Consumer Traveler Today: April 30

Consumer Traveler Today: United and Continental to announce merger
 
 
United and Continental to announce merger
What we’re reading: FAA looks at Bombardier, re-engining may be a problem, JAL restructures
One captain’s war for an airline ticket refund
US Airways’ CEO Parker: More consolidation coming to legacy carriers
Air Canada: “No credit? No food.”
United and Continental to announce merger
Posted: 30 Apr 2010 05:53 AM PDT
As we, and half of the airline reporters, have posited, Continental and United Airlines are getting ready to announce their engagement. It happened quickly as we suggested it might in an earlier column. These two airlines had already tried each other on for size about two years ago.
       

What we’re reading: FAA looks at Bombardier, re-engining may be a problem, JAL restructures
Posted: 30 Apr 2010 03:00 AM PDT
US seeks Bombardier Q400 fixes, Airline doubts engine fixes, JAL restructures routes
       

One captain’s war for an airline ticket refund
Posted: 29 Apr 2010 08:30 AM PDT
Capt. Wilson L. Dos Santos is stationed in Iraq, but last month he clicked on Priceline to buy a ticket for his mother to fly from Boston to Fort Myers, Fla. When he realized he’d booked the wrong airport — he should have sent her to Tampa, instead — he tried to cancel the first ticket and bought a second one.
       

US Airways’ CEO Parker: More consolidation coming to legacy carriers
Posted: 29 Apr 2010 07:30 AM PDT
This week has been bittersweet for US Airways. They started off announcing the break off of merger talks with United Airlines that they never admitted having then released their first quarter financials that showed hopeful improvements. As Doug Parker, the US Airways CEO spoke before their media day gathering of travel writers, he reiterated consolidation, consolidation, consolidation.
       

Air Canada: “No credit? No food.”
Posted: 29 Apr 2010 06:30 AM PDT
Air Canada has joined in the "cashless" craze, except that the Canadian flagship carrier has gone further. Their version could make travel for some people very difficult indeed.