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By Admin, July 24, 2010

The flagship carrier of the Netherlands is KLM-Royal Dutch Airlines, hosting a main hub at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport and headquartered in nearby Amstelveen. Offering both domestic and international service, KLM-Royal Dutch airlines serves over 90 destinations, and is also a member of the world’s second largest airline alliance, SkyTeam.

KLM-Royal Dutch Airlines is part of Air France-KLM, and also has an operating agreement with Northwest Airlines, based in Minneapolis. The KLM group serves nearly 75 million passengers every year, runs a fleet of 607 aircraft, and reaches 258 destinations. Air France-KLM recently expanded its global reach even further by purchasing a 25 per cent stake in the Italian airline Alitalia.

Founded in 1919, KLM-Royal Dutch Airlines is the world’s oldest air carrier. It ran its first flight in May 1920, from London to Amsterdam. During the German occupation World War II, KLM ceased operations; although it has been accused of helping war criminal flee Germany after the second World War, the company consistently denies the charges.

Air France and KLM announced their plans to merge in 2003, marking the end of the oldest independent airline in the world. However, the merger did not impact KLM’s long time partnership with United States based Northwest Airlines, as both companies joined the SkyTeam alliance in September 2004.

KLM gifts its long-haul first-class and business passengers with small Delftware, blue-and-white porcelain reproductions of old Dutch canal houses.  The houses are filled with Dutch liquor.  This practice started in 1952. There are now 88 Delftware houses as of 2008 (the airline’s age that year).  A new Delftware house is added each year on October 7, the anniversary of the airline’s founding.

KLM’s mileage program is Flying Blue. Members can accumulate and spend miles on flights on Air France-KLM, and also on other SkyTeam carriers and with a variety of transportation, travel, and financial companies. Flying Blue members earn four membership levels, Ivory, Silver, Gold, and Platinum, determined by their accumulated SkyTeam miles. Members can also earn miles on flights operated by Kenya Airways, which is a Flying Blue partner.

KLM’s past success isn’t protecting the airline from a bumpy future.  The airline recently announced it will cut up to 2,000 jobs due to lower ticket sales and lower cargo volumes.  The cuts represent three percent of the KLM workforce.  KLM also plans to reduce its airline capacity by two percent in summer 2009.  KLM lost $653 million dollars in the quarter ending December 31, 2008.  Airline officials say they haven’t ruled out future cuts or reductions as they look to stabilize their business and return the airline to profitability.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, an airline watchdog group, announced in February 2009 that the group is suing KLM over allegations of price fixing.  KLM denies the charges and plans to contest the lawsuit.  Qantas and British Airways were recently fined $20 million and $5 million for similar allegations of price fixing.

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By Admin, May 12, 2010

Andorra sits in Western Europe with a high mountain climate. The region of Andorra is influenced by the Mediterranean Sea.  Andorra has a high percentage of sunshine with a dry climate. If you are a nature lover traveling in the country, you will find that Andorra has many things to offer. Nature activity like hiking, trails and mountain bike routes are only a few things you will find in your quest for excitement.

If you are considering traveling to Andorra, there are some important factors you must keep in mind.  Due to the mountainous ranges of the Pyrenees Mountains, one road leads into Andorra from France and one road entering Andorra from Spain. Please remember that that Andorra is not a Schengen member.

If you are visiting it from outside the EU and attempting to exit France or Spain into Andorra, this might result in termination of your single-entry visa. Immigration people do not always enforce this rule; but you do not want to be in trouble the time they decide to enforce it.

Buses are the primary means of transportation while traveling in Andorra. Public buses do provide regular services to get you where you need to go. There are also cable cars that operate between Egolasters Lake and Encamp. Vehicles from neighboring countries typically transport goods into Andorra. The Seo de Urgel airport is only 20 km from Andorra la Vella. If you are looking for an international airport, you can look at Barcelona, which is 215 km from Andorra. Toulouse, France is 165 km away from Andorra. Daily bus services are offered from the Barcelona and Toulouse airports going to Andorra.

There are rental car agencies available for your driving needs. You can drive over the mountain ranges into Andorra. Keep in mind that if the mountain ranges are blocked by snow or other dangerous conditions, the mountain passes will be closed. Another great tip about driving into Andorra through the mountain passes is, make sure you have enough fuel in your car.

If you decide to drive to Andorra, you must remember to drive on the right side of the road. A good suggestion for items to have in cases of emergencies is first aid kit, fire extinguisher, a spare bulb kit and snow chains or snow tires during the winter. To keep extra warm clothes and blankets in case you break down within the mountain passes is a wise idea. Remember to drive carefully because of the constant snow and ice which covers the roads on a permanent basis. Public transportation is also available. You can take a public bus to and from Barcelona, Girona or Toulouse airports. You can even hire a private bus.  

The speed limit is 40km/h in the populated areas of Andorra and 90km/h elsewhere. Two huge complaints of tourists who drive in Andorra is the supposed reckless driving performed by the locals and traffic jams which occur in Andorra la Vella. You can avoid the traffic jams with bypassing Andorra la Vella by taking the ring road around the south side of town.

