Old Planes + Maintenance Audit Delays

By DAN CATERINICCHIA – 20 hours ago

WASHINGTON (AP) — Rigorous airline maintenance audits recently ordered by federal regulators are likely to yield the most headaches for travelers flying Northwest, American and United airlines.

Those carriers have the oldest fleets, on average. The older the jet, the more likely it requires time-consuming, and potentially flight-grounding, government-ordered inspections, analysts and regulators agree.

The nation's largest carrier canceled another 200 flights Saturday morning before returning all of its 300 grounded jets to service, bringing the total number of cancellations last week to nearly 3,300. The average age of American's MD-80s average 18 years old, Wagner said.

To be fair, flying on U.S. airlines has never been safer. The last U.S. crash of a jumbo jet was in November 2001, when an American Airlines flight plummeted into a New York City neighborhood, killing 265 people.

"We don't have old planes in the air," said Harlan Platt, a finance professor at Northeastern University in Boston who follows corporate turnarounds. The age of plane refers to the fuselage, while most of the parts are replaced every three to seven years, he added.

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Delta, Northwest Seal Merger Deal

By PETER PAE

Los Angeles Times
Published: April 15, 2008

Delta Air Lines Inc. and Northwest Airlines Corp. agreed to a merger Monday, creating the world's largest airline and triggering what is expected to be a long-awaited industry consolidation.

The oft-delayed pact came amid one of the industry's most-tumultuous periods as three airlines collapsed in one week and American Airlines, the current largest carrier, canceled thousands of flights because of missed aircraft inspections.

Delta and Northwest said the merged company, which will be called Delta, will be better able to withstand rising fuel costs and a looming recession.

The company's headquarters will be in Atlanta, where Delta has its largest airport hub. In hopes of winning political support in Minneapolis, Northwest's home base, the combined airline would keep a major presence there, including maintaining Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport as a major hub.

"Together, we are creating America's leading airline, an airline that is financially secure, able to invest in our employees and customers, and built to thrive in an increasingly competitive marketplace," said Delta Chief Executive Richard Anderson, who will head the combined airline.
Harlan Platt, a professor of finance who tracks the airline industry at Northeastern University in Boston, said the deal is a matter of necessity.

"I think it's necessary for these two carriers to survive," Platt said. "They know they need to grow their networks while cutting back capacity. A merger of this scope completes that."

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The Ultimate Private Jet Golf Excursion to Asia:

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Travelling in the utmost comfort is the our nom de plume, starting the moment you board your jet, equipped with luxurious seating and lounge areas, state-of-the-art entertainment technology, Wi-Fi, and a well-stocked bar and galley. Your cuisine and wine pairings are hand designed by Mark Russo of Angel’s Share and Richard Brierley, Head of North American Wine Sales at the prestigious Christie’s auction house. Mr Russo and Mr. Brierley consult with you before departure to create a unique experience tailored to your own discriminating tastes. Mark Russo can also accompany you on the trip, if you wish, to conduct the tastings and to educate you in depth about the wines and spirits you enjoy. On board you’ll enjoy a custom-ordered wine and spirits service for each guest from Baccarat, including special glasses for red and white Bordeaux, Burgundy, and Champagne and spirits.

This two-week golf tour experience for two to three couples is priced at $1.3 mm (although it could be less if private jet flight was substituted with first-class airline travel).

Northwest, Delta to merge

$17.7B deal creates world's largest carrier; Consolidation prompted by rising fuel costs, intense competition

Nathan Hurst / The Detroit News

Passengers and employees of Northwest Airlines Corp. and Delta Air Lines Inc. had mixed feelings after Monday's announcement of a $17.7 billion merger of the two airlines that would create the world's largest air carrier and making Detroit Metropolitan Airport a linchpin in the combined carrier's global network.

The airline will be called Delta, have its headquarters in Atlanta and will be led by Delta CEO Richard Anderson, a former Northwest chief executive. In the stock-swap transaction, Northwest investors will receive 1.25 shares of the new company for each Northwest share, a 16.8 percent premium based on Monday's closing prices.

Harlan Platt, a professor of finance who tracks the airline industry at Northeastern University in Boston, said the deal is a matter of necessity.

"I think it's necessary for these two carriers to survive," Platt said. "They know they need to grow their networks while cutting back capacity. A merger of this scope completes that. It won't be the last merger we see."

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How Celebrities Fly

By Jennifer Merritt04/10/2008

We live in a celebrity-obsessed culture that chronicles Britney’s every follicle and Tiger’s every putt. Consider this the Us Weekly edition of Halogen Guides, where we detail the way celebrities and athletes fly, from outrageous catering requests to the type of jet they prefer.

Plus, such companies often cater to clients every (legal) whim, no matter if it’s a request for green tea onboard each flight or maintaining a 45-page, in-flight catering menu. One celebrity wanted specific meals based on the time of day, and for each meal, there were five different varieties of food, explains Jeffery Menaged, president and CEO of Chief Executive Air, a company specializing in aircraft charters. “I’m always amazed how much time people spend on the catering order,” he says. “These are fit, thin, beautiful people, who you wouldn’t think need that much food.”

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