Travel

SEATTLE, July 02, 2008 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] this week delivered a Next-Generation 737-800 to Toronto-based Sunwing Airlines. The third new Next-Generation Boeing 737 to be delivered to Sunwing and the first to be operated on lease from lessor Aviation Capital Group (ACG), the airplane is equipped with performance-enhancing Blended Winglets, which improve fuel efficiency and reduce CO2 emissions by up to 4 percent.

Boeing Delivers Next-Generation 737 to Sunwing Airlines of Canada: (Photo credit: Boeing)    » read more »

Hainan Airlines now offering the only non-stop flight between the Northwest and China

June 9, 2008 -- SEA-TAC – Washington Governor Chris Gregoire today helped greet passengers arriving on Hainan Airlines’ new direct passenger flight between Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and Beijing, and proclaimed today, “Hainan Airlines’ Day,” in Washington.

Hainan’s new flight is the first non-stop commercial flight between the Washington state and China since 1997. “This new direct flight is great economic news for Washington,” Gregoire stated during the celebration. “It comes at a time when other parts of the nation are facing a struggling economy, and airlines are being impacted by high fuel prices and even consolidating or limiting existing flights.”    » read more »

Caribbean Cruise Adventure to Feature Live Interactive Game Shows, Nickelodeon Animation and Voiceover Workshops, Slime Time Live!, Appearances by SpongeBob SquarePants and Stars of iCarly and More

NEW YORK, May 7 -- Nickelodeon has assembled seven days of non-stop fun and activities for its first-ever Nickelodeon Family Cruise with Royal Caribbean, which sets sail August 10-17, on Royal Caribbean International's Freedom of the Seas.    » read more »

Northwest Airlines to add daily non-stops to Beijing and London

May 8, 2008 -- SEATTLE – Washington Governor Chris Gregoire joined representatives from Northwest Airlines and the Port of Seattle in announcing two new international air routes from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport to Beijing and London.

NWA jet landing: Photo by Travis Church (CC)    » read more »

May 7, 2008 -- Las Vegas, NV -- Nevada Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto announced today that District Court Judge Kathy Hardcastle has sentenced Mitchell Adam Chirchick, 40, of Las Vegas, in connection with the sale of bogus travel packages to the NFL’s 2007 Pro Bowl in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Pro Bowl kickoff rally, Hawaii: Photo by Zach Everson (CC)

Chirchick, who pled guilty to three counts of Felony Theft of Property in Excess of $2,500, was sentenced to consecutive terms of 4 to 10 years on Counts One and Two.    » read more »

May 6, 2008 -- Washington, DC— U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) today made the following statement after Republican Senators blocked the Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act, legislation to modernize the FAA and our air traffic control system, improve safety inspections, and protect the rights of the flying public.

Airplane, runway: Photo by S Fujiwara (CC)    » read more »

April 17, 2008 -- ORANGE COUNTY -- California Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. today announced the arrest of an Orange County travel agent who sold more than $160,000 in “bogus travel packages” to senior citizens who wanted to visit Cuba for religious and cultural purposes.

Remedios church, Cuba: Photo by Fabio Bretto (CC)

“The suspect allegedly ripped off dozens of senior citizens who wanted to travel to Cuba for religious and cultural purposes,” Attorney General Brown said. “Peddling these bogus travel packages has earned Mr. Rendon a trip to court to face criminal charges,” Brown added.    » read more »

Saint Paul – The following is a statement from Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty regarding the announced merger of Delta and Northwest.

“We will be closely scrutinizing the impact of the merger and will strongly stand up for Minnesota’s interests during the review process. Our goal will be to maintain hub operations, related levels of flight service, and the maximum number of airline jobs in Minnesota.

Northwest Airlines A330-300 at Minneapolis Airport: Photo by Mike Smail (CC)    » read more »

Merger helps offset record oil prices, creates stronger global airline to compete in Open Skies environment; Delta pilot leadership reaches agreement on post-merger contract

ATLANTA, Georgia and EAGAN, Minnesota – April 14, 2008 – Delta Air Lines Inc. (NYSE: DAL) and Northwest Airlines Corporation (NYSE: NWA) today announced an agreement in which the two carriers will combine in an all-stock transaction with a combined enterprise value of $17.7 billion, creating America’s premier global airline.

Delta Airlines Boeing 777-200LR: Photo courtesy Delta Airlines    » read more »

IDOT to upgrade emergency phones and cameras at rest areas, statewide; will provide extra measure of security for motorists, traveling in Illinois

April 13, 2008 -- SPRINGFIELD – Illinois Governor Rod R. Blagojevich today announced upgrades are underway to security systems at Illinois rest areas.

Illinois highway: Photo by tlindenbaum (CC)

New security cameras and emergency phones will be installed at locations where they are needed, providing motorists added security when they stop at rest areas along interstate highways in Illinois.    » read more »

SAN FRANCISCO, April 3, 2008 /PRNewswire - FirstCall/ -- Expedia.com®, the world's leading online travel provider, has partnered with PlanetOut Inc. (NASDAQ: LGBT), the leading media company exclusively serving the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community, to be the exclusive travel booking provider for PlanetOut Web sites, including PlanetOut.com, Gay.com and OutTraveler.com.    » read more »

BELLEVUE, Wash., April 1, 2008 /PRNewswire - FirstCall/ -- Expedia.com®, the world's leading online travel company, announced today it is adding a bit more stimuli to the U.S. economic stimulus package, which, starting in May, will return up to $600 to individual taxpayers or $1,200 to those filing joint returns. With 51 percent of recently surveyed* Americans(1) saying they are somewhat likely to spend their upcoming tax rebate on travel or a vacation, Expedia® will help extend those vacation dollars by offering exclusive deals plus a coupon worth $200 off qualifying trips.    » read more »

4/3/2008 -- The following statement was delivered by Senator Clinton at a press availability in Burbank, California this afternoon:

"I want to start by talking about a very troubling development that has come to light in regard to airline safety and regulation. This week we are learning a number of very problematic things about airline safety and about the Federal Aviation Administration’s approach to policing the airline industry. Southwest Airlines has a lot to answer for.

Southwest Airlines aircraft maintenance at Chicago's Midway Airport: Photo by Jim Wissemes (CC)    » read more »

Schumer Applauds DHS' Decision to Follow Congressional Mandate that Postpones Passport Requirements for Western New Yorkers Until June 1, 2009

March 31, 2008 -- DHS Recently Announced that the Final Rules on Implementation of WHTI Will Postpone Until June 1, 2009 Any Requirement for Travelers Crossing NYS' Northern Border to Carry a Passport Schumer Pledges to Continue Pushing to Ensure DHS Doesn't Jump the Gun in Implementing an Unreasonable Plan without Adequate Security or Technology Senator Warns Forcing Western New York Residents to Carry Passp    » read more »

Leads Delegation on Economic Development Mission; Will Open Georgia Center in China

March 30, 2008 -- ATLANTA – Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue departed from Atlanta today on Delta’s inaugural non-stop flight to Shanghai, China. Governor Perdue is leading a delegation of business, academic and government officials from Georgia on a week long economic development mission to Shanghai and Beijing.

Delta Airlines Boeing 777-200LR

“This is the first direct link to China from the Southeastern U.S., and the only nonstop link from the U.S. East Coast to Shanghai,” said Governor Sonny Perdue. “This is a great honor for our state, and for Delta, our hometown airline.”    » read more »