United calls off merger talks with U.S. Airways

by Jeffrey White on

United and U.S. Airways formally put an end to their merger talks yesterday, citing rising oil prices that are making it difficult for airlines across the board to be profitable.

Both airlines announced the end of talks in messages to their employees.

According to the Associated Press, United CEO Glenn Tilton said: “After a considered review by our board of directors, United has determined that it will not be pursuing a merger at this time due to issues that could significantly dilute benefits from a transaction. We are evaluating other options, and will do what is right for United.”

United “will take the additional steps to size the business appropriately, leverage our capacity discipline to pass on commodity costs to customers and accelerate development of new revenue sources,” Tilton added.

The merger would have formed the world’s largest airline, but industry experts say it would have almost certainly increased ticket prices and reduced travel routes as well.

United has not closed the door on forming an alliance with another airline, a move that offers many of the benefits of a merger but stops short of total consolidation. Right now, United and Continental are in alliance talks.

U.S. Airways: Goodbye to those salty peanuts

by Jeffrey White on

Those following the cash-strapped airline industry had to know this day was coming.

In the latest cost-cutting move by a major U.S. carrier, U.S. Airways is eliminating free snacks from its flights starting June 1.

Those snacks cost $.03 per passenger, as posted by the Consumerist.

The airline is already charging fees for a second checked bag and preferred seating — window or aisle seats — on all of its flights.

Of course, this begs the question whether anyone will care. I mean, how good were these roasted peanuts and small Rold Gold pretzel packages anyway?

I’m looking forward, though, to the airline’s report about how much this move will save them.

What strange things have been found on planes?


Click the image to read the bizarre story…

Continental Airlines and United won’t be bed fellows after all

by Jamie Rhein on

Continental Airlines has decided to stay single after all–sort of. United Airlines’ parent company UAL had been wooing Continental looking for a merger hook up, but since United hasn’t had great luck financially as of late, (see Grant’s post), Continental has said, “See ya later, toots,” to the merger deal.

According to this article in today’s New York Time’s, Continental Airlines is still casting its gaze towards American Airlines and British Airways for some sort of alliance deal. In the meantime, United is looking for another bed pal.

U.S. Airways may be it, but that’s not clear either. With all the trying out the beds, it’s hard to keep up. What is clear is that ticket prices are going to keep rising. The economy is not being particularly kind to the airline business, although, since the New York Times article was written, the shares of Continental have gone up. The article said at the end of the week, shares were $15.21. Now a share is at $17.25.

As the airlines are looking to swing deals, I’m hoping someone will look at those old Skybus routes. I’m still recovering from that airline’s shutdown.

U.S. Airways finds a use for duct tape

by Jamie Rhein on

For U.S. Airways, there’s good and bad. Thumbs up/Thumbs down. Cheers and jeers. The good? In January, the airline was the one that had the highest on time record of the 10 major airlines. Christopher Elliot passed on this tidbit yesterday in his blog, but chased that with some pitiful shots and details of U.S. Airways use of household items that are helping the airline continue with operations.

It reminds me a little of the vehicles in The Gambia. With mechanical know-how accompanied by a bit of chewing gum, baling wire, spit and luck, taxis ran forever.

Match the item–either duct tape or paper towels– with their use. (Yes, I know this is not much of a game, but still.)

Curtain is to______________as ____________is to airline seat. (See Elliot’s post for the pictures to prove it.)

If you happen to have some duct tape in your carry-on, an item recommended yesterday as a don’t-leave-home-without-it suggestion, perhaps you can help U.S. Airlines keep on keeping on.

The answers:

first blank: paper towels

second blank: duct tape

Count Calories While You Fly

by Adrienne Wilson on

Thanks to our healthy friends and sister site, That’s Fit, I just stumbled upon this awesome article out of the Seattle Times focusing on the nutritional value of those in-flight snack packs. You would think with cheese, crackers, peanuts and an occasional cookie one wouldn’t shoot their entire diet to hell, but beware!!! (Cue horror music.) If you thought the danger was in flying you were wrong – it’s in the honey roasted nuts! The story in the Seattle Times notes both Delta and U.S. Airways have the lowest health score, for more reasons than high in calories. The system is based on factors like how helpful the airline was in providing information, the cost of the snack pack (if any) and the exercise equivalent to burning off the calories found in each pack. Let’s take the Delta snack pack for example since it ranks the absolute worst. According to their info you’d have to walk 197 minutes to burn off the 766 calories found in Delta’s bag of treats. That’s a lot of walking for so little food.

On the upside, those flying with United need not worry so much as a frequent Delta or U.S. Airways flyer. United Airlines ranks tops. The snack packs offered on board are vegetarian friendly and trans-fat-free. Although the cost is $5, they have the largest selection of snack choices. Surprisingly, you’ll need to do a good amount of walking to burn off the calories found in an United pack (up to 231 minutes for munching on a Smartpack), but at least you’ll know that your balancing it all out.

I highly recommend reading this one if you’re trying to keep track of your diet every step and flight on the way to your holiday destination and beyond.