Go Flat Over the Pacific on United Airlines

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CHICAGO, Aug. 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — travel to Asia is getting more enjoyable and relaxing with United’s international, lie-flat first and business class seats, taking off today for the first flight to the region with a newly configured Boeing 747. The aircraft will also feature iPod connectivity, enabling customers in the front cabins to enjoy their own videos on a 15.4-inch personal television screen.
United flight #869 from San Francisco is scheduled to depart today at 1:12 p.m. PDT for a 13 hour and 48 minute flight to Hong Kong, arriving at 6 p.m. local time Friday. The aircraft will continue on as United flight #895 with a scheduled departure at 8 p.m. on August 15 and arrival in Singapore at 11:35 p.m. The plane will primarily fly between San Francisco, Hong Kong, and Singapore.
“Trans-Pacific travel just got even better for United customers, who will now have more ways to relax on long flights,” says Graham Atkinson, United Airlines — executive vice president and Chief Customer Officer. “Today’s flight marks another milestone in United’s continuing commitment to invest in products and services that provide our customers with a more enjoyable travel experience.”
Customers in United First and United Business on the newly reconfigured aircraft may enjoy more than 150 hours of movies and television shows on-demand; relax with fully lie-flat seats; and dine on appetizers and entrees designed by world-renowned chef Charlie Trotter on outbound U.S. flights. United’s entire fleet of international, widebody aircraft are being reconfigured over the next two years and will include iPod connectivity in first and business class.
United was the first major U.S. carrier to introduce lie-flat business class seats in November 2007. More information about these seats — and the International Premium travel Experience — is available at suitedreams.united.com.
About United
United Airlines operates more than 3,200* flights a day on United and United Express to more than 200 U.S. domestic and international destinations from its hubs in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Denver, Chicago and Washington, D.C. With key global air rights in the Asia-Pacific region, Europe and Latin America, United is one of the largest international carriers based in the United States. United also is a founding member of Star Alliance, which provides connections for our customers to 965 destinations in 162 countries worldwide. United’s 55,000 employees reside in every U.S. state and in many countries around the world. News releases and other information about United can be found at the company’s Web site at united.com.
*Based on United’s flight schedule between Jan. 1, 2008, and
Dec. 31, 2008.
United Airlines

Ease Hurricane Concerns With Funjet Vacations’ Complete Coverage

MILWAUKEE, Aug. 13 /PRNewswire/ — Hurricanes can be unpredictable, but traveling doesn’t have to be with Funjet Vacations’ Complete Coverage: Any Reason Cancel & During travel Benefit. Hurricanes rarely affect Mexico or most Caribbean islands, but when one does strike, travelers with Funjet Vacations’ Complete Coverage can enjoy peace of mind should Mother Nature strike prior to, or during, a vacation.
Travelers to Mexico and the Caribbean should start researching their vacation destination in advance to make an informed decision. Hurricane season runs June through November, however Mexico typically encounters activity only between August and October, while some Caribbean destinations, such as Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao, rarely see any hurricanes or feel the effects. Mexico’s Pacific side — home to popular vacation destinations like Puerto Vallarta, Ixtapa and Acapulco — is less likely to be impacted by hurricanes and makes for an excellent getaway for sun-seeking travelers.
While the rarity of a hurricane is a possibility that some travelers are willing to risk, according to former National Hurricane Center Director Bob Sheets, “Caribbean visitors have just a two to three percent chance of being affected by a hurricane during a one or two-week trip.” Others instead err on the side of caution and opt for travel protection like Funjet Vacations’ Complete Coverage.
Part of traveler’s planning should include researching travel protection and insurance, and always reading the small print to fully understand what is — and is not — included. Unlike some travel coverage options where fine print exclusions are plentiful and often catch travelers off guard, Funjet Vacations’ Complete Coverage offers travelers complete peace of mind.
Complete Coverage:

