“Our service from Atlanta brings greatly reduced fares with new flexibility and value for both leisure and business Customers,” said Gary Kelly, Southwest’s Chairman, President, and CEO, at a news conference Monday afternoon in the airport’s main terminal.

Employees of Southwest Airlines celebrated the milestone in a LUV-themed ceremony featuring congratulations from Georgia Governor Nathan Deal, Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed, Aviation General Manager Louis Miller, and a cadre of excited Southwest Customers and airport employees.

“Southwest Airlines will significantly expand the tradition of excellent customer service and low fares that we have come to expect from AirTran Airways over the past 15 years,” said Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed. “Hartsfield-Jackson Airport prides itself on serving more than 90 million passengers every year, and Southwest’s presence will further assure our airport remains as the busiest passenger airport on the planet.”

Following on months of community service performed around Greater Atlanta even prior to the August 2011 announcement of Southwest service, Kelly also announced the launch of an online essay and video contest to award $150,000 in LUV Grants for Good across the State.  The contest is open to 501(c)(3) nonprofits which meet guidelines and rules, available atsouthwest.com/luvgrants.

The public will have an opportunity to vote and select the winning six organizations from a pool of finalists that produce videos on how they would use money to show love to the communities they serve.  Those finalists will have been selected from essays submitted online and judged by the Georgia Center for Nonprofits and Southwest Airlines.

In accepting the gift on behalf of all Georgians, Governor Deal said, “Southwest Airlines has established itself as a first-rate corporate citizen in our State by creating LUV Grants for Goodto celebrate their arrival in our community. This program will benefit the people of Georgia, who welcome Southwest, their good works, and the wonderful opportunities they bring to our great State.”

Today’s initial schedule of 15 flights to five nonstop destinations, with additional same-plane and connecting service to 48 destinations across the country, is just the beginning of a beautiful partnership between the world’s busiest airport and the largest airline in the nation, as measured by the U.S. Department of Transportation in terms of originating passengers boarded.  Daily nonstop service between Atlanta and Austin, Baltimore/Washington, Chicago Midway, Denver, and Houston (Hobby), will grow next month with the addition of nonstop service to and from both Las Vegas and Phoenix starting March 10.  Southwest also will add nonstop service beginning June 10 between Atlanta and Los Angeles and will offer additional nonstop service connecting Atlanta to Louisville, Norfolk/Virginia Beach, and Seattle starting August 12.  All flights are available for sale now at southwest.com.

Southwest’s arrival also brings Cargo Customers expedited air cargo service between Atlanta and more than 90 destinations across the map. From a brand new facility constructed at the Atlanta airport, Southwest Employees now offer award-winning Customer Service with complimentary Road Feeder Service and interline destinations.

“We’re opening Southwest service to Atlanta with more flights than our traditional start, and we have big plans for the city,” Kelly told the crowd.  Dallas-based Southwest Airlines Co. acquired AirTran Airways, Atlanta’s second-largest carrier, in May 2010, yet maintains two separate airlines until a full integration over the next several years.  The carrier anticipates obtaining a Single Operating Certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration in the first quarter of this year, the first step in allowing that process to unfold.  AirTran Employees, aircraft, and gates in Atlanta will convert to Southwest Airlines in the future.

With the addition of Atlanta, Southwest Airlines adds Georgia, as its 38th State, to a route map of service now totaling 73 U.S. airports.  As of today, AirTran serves 52 cities nonstop from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, including near-international routes to Mexico and the Caribbean.

United is also rebranding its international, long-haul premium-cabin services, introducing:

• United Global First, the international first-class experience on three-cabin aircraft.
• United BusinessFirst, the international business-class experience on two-cabin and three-cabin aircraft.

United Global First, United BusinessFirst
Beginning March 3 on long-haul international flights and many flights within Asia and the Pacific, first-class customers on three-cabin aircraft will experience United Global First, with a higher level of privacy and comfort, a flat-bed seat, priority airport services and more-personal attention.

On most of United’s three-cabin aircraft, United Global First suites offer flat-bed seats, laptop power, USB ports, individual audio and video on demand with noise-reduction headsets, additional storage compartments and a multi-course meal with complimentary wines.

