More Flights to New York

Signaling an upturn in the Aviation business, increased frequency between Heathrow and New York is being scheduled by Continental Airlines.

The carrier is also introducing flat bed seats in its business class cabin.

An early-evening departure from London to New York/Newark will be introduced from March 28th for the first time.

This fourth daily flight will be supplemented by a fifth daily service in October from Heathrow Terminal 4.

This will bring the total number of daily departures from Heathrow to seven, all aircraft from Heathrow will feature new flat bed seats in BusinessFirst from June 2.

Stumble It!   Reddit!      Del.icio.us

Summer 2010 Florida Deals

Whether its a villa holiday, package deal involving a hotel or a fly drive, we have plenty of options to choose from.

With access to unpublished fares ex-UK to Florida, we are confident that we can beat our competitors for price.

So give us a call on 0870 990 8318 or visit our website to let us know about your specific holiday reuirements in Florida this coming summer.

Stumble It!   Reddit!      Del.icio.us

GLOBESPAN Collapse - Re-BOOK Your Flight

Following the unfortunate collapse of Globespan overnight, we are pleased to be able to offer assistance. We can re-book your flights with other operators at discounted prices so that you dont miss out on your holiday arranagements. We have flights from all UK departure airports to Florida, other US states and Canada. Please call us on 0870 990 8318.

Stumble It!   Reddit!      Del.icio.us

BA Transatlantic from London City

AV8Tours understands that British Airways is to go ahead with the launch of the first New York flights from London City Airport despite the economic downturn.

Flights are already on sale with the first flights due to take off on September 29.

The new all-business class service launches with a daily return to New York JFK except Saturdays when London City airport is closed, increasing to two flights a day from mid-October.

The aircraft on the route will be a specially configured Airbus A318s, the largest aircraft that can be flown from the Docklands airport.

Fitted with just 32 seats, which convert to fully flat beds, the aircraft will fly across the Atlantic after a refuelling stop at Shannon in Ireland, where passengers will be able to clear US Customs and Immigration.

Return flights from New York will be non-stop, as the aircraft can use JFK's full-length runways and take off with sufficient fuel for the whole transatlantic crossing.

BA chief executive Willie Walsh said: "In the harshest trading environment airlines have experienced, we believe it is more important than ever to embrace the future and innovate. That is what this historic new route is all about. There is real enthusiasm from our customers for this project. This is BA at it's best - stylish, British and ahead of the game. Reviving the BA001 flight number for the first long haul route out of London City could not be more appropriate. Every aspect of this service has been designed to maximise convenience for customers to fly between the world's two biggest business centres - Wall Street and London's extended financial district in the City and Docklands.The UK's first web access on transatlantic flights means that customers can work and keep in touch with the office between London and New York via email and texts. Above all the exclusive service style will bring the feel of a private jet to a business class cabin."

Stumble It!   Reddit!      Del.icio.us

Airlines Get Wired Up

According to The LA Times, airlines are bringing back wireless Internet service on planes, allowing business tech savvy travelers to check their e-mails, browse the Web and log into their corporate and social networks while in flight.

Now several smaller Internet companies have come up with cheap systems that are working well. AirTran Airways, which has six departures a day at Los Angeles International Airport, said it will equip all of its 136 planes with WiFi by the end of July.

Larger carriers, Delta Air Lines, which operates more than 1,000 planes, and American Airlines, with more than 600 jets, are rolling the service out over the next year.

Under American's system, passengers can begin accessing the Internet with their laptops, smart phones and hand-held PDAs once the plane reaches 10,000 feet.

The fee will be $12.95 for flights longer than three hours and $9.95 for those that are less. Hand-held device users will be charged $7.95 regardless of the flight's length.

Virgin America has also begun offering wireless Internet service on flights between Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. as well as on all flights to Boston. The airline expects to have Internet on all flights by summer.

The fee is similar to American, but it also has a red-eye special of $5.95 for those flying across the country late at night.

Stumble It!   Reddit!      Del.icio.us

Gourmet Menus from Virgin

Virgin America introduces new health-focused, gourmet menus.

Virgin America announced the introduction of new menus that offer guests a selection of healthy and wholesome meal and snack options for the spring travel season. The new menus include an on-demand selection for guests in the Main Cabin and a new seasonal First Class menu designed by world-renowned Chef, Luke Mangan. Both menus are crafted using an assortment of nutritious ingredients, including fresh fruits and vegetables, premium meats and artisan breads and are designed to give travelers more healthy and satisfying options to choose from for their in-flight meals and snacks.

