BUSINESS TRAVEL SHOWING BIG INCREASES IN 2011!
A poll of more than 380 corporate travelers found that 49% expect to fly more for business in 2011 compared to 28% in 2010. A chief economist pointed out, "In order to get the economy going again, business people have to fly!"

HIGHER DEMAND MEANS HIGHER FARES!
Average domestic fares were up 11% and will continue to go up this year. International Travel is up 16% with higher fares. Airfares have already been hiked 6 times since the first of the year, due to strong travel demand and costlier fuel.

AIRLINES GETTING READY TO ADD MORE FEES!
Last year, fees brought the airlines an estimated $22 billion. Charging for checked bags brought in the most money but, now, carriers are planning to start charging for Early Boarding, a pre-ordered champagne brunch, and reclining seats. Spirit Airlines derived 27% of its revenue from fees. U.S. Airways says some fliers are absolutely willing to pay for a better seat and they're charging for it!

FLIGHT ATTENDANT STICKS BABY IN OVERHEAD BIN!
The airline fired the flight attendant and offered the angry mother 3 free flights after her 17 month old son was put into an overhead locker and closed the latch. They were playing a game of hide-and-seek. Wasn't funny!

WHO IS THE MOST LOVED AIRLINE IN THE U.S.?
Virgin America came in with a 94% rating with over 478 positive opinions. Others who scored highly were Southwest, JetBlue and American Eagle.

NO MORE EMERGENCY OXYGEN IN AIRLINE LAVATORIES.
The federal government, in absolute secrecy, ordered every airline in the United States to remove emergency oxygen in every lavatory on all 6,000 domestic commercial aircraft, citing security reasons.

CONTINENTAL ELIMINATES PRETZELS FOR COACH CUSTOMERS ON DOMESTIC FLIGHTS!
The airline says it will save $2.5 million a year.

SOUTHWEST FINALLY JOINS OTHER U.S. AIRLINES ON RAISING FARES.
They did this to offset higher fuel prices. Did you know Southwest carries more U.S. passengers than any other U.S. airline?

TAMPA GRANTED NEW FLIGHTS TO CUBA.
This is a historic milestone in a two-and-a-half year campaign. I've always wanted to go to Cuba. I hear it's a fascinating country.

WILL THERE BE ANOTHER AIRLINE MERGER THIS YEAR?
Consolidation seems to be working so you can expect something to happen.

PAN AM COMING BACK?
It's only a T.V. series on ABC Television, portraying the pilots and passengers who flew during the most exciting period of air travel in the 60's!

WHO WON THE BEST VACATION DESTINATION AWARD?
Puerto Vallarta, in Mexico, with its outstanding hotels, restaurants and services.

2010 SAFEST YEAR EVER FOR AIR TRAVEL! THAT'S GOOD NEWS!
230 airlines comprising 93% of scheduled international air traffic flew 2.4 billion people on 36.8 million flights in 2010.