While the government is maintaining caps on takeoffs and landings at New York area airports--and some aviation insiders pray for re-regulation--officials at Chicago O'Hare are rolling out the welcome mat. The head of the FAA, Bobby Sturgell, says there will be no more flight caps at ORD, citing a new runway that's scheduled to open this fall.

But airlines aren't exactly clamoring to fill the extra capacity, says the Chicago Tribune:

The flight caps are no longer necessary, or even relevant, because the airline business is in the midst of an unprecedented downturn spurred by record fuel prices and a weak economy.

Both American and United, big-time carriers at O'Hare, have recently announced major cuts in service. JetBlue has all but halted growth--save for some new flights in the Caribbean.

This should help Virgin America with its planned expansion at the airport, right? Possibly, says spokeswoman Abby Lunardini:

[It's] encouraging, but we don't have official word back on our FAA filing yet.

UPDATE: Now Virgin America says it will cut capacity by 10 percent in the fourth quarter of 2008, due to higher fuel costs.

Related Stories:
· Flight Caps to Vanish at O'Hare [CT]
· O'Hare coverage [Jaunted]
· New Airline Routes coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo of the ORD disco lights: diongillard]]]> pbb 2008-06-17T11:00:02-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/6/3/14731/11573

When we found out one of our recent flights went through O'Hare International on the way to Boston we got cold chills and our spine tingled. ORD is rightly notorious for delays and canceled flights. Given the violent weather that's been sweeping the Midwest, we crossed our fingers and stayed as positive as a meadowlark in a field full of flowers.

Not only did our flight go off without a hitch, we got to experience the awesomeness of the pedestrian connector between Concourses B and C in Terminal 2.

It was like walking through a futuristic disco version of Captain EO. All that was missing to make this the coolest transfer ever was roller skate rentals and 3-D glasses. Next time you find yourself stranded at O'Hare, head down to the moving walkway and relish the pretty lights.

Related Stories:
· Travel Snapshots coverage [Jaunted]
· Airport Art coverage [Jaunted]]]> DanielR 2008-06-04T12:00:01-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/5/13/101443/995

A Jaunted Exclusive

Virgin America will ask the FAA for a share of the Chicago market this week, and if all goes well, VA will be flying to O'Hare by November.

After Virgin confirmed the expansion plans, we were excited to talk with CEO David Cush, posing here with Cisco Adler, about the future of the airline, how the FAA allocates landing rights and what it's like to compete with a former employer.

Jaunted: We've been hearing rumors about Chicago for months. Why make the move into that new market now?

DC: You're not an airline until you fly to Chicago. We want to fly four flights a day from LAX and SFO to ORD because this is third largest travel market in the US and we think Chicagoans are going to love our product.

Currently, Chicago/O'Hare has virtually no low-fare competition to the West Coast and none from SFO or LAX. We think we can compete with the big guys and inject a little healthy competition into a market that desperately needs it.

Virgin America will petition the FAA for eight daily arrival slots into Chicago O'Hare this week. The agency, which controls the number of flights allowed at ORD, could give the upstart approval to fly as early as November, when a new runway opens.

That means this winter is the soonest we'd see SFO-ORD and LAX-ORD flights on VA. Not really what we were expecting when CEO David Cush hinted at service to Chicago, but it's the best the carrier can do given the current flight caps.

Maybe while we're waiting for Chicago, VA's will expand to Boston and Miami? Last we heard, those announcements could come by the end of this summer.

Related Stories:
· What's Next for Virgin America [Jaunted]
· Virgin America is Flying High [Jaunted]
· Virgin America coverage [Jaunted]
· New Routes coverage [Jaunted]]]> pbb 2008-05-12T08:35:01-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/4/11/15126/2609

This week witnessed American Airlines' PR meltdown as the megacarrier canceled thousands of flights due to safety concerns. So you're single and stuck in a hub city far from friends and family... what's a seasoned traveler to do? Make the best of it by making a connection at one of these national hot spots, even in your most wrinkled suit.

In Dallas: Try not to stare at Twisted Root Burger Company (2615 Commerce St.) which serves its juicy hunks of meat with in-house root beer. More Dallas Missed Connections.

In Chicago: Put on your Juicy Couture perfume and order up some margs at the Frontera Grill (449 N. Clark St.), "Iron Chef America" competitor Rick Bayless' Mexican spot. More Chicago Missed Connections.

In Miami: Just try to get some work done at Barnie's Coffee and Tea (169 Flagler St.) More Miami Missed Connections.

In St. Louis: Interrupt someone else's work at the Atomic Cowboy (4140 Manchester Ave.), perhaps the last restaurant in the world to ask "Smoking or non?" (Or, just hang around at baggage claim.) More St. Louis Missed Connections.

Related Stories:
· Missed Connections coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: wd502]]]> egw 2008-04-11T15:29:52-05:00 Search Jaunted string http://www.jaunted.com/search/