Consumer Traveler Today: May 4

Consumer Traveler Today: European air travel after Eyjafjallajokull
 
 
European air travel after Eyjafjallajokull
What we’re reading: ANA rethinking A380, What’s next for US Airways, Ireland closes airports
The first CO/UA merger news conference dodges Cleveland, claims consumer choice, predicts Houston growth
Oops, wrong city! Don’t let geographic illiteracy destroy your next vacation
European air travel after Eyjafjallajokull
Posted: 04 May 2010 03:10 AM PDT
Some people I know, even some Europeans, think I'm wrong. The public has a short memory and a large desire for cheap flights, they argue. Unless there's another large eruption soon, they think Europeans will go back to air travel as usual.
       

What we’re reading: ANA rethinking A380, What’s next for US Airways, Ireland closes airports
Posted: 04 May 2010 03:00 AM PDT
ANA rethinking A380 for long haul, What's next for US Airways now that United is in bed with Continental, Ireland closes airports due to volcanic ash
       

The first CO/UA merger news conference dodges Cleveland, claims consumer choice, predicts Houston growth
Posted: 03 May 2010 07:22 AM PDT
The two CEOs of United and Continental Airlines held a press conference to expound their newly consummated merger or equals. Technically, United is taking over Continental, but operationally, it looks like Continental is taking over United. These are my first impressions.
       

Oops, wrong city! Don’t let geographic illiteracy destroy your next vacation
Posted: 03 May 2010 06:44 AM PDT
I overheard two crewmembers on a recent flight from Orlando to Seattle mocking customers who believed the Earth’s rotation could slow the speed of an aircraft. “And that’s why the westbound flights are slower than the eastbound flights,” one of them giggled. Actually, a strong tailwind might account for the difference in speed.