Non-Stop Atlantic Flights Stopping for Fuel

According in an article in the Wall St. Journal, dozens of Continental Airlines flights from Europe to the United States East Coast are being forced to make unexpected stops in Canada, and elsewhere, to take re fuel after running into unusually strong headwinds over the Atlantic Ocean.

The winds from the west have been exceptionally strong in the past few months, causing delays and inconvenience for thousands of passengers in recent weeks. Another part of the problem is the decision by United Continental to use smaller jets on a growing number of long, trans-Atlantic routes. It works fine when the winds are calm.

The smaller jets, Boeing 757s, use less fuel and fewer crew members, though they have fewer seats as well, but they are pretty much at their limit of a 4,000 nautical-mile range. This leaves little room for error when the winds are strong and increase the fuel burn for the two engine planes.

In December, United reported the 757s had to stop 43 times out of nearly 1,100 flights headed to the US. The resulting delays can cause passengers to miss connections, have forced overnight stays in hotels and involves passenger compensation. Most of the stops have been in Iceland, Ireland, and Albany and Steward have also received some of the flights. The headwinds are the strongest in at least 10 years, and are caused by El Nina.

United Celebrates 85 Years of Flying

United's first flight took place on April 6, 1926 in Nevada. Walter Varney was the pilot of the small swallow biplane, and completed the first airmail delivery. Varney founded Varney Air service in 1926 after he was given an airmail contract. He later sold the company to United Aircraft and Transport, which changed its name to United Air Lines in 1933. In 1934, Varney and his business partner Louis Mueller founded Varney Speed Lines, which was sold in 1937 and renamed Continental Airlines.

In 1926, fewer than 6,000 Americans paid to travel by plane. By 1930, that number had gone up to about 170,000 paying passengers each year. Boeing's tri-motored Model 80 carried up to 18 people in an enclosed cabin, a step up from only a few years earlier when two passengers rode on top of mailbags, wearing parachutes and goggles. In 1936, people could fly coast to coast, allowing at least 20 hours for the trip, but generally bought tickets at the door of the plane just before takeoff.

Today United flies more than 150 million customers each year, equal to about half the population of the U.S., and travelers can book flights from virtually anywhere. The new United features the world's most comprehensive route network, offering customers access to destinations on six continents and nonstop or one-stop service from virtually anywhere in the United States. With the most modern and fuel-efficient fleet among America's network carriers, United takes to the sky with 5,675 daily departures from nearly 375 airports.

Contact a Professional Travel Agent today to book your next trip!

Airlines Increasing Baggage Fees

Airlines are raising fees again, this time it's for checked bags. American and Delta have recently joined US Airways, United and Continental in raising fees for checked baggage.

Each of these airlines are now charging $20 for the first bag and $30 for the second bag checked at the airport. Some of them offer a $5 discount for checking your bags in online.

Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines are still charging $15 for the first bag and $25 for the second.

Southwest Airlines is still allowing checked bags for free.

United to Charge Overweight Passengers for Additional Seat

Effective April 15, United Airlines will enforce a new policy adopted earlier this year. If a passenger cannot fit into a single seat, buckle their seatbelt, even with a seatback extender, or put the seat's armrest down, that passenger "must either purchase a ticket for an additional seat, or purchase an upgrade to a cabin with seats that address the above-listed scenarios," United Airlines wrote on its Web site. If the passenger doesn't agree to purchase the extra seat, he/she will not be allowed to board the plane. The only exception is couples flying together who can fit into adjoining seats.

Some suggest that this is discrimination. United insisted it was simply acting on the 700-plus complaints it received last year about obese travelers "infringing" on their neighbors' space. The policy applies to all tickets purchased on or after March 4 for travel after April 15.