Participate in our reader survey on business etiquette and corruption abroad and you could win a bottle of Champagne. FULL STORY >>

The combined airline will be the third largest in the world. FULL STORY >>

A new business-class sleeper seat, mood lighting and noise canceling headphones are among the features in Qantas’ new Business Class being introduced on their three-class 747-400 aircraft this month. FULL STORY >>

The airline has retained a consulting firm to assist in further development of their privacy policy following controversy over its release of some passenger information to a Dept. of Defense contractor. FULL STORY >>

The airline is the first to offer passengers JetConnect, Verizon’s new Airfone service that allows two-way transmission of e-mail, instant messages and text messages while flying domestically. FULL STORY >>

Following a reassessment of civil aviation authority in Bulgaria and Poland, the FAA has given both countries’ airlines a Category 2 safety rating FULL STORY >>

We’re looking for readers’ stories of their best airline experiences for a special section called “Readers’ Writes” that will appear in the November issue of Business Traveler magazine FULL STORY >>

Continental has rolled out EliteAccess with a host of features, including space-available upgrades, separate boarding pathways and a no-middle-seat guarantee for qualifying passengers FULL STORY >>

In a speech last week, Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge discussed plans to boost the number of armed law-enforcement agents in the air. FULL STORY >>

New York and Chicago, two of Hilton’s largest hotels, will play host to a three- to six-month pilot program testing the viability of self-service check-in/out kiosks. FULL STORY >>

AA’s new Admirals Club seats up to 436, and includes a cyber-café, work carrels and T-Mobile WiFi. And that’s just for starters. FULL STORY >>

The TSA’s Adm. James M. Loy defended the pace of the FFDA program in response to criticism from a number of pilots’ organizations FULL STORY >>

Qantas tries on speech-recognition technology in an effort to shorten call waiting times FULL STORY >>

SWABIZ, Southwest Airlines’ corporate travel booking tool, has a host of new features FULL STORY >>

Three airline pilot associations claim that the TSA is unnecessarily slowing the implementation of the Federal Flight Deck Officers training program FULL STORY >>

American, Continental and Delta are revising their policies regarding nonrefundable tickets, allowing up to a year for rescheduled travel FULL STORY >>

With the addition of more than 400 self-service kiosks, enhanced functionality and direct remote phones in 81 airports nationwide, Delta sets its sites on a better experience on the ground FULL STORY >>

OnePass Miles are the currency of choice on Continental Airline’s online auction site.  FULL STORY >>

If you have the 802.11b card in your laptop, you can play it—on Sacramento International Airport’s new wireless Internet system.  FULL STORY >>

Passengers can check in to flights departing Orlando International Airport from area hotels up to 12 hours in advance in a new trial program.  FULL STORY >>

Regional instability in Saudi Arabia raises security concerns on British Airways’ flights.  FULL STORY >>

We Petersen is this quarter’s Question of the Week winner. FULL STORY >>

An apparent suicide attack in Indonesia has left at least 13 dead and more than 100 wounded. FULL STORY >>

By October 26, US Airways plans to add a 12-seat first-class section to its Boston Logan–LaGuardia–Washington, D.C. shuttle service FULL STORY >>

Two programs that allow passengers in transit to enter the U.S. without visas were suspended Saturday FULL STORY >>

A&E slated to introduce new television series “Airline,” centered on the day-to-day behind-the-scenes drama of getting Southwest Airlines’ flights off the ground FULL STORY >>

In answer to privacy issues surrounding the department’s Computer Assisted Passenger Prescreening System, the TSA has released new guidelines FULL STORY >>

Airline announces music video request programming for RedEye passengers. FULL STORY >>

The AH&LA and REISAC are taking steps to share data, heighten security, identify and prevent terrorist activity in the nation’s hotels  FULL STORY >>

New track cuts down travel time between London and Paris, and London and Brussels. FULL STORY >>

Following the House Appropriations Committee recommendation that Amtrak be funded less than half of what had been requested, Amtrak president David L. Gunn issued a statement complaining “This constant state of crisis is not good for anyone.” FULL STORY >>

Detection of a handgun concealed in a Teddy bear prompts renewed emphasis on TSA’s responsibility to screen all passengers FULL STORY >>

US Airways has doubled its surcharge for paper tickets FULL STORY >>

As required by the USA Patriot Act, travelers entering the country under the Visa Waiver Program will soon be required to have machine-readable passports FULL STORY >>

Virgin’s new Upper Class Suite features dining area, fully-flat beds, private on-board bar and massage room FULL STORY >>

