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Alaska Airlines Takes Their Seattle Love to the Sky with Starbucks Coffee

A couple years ago United decided to ditch Starbucks as the preferred supplier of their in-flight java, but now Starbucks is coming back with another airline buddy. Alaska Airlines just announced that they’re bringing some improved in-flight coffee to the skies above the nifty fifty.

Starbucks might not be brewed in Alaska, but both Alaska and Starbucks sure enjoy spending time in and around Seattle. The coffee machines were flowing with the new brew as of last week, so if you’re flying anytime soon aboard an Alaska Airlines flight you might just want to wait until 35,000 feet before getting your caffeine fix. Alaska Airlines’ airline partner Horizon Air has been serving Starbucks since like 1990, so it was only a matter of time before both carriers shared the same coffee supplier. So what if it took 20 years.

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Alaska Airlines Stops Handing Out Prayer Cards, but They're Not the Only Airline with Them

By now you've probably already heard the news that Alaska Airlines is doing away with dispensing mealtime prayer cards onboard. For many travelers, the fact that an airline would do this in the first place is surprising. Like flyer need to be reminded that their lives are in the hands of a few people sitting up front, and the buttons and switches they're operating to keep the plane aloft and on course.

Well, while Alaska Airlines sends all those prayer cards to the recycling bin, at least one other airline is continuing the practice. Twitter user @Jonathan_Liem tipped us off that Lion Air, an Indonesian carrier that flies around SE Asia, includes "invocation pamphlets," printed with prayers for several religions, in your seatback pocket. "Please do not remove from aircraft." Ay yai yai.

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Virgin America, Porter Airlines and Southwest Star in This Week's New Route News

Sometimes it’s hard to stay on top of all the new route announcements that come our way, so we’ve complied a little bit of a rundown below. As long as you can afford the fares, this should definitely help add to your passport stamp collection.

· Virgin America:
We’ve already mentioned the big new route news of the week, but we can’t resist discussing the newest option from Virgin America once again. They’re heading to the land of cheesesteaks and rowdy sports fans, as Virgin America is planning nonstop flights to Philadelphia from both San Francisco and Los Angeles. Some of these will start doing their thing as early as April, so if you’re looking for a delayed Spring Break—either on the west coast or east coast—give this new route a little consideration.

· Southwest Airlines:
They’re continuing to move in all their belongings at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, but Southwest Airlines is already planning another new option to and from the airport. They’ve decided to a do a nonstop flight between Los Angeles and Atlanta beginning on June 10. This is in addition to the options that are already offered up by their best friends—and soon to be family—over at AirTran. The initial route boost from Southwest in Atlanta begins next month and continues through March, so we expect plenty of more comings and goings from ATL as 2012 chugs along.

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Watch the Skies for United's Eco Plane, Already Flying on Biofuels

Huge news. Yesterday marked the first time a US airline used biofuel in a commercial flight. No, it wasn't Alaska Airlines even though they are trying; it was United, and they flew their eco-friendly 737-800 from Continental's's former home base, Houston, to the United home base of Chicago.

For the #avgeeks: The biofuel is algae-based and includes 60 percent petroleum fuel and 40 percent biofuel produced by a company named Solazyme.

The eco-consciousness isn't limited to what goes in the tank, either. United flight attendants now push lighter serving carts and pilots traded in their 38-pound flight bags for more weight-conscious iPads (already loaded with their in-flight navigation charts and aircraft manuals). Furthermore, United makes it easy for plane spotters to identify the Mother Earth-friendly aircraft by its green winglets and 'eco-skies' written towards the front of the fuselage.

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New Routes from United, Etihad and Hawaiian Airlines to Get You Planning Vacation

Sometimes it’s hard to stay on top of all the new route announcements that come our way, so we’ve complied a little bit of a rundown below. As long as you can afford the fares, this should definitely help add to your passport stamp collection.

· United:
While United isn’t spilling the beans—or potatoes—just yet it sounds like the carrier is planning to link Washington-Dulles with Dublin beginning next May. Sure it might not bring the same kind of sprit that Aer Lingus does—with their green, Shamrocked planes and all—but a new international option out of our nation’s capital is always a good thing. Don’t expect crazy airfare deals to celebrate the new route, but a little healthy competition might help everyone out a bit.

