Marriott joins those hotels that are dropping charges for guest room internet access for top-level customers.  Marriott plans to join rivals such as Starwood, Hyatt and Hilton in dropping internet-access charges in most full-service hotels for VIP customers.  As of January 1 Marriott will drop the $10-$15 daily internet fee for its gold and platinum level loyalty members at full-service Marriott-brand hotels outside North and South America.  Currently, Marriott gives its elite-level members free access in guestrooms at hotels in North and South America.  With this announcement, members will get free access at hotels elsewhere around the world, in addition to hotels that have joined Marriott’s fledgling Autograph Collection.  The announcement does not apply to stays at Marriott’s most deluxe chain, Ritz Carlton.

 

UPS launched the most aggressive campaign to date by an express operator to promote “alternatives” to domestic airline baggage carriage, unveiling a “luggage box” through which passengers can ship bags in advance of flying rather than checking them at the airport.  UPS is offering two sizes of luggage boxes shaped like standard suitcases at select UPS Store locations throughout the US.  The boxes have a sturdy handle, are made of recyclable corrugate, weighs less than an empty suitcase and packing directly into the box can help lower shipping costs.  Travelers also can include packaging tape and a return UPS shipping label for use when returning home.  It noted, however, that those using a less expensive shipping option like UPS Ground should plan ahead as the service option is not generally overnight.  It also warned that those shipping luggage through UPS’s express air network are subject to the same FAA restrictions as traditional airfreight and cannot include in their baggage hazardous materials including colognes and perfumes, aerosol sprays, nail polish and cigarette lighters. Airline executives and analysts say new federal tarmac delay rules, which come into effect April 29, will lead to more canceled flights.  Airlines will cancel service for bad weather and other issues instead of risk being fined, insiders said.  The Department of Transportation can fine airlines up to $27,500 for each passenger not allowed to deplane after three hours stuck on the tarmac.  “For us, that could be as much as $4.4 million for one flight,” said Tim Smith, a representative of American Airlines.  “No one’s going to play with that.  There will be many more cancellations as a result.  Everyone is gearing up for this.”

 

A new rule aimed at combating fatigue in the cockpit could require airlines to give pilots longer minimum rest periods and scale back overall duty time.  The Federal Aviation Administration changes, if finalized, could force airlines to hire more pilots, change flight schedules and revamp negotiated union work rules.  The FAA proposed a nine-hour minimum rest period prior to flying, geared toward ensuring adequate sleep.  That would be a one-hour increase over current rules.  To prevent fatigue over weekly and monthly schedules, the FAA proposed new limits on the amount of time a pilot can be on duty.  For instance, pilots must receive at least 30 consecutive hours free from duty weekly, a 25 percent increase over current rules.  The proposal is subject to a 60-day public comment period. 

 

 

 American Airlines said the company has upgraded 76 Boeing 737-800 aircraft to match a fleet of 84 Boeing 737-800 aircraft that it began adding last year.  The upgrades include new seats, larger overhead storage bins, updated in-flight entertainment systems and AC power ports.  The configuration also allows for 12 additional economy class seats with the removal of a galley.  American’s new 737-800s were ordered with the updated specifications.  The aircraft are 35 percent more fuel efficient on a seat-mile basis when compared to the MD-80 jets the planes will replace.  American received 31 of the 737-800 aircraft last year will take delivery of 45 this year and eight planes in 2011

 

 China Airlines, Taiwan’s largest airline, will join SkyTeam, strengthening the global airline alliance’s Asia Pacific network.  The addition of China Airlines comes just a few months after China Eastern agreed to join SkyTeam, which has 14 members including Air France-KLM, Delta Air Lines and China Southern Airlines.  Out of the 93 international routes, China Airlines will bring four new destinations to the SkyTeam network and will be the SkyTeam’s fifth Asian carrier.