Beginning in the second quarter, United will upgrade the long-haul first-class experience with new amenities, including:

• More-comfortable bedding amenities.
• Additional in-flight food choices.
• New amenity kits featuring Philosophy-brand skin-care products.

United also will extend Continental’s award-winning BusinessFirst product to United, offering an elevated business-class service with new amenities that include:

• An additional entree option, for a total of four, designed by United’s Congress of Chefs. United is also changing the way it prepares business-class meals to improve the quality and taste.
• Expanded wine selections chosen by Doug Frost, Sommelier and Master of Wine.
• New ice cream sundae dessert option with a choice of six toppings.
• Improved in-flight entertainment including noise-reduction headsets.
• New amenity kits featuring Philosophy-brand skin-care products.
• Duvet-style blankets and higher-quality pillows and hot towels.

“The rebranded cabins offer premium-cabin customers the highest levels of service, every time they fly,” said Mark Bergsrud, United’s senior vice president of marketing. “We are keeping the products that our customers tell us they value the most as we continue to build the world’s leading airline.”

United First, United Business
For customers flying United in North America, between North America and Central America, between North America and northern South America, and on some flights within Asia and the Pacific islands, the airline will continue to offer United First and United Business premium-cabin services.

On most flights, United has revamped its premium-cabin meal and snack choices to offer customers their favorites among options previously available only on United flights or Continental flights, including:

• Warmed, all-natural scones and cookies, made from scratch exclusively for United.
• Warmed cinnamon rolls on breakfast flights.
• Pasta salads as a light snack.
• Premium snacks including all-natural pop chips, Emerald nuts, Clif organic energy bars, Toblerone Swiss milk chocolate and fresh fruit.
• Warmed nuts offered in a small china bowl on all lunch and dinner services.
• Ice cream sundaes offered with a choice of six toppings, available on many transcontinental lunch and dinner services.

On United Express flights longer than two hours, customers seated in the premium cabin may enjoy complimentary snackboxes.

The rebranding and expanded menu options come as United continues with plans to invest more than $550 million to upgrade aircraft interiors. The airline has installed Economy Plus seating on dozens of Continental aircraft. When fully deployed, United will offer customers more extra-legroom economy-class seats than any other airline in the world.

United continues to upgrade its widebody fleet with new premium cabins, with more than 130 aircraft outfitted with flat-bed seats. Once completed in early 2013, United will offer more premium-cabin flat-bed seats than any other airline.

Beginning later in 2012, customers will see additional improvements, including larger overhead bins on Airbus A319 and A320 aircraft – increasing the available carry-on storage space by approximately two-thirds – and satellite-enabled inflight internet service. United is also introducing on-demand entertainment on its popular transcontinental p.s. service, along with an expanded premium-cabin service with flat-bed seats.

MileagePlus members also may now use gift cards from more than 60 major retailers to purchase award miles electronically online.

After logging into their MileagePlus accounts, customers select the retailer and enter their gift card information. Once MileagePlus verifies the transaction, United converts the balance on the gift card to award miles and deposits the miles into the members’ accounts.

“The MileagePlus Gift Card Exchange program offers members another convenient way to earn award miles,” said Jeff Foland, president of Mileage Plus Holdings, LLC. “We are pleased to offer customers new and innovative ways to engage with the world’s leading loyalty program.”

In January, United launched MileagePlus Headliners, an auction program that enables members to use their miles to bid for a host of experiences, including once-in-a-lifetime trips, airline adventures and tickets for theater and sporting events. MileagePlus members may also use Facebook and Foursquare to receive special offers from restaurants and merchants.

Source: United Airlines

“We continue to capitalize on the combined resources of United and Continental to create a network that gives our customers more flights to the places they want to go,” said James Starnes, United’s director of domestic planning. “The flexibility of our fleet allows us to put the right aircraft in the right markets to serve new communities and to add additional flights to communities we already serve.”

Daily Service between Washington/Dulles and Honolulu

United will begin daily year-round service between Washington/Dulles International Airport (IAD) and Honolulu (HNL) on June 7, 2012, the only nonstop service between the two points. The flights will operate using Boeing 767-400 aircraft.

United, the largest carrier between the mainland U.S. and Hawaii, connects the Aloha State with eight mainland cities, as well as Tokyo, Guam and Majuro, offering nonstop service in 23 city pairs.

