When it comes to oxygen travel, a big quantity of people hit the skies every day.  Individuals fly for all diverse factors. Some individuals ought to make a company journey, other people are visiting good friends or family members, other people are likely on getaway, and some are generating a cross country move.  If you’re moving, there’s a very good chance which you may possibly need to provide your family pet as well as you. If this really is the circumstance, you may locate that you simply are topic to some entire new set of air vacation guidelines.  Before leaving for that air port, with your puppy or pets in tow, you’re recommended to famialrize your self with those regulations.

The initial step in traveling, from the air, having a puppy would be to make certain that they are even allowed.  Certain pets are authorized to become on airplanes, but that does not imply that all airlines will allow it.  When you are setting up on vacationing together with your pet, you might need to inform your flight of the facts upfront.  This is essential mainly because not all airlines will make it possible for you to provide a pet onboard. Therefore, should you do not examine with your air travel previous to heading towards the air port, you may be unable to board your flight. 

When traveling having a puppy, you will have to maintain that pet contained. That signifies that if you’re visiting with an animal, for example a dog or a cat, that animal will most likely need to be in a carrier.  When purchasing an animal company, it truly is critical to understand that not all carriers are permitted onboard. In case you is going to be keeping your animal from the cabin with you, as opposed to obtaining your animal treated as checked baggage, you may must make certain that the puppy carrier is not going to negatively have an impact on other people. Your dog company must not block aisle methods or encroach on other passenger’s seating spaces.  Also to these general rules and restrictions, you may perhaps uncover that each flight has their own established of pet carrier guidelines.

Nearly all airlines need that the domestic pets have the right documents just before getting permitted on their airplanes.  These documents most normally consist of information on your pet’s health.  Most airlines need that your puppy undergoes a medical evaluation prior to becoming transported by airplane.  This details is not only employed to assure that the pet is healthy sufficient to fly, but can also be used to guarantee that they are protected with the proper vaccinations.  Proper vaccinations won’t only defend your pet, but other people, too as flight staff. 

As soon as you have received clearance through the flight, which you desire to fly on, purchased the ideal pet equipment, and obtained the suitable wellness checks for your puppy, you will need to wait until your day time of vacation. On that day, you may perhaps desire to arrive at the air-port somewhat bit earlier than suggested. This will support to assure that you simply could quickly straighten out a issue, without having owning to miss your flight, must one arise.

Whenever you and your pet arrive at the airport, whether or not it be early or not, you will both be needed to go by way of airport security. Your family pet will be needed to pass as a result of a metal detector, just like everybody else.  When you are using a dog company, it is also likely that your family pet carrier are going to be subject to examination.  This examination most generally includes being sent although the x-ray machine with your carryon luggage; on the other hand, it truly is important to note that your pet won’t need to go as a result of the x-ray device; the metal detector ought to be sufficient.

As previously described, not all airlines allow their passengers to fly with their pets, even in the cabin or below deck.  That is why it really is recommended which you ascertain whether or not or otherwise your canine can fly with you, ahead of time. Furthermore to distinct oxygen vacation rules, you may perhaps also uncover that some airlines charged extra fees for family pet people.  In the event that you might be charged, you’ll be notified of the charge ahead of your time.

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Austrian Airlines is the flagship carrier of Austria, with headquarters in Vienna, which is also the airline’s main hub at Vienna International Airport.  Vienna International prides itself on the ability of passengers to change flights quickly and easily.  Airport personnel promise that a passenger should never have to spend more than 30 minutes waiting for a connecting flight.  There are plenty of lounges and cafes at Vienna International Airport for those passengers who do have to wait to board connecting flights.

Austrian Airlines was founded 52 years ago, in 1957. Along with its subsidiary Tyrolean, Austrian Airlines focuses on providing multiple choices for air travel to and from Central Europe and Eastern Europe and the Middle East. The travel carrier has over 8,500 employees, and is a member not only of the Austrian Airlines Group, but also of the Star Alliance, the world’s largest airline alliance representing 24 different carriers. Most Austrian Airlines jets were built by Airbus or Boeing.

Austrian’s frequent flyer program is Miles & More. Used by 13 European airlines and by over 15 million people, Miles & More is the most popular frequent flyer scheme in Europe. It permits its members to earn and use their frequent flyer miles on all 13 member airlines as well as all the carriers in Star Alliance.

