New MH370 search claim dismissed

Claims that there is a new search underway by DSSV Pressure Drop for MH370 have been dismissed. The claims made by @mikechillit suggest that the Pressure Drop is currently searching an area – Zenith Plateau – that he believes that MH370’s wreckage lies. Zenith Plateau is a large bathymetric high in the Indian Ocean, located …

Breeze Airways, Cleared for Takeoff: Inaugural Routes Announced

MIAMI — The much-anticipated initial route network for Breeze Airways (MX) has been unveiled—and it’s impressive. The inaugural flight will take place on Saturday, May 27, 2021, from Tampa (TPA) in Florida, to Charleston (CHS) in South Carolina—which will be covered live by Airways. According to the airline, fares will be starting at US$39 one way. …

Resumed Virgin Galactic tests boost hopes for early 2022 EIS

A move by Virgin Galactic to resume test flights has been labeled “highly positive” by respected US analysts Bernstein, boosting optimism commercial flights could begin by early 2022. The space tourism venture backed by British billionaire Richard Branson had originally scheduled the test for February but it was delayed after a rocket in the spaceship, …

Sydney airport sees borders opening ‘city by city, country by country’

Australia’s major gateway airport expects to wage a city-by-city, country-by-country campaign to restore international travel as it strives to return to pre-COVID glory days. Sydney Airport chief executive Geoff Culbert told the airport’s annual meeting Friday that there was still no crystal ball that could predict when domestic or international travel would restart. But the …

AirNZ, US lawmakers spearhead renewed push for aviation biofuel

A renewed push for sustainable aviation fuels has seen Air New Zealand call for a Kiwi biofuel industry as US legislators lobby for a production tax credit. The aviation industry this week applauded a move by US lawmakers Brad Schneider, Dan Kildee and Julia Brownley to introduce legislation establishing a blender’s tax credit for sustainable …

The best credit cards for gas purchases can earn you bonus points, miles, or cash back at the pump

 Table of Contents: Masthead StickySummary List Placement The best credit cards for gas purchases: Category Credit card Best for frequent Costco shoppers: Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi Best flexible points earning rate: US Bank Altitude Connect Best for earning Citi points Citi Premier® Card Best for earning Chase points: Chase Freedom Unlimited® Best for …

Qatar Group CEO Named Oneworld Alliance Board Chairman

MIAMI – In an unexpected move, oneworld Alliance has named Qatar Airways Group CEO H.E. Akbar Al Baker Chairman of the Governing Board. He succeeds Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce, who served in this position since September 2018. The Chairman of the Governing Board oversees the alliance’s governance, chair oneworld’s Governing Board meetings, and works closely …

15 of the best US hotels with standalone cabins, cottages, or villas for added space and privacy

  Summary List PlacementTable of Contents: Masthead Sticky In response to the pandemic, many travelers are prioritizing safety and booking clean, private, and socially distanced vacations. But that doesn’t mean a hotel stay is out of the picture. Consider claiming extra space for yourself at hotels with guest rooms in the form of private standalone …

Etihad Airways, Saudia Announce New Loyalty Deal, More Codeshare

MIAMI – Etihad Airways (EY) and Saudia (SV) announce a new reciprocal loyalty agreement, expanding on their existing codeshare deal. The news was published by EY, thru a press release dated May 19, indicating that passengers, members of Etihad Guest or Al Fursan programs, will be able to earn and redeem – earn and burn …

5 credit card benefits that can protect your summer travels, from rental car coverage to trip cancellation insurance

  Summary List Placement If you’re traveling this summer, your credit card’s benefits could help you if things go awry. Car rental insurance from a travel rewards card can save the day in the event of loss or damage. Trip interruption or delay coverage may pay for expenses if your trip doesn’t go as planned. Read …

Smartwings Resumes Flight to Tel Aviv

MIAMI – Czech airline Smartwings (QS) has announced via a press release the resumption of flights between Prague (PRG) and Tel Aviv (TLV). The airline has plans to resume the route on May 26, if the current security situation in Israel allows. Currently, the service to TLV departs on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 11:00 pm, …

13 US island hotels that offer beautiful beaches and clear waters without flying across the world

  Summary List PlacementTable of Contents: Masthead Sticky There’s nothing quite like slipping away to a secluded, stunning island oasis. In many cases, however, that requires lengthy flights and expensive transfers and hotels. All of which points to potential risks in a post-pandemic world. Rather than take that far-flung trip, the CDC suggests that vaccinated …

Boeing Resumes 737 MAX Deliveries after Electrical Fix Approval

LONDON – Boeing is to resume deliveries of its 737 MAX jets after approval for an electrical grounding problem fix that will in turn unground dozens of affected jets. Though Boeing has not commented publicly, Reuters reported that recently built aircraft subject to the grounding is set to be delivered. Earlier this month, the US …

