Travel Tips - November 2012

Some selected travel industry news for November which might be of interest:

Rail Europe can no longer sell a rail pass for France.  This is a French Government decision.  The 23 countries pass will still allow France on its itinerary.

More airline luggage is lost in the months of December and January. Good time to take a carry on bag.

London: The Victoria & Albert Museum will show a new exhibit of Hollywood Costumes until January 27, 2013.

China getting ready to open world's largest teddy bear museum. Opens November 11 in Chengdu.

US Airways posts a $245 million profit.

Some 400 TSA workers have been fired for theft in the last three years at major airports. Ladies, never walk through security while your handbag is still on the moving ramp. I watch mine all the way through.

Singapore Airlines is to drop the world's longest nonstop flights, Singapore to Newark and Los Angeles—8,300 nautical miles. The story in USA Today tells of their order of new aircraft to replace those on that route.

Significant change in Delta baggage policy: After January 15, 2013, Delta Airlines will change its checked baggage process when travelling on separate tickets. The airline's policy will be to check a passenger's baggage between the origin and destination points that are indicated on a single or conjunct ticket exclusively. If a second ticket is presented for travel on another airline beyond the destination of the first ticket, the passenger will be advised that Delta will only check the bag to the destination on the first ticket. The passenger must collect the baggage at baggage claim for first ticket destination, then recheck their baggage with the carrier for the next flight.

Bermuda: More difficult times ahead. Cruise ship arrivals have dropped 21 percent.

Case of meningitis reported on Regent Seven Seas Voyager: An Italian newspaper reported that a U.S. passenger was taken off the ship in Messina.

Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam moves to temporary home for the next seven months.

Delays at London Heathrow are getting longer. This airport has the world's worst record—27 percent of flights are delayed. 

Southwest Airlines closer to flying to Hawaii: Flight attendants approved a change in their contract that will allow them to fly across water, which means Hawaii and the Gulf of Mexico.

Another cruise Line drops Tunisia: Silversea has become the latest cruise line to drop Tunis. The U.S. State Department continues to warn travelers against travel there.

Royal Caribbean will leave Dubai after this winter season, citing loss of demand.

Air Asia to put passengers with young children at back of plane starting in February. They want a quiet zone for long haul flights.

Maureen Jones is president of  All Horizons Travel  at 160 Main Street. Members of her staff are experts in business travel, cruises, and all types of leisure.