From its Dulles hub, United also offers more domestic and international service from the nation’s capital than any other airline.

New Summer Seasonal Flights from Denver, Houston and San Francisco

The airline will also add seasonal service to several popular summer travel destinations.

• Alaska: New daily service between Denver (DEN) and Fairbanks, Alaska (FAI), will operate from June 7, 2012 through Aug. 27, 2012, using Boeing 737-800 aircraft. Fairbanks offers access to Denali National Park, one of Alaska’s most visited destinations. The flights complement United’s existing Alaska service to Anchorage from hubs in Denver, Chicago, Houston and San Francisco, as well as Seattle.

• South Dakota: United Express will offer daily seasonal service between Houston’s Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) and Rapid City, S.D. (RAP), gateway to the Black Hills, Mount Rushmore and the Badlands National Park, from June 7, 2012, to Aug. 27, 2012. ExpressJet will operate the flights using Embraer ERJ-145 aircraft. United currently serves Rapid City from its Denver and Chicago hubs.

• Wyoming: The airline will also add summer-season flights between its Houston and San Francisco (SFO) hubs and Jackson Hole, Wyo. (JAC), which attracts millions of summer visitors to nearby Yellowstone National Park and the Grand Tetons. The Houston flights will operate twice-weekly from June 8, 2012, through Aug. 27, 2012, using Boeing 757 aircraft. The San Francisco flights will operate daily from July 1, 2012, through Aug. 27, 2012, as United Express, with Bombardier CR7 aircraft flown by SkyWest Airlines. These flights are in addition to United’s existing service to Jackson Hole from hubs in Chicago, Denver and Los Angeles.

With these new route additions, United will remain within the previously announced capacity guidance.

Since the October 2010 merger of United and Continental, the larger combined fleet has given the company flexibility to better meet market demand. United has added new routes from its hubs to international destinations such as Lagos, Nigeria; Guadalajara, Mexico; Montreal, Canada; Port-au-Prince, Haiti; Shanghai, China, and Stuttgart, Germany, along with new intra-Asia routes between the Tokyo hub and Hong Kong and between the Guam hub and Okinawa, Japan.

The merger also enabled the company to add a number of new domestic routes by using a mix of mainline and regional aircraft from both carriers more efficiently.

In addition, previously announced new service between New York/Newark and Buenos Aires, and between Washington/Dulles and Manchester, U.K. and Washington/Dulles and Dublin, Ireland, will begin this spring.

Source: United.com

(NORTHBROOK, IL, FEBRUARY 7, 2012) — New evidence-based guidelines from the American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP) address the many risk factors for developing a deep vein thrombosis (DVT), or blood clot, as the result of long-distance travel. These risk factors include the use of oral contraceptives, sitting in a window seat, advanced age, and pregnancy. The Antithrombotic Therapy and Prevention of Thrombosis, 9th ed: American College of Chest Physicians Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guidelines, published in the February issue of the journal CHEST, also suggest there is no definitive evidence to support that traveling in economy class can lead to the development of a DVT, therefore, dispelling the myth of the so-called “economy class syndrome.”

“Traveling in economy class does not increase your risk for developing a blood clot, even during long-distance travel; however, remaining immobile for long periods of time will,” said guideline co-author Mark Crowther, MD, Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. “Long-distance travelers sitting in a window seat tend to have limited mobility, which increases their risk for DVT. This risk increases as other factors are present.” DVT is a serious condition that can lead to a potentially fatal blockage in the lung known as a pulmonary embolism (PE).

DVT/PE Risk Factors for Long-­distance Travel
Although developing a DVT/PE as the result of long-distance travel is unlikely in most cases, the guidelines note that for long-distance flights, the following factors may increase your risk of developing a DVT/PE and related complications:

• Previous DVT/PE or known thrombophilic disorder
• Malignancy
• Recent surgery or trauma
• Immobility
• Advanced age
• Estrogen use, including oral contraceptives
• Pregnancy
• Sitting in a window seat
• Obesity

Conversely, the guidelines suggest there is no definitive evidence to support that dehydration, alcohol intake, or sitting in economy class (compared with sitting in business class) increases your risk for developing a DVT/PE resulting from long-distance flights.