— Gives travelers the ability to cancel for any reason prior to departure
and money will be refunded (minus the cost of the Complete Coverage)
including money back on non-refundable air tickets
— Travelers receive travel protection, which includes trip interruption
benefits, baggage protection, and medical protection plus 24-hour
emergency travel assistance service
— Covers all land and air penalties for charter and scheduled air
bookings — including non-refundable airfares and airline penalties
— Includes price guarantee for charter/value flight vacations
— Costs $79.99 for domestic vacations and $99.99 for international
vacations

Hurricane Benefits Plan:

— Valid on charter/value flight vacations, scheduled air and land only
vacations for travel July - October
— Includes money back for interrupted and unused nights at all hotels and
destinations plus Funjet Vacations certificate towards future vacation
($100 per adult, $50 per child for charter air/value flight vacations
and $25 per person on scheduled air and hotel only vacations)

During travel Protection:

— Includes trip interruption and delay benefits, baggage protection, and
medical protection plus 24-hour emergency travel assistance service
— The plan is underwritten by National Union Fire Insurance Company of
Pittsburgh, Pa., a member company of American International Group

About Funjet Vacations

Funjet Vacations is the flagship brand of the family-owned Mark travel Corporation, headquartered in Milwaukee. Operating for more than 30 years, Funjet Vacations specializes in flexible, personalized vacations for individuals and groups via nonstop charters and scheduled airlines to some of the most popular vacation destinations, including Mexico, the Caribbean, Las Vegas, Hawaii, Ski, California, Florida, Europe and spring break getaways. Travelers can choose from air-inclusive, land-only or air-only vacations. With Funjet Vacations, travelers can enhance their vacation through a wide variety of experiences such as tours, attractions, shows, sporting events and more. In addition, Funjet Vacations demonstrates its “end-to-end” customer service philosophy by being available to customers throughout the entire vacation experience, from planning to in-destination to post-travel communications.
Funjet Vacations

Allegiant Reports July 2008 Traffic

LAS VEGAS, Aug. 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Allegiant Air, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Allegiant travel Company , today reported preliminary passenger traffic results for July 2008.
Scheduled Service

Jul. 2008 Jul. 2007 Change

Passengers 362,809 315,149 15.1%
Revenue passenger miles (000) 316,369 293,130 7.9%
Available seat miles (000) 332,398 321,653 3.3%
Load factor 95.2% 91.1% 4.1 pts
Departures 2,603 2,386 9.1%
Average stage length (miles) 857 914 -6.2%

Total System*

Jul. 2008 Jul. 2007 Change

Passengers 406,829 332,412 22.4%
Revenue passenger miles (000) 356,808 313,554 13.8%
Available seat miles (000) 385,303 352,397 9.3%
Load factor 92.6% 89.0% 3.6 pts
Departures 3,175 2,678 18.6%
Average stage length (miles) 819 891 -8.1%

*Total system includes scheduled service, fixed fee contract and non-
revenue flying.

About the Company

Las Vegas-based Allegiant travel Company focuses on flying travelers in small cities to world-class leisure destinations such as Las Vegas, Nev., Phoenix, Ariz., Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Orlando, Fla. and Tampa/St. Petersburg, Fla. Through its subsidiary, Allegiant Air, LLC, the Company operates a low-cost, high-efficiency, all-jet passenger airline offering air travel both on a stand-alone basis and bundled with hotel rooms, rental cars and other travel related services. ALGT/G
Note: This press release was accurate at the date of issuance. However, information contained in the release may have changed. If you plan to use the information contained herein for any purpose, verification of its continued accuracy is your responsibility.
For further information please visit the company’s investor web site:
Reference to the Company’s web site above does not constitute incorporation of any of the information thereon into this press release.
(Logo: )