Few airlines place a greater emphasis on safety. For nearly 30 years, since 1981, every Austrian Airlines flight has been accompanied by at least two undercover sky marshals. All pilots and flight attendants receive frequent training with a special emphasis on safety, as well as new technology.

Much as the Vienna airport offers singular efficiency in transferring passengers between flights in 30 minutes or less, Austrian Airlines offers outstanding customer service. Completely revamping its customer service program in 2006, Austrian Airlines added dozens of new features, ranging from new passenger lounges to free snack service in economy to all-inclusive customer care for passengers on the ground. Calling their new program a success, Austrian Airlines proudly points to multiple industry surveys giving them top rankings in customer service and quality.

As of February 2009, Drs. Andreas Bierwirth and Peter Malanik have been appointed to service as Austrian Airline’s chief co-executives, with equal rights and responsibilities. Austrian’s board of directors anticipates the new management duo will strengthen the airline despite declining air traffic since the beginning of the global economic crisis in 2008. In 2008, the airline carried 10.7 million passengers, down from 2007, and further deterioration of passenger load is expected in 2009.  To turn the situation around, Austrian Airlines is reinforcing its image as the premier carrier for flights from Europe to the Middle East, adding four flights each week to Amman, Jordan.

A backpack is always helpful while traveling by airplane. But there are several limitations on airlines as well. The rules may include about the number of bags each person is allowed to carry with him or considering the size of the bag, and the maximum weight that can be allowed to carry in these bags. There are plenty of backpack carry rules to be considered while traveling with a backpack on a airplane. The limitations are almost endless so as to what kind of back can be brought into the plane.

The size of your backpack is extremely important when deciding to travel.  Many airlines have guidelines as to size due to increasingly cramped overhead compartments.  Room can be limited, the restrictions help the airline make sure that everyone can store their bags and that everyone’s bags will fit. 48

Many travel like the option of carrying on their luggage as it saves time when they arrive at their destination. Walking to and waiting at the luggage claim area can take up lots of time and seasoned travelers tend to avoid this inconvenience by using the overhead or under seat options available.

If you are traveling with a larger backpack you should know that in some cases, your bag may not be able to fit.  This may be especially true with backpacks that are used for longer trips or for longer than a one night stay.  If you have a larger backpack that will not fit, it will most likely have to be kept in the luggage section of the aircraft if other space arrangements can not be made by the airline.

It’s important to know when traveling with a backpack that airline’s allow only one backpack per a person.  Different airlines may view a backpack as a personal carry on or item that can be carried onto the plane with ease.

Airlines typically only allow one backpack per person, considering it to be a carry on item. Other airlines may be a bit more lenient, treating it as a personal item which makes it easier to bring on. With recent travel restrictions, it’s worth your time to research all the restrictions of your particular flight. Rules vary by airline and airport, so do some internet searches and review the rules for all stops in your travel route.

There is also a weight limit to carry on items set by the airline industry and that is typically 40 total pounds. International trips may have even stricter rules such as those of Air France which limits carry on to twenty-six pounds maximum. Take the time to find out the rules of your airline and weigh your fully packed backpack at home before arriving at the airport. Packing light is the number one rule of a seasoned traveler so think about what items you can do without or combine to lighten your backpack load.

KLM-Royal Dutch Airlines is the national airlines of the Netherlands with headquarters in Amstelveen and a main hub at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, serving over 90 destinations.  KLM-Royal Dutch offers both domestic and international flights and is a member of the SkyTeam alliance, the second largest airline alliance in the world.

For the past several years, KLM-Royal Dutch Airlines has been part of Air France-KLM, while it has also maintained an operating partnership with Northwest Airlines, based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in the USA. The two-airline consortium operates a fleet of 607 aircraft that carry nearly 75 million passengers a year to 258 travel destinations. The Air France-KLM partnership recently obtained even more global reach by purchasing a 25 per cent stake in the Italian carrier 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.

While KLM remains the world’s oldest airline, it is no longer the world’s oldest independent airline. Air France and KLM-Royal Dutch Airlines announced merger plans in 2003, marking the end of KLM’s independent run. The merger did affect the ongoing cooperation between KLM and Northwest Airlines, however, as both companies joined SkyTeam in September 2004.

Fliers in first or business class on KLM are given souvenir porcelain reproductions of old Dutch canal houses, the Delftware miniatures filled with a Dutch liqueur. KLM’s practice of handing out the Delft porcelain miniatures began in 1952, and, as 2008, the company’s eighty-eighth year in operation; there are 88 models of the houses. Each October 7 the company celebrates the anniversary of its founding with a new Delftware design.

