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.

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Industry Reaction to Budget Inaction

The travel industry has reacted with anger and dismay after the Government failed to scrap plans for a rise in Air Passenger Duty. In his Budget announcement last week, the Chancellor Alistair Darling made no reference to the travel tax, which is due to increase in November and again in 2010. Airlines, agents, ABTA and other industry associations had urged the Chancellor to scrap the tax altogether, or at least cancel the second phase of increases. But despite their pleas, and evidence to show the negative impact on the tourism industry, the Government has refused to back down.

"The rise in APD to destinations such as the Caribbean, dependent on tourism, will be as much as 87%, equating to a tax bill of £600 for a family of fourt ravelling to the Caribbean in premium economy in 2010 compared with today's£160.

*Here's how the phased increases will impact travel costs:

For flights to Europe, APD will go up by 10% to £11 and to £12 in 2010. US travellers, the UK's key market for tourism, will see their taxes rise from £40 to £60 in 2010.

For long-haul visitors travelling over 6,000 miles (including Australia, NewZealand and Malaysia, three key inbound markets), taxes will rise from £40 to£85 in 2010.

Business visitors will also be severely affected with taxes for travellers ona ny flights above economy rising to anything up to £170 from 2010.

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Scrap APD

The UK is being urged to take a lead from the Dutch government and scrap Air Passenger Duty.

The call came from ABTA which claimed that as the UK enters a severe recession APD will "exacerbate the problems already being encountered by the aviation and tourist industries with significant falls in passenger numbers".

The announcement by the Dutch government that it plans to scrap its airport tax as part of its economic support measures will have the added effect of encouraging airlines to bypass the UK and re-route to Dutch airports with further damage to the UK's economy, ABTA claims.

The Industry has called for a planned rise in the tax this autumn to be abandoned at the very least.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Golfing in Florida

There are 1,067 golf facilities in Florida. Since many facilities have more than one golf course, it turns out that this equates to an astonishing 1,216 courses. What does all this mean? It means that, if you’re a golfer, Florida is the place. No other state in the U.S.A. comes close to the abundance of fine layouts found here.

But Florida isn’t just about the world-class tour resorts seen on television. It has plenty of friendly municipal courses and historic links.

You may even be admitted to some of Florida’s private clubs if you play with a member or if you ask your club golf pro to call ahead to arrange a game. Or, you may want to take advantage of golf privilege cards, which offer special pricing on many courses and often include access to private clubs.

If you prefer to travel light, or decide to play a few rounds of golf on a whim, you’ll be happy to know that most facilities rent excellent, pro-line quality golf clubs. You may even be able to closely match the set you left at home.

Florida has three levels of courses: tough, legendary PGA Tour calibre tracks; challenging courses; and layouts so easy it’s like shooting fish in a barrel. The vast majority are in the “challenging” category, but you’ll need to select the one that best fits your game.

If you do go for the famous tracks, you should play from the set of tees that will allow you to walk away with fond memories of your round, not frustration from a day of torture. The special features that make celebrated courses famous are still in front of you and awaiting your attempt to defy them. If you play from the middle tees, you have a better chance to see what a Tour player is really up against in the heat of a tournament. You’ll play faster, have a more enjoyable experience and not hold up all the other golfers on the course who are attempting to create their own lifelong reminiscences.

Of course, if you are a scratch player and you want the full experience of some of the best and most difficult courses in the world, Florida’s got them here for you. Go to the back tees and fire away. Just pick the right track, and enjoy your day in the Florida sun.

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British Airways Cuts Fuel Surcharges

British Airways has followed Virgin Atlantic in cutting its fuel surcharges as airline passengers finally benefit from the fall in the cost of oil. The reduction will bring down the cost of a return trip to long-distance destinations such as Los Angeles by up to £26 for economy passengers, bringing the levy down to £192. Shorter trips such as New York will cost £20 less, with the surcharge falling to £136.

These cuts, which are the same as those announced by Virgin, will mean that passengers in the slightly more spacious World Traveller Plus cabin will get more modest reductions. The £10 cut on trips to destinations like New York, will bring the fuel surcharge down to £166 for return trips. While the levy on journeys over nine hours will be £229, £13 less than before.

However the surcharges levied on business and first class passengers will be unchanged as will those on anyone travelling on shorter flights.

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Virgin Atlantic Cuts Fuel Surcharges

British airline Virgin Atlantic said it has cut its passenger fuel surcharges following the drop in oil prices.

From 2300 GMT on Wednesday 15th October, Virgin Atlantic will reduce the charge by up to 13 pounds per passenger, depending on the destination and class of cabin, the airline announced.

Passengers travelling on longer flights in economy class will benefit from the full 13-pound cut, taking the charge to 96 pounds.

Passengers travelling in premium economy class will pay five pounds less on shorter flights and 6.50 pounds less on longer flights.

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XL.com - Rebook your Flights

Are you affected by the collapse of the XL Leisure Group?

If so....we can help. We have access to unpublished fares from Virgin-Atlantic and other trans atlantic carriers that can help you to still go on your dream holiday.

Call us, email us, blog us or fill out our enquiry form......we have reservations staff on hand to assist you.

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Virgin Galactic

Virgin Galactic's mission is to fly passengers who are not professional astronauts to an altitude slightly over 100 kilometers (62 mi) and allow them to experience weightlessness for up to 6 minutes. Each seat will be sold for US$200,000. According to Virgin Galactic president Will Whitehorn, the company had sold nearly 200 seats as of November 2007. The first flight is planned for 2009.

Virgin Galactic is aiming to be the first space tourism company specializing in the provision of sub-orbital flights to the public. While orbital flights can be made by budding space tourists through the Russian Space Agency, there are presently no operational craft capable of sub-orbital flight aside from SpaceShipOne. However, EADS are currently working on a competing sub-orbital craft. Given that SpaceShipOne was designed for a very specific task, Virgin Galactic have commissioned Burt Rutan to design a newer, bigger and better version of his suborbital craft, called SpaceShipTwo. It is this eight seater craft, seating 2 pilots and 6 passengers, which will be used by Virgin Galactic passengers.

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VIRGIN ATLANTIC SUPER DEALS

We have some great deals for you on Virgin Atlantic fares from the UK to the USA.
Visit our flight enquiry page and let us take the strain of finding the right fare at the right price.

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