British Airways’ New ‘Forty Winks’ Sleep Lounge

MIAMI – British Airways (BA) has announced a new enhancement to its premium product offering by adding a ‘Forty Winks’ Lounge equipped with EnergyPods where travelers may enjoy a power nap. The free power-nap sleep pods are not for all customers, as they are only available in BA’s Galleries First Lounge in Terminal 5. The …

Europe will be open for vaccinated tourists this summer, possibly as soon as next week

Summary List Placement The European Union will reopen to vaccinated tourists as early as next week, ahead of the busy summer travel season. Ambassadors from the 27 member nations agreed to a proposal that would loosen the year-long restrictions on nonessential travel, permitting visitors who have received approved shots or arrive from countries the council …

Emirates Unveils Premium Economy Seats at Arabian Travel Market

MIAMI – Emirates (EK) showcased its centerpiece for this year’s Arabian Travel Market (ATM): the newly launched Premium Economy seat. The event took place in Dubai (DBX) between May 16 and 19. The Seats The new seat, on which visitors were able to sit and relax, features a pitch up to 40 inches, a width …

FAA Issues Warning to American Airlines’ Regional Carrier, Envoy Air

MIAMI – It’s a difficult day for Envoy Air (MQ), American Airlines’ (AA) largest regional carrier. Several news outlets, including CNN and The Hill, report that the FAA has issued a warning to MQ and is investigating the carrier over multiple instances of pilot error. The CNN story says that it obtained a document from …

A millennial couple breaks down how they ditched desk jobs to live and work in an RV while touring national parks for a year

Summary List Placement By July 2020, Aaron and Hillery Levine were itching to break out of their pandemic routine. A few months into working “pretty traditional desk jobs” from their rented New Jersey townhome, they realized that even the local excursions they took with their toddler had stopped offering a reprieve from daily stressors. “There’s …

Cautious Singapore looks for growth after horror loss

Singapore Airlines is cautiously optimistic about a further recovery in international demand after posting a horror $S4.3 billion net loss in what it labelled the toughest year in its history. It is predicting passenger capacity will be at about 28 percent of pre-COVID levels by June with this increasing to 32 percent by July as …

Virgin to add five routes and 250 staff in northern expansion

Virgin Australia is targeting northern destinations in a move that will open up 250 jobs and contribute to 700 additional weekly flights across the airline’s network by October. Virgin chief executive Jayne Hrdlicka announced Thursday that the airline would operate five new direct services the airlines says will benefit the Northern Australia’s economy. The 250 …

Strong domestic demand sees Qantas “turning the corner”

Qantas says it is “turning the corner” as a sustained domestic recovery pushes it  towards 95 percent of pre-COVID domestic capacity and business traffic continues to grow. The airline is still predicting a $A2 billion plus statutory loss in fiscal 2021 but says the domestic recovery, combined with the performance of its loyalty and freight …

How credit card points and benefits saved me $500 on my first trip home to see family since the pandemic started

 Summary List Placement I hadn’t seen my family since the start of the pandemic, so planned a three-day trip to visit them. The price of flights, a hotel, and travel insurance was much more than I expected — almost $1,000. Instead, I redeemed points and used benefits from my JetBlue Plus Card to save $500. …

When all the National Park Service campgrounds were already booked for the summer, I turned to Airbnb — here’s why I’ll gladly book an Airbnb campsite again

  Summary List Placement At the end of last summer, I knew I wanted to take advantage of the gorgeous weather and scenery of my Pacific Northwest base before the autumn rains took hold of the skies. A friend recommended the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest in Washington’s Central Cascades, also known as the Enchantments. With sheer …

Singapore Airlines Post US$3.22bn Loss for FY 2020/2021

MIAMI – Singapore Airlines (SQ) posts a hefty loss of US$3.22bn (SGD4.3bn) as a result of what the airline calls “the toughest year in its history.” Passenger traffic sloped down by 97.9% in RPK (Revenue Passenger Kilometer), an almost total stop in passenger activity, as a consequence of the global travel restrictions brought in by …

Today in Aviation: First Flight of the Sukhoi Superjet 100

MIAMI – Today in aviation, the Sukhoi Superjet 100, the first all-new commercial aircraft in post-Soviet Russia, flew for the first time in 2008. The type flew for the first time commercially on April 21, 2011, with Armavia (U8). Sukhoi Civil Aircraft, a subsidiary of the United Aircraft Corporation (now Regional Aircraft – a branch of the …

20 of the best campsites in the US, whether you want to pitch a tent, park your RV, or sleep in a cabin with a view

  Summary List Placement According to a 2021 Kampgrounds of America (KOA) report, camping is on the rise and looks to be a continuing trend this summer. The proportion of campers who camped for the first time in 2020 was five times greater than what was observed in 2019, and 62% of all first-time campers …

Volotea Set for Summer 2021

LONDON – Spanish low-cost carrier Volotea (V7) is gearing up to be one of the main protagonists of summer 2021 with cutting-edge managerial choices that demonstrate the carrier’s development toward being a point of reference in Italy and beyond. According to Valeria Rebasti, Commercial Country Manager Italy & Southeastern Europe of V7, “one of the company’s strengths …