Talk of potential new airline mergers has been dominating the news recently. In an interview, US Airways' CEO Doug Parker said the carrier is indeed considering a merger with bankrupt American Airlines. At the same time Delta Air Lines is reportedly studying US Airways as a possible acquisition target. Delta is also said to be working with TPG Capital in evaluating a possible bid for American. While talk of possible tie-ups continue to swirl, any potential deal with American may take awhile to come to fruition because the carrier has exclusive rights to file a Chapter 11 reorganization plan for almost another year. In addition, any new merger would face intense scrutiny from the U.S. government because officials have growing concerns about further consolidation in the airline industry. However, industry analysts expect the current merger posturing to be the beginning of a new wave of consolidation.

Unlike other carriers focused on increasing their size, Republic Airways Holdings Inc. said it plans to sell Frontier Airlines or spin it off to shareholders in the next six to 12 months. In a regulatory filing, Republic said Frontier will be an "ultra-low cost" carrier and its headquarters will return to Denver but did not give additional specifics as to how it will divest itself from Frontier.

Delta said that its long-awaited new service from New York's LaGuardia Airport is now available for sale. New nonstop destinations and frequencies available for travel starting March 25 include: Albany, Buffalo, Burlington, Dallas-Fort Worth, Dayton, Greensboro, Halifax, Louisville, Manchester, Miami, Norfolk, Richmond, Rochester and Syracuse. Also starting March 25, Delta will adjust its Shuttle departure times to better serve business travelers. Flights from New York LaGuardia to Boston and Washington D.C. will depart at the top of the hour, while service to Chicago O'Hare will leave on the quarter hour. Flights from O'Hare back to LaGuardia will depart on the half hour. Finally, Delta will increase its options to Canada through a new codeshare agreement with WestJet. The two carriers will also offer reciprocal frequent benefits on codeshare flights.

American Airlines is expanding service to Brazil. Beginning June 14, American will add frequencies from Dallas to Sao Paulo and from Miami to Brasilia and Belo Horizonte. The carrier will also launch new service from Miami to Manaus. In other news, starting Feb. 1, American will offer free drinks to main cabin customers on most overseas flights. Alcoholic beverages are already complimentary for customers in first and business class.

Lufthansa is expanding its automatic check-in service to approximately 400 routes in 26 European countries. Available to all members of the Miles & More frequent flier program, the service automatically checks in passengers 23 hours prior to departure and then generates an electronic boarding pass with a seat assignment, which is sent to the customer. To receive this service, passengers must select the automatic check-in option under the "Travel Services" in their customer profile.

Spanair Spain's fourth-largest airline, Spanair suddenly ceased operations. Spanair issued a statement to customers on its web site at http://www.spanair.com/es_pos/en_GB/portal/Error/Page404. Adelman has already identified affected customers and is working to secure new travel options and is facilitating in the refund process as needed.

United Airlines is implementing changes to its MileagePlus frequent flier program. While many of the new perks are being well received, plans to end some of the "lifetime" benefits previously granted to million-mile members are being blasted by those most loyal customers, especially after United had previously posted notices on its website telling members that they would continue to receive these "lifetime" benefits. United has responded by apologizing for the "regrettable and confusing" statements and said it is confident that, despite the changes, it has enhanced the Million-Mile program. Unhappy members say the new perks, such as spousal benefits, are not of any use to them. In addition, they are upset that United has created a new elite-level (Platinum) above their Gold status. The new MileagePlus program will officially launch on March 3. More information on the new program can be found at http://mileageplusmergerupdates.com/en/mp/MileagePlusin2012/ProgramOverview. ]]> http://www.adelmantravel.com/News.asp#4

Carlson/Rezidor- Carlson has joined with the Rezidor Hotel Group to become the Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group. The legal status and ownership structure of each group will remain the same. However, the group will now combine efforts to align and manage their different brands and will explore new global purchasing opportunities. The group's new website as of Feb. 1 is www.carlsonrezidor.com.

Choice Hotels International- Choice said it will upgrade its Comfort Inn and Comfort Suites brands. The upgrades are part of a plan to move the two brands into the select-services sector, which has become increasing popular with business travelers. Choice will work with franchise owners to implement design upgrades, which it expects to be completed by 2015. Choice officials note that as many as 200 of the brand's lesser performing locations will be de-flagged and potentially moved to its economy or budget portfolio.

Hyatt Hotels Corporation- Hyatt is officially rebranding 38 of its Hyatt Summerfield Suites and 15 Hotel Sierra locations to Hyatt House. The hotel company now offers 53 Hyatt House properties in 16 states. Hyatt House hotels are upscale all-suite, residential-style properties that offer spacious rooms, a social atmosphere and signature amenities. As part of the rebranding, each property underwent facility and amenity enhancements.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide- Starwood is investing $25 million to expand the benefits it offers to its most-frequent guests. The more guests stay, the more choices they have for more personalized services. Some of the enhanced perks include rolling 24-hour check-in and check-out times and personal travel assistants, dubbed "ambassadors." In other news, Starwood said it will open 80 new locations in 2012. Nearly 60 percent of the new properties will be in Asia Pacific. Starwood is also laying the groundwork for new development in Brazil, which is poised for a surge in tourism resulting from the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Summer Olympics.

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More than 120,000 unwanted hotel room nights have been released by Olympic organizers and will be made available to the public. The supply of released rooms comes from more than 200 hotels and ranges from five-star luxury to budget accommodations. The move fulfills a pledge by organizers to return any surplus rooms to the hotels well ahead of the summer games which run from July 27 to Aug. 12. Despite this new availability, analysts expect that hotel space will continue to be tight and that rates for these rooms will still be greatly inflated. Companies that anticipate needing accommodations before and during the run of the Olympic Games should make plans now to help ensure availability while options still exist. Contact your Adelman travel consultant or Global Management Consultant for help.

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Through new capabilities being offered via our Sabre computer system, we can better help you achieve your carbon-neutrality and sustainability initiatives like never before. As an industry first, over 4,700 hotels that have been identified as meeting the Global Sustainable Tourism Council's guidelines are now labeled as Eco-Certified in our various Sabre tools. The Eco-Certified icon is part of the Corporate Hotel Directory in our RPF tool, which makes it easier for travel managers to identify hotels that they want to include in their annual hotel program. In addition, our travel consultants can now effortlessly shop and book Sabre Eco-Certified hotels for our customers. Achieving corporate environmental goals can be challenging, however, with these new tools Adelman will help you get there.

]]> http://www.adelmantravel.com/News.asp#7 Adelman customers can take advantage of a great special rate at one of lower Manhattan's truly eclectic boutique hotels. Duane Street Hotel is nestled among the stylish shops, galleries and eateries of Tribeca and offers an intimate and relaxing yet high-end urban experience. The special Adelman rate of only $189 per night is available through March 31. Contact your Adelman travel consultant for help with this or any of your other hotel needs.
]]> http://www.adelmantravel.com/News.asp#8 The Virtually There Trip Notification system is a special feature available to Adelman Travel customers, which will send messages via text to a designated email, pager, mobile phone and/or SMS devices regarding your upcoming trip. Virtually There will not only send you a reminder ahead of your trip but will also notify you of any important updates on the day of travel, such as changes to departure terminal or gate, along with announcements for delayed or canceled flights. To register for Virtually There, simply login to Virtually There and create a Virtually There traveler profile, validate your email address and set your preferences. For more information, contact your Adelman Travel consultant.
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