The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) gave its approval for a United/Continental merger after the two carriers agreed to lease 36 takeoff and landing slots at Newark Airport to Southwest Airlines. The transfer of slots and other assets at Newark to another carrier resolved the DOJ’s primary competition concerns about the merger. The U.S. Department of Transportation still must approve the deal before the merger can be finalized though United and Continental hope to close by Oct 1. Even if the two carriers are able to make their October goal, customers would not see many major changes initially as the merged company would continue to operate as two separate airlines for at least a year. Southwest also noted, that even if everything proceeds as planned, it would not be able to begin its new routes until March of 2011 at the earliest.

While our industry-leading Global Hotel Program already includes great rates at thousands of properties worldwide, Adelman Travel is constantly analyzing travel patterns to identify new locations that would benefit our customers. We are thus pleased to announce that we have obtained special pricing for all our customers at the following three hotels:

• Chicago: Doubletree Chicago/Alsip. The special Adelman rate of $99 represents a $40 savings over the hotel’s regular price. The Doubletree is conveniently located near Midway Airport and is just 30 minutes from Downtown Chicago. Amenities include a full service restaurant and lounge, fitness center and pool. Complimentary Wi-Fi and Midway Airport shuttle service is included.
• Dallas: Holiday Inn Express & Suites Dallas Airport South. This newly renovated property is offering Adelman Travel customers a reduce rate of $89 per night. This great rate includes complimentary Internet, hot breakfast and courtesy shuttle service to/from the airport.
• Milwaukee: Aloft Downtown Milwaukee. The Adelman rate at this new Starwood family property is only $145. Aloft offers spacious rooms with oversized showers, plush platform beds and 42? LCD TV’s along with a plug n’ play docking stations that link your computer or tunes to the TV and recharges all your gadgets.

Contact your Adelman Travel consultant for help with booking these great rates.

• AirTran raised its checked baggage fee to $20 for the first item. The fee for a second checked bag will remain at $25. Passengers who made their reservation before Aug. 17 will not be subject to the increase.
• Delta announced that it will add 21 flights out of Washington Reagan National. New or expanded service destinations include Boston, Columbus, Ohio; Hartford, Conn; Jacksonville, Fla.; Miami; Orlando; St. Louis and Tampa. Delta also said it would add service to London Heathrow from Atlanta and Detroit starting Nov. 1. To further expand its London offerings, Delta has applied for slots relinquished by American and British Airways as part of their antitrust deal. If approved, Delta will add new service from Heathrow to Boston and Miami starting March 27, 2011.
• Grupo Mexicana has ceased operations at its three airlines including Mexicana, MexicanaClick and MexicanaLink. The new investment group that purchased 95 percent of the company on August 20 said they discovered that the airlines where in deeper financial trouble than first thought. While they hope to reinstate service at some point, travelers holding tickets are being advised to consult the airline website for refunds. Adelman Consultants have already been working with affected travelers on alternate service and are assisting with the refund process.
• Japan Airlines (JAL) and its creditors reached an agreement on a rescue plan for the financially troubled carrier. Creditors will waive 88 percent of JAL’s unsecured liabilities but the airline must cut 16,000 jobs and eliminate 49 unprofitable routes. JAL expects to exit bankruptcy protection by 2012.
• US Airways has updated its Dividend Miles profile tool to include Secure Flight Data (SFD) information that is required under the government’s security program. Account holders will be prompted to update their profiles if SFD is missing or to ensure it is accurate in the profile.

Many U.S. airlines are implementing peak-day surcharges as a way to bolster earnings this fall. Travelers may pay up to $60 or more on domestic tickets through the end of the year. Newer computer systems and pricing rules allow carriers to easily add surcharges on high-demand days without raising millions of base fares. Rate watchers indicate that fall fares are higher than a year ago, but still are lower than 2008 levels. Nearly 25 percent of the remaining days in the year are surcharge days. Analysts also expect that airlines will offer fewer seats at the lower price levels on peak days. However, carriers are still expected to run fare sales on days where demand is lagging. Your Adelman Travel Team continually monitors pricing structures so that we can guide you through the surcharge maze to help ensure that you get the best value for your travel needs.

• Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport recently opened its new rail link that connects passengers to the City Air Terminal in Bangkok’s Makkasan area. The non-stop trip takes 15 minutes and initially costs 100 baht. The rate will increase to 150 baht at the end of the year. In coming months a baggage check-in service will open at the Makkasan terminal.
• Boston Logan and Las Vegas McCarran Airports are test sites for the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) new enhanced pat-down program. The new procedure uses a more aggressive palms-first, slide-down body search technique instead of the former back-of-the-hand pat-down. The all front-of-the-hand sliding motion search over greater areas of the body, including sensitive areas, has captured the attention of civil liberties groups, which are questioning the practice. TSA officials note the new method is key to enhancing security and plans to roll out the program nationwide over the coming months.
• Hartford’s Bradley Airport has been working with American Airlines to begin use of GPS navigation for select inbound flights. The new system allows aircraft to take a more direct route and allows flights to land in poor-visibility conditions. Use of GPS navigation is expected to reduce delays and will save the airlines money.
• Honolulu Airport began installation of a new state-of-the-art Explosive Detection System. The 16 machines, which can also detect weapons and other contraband materials, are being provided by the TSA and will be installed in lobbies 4, 5, 7 and 8 in the Overseas Terminal.
• Jacksonville Airport will offer fast-track security clearance in October to travelers with special privileges such as American Airlines’ Admirals Club members. In addition to elite airline status, business travelers who have premium prepaid monthly parking will be able to take advantage of the new security lanes. The airport also plans to unveil its own program where travelers who do not qualify as above can pay an annual fee to use the express service. More information can be found at www.jia.aero.
• Milwaukee, San Diego and Seattle Airports are the latest locations to get full-body security scanners. Similar to other airports, travelers who do not want to use the full-body machines can pass through the traditional metal detector and then receive a pat-down instead.
• New York’s LaGuardia Airport is upgrading its food and beverage options in the Delta gate areas as 13 new eateries will open over the next year. Delta has worked closely with the airport to provide a refined, contemporary dining experience for its travelers. Among the first to open will be a French bistro, a New York-style steakhouse, a burger joint featuring made-to-order hamburgers and a pizza place that will serve thin-crust, Brooklyn-style slices. Other planned concepts include a gourmet market, a seafood and raw bar, a Jewish deli, an Italian bistro, an espresso bar and a wine and craft/microbrew bar.

The U.S. Government Services Administration (GSA) released its updated per diem rates for fiscal year 2011 that starts Oct. 1. The standard hotel rate, which covers about 2,600 counties throughout the United States, was moved up from $70 to $77. Standard meal costs will remain in the $46 to $71 range based on location. In the nonstandard areas, such as major cities, the GSA lowered the per diem in 310 locations, increased the rate in 50 areas, while 18 zones stayed the same. Overall, fiscal 2011 hotel rates decreased by 3.85 percent compared to last year.