Southwest Airlines launches 72-hour Philadelphia sale

Southwest Airlines on Tuesday launched a 72-hour fare sale for flights between Philadelphia and three cities, a step in its plan to grab customers from major Philly competitor US Airways. Fares are available for travel between Philadelphia and Raleigh/Durham, N.C. starting at $30 each way, between Philadelphia and Chicago for $60 each way and between [...]

Continental Airlines to charge for food

Continental Airlines is ending free hamburgers, barbecue and sandwich rolls for many of its passengers in favor of a food-for-sale program that mirrors what other carriers are already doing. A spokesman said Monday that the airline, based in Houston, expects a $35 million annual benefit, from cost savings and added revenue. Delta Air Lines, American [...]

World airlines see blue skies ahead

Global airlines are undergoing a surprisingly strong recovery with Asian and Latin American carriers leading the way, the leading industry group said Thursday as it halved its loss forecast for 2010 to $2.8 billion. The International Air Transport Association said carriers began bouncing back late last year, and have continued to see stronger demand after [...]

British Airways, American Airlines, Iberia to cede airport slots

British Airways, American Airlines and Iberia have offered to give away takeoff and landing slots at London and New York airports to soothe European Union antitrust worries, EU regulators said Wednesday. The European Commission said it would ask other airlines whether freeing up slots at London Heathrow, London Gatwick and New York’s John F. Kennedy [...]

Flight attendants, American Airlines at odds over contract

Contract talks between American Airlines and its flight attendants broke off Wednesday night, with the union declaring that negotiations were hopelessly stalemated while the company said it is looking forward to more bargaining. The union said that it would ask federal officials to start a 30-day cooling-off period, after which the flight attendants could strike. [...]

Continental Airlines to let coach customers buy more space

Continental Airlines will begin charging coach customers extra if they want a seat with more legroom. Prices will vary depending on the length of a flight and popularity of the route. A spokeswoman said extra room on a Houston-New York flight might cost $59. International fliers would pay more than that. Starting March 17, coach [...]

Hard-pressed Europeans flock to cheaper airlines

Budget airlines in Europe gained 13 million more passengers last year, with cheaper prices pulling in customers amid an overall drop in air travel. The European Low Fares Airline Association, which includes Ryanair and easyJet, said an 8.7 percent increase in passenger numbers in 2009 allowed their industry expand and hire 3,000 more workers. Airports [...]