Alaska Airlines announced new baggage fees today:

For tickets purchased after May 1, 2010 for travel starting June 16, 2010 the following apply.

Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air will charge $20 each for a passengers first three checked bags. This represents a $5 increase for the first checked bag, a $5 decrease for the second bag and a $30 decrease for the third bag.  The fourth through tenth checked bag will decrease from $100 to $50 each. Excess size and weight restrictions still apply fees still apply. Please note that with our bag fee change, any new groups booked after April 22nd and ticketed for travel after May 1st for travel June 16th or later will have the new bag fees applied.

Group travel already in contract will have the first bag fee of $15 honored.

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Alaska Airlines has begun charging $15 for the first checked bag.  You previously were allowed 1 free bag. MVP and MVP Gold members are exempt.

Southwest is having a 48 hours sale.  No one way fare is greater than $90 (plus taxes). Travel September 9 – November 18, any day except Friday or Sunday.  Purchase tickets my end of day July 8th.

Lufthansa will halt Portland, OR – Frankfurt service on Sep 12, 2009.

After more than 40 years of service, July 31st will be the last day for SAS flights between Seattle and Copenhagen.  They will be missed!

Delta has completed the integration of Northwest Airlines at SEA-TAC.  All ticket and gate counters are now branded with the Delta name.  All Delta flights have moved from the A concourse to the South satellite gates used by Northwest.

Virgin Atlantic will suspend London-Chicago service for the winter due to low demand.

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• Double miles credit for Alaska Airlines MVP Gold members continues to be available through 6/30/09. There is still time to sign up and get double miles credits for June travel.
• New Alaska Airlines group travel policies make it easier to conduct business meetings in other cities, or travel with sports teams, etc. Stellar Travel corporate advisors are group planning experts and will assist with group and meeting arrangements.
• 10% discount off all fare levels for Alaska Airlines “meeting fares” where 10 or more travelers are going to the same city (and attendees don’t have to be on the same flights to qualify for the discount).
• Did you know Alaska Boardroom Members can use the Delta’s Crown Room when traveling and vice versa?

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Have you registered for double miles on Alaska Airlines and their partners Delta and Northwest?  If not,  here are the links:

Alaska Airlines double miles registration

To earn Double Qualifying Miles, simply register your Mileage Plan number prior to your first qualifying flight. Flights that are eligible for Double Qualifying Miles must be booked in the fare categories Bargain, Value, Full Flex, and First Class for flights on Alaska Airlines or Horizon Air, from May 6, 2009, through June 30, 2009. Please note that fares in our Hot Deals category (G/T booking classes) do not qualify for Double Miles.

Alaska Airlines double miles on Delta and Northwest

As Delta Air Lines and Northwest Airlines merge their operations into one, it’s the perfect time to celebrate our Mileage Plan partnership with the world’s largest airline.

Between April 15, 2009, and June 15, 2009, Mileage Plan members will earn Double Miles on all qualifying Delta Air Lines and Northwest Airlines flights.

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Alaska Airlines New Service:

• Portland – Maui starts July 3rd
• A second Seattle – Honolulu flight begins July 2nd
• Oakland – Maui and Oakland -Kona begin November 9th and 10th, respectively
• Seattle – Houston begins September 23rd
• Seattle – Atlanta begins October 23rd

British Airways has opened a new 7,200 square foot Gallies Lounge at Washington Dulles which serves First and Club World customers.

SAS will operate it’s last flight in the Seattle – Copenhagen maket on July 31st.  They currently have an amazing business class fare of $1999 (plus tax and fuel charges) to select European cities from Seattle.

United has completed the installation of the new business class seats and first class suites on all international 767’s.

American Airlines is going to allow frequent fliers in its AAdvantage program to book one-way flights for half the reward miles of a round trip.

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Alaska Airlines is the latest to announce increases in checked baggage fees this week.  MVP and MVP Gold are exempt from baggage fees until the third checked bag. The new fees go into effect on July 7, 2009.

Alaska will have a baggage guarantee but only from July 7 through December 19th:

Effective July 7th, if your baggage is not at the baggage claim within 25 minutes of your plane parking at the gate, you’re entitled to a certificate for either a discount code for $25 off a future Alaska or Horizon flight or 2,500 Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan bonus miles. If we don’t meet our 25 minute guarantee, simply see an Alaska or Horizon Customer Service Agent and let them know. They’ll ensure that you receive your Baggage Service Guarantee certificate or Bonus Miles.

Of course, the guarantee does not apply to baggage system malfunctions, severe weather delays or other conditions out of their control.

Other baggage changes:

• Delta will now charge $50 for the second checked bag on international flights to/from the U.S.
• Beginning July 9th, USAirways will allow you to pay for checked bags when you check in online.  But note:  you will be charged an additional $5 if you decide to pay at the aiport instead.
• Southwest still says NO to check baggage fees

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