news about cheap fares and airlines from travel search engine Trabber

Lufthansa is to relaunch its FlyNet in-flight internet service from the middle of next year. The airline was one of the pioneers of in-flight wi-fi, launching the Flynet service in 2003 and running it until 2006. The service ended when the company providing the service, Connexion by Boeing, turned it off. At the time, Boeing said that no market for the service had materialised. However, many American airlines now have in-flight wi-fi on large parts of their domestic fleets while OnAir is providing in-flight data services to a numebr of airlines, including British Airways.

source: Times Online

All Nippon Airways (ANA) says if half its travelers used the bathroom before hopping on the plane, it would reduce carbon dioxide by 4.2 tons per month.

The unorthodox request is all part of the airline’s “‘e-Flight'” promotional program to reduce the amount of carbon that is expelled each day on its twice-a-day international flights to Singapore and its 38 domestic routes.

As another part of the program, the airline is using recycled paper cups and plastic bottles, and eliminating glass bottles. In-flight educational films also will be shown, and passengers are encouraged to pack light.

source: nydailynews.com

Lufthansa will take full control of BMI British Midland by buying a 20 per cent stake from Scandinavian carrier SAS, a move that will give the German carrier freedom to decide the fate of its Heathrow subsidiary.

Europe’s largest airline will pay SAS  38m ($61m), half for the stake and the other half for SAS relinquishing rights codified in a shareholder agreement in 1999, both airlines said wi thout giving further details.

Taking over the secondlargest UK carrier appears to put Lufthansa into direct competition with British Airways at its Heathrow hub.

source: FT.com

The European Commission’s competition authorities have raised concerns about the transatlantic plans of British Airways, American Airlines and Iberia.

The Oneworld alliance members want to operate as a joint business on flights between the EU and North America.

The Commission confirmed that it was still looking into similar plans for co-operation by Star Alliance members Lufthansa, Continental, United and Air Canada and between Skyteam members Air France/KLM and Delta/Northwest.

source: BBC News

Frontier Airlines is set to exit bankruptcy protection on Thursday as part of Republic Airways, which seems determined to run an efficient airline even if it ruffles some feathers in the process.

By buying Frontier, Republic is transforming itself from a regional jet hauler of travelers for other airlines into a carrier that competes for its own passengers. Earlier this year it bought Milwaukee-based Midwest Airlines, too.

source: Associated Press

Ryanair will remove its airport check-in desks from today, with charges for checking in baggage set to rise.

Passengers will be forced to check in for flights online at a cost of £5, with those forgetting to do so facing an emergency check in fee of £40. Anyone checking in luggage will have to use the airline’s new “‘bag drop'” desks.

Ryanair also announced that from today children under 16 will no longer be able to travel unaccompanied, while passports will be the only accepted form of photo identification.

source: telegraph.co.uk

Travelport GDS, one of the world’s leading global distribution system (GDS) providers, and Jet2.com, one of Europe’s leading low cost carriers (LCCs), have today announced details of a new direct connect content agreement.  Under the new agreement,  Jet2.com’s full content will be made available in the GDS channel for the first time via Galileo’s direct connect solution. Jet2.com is now the third airline this year to sign up to Galileo’s innovative LCC direct connect solution.

source: Breaking Travel News

British Airways was accused of hypocrisy as the airline prepared to launch a luxury all-business service between London and New York, with just 32 seats on an aircraft normally fitted for 100 people, days after chief executive Willie Walsh pledged a drastic cut in emissions.

The twice daily service on customised Airbus A318s features flat beds and latest technology allowing passengers to send emails and text and use the internet while on board.

Flights leaving from London though will be forced to make a brief refuelling stop at Shannon airport in the west of Ireland because City airport’s runway is too short to handle an A318 aircraft with a full fuel load. BA is arranging for passengers to use the Shannon stop to clear US customs and immigration.

source: guardian.co.uk

Passengers attempting to travel using only their driving licence as identification will no longer be admissible on domestic Ryanair flights.

From October 1st the company will only accept passports and National Identity Cards as valid forms of identification in a move it says is to “‘reduce confusion’” over what documents passengers can use.

source: Irish Times

British Airways passengers will have to pay to choose their seats before they travel from October.

The charges will affect those seeking to ensure they sit together on a flight and people with a preference for window, aisle or emergency exit seats.

Prices range from £10 per person for European economy flights, to £60 for long haul trips in business class.

source: BBC