Taking off your shoes at security check points is no longer mandatory, though the TSA urges voluntary cooperation should you find yourself singled out FULL STORY >>

JetBlue has announced plans to remove a row of seats from each Airbus aircraft, boosting overall legroom by two inches for most passengers FULL STORY >>

Continental Airlines has relaxed its cell phone policy FULL STORY >>

On July 20, the TSA will launch its second class for federal flight deck officers FULL STORY >>

Get the latest hotel information on your favorite Le Méridien property downloaded direct to your PDA FULL STORY >>

Continental, Delta and Northwest have agreed to share code FULL STORY >>

With SARS no longer posing the threat it was a few months ago, Lufthansa announces the re-instatement of 19 weekly connections FULL STORY >>

Pan Pacific will incorporate five of Tokyu’s leading hotels into its Asia Pacific Rim network FULL STORY >>

Congratulations to the readers who accurately predicted Jim Furyk’s victory at the U.S. Open and especially the three who’s names were randomly drawn from that select group. FULL STORY >>

In May, more than 50 percent of US Airways’ 2 million e-ticket–eligible passengers opted to check in via one of the airline’s 419 self-service kiosks. FULL STORY >>

The World Health Organization has removed its recommendation against non-essential travel to Taiwan. FULL STORY >>

The European Commission and the Swiss Office are developing a plan to use smart cards and biometrics to identify frequent travelers. FULL STORY >>

Skywest, Southwest and Delta lead the pack of 17 airlines that report their performance statistics to the DOT.  FULL STORY >>

Corporate jet service Indigo has suspended operations.  FULL STORY >>

In refusing to hear airlines’ arguments, the court opens the door for passengers to pursue anti-trust suit against Delta and Northwest. FULL STORY >>

The TSA is half way to its goal of eliminating 6,000 positions in its screener workforce. FULL STORY >>

Following a successful test run of Lufthansa’s high-speed Internet Connexion by Boeing, the airline looks to expand the service to the rest of its long-haul fleet. FULL STORY >>

The U.S. Department of Transportation has lifted the prohibition on air service between the U.S. and Iraq. FULL STORY >>

Deli-style meals will soon be available on US Airways—for a price. FULL STORY >>

In response to a sustained decline in the SARS outbreak pattern, the World Health Organization removed Hong Kong from its SARS travel advisory list FULL STORY >>

Part of a $4 Billion Logan modernization program, the new terminal called for expanding and reconstructing Terminal E—while keeping it open and functioning FULL STORY >>

With dwindling passenger loads and SARS still a concern, SWISS has announced it will temporarily suspend service to Beijing FULL STORY >>

Norma Karstens Stuewe may not have won a silent auction item, despite the number of bids she placed; but one of those bids has won her a trip to London. FULL STORY >>

Business Traveler’s first ever online version of its annual Silent Auction closed at 5 p.m. Thursday with bids totalling more than $78,000! FULL STORY >>

American Airlines takes another big step toward eliminating paper tickets altogether. FULL STORY >>

The DOT has reported airline passenger complaints have dropped nearly 50 percent for the first three months of this year. FULL STORY >>

Redeemable coupons are becoming the preferred method of payment on board Continental Airlines. FULL STORY >>

Scandinavian Airlines has implemented a policy allowing some in-flight mobile phone use FULL STORY >>

Massachusetts Port Authority issues submachine guns for premier anti-terrorist units FULL STORY >>

Department of Homeland Security seeks to make it harder for illegal entry into the country while smoothing the process for legitimate visitors FULL STORY >>

Virgin Atlantic Airways has confirmed it will trial new pre-entry screening system FULL STORY >>

In a move to streamline operations and trim overhead, The Transportation Security Administration has announced it will reduce its workforce by 6,000 by the end of this fiscal year FULL STORY >>

Bonuses designed to retain the airline’s top execs in the wake of the events of Sept. 11, 2001, are being called into question by union members facing $1.8 billion in annual cost and saving measures. FULL STORY >>

Finding that the fatal accident during testing last Fall was not related to design or construction, the Port Authority Safety Board has authorized the resumption of testing.  FULL STORY >>

The new rapid transit link connecting SFO and the Bay Area is set to launch June 22. FULL STORY >>

The first pilots to complete the training could be carrying arms in the cockpit of your next flight. FULL STORY >>

More than a third of respondents to our recent informal online poll said they would consider wearing a mask in-flight to avoid SARS infection.  FULL STORY >>

Tuesday morning, Delta Air Lines’ new low-cost carrier Song inaugurated service between New York JFK and West Palm Beach.  FULL STORY >>

