In This Issue

      I.  Important Travel News
     II.  Spotlight On....What  Burns
          Air Passengers Most
    III.  Carnival Returns to Baltimore
          in 2009
   IV.  MacNair Travel Management's
          Fourth of July Schedule

 II.  Spotlight On... What Burns Air Passengers Most

The latest J.D. Power and Associates 2008 North America Airline Satisfaction Study has found that what bothers airline passengers most about flying today are deteriorating levels of service provided by airline staff, not high fares and additional charges for amenities.

 JetBlue ranked highest overall and also highest among low-cost carriers in customer satisfaction.
 Alaska Airlines and Continental Airlines tied for first, in satisfaction, among traditional network carriers
 Overall customer satisfaction with airlines is at its lowest level in three years
 Decreased satisfaction with people factors is more than twice that of price factors
 

III. Carnival Returns to Baltimore in 2009

Carnival Cruise Lines, the worlds largest cruise operator, will launch the first year-round cruise program from the Port of Baltimore with seven-day cruises aboard the 2,124-passenger Carnival Pride beginning in fall 2009.

The new program kicks off September 13, 2009, and encompasses two different weeklong itineraries departing Sundays from the historic Maryland port.

Baltimores first year-round cruise program will feature a variety of interesting ports on two distinctly different seven-day itineraries. Exotic Eastern Caribbean departures will call at Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos; the private Bahamian island of Half Moon Cay; and Freeport, The Bahamas; while Bahamas/Florida departures visit Port Canaveral, Fl., Nassau and Freeport.

Carnival Prides Exotic Eastern Caribbean cruises from Baltimore feature Grand Turk, a 10.5-square-mile island paradise which, in addition to a rich history, offers crystal-clear waters that attract snorkelers and divers the world over. Ships dock at the Grand Turk Cruise Center, a modern facility offering an 800-foot-long private beach, a Margaritaville-themed restaurant and a variety of retail shops. Also featured is Half Moon Cay, a crescent-shaped private island offering beautiful beaches and a diversity of water sports opportunities, along with a childrens aqua park and beachside cabanas. The third destination on this itinerary, Freeport, The Bahamas, is the island chains second largest city with excellent shopping at the International Bazaar and the Port Lucaya Marketplace, along with stunning beaches and exciting golf opportunities.

Seven-day Bahamas/Florida cruises call at Port Canaveral, located on Floridas Space Coast and in close proximity to Orlando-area theme parks and attractions, as well as the world famous Kennedy Space Center. Visitors also enjoy the areas gorgeous white-sand beaches and crystal clear waters. Other ports include Nassau, the historic Bahamian capital known for its outstanding duty-free bargains, beautiful beaches and laid-back atmosphere. During their visit in Nassau, guests can tour a variety of historical sites, including centuries-old forts. A daylong visit to Freeport rounds out this itinerary.

For more information and to begin planning your cruise, just give our Dream Trip Designers a call at 866-622-6247 or via email at dreamtrips@macnairtravel.com.
 

IV. MacNair Travel Management's 4th of July Schedule

MacNair Travel Management offices will be closed on July 4, 2008 in observance of the Independence Day Holiday.  Our offices will re-open on Monday, July 7th at 8:30am. From all of us at MacNair we wish you all a safe and enjoyable holiday.

As always, thank you for your business,

Michael MacNair

I. Important Travel News

Delta Adds Fuel Surcharge to Frequent Flyer Tickets

Showing the depths to which soaring fuel prices are pushing airlines, Delta Air Lines announced that it will add a fuel surcharge to SkyMiles award tickets originating from the U.S. and Canada. Effective Aug. 15, the SkyMiles program will add a $25 surcharge for award travel between the 50 states and Canada and a $50 surcharge for award travel between the 50 states/Canada and all international destinations, including the Caribbean, Latin America, Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, Trans-Atlantic and Trans-Pacific. This fuel surcharge will not impact existing ticketed award itineraries or award tickets issued prior to Aug. 15, 2008, regardless of the date of travel. (Source: Delta Air Lines press release).

Continental Eases Same-Day Change Rules

Continental Airlines now allows customers to change flights within 24 hours of their original scheduled departure for a fee. Within the 24-hour "same-day" period, customers with restricted tickets may change to another flight departing within 12 hours for the fee. Continental previously allowed customers to choose from flights departing within three hours. Fees are $50, or $25 for Continental's OnePass Platinum and Gold Elite members. (Source: Continental press release).

United Follows American With $15 Fee For First Checked Bag

United Airlines is adopting American Airlines policy and charging passengers $15 to check one bag for domestic travel each way. The fee to check three or more bags, overweight bags or items that require special handling will increase from $100 to $125 or from $200 to $250, depending on the item. It will not charge first and business class passengers and customers with premier status with Star Alliance airlines. (Source: United press release).

Airlines Tie Latest Fare Hikes to Travel Dates

Airlines have begun to alter their increase strategies by implementing targeted price hikes, says Rick Seaney, CEO of FareCompare.com. In the past legacy airlines either increased airfares or fuel surcharges by a fixed dollar amount or in some cases by laddering the hike based on distance across the bulk of their route system  always tip-toeing around low cost airline routes. Now legacy airlines, along with Southwest are starting to target some of their hikes using an added dimension  date of departure. United Airlines first increased prices on flights departing after Oct. 5. Then, Southwest Airlines announced an airfare increase of $10 to $20 roundtrip ($5, $8, $10 each way) based on distance for flights departing after Nov. 1. (Source: FareCompare.com).

Continental, United Plan to Merge in All But Name

Continental Airlines and United Airlines plan to link their services and networks worldwide in an effort to create new revenue opportunities and cost savings. Continental plans to join the Star Alliance, to which United already belongs. The two carriers plan to cooperate on frequent flier programs, lounges, facility utilization, information technology and procurement. The plan grew out of the two airlines earlier merger discussions. Continental will also join United, Lufthansa, Air Canada and other Star Alliance carriers working together to establish trans-Atlantic and other international joint ventures. (Source: United, Continental press releases).

TSA, Delta Offer Mobile Check-in at La Guardia

Delta Air Lines and the Transportation Security Administration are launching paperless mobile check-in on Delta and Delta Connection flights at LaGuardia Airport. Customers can download their boarding pass to their mobile devices via delta.com and drop their bags at the baggage drop counter. The TSA will scan the electronic boarding pass, check the customers ID and process the customer through security; customers then present their electronic boarding passes to the gate agent at boarding time. (Source: Delta press release).

Northwest Suspends or Cancels Three International Flights Due To Fuel Costs

Northwest Airlines with its trans-Atlantic joint venture partner KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, is suspending flights between Minneapolis/St. Paul-Paris and canceling flights between Detroit-Dusseldorf and Hartford-Amsterdam  effective Oct. 1. The airline cited soaring fuel costs and decreased customer demand. Customers with advance bookings for these flights will be offered alternate NWA or SkyTeam alliance flight re-accommodations. Selective frequency reductions and aircraft type changes may also be implemented on additional trans-Atlantic flights, depending on oil prices and ongoing customer demand. Flights will resume between Minneapolis/St. Paul and Paris on March 28, 2009. (Source: Northwest press release).