Delta Air Lines Adds New Flight Service to Liberia

Delta Air Lines Inc. on Sept. 4 will add new service between Atlanta and Monrovia, Liberia.

Delta already has approval from the Liberian Civil Aviation Authority and preliminary approval from the U.S. government to sell seats for the new flight. Final U.S. government approvals are expected before the flight begins, Delta reported.

The new service will connect Delta’s hub at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and Roberts International Airport in Monrovia with a stop in Accra, Ghana.

Delta originally wanted to launch service to Monrovia in June 2009, but it was delayed while Roberts International Airport implemented measures to ensure it is properly equipped and prepared for the new service.

Northwest Airlines grounds 27 planes to comply with Federal Aviation Administration directive

Northwest Airlines grounded 27 planes Friday after a company audit showed noncompliance with a directive related to landing gear.

Flights on the Boeing 757s were canceled, with about 2,600 passengers affected.

The Federal Aviation Administration’s directive focused on a linchpin in the aircrafts’ landing gear. But Northwest says passengers were never in danger.

Northwest spokeswoman Tammy Lee Stanoch says the problem was fixed on the planes Friday evening. By 10:40 p.m., the FAA had cleared Northwest to begin using the planes again.

Besides putting up some of the affected passengers in hotel rooms, Northwest worked with its new parent company, Delta Air Lines, to find other aircraft to accommodate passengers.

Sojern Travel Network Partnership with U.S. Airways Travelers Destination-Specific Content on Boarding Pass

Sojern, the first company to bring customized, destination-oriented content to travelers on airline boarding passes, today announced its partnership with US Airways.

Destination-specific advertising and travel information provided by Sojern will be available via US Airways’ online and printed boarding passes for all 155 domestic destinations starting this month. Sojern’s proprietary technology provides US Airways’ passengers who check in at www.usairways.com a wide range of useful content including weather reports, restaurant options, activities and special discounts on both their online and printed boarding passes.

“US Airways is continuously seeking ways to add convenience and improve the travel experience for our customers,” said Andrew Nocella, US Airways’ senior vice president, marketing and planning. “Our partnership with Sojern allows us to offer destination-specific travel information that our travelers will find useful and relevant on their boarding passes and during their Web check-in process — requiring no additional time or expense from our customers.”

Leveraging the popularity of online check-in and print-at-home functionality, Sojern enables travel partners to provide additional value to their passengers while also giving advertisers the opportunity to reach prospective customers. US Airways is the 6th partner to implement Sojern’s content since the service was launched in July 2008. Since launch, Sojern has served more than 650 million ad display impressions on boarding passes, itineraries and other properties and continues to grow and strengthen its position in the market. According to comScore, a marketing research company, Sojern Travel Network’s current potential reach is 13.5 million monthly unique visitors.

“Sojern’s goal is to bring the most relevant travel content and geographically targeted advertising to travelers,” said Gordon Whitten, Sojern founder and CEO. “We are honored to have added US Airways as a partner. With this new relationship, we will have expanded our reach and positioned Sojern near the top as a travel vertical advertising platform.”

Philippine Airlines Increases Domestic and International Flights

Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) is increasing the number of flights to 11 domestic destinations as well as to Hong Kong and Singapore in anticipation of an influx of travelers during the two long weekends ahead. More flights will be bound for Bacolod, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Cotabato, Davao, Dumaguete, Iloilo, Kalibo, Ozamiz, Tagbilaran and Zamboanga.

PAL expects thousands of travelers starting Oct. 28 to enjoy the long weekends on Oct. 29 to Nov. 1 and Nov. 5 to 7.

Malacanang has declared Oct. 31 a special non-working holiday to enable travel for All Saints’ Day On Nov. 1, during which Filipinos visit the burial places of their loved ones.

Nov. 7 was also declared a regular holiday in celebration of the Islamic holiday Eid’l Adha or the Festival of Sacrifice.

For more information, travelers are advised to refer to PAL’s website www.philippineairlines.com; log on to PAL’s Facebook and Twitter accounts; or call the PAL Reservations Hotline at 855-8888.

The flag carrier covers 20 domestic and 26 international routes.

PAL also advises the public to book their flights early in anticipation of increased flight reservations for the two long weekends.

PAL assures passengers that it is prepared to handle the increased travel demand for the forthcoming holidays.

PAL is closely coordinating with the Manila International Airport Authority, Mactan-Cebu International Airport, Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) and the Philippine National Police’s Aviation Security Group to ensure the safety of passengers.

Its internal security measures are also in place 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

PAL’s airport and in-flight operations remain normal as third party service providers have taken over in-flight and ground services.

The maintenance of PAL aircraft is now being done by Lufthansa Teknik Philippines.

Starting Oct. 28, the flag carrier will have an average of 125 flights daily covering international and domestic routes (inbound/outbound).

This represents close to 90 percent of PAL’s 140 average flights per day prior to Sept. 27, when it transitioned to third party service providers from Sept. 27 to Oct. 3.

During the transition period, flight capacity went down to 40 percent.

PAL president Jaime Bautista said safety and service remain the cornerstone of PAL operations.

He appealed to the public for understanding and patience as its service providers complete the manpower requirements.

American Airlines Launches ‘Capture the Flagship Experience’ Sweepstakes

Promotion Highlights American’s First and Business Class International Service, Offers Exciting Prizes Such as International Business Class Tickets, Admirals Club Memberships, Bose Headsets and AAdvantage Miles

FORT WORTH, Texas, May 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — American Airlines has launched the “Capture the Flagship(R) Experience” sweepstakes, a new promotion that highlights the airline’s First and Business Class international service. For details visit www.aa.com/flagship.

The American Airlines Flagship Experience can be enjoyed when flying First or Business Class between the United States and Europe, Asia or South America on Boeing 767 and 777 aircraft. This experience enables customers to use their time on long flights any way they choose – whether working, resting, dining, or simply relaxing with American’s on-demand entertainment offerings. The well-designed onboard amenities and services provide travelers everything they need to enjoy their flight in style and comfort.

One lucky grand-prize sweepstakes winner will win two round-trip Business Class tickets on American Airlines to anywhere American flies in Europe, Asia or South America. The winner will choose the city from fabulous destinations such as Buenos Aires, London, Paris, Barcelona, Moscow, Shanghai, Tokyo and Delhi – to name just a few. The winner will also receive a high-definition video camera to capture the adventure.

The “Capture the Flagship Experience” sweepstakes both entertains and educates participants about American’s First and Business Class international service. To enter, participants are invited to go to www.aa.com/flagship where they are taken on a virtual tour of the seven worlds of the Flagship Experience. Participants are asked questions about the Flagship features offered onboard and, when all seven flags are captured, they can enter the sweepstakes for a chance to win exciting prizes. Also, for simply forwarding the sweepstakes information to a friend or family member, participants will receive an additional entry.

“American has so much to offer international travelers – a unique seat that serves as a spacious work or dining area and transitions to offer sleeping comfort, extensive on-demand entertainment offerings, and award-winning wines,” said Kurt Stache, Vice President and General Sales Manager. “The ‘Capture the Flagship Experience’ sweepstakes helps show our customers just how comfortable their next international flight on American can be. After all, it’s their flight, their time, their space, and their world. That’s the Flagship Experience.”