Chef Mangan honed his skills at some of the world's most prestigious restaurants, including the world-famous, three Michelin star Waterside Inn in Bray, Berkshire. Today, Chef Mangan owns four restaurants around the globe, including South Food + Wine Bar in San Francisco, Salt and World Wine Bar in Tokyo, and Glass Brasserie in Sydney.

Stumble It!   Reddit!      Del.icio.us

Continental Airlines Gets Top Honours

Continental Airlines announced that it was again rated the top airline on FORTUNE magazine's annual airline industry list of World's Most Admired Companies. This is the sixth consecutive year that Continental has topped that list.

The rankings are determined in a survey of corporate and airline executives, boards of directors and industry analysts. Companies are evaluated according to the following criteria: quality of products/services, global competitiveness, people management, quality of management, social responsibility, innovation, use of corporate assets, financial soundness and long-term investment.

Additionally, Continental was ranked among the top ten companies for management quality across all industries on the Fortune World's Most Admired Companies survey.

The results are from the magazine's March 16th, 2009, issue.

Stumble It!   Reddit!      Del.icio.us

Virgin Atlantic is a Superbrand

Virgin Atlantic has been named the strongest brand in the Travel & Leisure sector of Business Superbrands 2009, while British Airways fell 28 places in the survey. Virgin moved up from 28th place in 2008 to 25th place overall, while BA plummeted from 8th to 36th.

The nine highest rating airline brands are as follows. Their ranking in the overall survey is in brackets.

1. VIRGIN ATLANTIC (25)
2. BRITISH AIRWAYS (36)
3. EMIRATES (68)
4. SINGAPORE AIRLINES (78)
5. EASYJET (308)
6. QATAR AIRWAYS (318)
7. BMI (413)
8. SWISS (430)
9. FLYBE (454)

Internet giant Google secured top ranking overall for the second year in a row. The survey of the UK's strongest business brands, compiled by The Centre for Brand Analysis, is based on votes on by an independent and voluntary Expert Council and more than 1,500 individual business professionals.

Stumble It!   Reddit!      Del.icio.us

Free Flight Upgrades

We would like to announce an American Airlines upgrade promotion that is available to all customers now.

A free American Airlines' upgrade promotion from business to first class is being offered via UK agents including AV8Tours.(tel:0870 990 8310).

It is valid for customers booking and completing travel to select US destinations from Heathrow on eligible business class fares by April 1.

The upgrade is subject to availability on either the inbound or outboundsector. Additionally, up to 100,000 A Advantage bonus frequent flyer miles can be earned when passengers fly at least two return trips on qualifying fares between Heathrow, Manchester or Dublin and the US by March 31st 2009

Stumble It!   Reddit!      Del.icio.us

Heathrow 3rd Runway

Approval for a third runway at Heathrow was given by the government yesterday.

The highly controversial plans were approved along with a range of measures designed to limit the environmental impact through strict controls on noise and pollution.

However the decision is expected to prompt a legal challenge from environmental groups opposed to expansion of the London hub.

The plans will result in the demolition of a village to increase capacity at congested Heathrow, with five years of construction work expected to start in 2015.

Airlines, unions and business leaders welcomed the long-awaited and delayed approval which also includes a possible a new high speed rail link.

Stumble It!   Reddit!      Del.icio.us

Best Time to Try Florida

The best Florida deals of the year are in the winter months. Savvy travelers looking for deals should plan to get away during January,February or March.....let's face it the weather is so poor. Plenty of destinations are offering deeply discounted packages, even luxury hotels, during the relatively slow season.

Robert of AV8Tours says, "If you have always wanted to go to Florida but havent organised it yet then right now is the best time to travel because the travel industry, including hotels and resort properties, is discounting prices to attract travelers and there are some fabulous bargains about."

Stumble It!   Reddit!      Del.icio.us

New US Customs Rules In Force

New US Customs rules come into force next week. Travellers planning to visit the US under the visa waiver scheme must comply with new US Customs regulations from January 12th 2009.

You will need to register online with the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) before departure at https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/. You will have to provide information usually provided by completing a form onboard the plane, or that most countries already collect at their borders.

AV8Tours is advising passengers to go online or telephone us to obtain an ESTA that is valid for two years. We are warning customers to apply for an ESTA well in advance of scheduled departure or you may face a delay to your journey.

Stumble It!   Reddit!      Del.icio.us

Continental Airlines First Biofuel Flight

Continental Airlines, way ahead of its domestic and global competitors announced its plans for the first biofuel-powered demonstration flight of a U.S. commercial airliner, to be conducted in Houston on Jan. 7th, 2009.

The demonstration flight, which will be operated with no passengers, will be powered by a special fuel blend including components derived from algae and jatropha plants-- sustainable, second-generation fuel sources that don't impact food crops or water resources, and don't contribute to deforestation.