Recommendations for DVT/PE Prevention in Long-distance Travelers
For travelers on flights of 6 hours or more who have an increased risk for DVT/PE, the ACCP recommends frequent ambulation, calf muscle stretching, sitting in an aisle seat if possible, or the use of below-knee graduated compression stockings (GCS). For long-distance travelers who are not at increased risk for DVT/PE, the guidelines suggest against the use of GCS. In addition, the guidelines suggest against the use of aspirin or anticoagulant therapy to prevent DVT/PE in long-distance travelers. For travelers who are considered to be at particularly high risk for DVT/PE, the use of antithrombotic agents should be considered on an individual basis because the adverse effects may outweigh the benefits.

“Symptomatic DVT/PE is rare in passengers who have returned from long flights; however the association between air travel and DVT/PE is strongest for flights longer than 8 to 10 hours,” said Dr. Crowther. “Most passengers who do develop a DVT/PE after long-distance travel have one or more risk factors.”

Patient-Focused Antithrombotic Guidelines
In addition to long-distance travel, the ACCP guidelines include more than 600 recommendations for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of thrombosis, addressing a comprehensive list of clinical conditions. These clinical conditions include medical, surgery, orthopedic surgery, atrial fibrillation, stroke, cardiovascular disease, pregnancy, and neonates and children, among others. Key advances in this edition of the guidelines include a stronger focus on risk stratification of patients, which suggests clinicians should consider a patient’s risk for DVT/PE before administering or prescribing a prevention therapy.

“There has been a significant push in health care to administer DVT prevention for every patient, regardless of risk. As a result, many patients are receiving unnecessary therapies that provide little benefit and could have adverse effects,” said Guidelines Panel Chair Gordon Guyatt, MD, FCCP. “The decision to administer DVT prevention therapy should be based on the patients’ risk and the benefits of prevention or treatment.” The new guidelines also take a more patient-focused approach by considering patient values and preferences regarding antithrombotic therapy and prevention.

The guidelines are endorsed by the following medical associations: the American Association for Clinical Chemistry, American College of Clinical Pharmacy, American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, American Society of Hematology, International Society of Thrombosis and Hemostasis, and the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (pregnancy article only).

For more information about the guidelines and accompanying clinician resources, visit www.chestnet.org . Patient resources related to the guidelines are available through OneBreath®, an initiative of The CHEST Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the ACCP.

We highly advise you to postpone your journey until after February 10.

In order to reorganise your journey please see below how to modify your tickets.

If you have a valid ticket for travel from 6 to 9 February 2012 inclusive, whatever the destination and the fare paid, we can offer you the following options which are applicable up to 29 February 2012:
- You may postpone your travel until 29 February 2012 inclusive. You can modify your booking free of charge in the same cabin of travel.

- You may postpone your travel from March 1 to 23 April 2012 inclusive.
You can modify your booking free of charge if seats at the same fare are available or by paying the difference if seats are available only at higher fares.

You may change your reservation online*, through the “Manage your reservations” section.

Manage your reservations

“This is a seat sale that has been 75 years in the making and Air Canada is pleased to offer customers a chance to celebrate our milestone birthday by putting the world on sale until February 16. With these special fares, Air Canadais introducing a new, all-in approach to advertising fares that will prominently display a final price accompanied by a breakdown of the base fare plus the total cost of additional charges, such as taxes, fees and surcharges. Our all-in price advertising initiative is a response to our customers’ increased desire for transparency and simplicity when shopping for air fares, whether they do so through print advertising, online searches or by signing up for our webSaver email specials,” said Craig Landry, Vice President of Marketing at Air Canada.

Beginning today, Air Canada is adopting a new all-inclusive price display for its aircanada.com website, webSaver emails, online third party advertisements and print advertising. The approach uses a prominently displayed final price accompanied by a breakdown of the base fare and total related taxes, fees, charges and surcharges. Customers shopping online will find the information by rolling their cursor over the base fare. Final ticket prices may vary by routing and a la carte options selected. For sale details please consult www.aircanada.com.

