news about cheap fares and airlines from travel search engine Trabber

It seems almost too good to be true. A job where you get to travel the world and have people listen to what you think of the whole experience.

But that’s exactly what’s being offered by Finland’s flagship airline Finnair.

This month the airline is searching for four “‘Quality Hunters”’ to scour the globe and report back on all that’s good – and not so good.

The “‘Quality Hunters”’ will travel to cities in Europe, Asia and the US throughout October and November at the same time “‘assessing flights, airports and destinations.”’

source: The Independent

Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary wants to ditch co-pilots as part of a bid to slash costs.

He accepts co-pilots are needed on longhaul flights, but says on shorter trips their only role was to “make sure the first fella doesn’t fall asleep and knock over one of the computer controls.

“‘It could save the industry a fortune. In 25 years with over 10 million flights, we’ve had one pilot who suffered a heart attack in flight and he landed the plane.'”

But a British Airline Pilots’ Association spokesman said: “‘His suggestion is unsafe and his passengers would be horrified.'”

source: Mirror.co.uk

A no-frills hotel that costs as little as £9 a night – but charges for extras including towels and luggage storage – has opened in London.

Using a similar strategy to budget airline Ryanair, Malaysian hotel chain Tune Hotels will charge its customers extra for everything from towels to using the hair dryer and even getting the room cleaned.

The tiny rooms will cost as little as £35 a night for a standard, with an occasional special offer price of £9, and come with a comfortable bed, power shower and a laptop stand.

But luggage storage costs £2, getting your room cleaned will add £7.50 and using the hair dryer costs £1, with each towel used costing £1.50.

A night’s worth of television will set you back £3 and using the room’s safe will cost an extra £2.

source: This is London

British Airways has changed its longstanding policy of banning lone male travellers from sitting next to unaccompanied children on its flights.

The airline had been sued by a traveller who said the policy was discriminatory – something BA denied. The case was settled and BA agreed to a review. From now on, unaccompanied children will be seated in a special area on BA planes.

In the UK, it is up to individual airlines to decide on how to treat unaccompanied minors.

source: BBC News

Economists have calculated that the optimum time to book an airline ticket is eight weeks before the travel date. Also, do it in the afternoon rather than the morning to get the best deal.

Book earlier than eight weeks and you run the risk that your personal plans may change and the booking may need to be altered, but leave it later and there’s an increased risk that prices will go up or the flight could be fully booked.

The work by Japan-based economists Makoto Watanabe and Marc Moller has been published by ‘The Royal Economic Society’.

They also highlight differences in timing policy in booking flights compared to booking theatre tickets, where last-minute deals can be available.

source: The Australian

Virgin Atlantic has held last-ditch talks with the union representing the airline’s pilots aimed at averting the first-ever strike in the company’s history.

Virgin Atlantic pilots are currently guaranteed 120 days off a year on top of holiday – which corresponds approximately with time off such as weekends and bank holidays.

However, management at the airline, which posted a £132 million loss last year, is looking to trim the figure as part of cost-cutting measures.

source: dailymail.co.uk

The UK High Court has suspended the right of air passengers to compensation if they suffer a flight delay of three hours or more.

The European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruled last November that passengers were entitled to compensation for delays. But following a challenge brought by British Airways, Tui Travel, easyJet and the International Air Transport Association, the High Court has referred the issue back to the European court.

A spokesman for the Civil Aviation Authority said: “‘The High Court has stayed our enforcement powers so the courts won’t hear [compensation] cases in the interim.’”

It is expected to be two years before the Court of Justice reviews the case.

source: travelweekly.co.uk

American Airlines is offering travelers a chance to sit in the front few rows of the coach section and the ability to board early.

But, like so many things in the airline industry today, it’ll cost you.

American Airlines announced that its “‘Express Seats'” option will let passengers pick any remaining seats in the first few rows of the coach section. It also lets them get on the airplane in the first boarding group along with elite frequent fliers, people sitting in first- or business class and full-fare customers.

source: dallasnews.com

For the second year in a row, JetBlue has found a lot of impulsive, adventurous travel lovers to buy a single ticket for a month of unlimited travel.

JetBlue said Thursday it has sold out early of its popular ‘All-You-Can-Jet’ passes a day earlier than expected. Last year, the first year the pass was offered, they sold two days early.

The pass is a chance for the airline to fill empty seats during what is traditionally the slowest time of the year. It’s valid for flights between Sept. 7 and Oct. 6.

source: msnbc.com

Travel on major U.S. airlines fell roughly 1 percent in July with one key measure of revenue growth slowing, according to an industry trade group.

July is traditionally one of the busiest months for airlines due to summer holiday travel. The revenue picture normally grows tougher as carriers get into fall when travel usually drops off.

source: Reuters