.  This new requirement will also affect certain foreign nationals who currently are not required to present a passport to travel to the United States.

8.23.2006

Travelers with Disabilities and Medical Conditions
Important Information Concerning New Security Procedures

8.12.2006

Get Answers to Your Frequently Asked Questions. Click here.

8.11.2006

Immediate changes to airport screening procedures

TSA is immediately implementing the following changes to airport screening procedures.

NO LIQUIDS OR GELS OF ANY KIND WILL BE PERMITTED IN CARRY-ON BAGGAGE.

SUCH ITEMS MUST BE IN CHECKED BAGGAGE. This includes all beverages, shampoo, suntan lotion, creams, tooth paste, hair gel, and other items of similar consistency.

Exceptions: Baby formula and medicines, which must be presented for inspection at the checkpoint.

Beverages purchased in the boarding area, beyond the checkpoint, must be consumed before boarding because they will not be permitted onboard the aircraft.

Passengers traveling from the United Kingdom to the United States will be subject to a more extensive screening process.

These measures will be constantly evaluated and updated as circumstances warrant.

8.10.2006

UK Security Update / UK Flight Cancellation/Delays / Re-accommodation Offers

Travelers flying within, or out of, the United Kingdom (UK) will encounter stiff new security measures imposed by the UK_s Department of Transport. Most notably, ALL bags must be checked, including handbags, and pockets must be empty. Also, electronic devices, such as ipods, cell phones, PDAs and laptops must be checked. For travelers within or out of the UK, the items that can be taken through airport security are listed below, but must be placed in a single (ideally transparent) plastic bag.

· Pocket-size wallets and pocket-size purses plus contents (for example money, credit cards, identity cards,  etc - handbags are not allowed.

· Travel documents essential for the journey (e.g., passports and travel tickets)

· Prescription medicines and medical items sufficient and essential for the flight (e.g., diabetic kit), except in liquid form unless verified as authentic

· Glasses and sunglasses, without cases

· Contact lens holders, without bottles of solution

· For those traveling with an infant: baby food, milk (the contents of each bottle must be tasted by the accompanying passenger) and sanitary items sufficient and essential for the flight (diapers, wipes, creams and diaper disposal bags)

· Female sanitary items sufficient and essential for the flight, if unboxed

· Tissues (unboxed) and/or handkerchiefs

· Keys (but not with an electrical mechanism)

It is not yet known how long the UK_s new security requirements will remain in place. For now, all future passengers should be advised of these new procedures. Any changes to these requirements will be report on ASTAnet and at the UK Department of Transport_s Website at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/about-us/news/advice-travellers.

Heathrow Airport Delays & Cancellations - August 10
According to UK_s Department of Transport, Heathrow is closed to incoming flights that are not already in the air due to increased security measures. Today, British Airways has cancelled short-haul flights to and from Heathrow and long-haul flights are taking place, but with severe delays. BA_s announcements can be found at http://www.britishairways.com/travel/flightops/public/en_us.  Other carriers_ flights have also been affected. Passengers holding tickets should check the airline_s flight status before proceeding to the airport. Passengers should check their flight status with their airline or on www.heathrowairport.com. Flights in and out of other UK airports are also affected by delays. A list of current delays, by airport, can be found at: http://www.baa.com/.

Airline Re-accommodation Offers for Affected UK Passengers.The following airlines have announced re-accommodation procedures for affected ticket holders:

British Airways http://www.britishairways.com/travel/flightops/public/en_us

United Airlines http://www.united.com/page/article/0,6722,51801,00.html