Air Canada is Canada’s largest domestic and international full-service airline providing scheduled and charter air transportation for passengers and cargo to more than 180 destinations on five continents.  Canada’s flag carrier is the 15th largest commercial airline in the world and serves almost 34 million customers annually. Air Canada was ranked Best International Airline in North America in a worldwide survey of more than 18 million airline passengers conducted by independent research firm Skytrax for its 2011 World Airline Awards. Also in 2011, readers of Global Travelermagazine voted Air Canada ”Best Airline in North America,” and readers of Business Traveler voted Air Canada”Best North American Airline for International Travel” and “Best In-Flight Services in North America.”  In the annual Ipsos Reid Business Traveller Survey, Air Canada was named “Canada’s Favourite Airline for Business Travel.”  AirCanada was preferred by 73 per cent of Canadian business travellers surveyed for 2011, the third consecutive year of improvement in Air Canada’s ratings in the national survey.

Air Canada provides scheduled passenger service directly to 60 Canadian cities, 57 destinations in the United Statesand 63 cities in Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Australia, the Caribbean, Mexico and South America. Air Canada is a founding member of Star Alliance, the world’s most comprehensive air transportation network serving 1,290 destinations in 189 countries.  Air Canada customers can collect Aeroplan miles for future rewards through Canada’s leading loyalty program, and Top Tier members enjoy reciprocal frequent flyer benefits including lounge and priority services.

Source: AirCanada.com

Air travel is generally safe for pregnant women. However, traveling pregnant does come with some warnings. To help ease some of the anxiety, read on for a sample of the travel tips from the team at Cheapflights as well as some of the very practical advice we’ve collected from experts on flying while pregnant.

1. Quick tips for healthy air travel while pregnant

        --  Travel with at least one companion who also has your emergency contact
            info in addition to your doctor's number programmed into their phone.
        --  Carry documentation with your expected date of delivery, doctor's
            contact info, and your blood type.
        --  Stay hydrated. Dehydration on airplanes can be worse when you're
            pregnant, so drink plenty of caffeine-free, non-alcoholic fluids
            before, during, and after the flight.

2. When is the best time to fly? According to the American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists, air travel is safest for pregnant women during the second trimester — weeks 18 to 24. If you are considering a flight during your pregnancy, check with both your doctor and the airline before you book.

According to one of our experts, Colleen Lanin of TravelMamas.com, “In the first trimester you may be too nauseated to enjoy your time away. In the third trimester you may be too uncomfortable and not feel up for doing much of anything.”

3. Each airline has its own rules for flying while pregnant – If you’re booking your flights with an agent, let them know that you’re pregnant when you book your flight and check that you are permitted to fly. If booking your flights online, be sure to check the airline’s website. It is worth calling ahead to alert the airline about your pregnancy — this should also ensure that you get special service to keep you comfortable. It’s also recommended that you avoid smaller planes that fly below 7,000 feet, and choose larger planes with pressurized cabins. Check out Cheapflights.com’s chart on Airlines and their Pregnancy Travel Policy outlining the pregnancy travel policies for 19 airlines.

4. Make yourself comfortable – Especially during pregnancy, reserving the right seat on the airplane can make a difference. You will need to be able to get up and move around the plane. Try and reserve a spacious seat when you make your booking. Many airlines’ websites have information about the varying legroom on each of their seats. If you plan to travel pregnant, it’s worth spending a few extra bucks to get a bit more room. Be aware, though, that traditional “extra legroom” seats, such as those on the exit aisles, are often not permitted to those who are pregnant.

Another of our experts, Jodi Grundig of MomsFavoriteStuff.com, adds this tip, “While I generally love direct flights, if you are flying long distance, two shorter flights may be better. That way, you can get out, stretch, eat a nice meal and recharge.”

5. Tips for your vacation – Once the flight’s over, it’s time to enjoy the vacation. Here are just a few more things to consider:

        --  Keep a list of names and numbers to be contacted in case of emergency.
        --  Keep a list of local hospitals from the embassy or tourist board.

SOURCE: Cheapflights.com

The top selling on demand theatrical movie titles in hotel guest rooms during 2011 were:

1. Bridesmaids   (Universal Pictures)
2. The Hangover Part II   (Warner Bros.)
3. Limitless   (Relativity Media)
4. Fast Five   (Universal Pictures)
5. Little Fockers   (Universal Pictures)
6. Just Go With It   (Sony Pictures Entertainment)
7. The Lincoln Lawyer   (Lionsgate)
8. No Strings Attached   (Paramount Pictures)
9. Hall Pass   (Warner Bros.)
10. Life As We Know It   (Warner Bros.)