Allegiant travel Company

Global Growth Rate of Flights Continues to Slow

LONDON, July 24 /PRNewswire/ — The world’s airlines are scheduled to operate just 1% more flights for July 2008 compared with the same month last year. According to the latest statistics from OAG (Official Airline Guide), the world’s authority on flight information, this represents an additional 34,800 flights. Capacity for July is up by 3% year on year.
The total number of flights scheduled to operate worldwide this month is 2.64 million, offering 318.3 million seats to travelers around the globe. Within this global figure of all scheduled passenger flight operations, the low cost sector accounts for 459,000 flights (17%) and 68.3 million seats (21%). Frequencies and capacity in the low cost sector are both showing 13% growth for July 2008 vs July 2007.
Within the United States, domestic activity has dropped 2% overall, or 21,500 fewer flights this month, resulting in 818,000 fewer seats. This is despite increases in low cost frequencies and capacity within the US of 4% and 3% respectively.
Figures for Europe and Asia Pacific indicate these regions are faring better at present, with intra-Europe and intra-Asia Pacific figures both showing a 3% increase in the number of flights (up by 18,268 and 15,975 respectively) and a 4% rise in capacity of 3.03 million and 3.07 million more seats year on year.
Steve Casley, Chief Operating Officer, OAG, commented:
“The OAG figures for July reveal signs of an impending downturn in the aviation industry. While some regions continue to show steady growth, the impact from the current climate in the United States is already contributing to an overall slowdown in the global figures and on the key long-haul routes between North America and hubs in Europe, Asia Pacific and Latin America. The full impact will be clearer when we publish our forecast for the 4th quarter.”
The figures are revealed in the latest OAG Aviation Statistics, a regular snapshot of airline activity around the world. Flight information and data solutions company OAG collates data from more than 900 scheduled airlines, on a daily basis, which gives an accurate overview of anticipated travel demand.
The transatlantic route, traditionally one of strong growth, is showing just 1% increase in flights and 2% in capacity for July. Similarly, there is just 1% rise in the number of transpacific flights and seats. Flights between Western Europe and the Middle East, however, are up by 11%, and there is a rise of 6% for flights between Western Europe and Asia Pacific.
India continues to show year-on-year growth far exceeding the average. For this month, there is a 34% increase in flights to and from India (4,545 extra flights representing 870,000 more seats) and a 12% rise in domestic operations (5,341 flights, 576,000 seats). The Middle East is showing a 20% growth in international operations (7,248 flights and 1.4 million seats), but a drop of -4% on routes within the region.
Other territories showing a notably significant increase in year-on-year capacity are the Russian Federation (621,000 more domestic seats, 558,000 more international seats); France, with 428,000 more international seats, of which 84% is in the low cost sector; UAE with 694,000 more international seats, largely driven by continued growth of Emirates and Etihad; Canada, with 321,000 more domestic seats, largely attributable to WestJet and Porter; and Poland, with 492,000 more international seats, of which around half are in the low cost sector.
Aircraft fleet data from OAG reveals there are 40,197 planes operating worldwide this month compared to 38,886 the same time last year, an increase of 3.4%. North America accounts for 36% of the global market, followed by Europe with 27%. Globally, there are more than 8,100 aircraft on order this month, a rise of just under 20% compared to this time last year. North America is the only region showing a decline year on year, with 0.6% fewer aircraft on order compared with July 2007. Asia Pacific accounts for the largest share of new orders (33%) and the Middle East is showing the largest year on year percentage increase at 74.3% (347 more aircraft on order than a year ago).
OAG publishes a monthly quick reference tool, OAG FACTS (Frequency & Capacity Trend Statistics) which uses interactive graphs to give an overview of the performance of a specific airport, route, country or region from 2001 onwards. For more information, a product demo and subscription details, please visit or email .
About OAG (Official Airline Guide)
OAG () is a global flight information and data solutions company for the passenger aviation, air cargo logistics and business travel markets. It brings together buyers and sellers of air travel and transport through the management and distribution of airline product information; the supply of corporate travel planning tools; and the promotion of travel and transport products. The business is underpinned by its data management expertise. It is best known for its airline schedules database which feeds the world’s global distribution systems and travel portals and drives the internal systems of many airlines, air traffic control systems, aircraft manufacturers, airport planners and government agencies.
OAG is part of Commonwealth Business Media () a wholly owned subsidiary of United Business Media Limited ().
Official Airline Guide