· Frontier Airlines:
Along with in-flight cookies, Frontier Airlines should be known for sending plenty of folks from Kansas City around the nifty fifty, as this week they’re boosting their domestic network out of KC. The furry-animal-tailed airline is linking Kansas City with Houston as of this week everyday of the week. That’s not all either, as Frontier is also doing Kansas City to Las Vegas each day of the week except for Saturdays. We guess there’s just too much going on in Sin City to come home on a Saturday.

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If You Can Handle Living in Alaska, You Get Free Checked Bags on Alaska Airlines

Do you live in Alaska or are you moving there? Winter may be descending and bringing the cold and darkness along with it, but there's light for travelers! Alaska Airlines wants residents of the state to only think of them when it comes to booking flights, and so the airlines has just announced a new set of Alaskans-only perks.

It's called "Club 49," and members of Alaska's Mileage Plan frequent flyer program with an AK state code in their address can join it for free—right here. So what is Alaska Airlines giving to those who live way up north? Well, for starters, two free checked bags on each flight. That's pretty sweet and you save $20 per bag, sure, but we're also jealous of an annual gift of two certificates for 30% off one-way, full flex Y base fares, bookable within four days of the flight for last-minute getaways. The winter giving you seasonal depression? Time to use those passes for a long weekend in California.

Finally, Club 49 members will enjoy weekly fare sales to and from Alaska, specifically targeted at them. Again we're jealous, but not jealous enough to move across the country and northwards. Now if only JetBlue started a club just for New Yorkers...

[Photo: Pylon757]

New Routes / Airlines / Airline News / Alaska Airlines / Condor / Porter Airlines / WestJet / AeroMexico / → All Tags

It's Condor, Alaska and WestJet Starring in This Week's New Route News

Sometimes it’s hard to stay on top of all the new route announcements that come our way, so we’ve complied a little bit of a rundown below. As long as you can afford the fares, this should definitely help add to your passport stamp collection.

· Alaska Airlines:
This week’s big new route winner—at least to us—has to be the new options from Alaska Airlines. They’re sending their eskimo-tailed planes to two new spots beginning sooner than later. Up first is a nonstop option between Seattle and Kansas City starting up in March of 2012.

Next is a new option between San Jose and Palm Springs, but this is just a seasonal thing. This flight runs throughout the winter before taking the summer off beginning around June. Alaska is ready to celebrate the new options, so they’ve got both routes on sale for between $89 and $99 each way depending on when you’re headed.

· Porter Airlines:
Residents of the Big Apple aren’t too far from some great skiing this season, as Porter Airlines is bringing a new nonstop option between Newark-Liberty and Mont Tremblant, Quebec beginning right before Christmas. Sure it’s not Aspen or Park City, but it’s definitely a lot closer and in the same time zone. The flights begin on December 22 and continue to do their thing through the April 5. Expect plenty of fun and service both on the ground and in the air, as Porter Airlines is all about customer service—including free booze!

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Alaska Airlines' iPhone App Will Hook You Up With a Mobile Boarding Pass

It’s been a little bit of time since we saw the very first mobile boarding passes, but that doesn’t mean it’s too late to join the party. They’ve got WiFi all over Alaska, and now Alaska Airlines is bringing mobile boarding passes to their latest version of their travel app for iPhone and iPod Touch users.

Next time you’re flying up north or to the islands, don’t waste that valuable toner or ink; it’s all available online and in your pocket. Alaska Airlines thinks the new app is awesome and that it’s like a personal concierge service—though that may be a slight exaggeration—but it’s still pretty darn snazzy and definitely worthwhile.

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Lots of Hawaii, Mexico and Vegas Thanks To This Week's New Routes

Sometimes it’s hard to stay on top of all the new route announcements that come our way, so we’ve complied a little bit of a rundown below. As long as you can afford the fares, this should definitely help add to your passport stamp collection.

· Virgin America:
We might have mentioned this earlier in the week, but when it comes new a new option from Virgin America it’s hard not too give it some extra attention. Get your sunblock and sombrero ready, as it’s time to head to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico from San Francisco. Just in time to escape your family holiday traditions, the new flights will run five times a week beginning on December 2. After 2012 begins the flights will drop down to four times a week, but we’re not complaining—adios!