If you want to utilize the public transportation, there are six different bus routes available. Cooperativa Interurbana offers services out from Andorra la Vella along the main roads. Ensure you take advantage of the free leaflets available showing the timetables of departures and pickups.

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By Admin, March 21, 2010

Many believe that the age of cheap flights may be coming to an end, due to passenger taxes and fuel duty prices..

The travel industry remains split over the future of cheap flights, as budget airlines take advantage of rivals’ problems to expand.

One of the great debates raging across the travel industry at the moment is the future of cheap flights. Continue reading 'How to Find Cheap Flights, Despite Hidden Charges'»

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By Thomas Clarke, March 20, 2010

It is easy to imagine yourself on a warm and sunny tropical island, especially during those cold, gloomy days of winter. When winter time comes people tend to get down and feel blue. This is not only unhealthy for their psyche, but it also starts to interfere with there jobs.

Therefore what can be the remedy for those winter blues? It essential needs to be a prompt escape to a warmed and sunny destination. It may represent the beach or an island or in truth anyplace warm and sunny. It should preferably be someplace with sunshine as well as a great deal of water to cool down. Pack your sunscreen as well as your vintage Wayfarer shades and get geared up to unwind and experience a lot of play in the sun. Only remember to sit back on your escape; you do not want to arrive home more spent than when you departed.

A great guideline is to grant yourself an additional day once you come back to town, that way you get an entire day to acclimate yourself back to conventional living. The impact of getting back to work as well as school the day after your return from an amazing trip might be a bit much for some individuals; it may make you feel more terrible than prior to your vacation.

So how do you go about getting this little getaway organized? The first thing you need to do is fire up the old computer and jump online. Expedia is a great place to start. You can quickly book an entire vacation online and save some money in the process. You don’t have to make a million phone calls to see what’s available and you don’t have to check every airline for flight information. You can get the whole thing done without even getting out of your pajamas. About the most difficult part of the process will be deciding where to go and which bathing suit to take along.

The Keys in Florida is one of the many wonderful destinations that will assist you in overcoming your winter blues. Another great destination is Acapulco, Mexico. Where ever you decide to go you want to make sure to remember to pack your sunblock, your skin probably has not seen the sun in a while, therefore you can burn up fairly quickly.

You can find cheap airfares are great deals on www.expedia.com. When you travel for the holidays, finding a cheap flight can really make the whole trip much better.

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By Dorothy Yamich, March 9, 2010

Whether you take air flights for business, or holidays and vacations, you have probably lost luggage or know of a person that has. Here are some travel tips that may help you prevent this happening.

It has been estimated that more than a million bags are lost by the airlines each year in the U.S. alone. How many bags get lost in the whole world is anybody’s guess. Here are a few tips that might help you find your bags should they get lost.

Attach a couple of tags with your name, home address, and phone number to the handle and zipper-pulls of every bag that you are checking. There’s less of a chance that every tag could get torn off when in transit. Make sure that you’ve taken off any old airline tags that are still on your luggage as they could confuse the baggage handlers.

Also, you should place the same contact information, including a copy of your itinerary and destination address inside each your bags. Then, if they do go astray and are found in time, it’s possible that they could be forwarded to your hotel.

If you can, pick luggage with preferably a bright or odd color that will stand out from all of the black and brown bags. Know the brand name of the luggage that you own and attach a colorful scarf or ribbon to the handle to make identification easier. Stick a few decals or a contrasting colored tape to all of the sides of the bags so they can be easier to see as it goes around the carousel. Remember these details, or even better, take a digital picture of your luggage just before you leave and bring it with you. This will also help the lost luggage airport staff in finding your bags if they become lost in transit and turn up at their office. It will also help if you have to make a claim.

It helps to make a list of what you have in your luggage and carry that list in you carry-on bag. The chance of your luggage getting lost in transit increases dramatically when you have connecting, or delayed flights. Always pack all of your valuables, including your laptop or Blackberry, travel documents, prescriptions, etc., in your carry-on bag. It makes sense to pack only the things you can afford to lose in your checked baggage. Most analysts believe that the airline industry’s problem of lost luggage is not going to be resolved anytime soon.

What can you do your luggage gets lost?

Go immediately to the baggage claim office and file a claim. Many airlines have a twenty-four hour window of time starting from when your flight arrives to file and be eligible for compensation. You will receive a claim receipt to check the tracking of your luggage with the airline by phone, or on the airline’s website. Make sure you keep all your flight documents until the lost luggage problem is resolved.

How can you guarantee that the airlines won’t lose your luggage?

There are some companies like FedEx, UPS or DHL, that can send your luggage in the U.S. directly to your hotel or street address for a very reasonable cost. If you’re staying at a hotel, your luggage will be taken to your room by a bellboy. When you consider that in the United States alone, over a million bags are lost by the airlines each year, this service is well worth considering. If you are planning to travel by air throughout Europe, FirstLuggage.com, provides a similar service.

To quickly get cheap flights and luxury cruises at really great discounts, whenever you want to enjoy an awesome vacation, visit Travel Tips Guide for more info.