Thailand vacation packages

Making sense of a mega-merger

04.05.10

Okay. It's official: Continental and United have agreed to merge their network airlines to form the world's largest air carrier.

Based on recent merger activity, most recently that of Delta and Northwest, let's assume the marriage will be consummated. Continental will be absorbed into the United brand — and the two companies will operate as one.

What does it mean for Alaskans?

On the surface, not much will change. Neither Continental nor United has a sizable presence in the Anchorage market. In fact, since both United and Continental are part of the "Star Alliance," they already cooperate on pricing, schedules and frequent flyer mileage plans, along with USAir and Air Canada.

The short-term effects of this merger will be felt in Cleveland — which probably will lose its hub status. Service between hub airports, such as Houston-Washington, DC, probably will be reduced.

In fact, the reductions in service are the biggest parts of this story. And that underscores the larger view: network airlines are shrinking. They cut capacity in 2001 after 9/11 and they've been cutting capacity ever since. It's the low-cost carriers such as jetBlue, Southwest and Air Tran that have been growing. The only real growth for the legacy carriers has been the amount of acreage they occupy in the airline graveyards of the Mojave Desert.

Source: Alaska Dispatch

travel deals from minneapolis - News

Summer airfares: Hesitant travelers need to act The Associated Press - Jun 26, 2009 The Associated PressSummer airfares: Hesitant travelers need to actThe Associated PressAirline Web sites also offer deals that include hotel and sometimes car rental. Gabe Saglie, senior editor at travel information Web site Travelzoo, and more »

Get wet: A user's guide Minneapolis Star Tribune - Jul 05, 2009 Get wet: A user's guideMinneapolis Star TribuneWith convenient locations inside two of Minneapolis' most popular destinations, both provide a casual atmosphere and reasonably priced seafood. and more »

How one travel agency is coping Minneapolis Star Tribune - Jun 28, 2009 How one travel agency is copingMinneapolis Star Tribune"It was terrible," Wozniak recalled from the downtown Minneapolis office of his leisure travel agency. "I'm laying them off and they are coming into my and more »

Cool Search Engines That Are Not Google Wired News - Jun 29, 2009 Cool Search Engines That Are Not GoogleWired NewsNewcomer Voyij is a travel sale search engine that looks exclusively for deals departing from your home city. The site's focus is more on people ready for and more »

Laid off? Hit the road and relax if you can afford it USA Today - Jun 25, 2009 USA TodayLaid off? Hit the road and relax if you can afford itUSA TodayTravel deals are helping. Ilk paid only $800 for her Tucson-Sydney flight. Rocky Agrawal of San Francisco, a senior product manager for Microsoft, and more »