"This flight represents another step in Continental's commitment to reducing carbon emissions and identifying sustainable, long-term fuel solutions for the aviation industry," said Continental Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Larry Kellner.

As part of a broader industry effort, Boeing and other industry leaders, including airlines and engine manufacturers, are helping to guide the aviation sector toward sustainable biofuels produced through advanced biomass conversion technologies and processes that have the potential to reduce greenhouse gases throughout their lifecycle. Sustainable biofuels for aviation incorporate second-generation methodologies relative to fuel source selection and processing, which are uniquely suited for aerospace use. These biofuels can then be blended with kerosene fuel(Jet-A) to reduce dependency on fossil fuels. Continental's participation in this project is part of a company-wide commitment to environmental responsibility.

On average, Continental burns approximately 18 gallons of fuel to fly one mainline revenue passenger 1,000 miles, which represents a 35 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and fuel consumption since 1997. This is due in large part to the efforts of its employees in streamlining operational procedures and to an investment of more than $12 billion to acquire 270 fuel-efficient Boeing aircraft and related equipment. Continental remains committed to further improving fuel efficiency in the decade to come, including investing in its fleet with orders for more than 50 Boeing 737-900 Next Generation aircraft, and 25 Boeing 787 Dreamliners. Continental has also reduced, by 75 percent, nitrogen oxide emissions from ground equipment at the carrier's largest hub, in Houston, through switching to electric ground service equipment and other new technology. This technology is now being tested for use in cold climates.

Stumble It!   Reddit!      Del.icio.us

More Virgin Flights From Manchester

Virgin Atlantic has announced a long haul leisure boost for passengers wanting to cross the 'pond' from Manchester.......the airline is expanding services from Manchester to Orlando.

An additional Sunday departure between Manchester and Orlando will operate between April 26th and November 8th, using a Boeing 747-400. This will give travellers a choice of up to ten flights a week to the Florida holiday destination.

Stumble It!   Reddit!      Del.icio.us

United Airlines to USA

United Airlines brings back Denver flights.

United Airlines is reinstating its daily non-stop London Heathrow to Denver flights for next summer.

These flights will also connect to Orlando, giving extra availability next summer.

The service, introduced for the first time this summer, was suspended for the winter season.

It will be re-launched, using a Boeing 777, on March 29 and will operate until October 24th 2009.

Great news for those of you planning your holiday to USA.

Stumble It!   Reddit!      Del.icio.us

Lie Flat on Continental Airlines

Continental Airlines has announced that it will start rolling out its new business class lie-flatseat on flights from the UK in summer 2009.

The airline, which now operates three daily flights from London Heathrow to New York and two to Houston, said the installation will start in its Boeing777 aircraft, which fly on the transatlantic routes.

The roll out will then move to its 757 aircraft, used from regional airports,then to its 767-400s, and will be fitted on its 787s, due to be delivered in 2010. All of its fleet will have the new seat by the end of 2012 or early 2013, said senior director UK and Ireland Bob Schumacher at World Travel Market.

Meanwhile, the airline awaits approval from competition authorities in the USand Europe over its planned joint venture with United Airlines, Lufthansa andAir Canada.

Stumble It!   Reddit!      Del.icio.us

Delta and Northwest Airlines Merge

The Northwest Airlines name will go following completion of its merger with Delta Air Lines. The combined carrier will carry the Delta name and be based at its headquarters in Atlanta.

The merged airline will serve more than 375 cites worldwide - more than any other airline - with approximately 75,000 employees handling more than 170 million passengers a year.

The merger will occur through an integration process over the next 12-24 months after being cleared by the US Department of Justice. Passengers have been advised to continue to check-in and do business directly with the airline operating their flight just as they did before the merger.

As a combined company, Delta will maintain all its hubs at Atlanta, Cincinnati, Detroit, Memphis, Minneapolis/St. Paul, New York-JFK, Salt Lake City, and Tokyo-Narita - each of which will benefit from improved global connectivity.

The deal is expected to generate $2 billion or more in annual revenue and cost savings from more effective aircraft utilisation, a more comprehensive and diversified route system, and cost cuts from reduced overhead and improved operational efficiency.

The company expects to incur one-time cash costs not exceeding $600 million to integrate the two airlines.

"It has a best-in-class cost structure and strong liquidity balance that better positions the company to adapt to the weakening global economy," a statement said.

CEO Richard Anderson said: "Delta is combining the best of two industry leaders to create a premier global airline that will be unmatched in the scope and level of service we offer our customers.

"As we have been proving, this is a different type of merger for the industry thanks to the complementary nature of the two airlines and the calibre of the people who will make this the most successful merger in airline history.

Stumble It!   Reddit!      Del.icio.us