FuelClub Discount

Delta Air Lines’ much publicized Salt Lake City-to-Paris flight has run into unexpected turbulence since it was launched earlier this month.

At least twice since the the inaugural flight on June 3, the “nonstop” route has included stops in Cincinnati to take on additional fuel to make it across the big pond.

You can blame the one-stop affair on Utah’s hot weather, the popularity of the flight and technical difficulties that forced Delta to use Boeing 767-300 jumbo jets with different sized engines than would normally be used on the route.

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US Airways said it is canceling the leases on aircraft scheduled for delivery, charging for checked baggage, introducing a new in-flight beverage program and increasing fees associated with employee guest and parent travel programs.
“Our industry is profoundly challenged by the dramatic increase in fuel prices, and we must write a new playbook for running a profitable airline in this new and challenging environment,” Chairman and Chief Executive Doug Parker said in a news release.

The airline said jet fuel costs have nearly doubled in the past year, driving up annual energy expenses by $1.9 billion. The company reported a profit of $427 million last year. But fuel now accounts for 39% of total expenses; it was 14% in 2000.
Roughly 300 pilots, 400 flight attendants, 800 airport employees and 200 staff members will be eliminated from the company’s ranks, US Airways said.
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