Global Air Freight Forecast to Return to Strong Growth, Says OAG

WASHINGTON, May 22 /PRNewswire/ —

- Annual growth rate of 5.6% by 2011

- 10-year forecast for international air freight predicts 6.1% average

growth

- Security and green issues will pull regional air freight trade below 4%

- Middle East and Africa the fastest growing regions, pushing China to

third place

- Freighter fleet to grow by 3% per year over next decade

OAG Analytical Services, part of Official Airline Guide, has released its
third annual OAG Global Air Freight Forecast which projects trends in air
freight demand and fleet for 2008-2017. The full report goes on sale today,
available at www.oag.com/go/globalairfreightforecast. “Amid soaring fuel
prices and economic uncertainty, the projections for the next decade reveal
some light at the end of the tunnel,” says Tulinda Larsen, managing director
OAG Analytical Services.

The global air freight industry is wrestling with the same issues as the
rest of aviation: a teetering global economy, increasing security
regulations, skyrocketing fuel costs, changing currency exchange rates and
environmental initiatives. The only good news, it seems, has been the
liberalized air rights between China and European Union countries with the
United States.

The 2008 OAG Global Air Freight Forecast reflects these underlying
trends, with a return to an average annual growth rate of 5.6 percent by 2011
after a slowdown in the near term. Over the long term, OAG sees these
underlying trends creating a growing demand for freighter aircraft.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080522/NYTH086-a )

The international air freight market is expected to continue to flourish,
with average annual growth of 6.1 percent during the 10-year forecast period
from 2008 to 2017.

Security and green issues are expected to pull down demand for regional
air freight trade to 3.9 percent average annual growth.

The Middle East has emerged as the fastest growing region, pushing China
to number three behind Africa in terms of growth rates. These emerging
markets are posting impressive growth rates, but on a very small overall base
level of air freight traffic. The trade lane between North America and China
remains the largest global market for air freight.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080522/NYTH086-b )

Tulinda Larsen concluded, “Trade connecting to North America continues to
dominate global air freight and other markets are feeling the impact of the
U.S. economic woes. The rising cost of operations will force the industry to
make tough decisions that will impact air freight capacity on a global
level.”
The OAG Global Air Freight Forecast 2008-2017 is available to buy for
USD$1,200 from www.oag.com/go/globalairfreightforecast. The report includes
analysis of underlying trends; forecast of air freight traffic by trade lane;
freighter forecast by aircraft type including details on conversion programs;
and supporting reference data spreadsheets.

About OAG Analytical Services

OAG Analytical Services’ consulting team specializes in providing
value-added analysis anchored in the OAG schedules, fleet and related
databases. Services include business planning; air service development;
economic, market analysis and forecasting; industry issue analysis; air
cargo; maintenance repair and overhaul (MRO); and expert witness. Clients
rely on OAG Analytical Services’ resources and skills to supplement internal
staff, validate internal studies and provide independent opinions to meet
government and regulatory requirements.

About OAG (Official Airline Guide)

OAG (www.oagcorporate.com) is a global flight information and data
solutions company for the passenger aviation, air cargo logistics and
business travel markets. It brings together buyers and sellers of air travel
and transport through the management and distribution of airline product
information; the supply of corporate travel planning tools; and the promotion
of travel and transport products.

It is the global leader in aviation information and intelligence. The
business is underpinned by its data management expertise. It is best known
for its airline schedules database which feeds the world’s global
distribution systems and travel portals and drives the internal systems of
many airlines, air traffic control systems, aircraft manufacturers, airport
planners and government agencies.

OAG is part of Commonwealth Business Media (www.cbizmedia.com) a wholly
owned subsidiary of United Business Media plc (www.unitedbusinessmedia.com).

Web site: http://www.oagcorporate.com
http://www.oag.com/go/globalairfreightforecast
http://www.cbizmedia.com
http://www.unitedbusinessmedia.com

OAG Analytical Services