Philadelphia International Airport toasted the completion of its new international terminal with a big gala on Thursday.  FULL STORY >>

Virgin Atlantic’s founder hasn’t ruled out a bid to buy the aging aircraft slated for retirement in October from British Airways—for the £1 the government initially charged BA. FULL STORY >>

In a bid to hinder the spread of the deadly SARS virus, as well as bolster passengers’ confidence, China Southern Airlines announced a series of measures it is taking.  FULL STORY >>

More than half of the subscribers who responded to an informal online poll conducted by Business Traveler said the war had no impact on their business travels. Almost 66 percent said they had flown since hostilities broke out and 90 percent have plans to fly in the near future.  FULL STORY >>

Faced with increased SARS concerns and a dramatic reduction in American passenger demand, Continental has announced that it is temporarily suspending nonstop NY–Hong Kong service.  FULL STORY >>

With the war in Iraq scaring away some of its major competitors, Emirates is steping up to the plate and adding extra flights to its Middle East roster through July. FULL STORY >>

The eBay-inspired interface has taken the event from humble silence to record-setting heights. FULL STORY >>

Transportation Security Administration head Adm. James Loy told a House Appropriates subcommittee last week that as many as 3,000 of its 54,000 screeners may be laid off. FULL STORY >>

Just eight months after filing for protection, the largest carrier operating in the eastern U.S. has met its obligations and repositioned itself for success. FULL STORY >>

With new cases of the mystery ailment being reported every day, the World Health Organization released an updated list of guidelines for both travelers and airports. FULL STORY >>

US Airways joins the growing number of airlines offering food service on board some of its flights on a pay-per-meal basis.  FULL STORY >>

Continental Airlines has begun installing video surveillance in some of its aircraft. FULL STORY >>

The U.S. State Department issues travel warnings in advance of a possible U.S.-led military action in Iraq. FULL STORY >>

Despite the publicity surrounding the TSA’s clamp down on prohibited items in carry-on luggage, a surprising number are still showing up at security checkpoints nationwide. FULL STORY >>

As cases of a new drug-resistant strain of pneumonia are being reported from Hong Kong to Canada and England, the World Health Organization issued guidelines for travelers and airlines.  FULL STORY >>

As the tanks began rolling forward, some airlines canceled flights in the area, while others have stayed the course. FULL STORY >>

In light of the current tensions in the Middle East and elsewhere, airlines are making it easier to change travel dates.  FULL STORY >>

San Francisco International Airport goes wireless with Wi-Fi.  FULL STORY >>

A day on the go with Team Red, Red Lion’s community outreach initiative, earns participants a free night’s stay.  FULL STORY >>

So what’s your threat level? TSA has selected Lockheed Martin to develop a color-coded computerized system to pre-screen passengers FULL STORY >>

Air Canada launches new credit card program. FULL STORY >>

Airline tickets, hotel stays, a big screen TV—even a chance to win a trip to London on British Airways simply for placing your bid online—make this our most irresistible auction to date FULL STORY >>

Faced with growing global political tension, Virgin Atlantic has decided to relax restrictions on short-notice ticketing changes.  FULL STORY >>

According to a report issued by the AAAE, the Transportation Security Administration claims the authority to conduct random searches of vehicles outside airport terminals.  FULL STORY >>

A series of half-day strikes aimed at ensuring pay rate and job security in the face of a proposed merger with Qantas could lead to service disruptions for ANZ passengers on this side of the Pacific.  FULL STORY >>

The State Dept. has updated its alerts for both Venezuela and Iraq.  FULL STORY >>

The State Dept. has issued warnings alerting U.S. citizens to increased security concerns in the Persian Gulf region. FULL STORY >>

Brazil’s two largest carriers have entered preliminary talks.  FULL STORY >>

Zapatista rebels are taking measures toward running out foreign tourists.  FULL STORY >>

U.S. State Dept. has issued warnings alerting American citizens to increased security concerns in Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Israel, the West Bank and Gaza.  FULL STORY >>

BA prepares to launch a three-month trial run of Connexion by Boeing’s high-speed on-board Internet on Feb. 18. FULL STORY >>

United Airlines has dropped its $80 overweight baggage fee and replaced it with a new lower fee.  FULL STORY >>

Following a derailment Saturday that injured 30 and inconvenienced thousands, the London Underground’s Central Line remains closed.  FULL STORY >>

On Tuesday, Business Traveler sent its weekly e-mail newsletter from on board Lufthansa Flight 418 high above the Atlantic Ocean. “BTe On the Road at 35,000 Feet” also included destination coverage of Berlin, Germany.  FULL STORY >>