· Hawaiian Airlines:
Residents of the East Bay no longer need to go across a bridge to get to Hawaii, because Hawaiian Airlines is bringing nonstop flights in and out of Oakland beginning early next year. Things will head between Oakland and Maui four times a week beginning on January 11, and it will all happen thanks to some of the airline’s Boeing 767 aircraft. No need to plan your visit during the winter either, as this service is scheduled all year long. Flights leave the Bay Area around 8am, and you’ll be in paradise just in time for lunch—with a side of Mai Tai.

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New Routes / Airlines / Airline News / Frontier / Alaska Airlines / Strategic Airlines / Spirit Airlines / AirTran / → All Tags

Frontier, Alaska and Strategic Airlines Bring This Week's New Route News

Sometimes it’s hard to stay on top of all the new route announcements that come our way, so we’ve complied a little bit of a rundown below. As long as you can afford the fares, this should definitely help add to your passport stamp collection.

· Alaska Airlines:
Hawaii is pretty popular, and it’s especially popular for those flying aboard Alaska Airlines. The airline already sends plenty of flights between the mainland and paradise, and this week there’s news that they’re sending one more plane back and forth. The Seattle to Honolulu route is getting a third daily flight beginning on December 22, and will fill a gap in the airline’s daily schedule between the two cities. The new flight will leave Seattle around 4pm and get into the Aloha State right around 8pm—local time. This means you can cut out of the office early, and be in Hawaii for a late night dinner in Waikiki.

· Strategic Airlines:
We knew that Strategic Airlines was planning to link down under with the nifty fifty, and now Uncle Sam—along with the Australian version of Uncle Sam—are fine with the international flight. The airline will be flying nonstop between Brisbane and Honolulu beginning on December 14 with the assistance from Airbus A330s, and flights between Melbourne and Honolulu initiate on December 15. Flights are now available to be booked, and there’s even a little bit of a special sale going on. One-way flights from Brisbane will start at roughly $500 and the ones from Melbourne start at around $600—aloha!

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New Routes / Airlines / Airline News / Alaska Airlines / Hawaiian AIrlines / American Airlines / Emirates / VivaAerobus / → All Tags

Alaska, American and Emirates Arrive with This Week's New Routes

Sometimes it’s hard to stay on top of all the new route announcements that come our way, so we’ve complied a little bit of a rundown below. As long as you can afford the fares, this should definitely help add to your passport stamp collection.

· Alaska Airlines:
Residents of Spokane and Boise just got a couple new options to and from Seattle—and beyond—thanks to Alaska Airlines. The flights were already available, but the airline just boosted the amount of planes heading back and forth by adding a couple more flights on each route. We know that Alaska Airlines loves Hawaii almost as they love their home state, so we’re thinking that these flights can help a few more mainlanders reach the islands a little more conveniently.

· Emirates:
We knew Emirates has been busy expanding around the world, and it looks like their latest nonstop option is a flight between Dubai and Copenhagen. They’ll be doing these flights every day of the week through a little assistance from Airbus A330 aircraft. Expect all kinds of luxuries and service if you’re sitting up front on these flights, but if not, we bet there’s at least a free can of soda if you’re sitting in the back.

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New Routes / Airlines / Airline News / Volaris / REDjet / JetBlue / Alaska Airlines / WestJet / → All Tags

REDjet, WestJet and Alaska Airlines Lead This Week's New Route News

Sometimes it’s hard to stay on top of all the new route announcements that come our way, so we’ve complied a little bit of a rundown below. As long as you can afford the fares, this should definitely help add to your passport stamp collection.

· Alaska Airlines:
Even though their name has the world Alaska in it, Alaska Airlines seems to love Hawaii just as much as their own home. This week the airline announced that they’ll be flying nonstop between San Diego and Honolulu beginning on November 17. They’ll be using Boeing 737s on this route, and this goes along pretty well with their nonstop service between San Diego and Maui that they started up last year. Hawaiian Airlines already flies a similar route between these two cities, so maybe a little fare war can get us to paradise with a little money left over for a Mai Tai or two.

· Volaris:
The time to head to Mexico might be right now if you call Las Vegas or Los Angeles home. Volaris is launching new daily nonstop flights between those two spots and Mexico City, so if you’ve always wanted to see a little more of the real Mexico and less Americans lounging on the beach—this might be a good time. The flights run each day of the week through the end of August, and after that we’re not sure if they’ll decide to change things up. We’re still waiting for Volaris to bring some cheap flights to more parts of the country, but for now, we’ll take what we can get.

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