The KLM mileage program is called Flying Blue. Members can earn and use mileage points on flights run by Air France-KLM and other SkyTeam carriers, but also a variety of other travel, transportation, and financial companies. Flying Blue members can attain four membership levels—Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Ivory. Levels are determined by accumulated miles on Air France-KLM or any other SkyTeam company, and also on flights operated by Kenya Airways, which is a partner of Flying Blue.

KLM’s venerable history hasn’t protected the company for current economic turbulence. Air France-KLM recently announced it will lay off up to 2,000 employees on account of lower ticket sales and fewer cargo shipments. These cuts represent about 1 in 30 Air France-KLM workers. The company also plans to reduce its airline capacity by about 2 per cent in the summer of 2009, to make up for the $653 million loss in the fourth quarter of 2008. Airline management says it has not ruled out future job cuts or flight reductions as they seek to stabilize their finances and return the company to profitability.

An Australian airline watchdog group, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, announced in February 2009 that it is suing Air France-KLM over alleged price fixing. KLM denies the charges and plans to defend against the suit. Qantas and British Airways recently were fined $20 million and $5 million for similar charges.

There is no doubt that South Africa has experienced a great suffering and turmoil in the past. Despite that, however, the country is striving to re-invent itself.  Actually, tourist travel numbers have increased ten percent every year over the past decade, and continue to rise. 

Flights coming into South Africa generally depart in the evening, so they can arrive early in the morning.  Most of these flights come into the city of Johannesburg, although many visitors that take cheap flights to South Africa generally head for Cape Town.  As South Africa’s oldest city, Cape Town offers tourists top-notch restaurants and a hopping nightlife, making it a favorite stop.

Not many airlines service Africa, and because of that, flights fill up rather quickly.  Nevertheless, it is certainly possible to find a cheap fare to South Africa, although you will have to do some planning and follow some advice.  The number one tip is to plan your flight far in advance. Do not be afraid to book that flight at least two months ahead of time.  Because Africa is a land of that offers a myriad of pastimes, and a diverse climate, the ideal time for booking a cheap flight is hard to pin down.  The determining factor is what you intend to do, although you should keep in mind the reversal of seasons.  November through February is summer in the southern hemisphere.  For those who want to see wild game, it is best to come in spring, which would be August through October.  For the whale watchers, mid-June to October is when the Southern Right Whales can be seen, and you will want to come between August and December for Humpbacks.

As a land of varying climates and diverse pastimes, the best time to schedule a cheap flight to South Africa really depends, on what you intend to do.  Do not forget that in the southern hemisphere, seasons are reversed, which means summer falls between November and February.  If seeing wild game is your goal, schedule your visit between August and October.  However, if you prefer whale watching, mid-June to October is the best time to catch Southern Right Whales, while August through December is ideal for Humpbacks.  

Flying via Europe is another way you can save money on a flight to South Africa.  That isn’t a problem if you’re already coming from Europe, but if you intend to fly from the US, ask your travel agent to check into flights from the US to Europe.  You might get lucky and the hit the off-season, between November and mid-December and January through March, which would ensure an inexpensive flight to Europe, and from there, flights to South Africa are very reasonable. 

Your passport must be valid for thirty days past your stay, and make sure you have an onward ticket. 

It is possible to find a cheap flight to South Africa, but you will need to think smart and do some preplanning if you want to lock in the best deals.

When it comes to international travel, your documents are an important factor in your voyage. For trips leaving the country as well as those to different states, both you and you belongings are identified through your paperwork. Travelers may easily avoid any unnecessary hassle simply by making sure they are carrying the appropriate papers for their travel as well as proof of identity.

The best bit of travel advice when travelling internationally is to carry an original copy of some of your documents while keeping one or two photocopies of the other or others just in case.  Also, leave a copy of your documentation with friends, which they can fax to you in the event that yours become lost.  Also, ask your travel agent or friends who’ve travelled to the same destinations if they have any advice on documentation.

Whether you are on fun, business or a personal trip, the important documents required while traveling outside US are: Passport, Visa, Driving License, Medical Certificates and Insurance documents. A passport is an internationally recognized travel document that verifies the identity and nationality of the bearer.

A valid US passport is required to enter and leave most foreign countries.  You can go to the Passport Services Office to get information on how to get, replace or modify a passport.  You must go in person to the passport office with two photographs, proof of US citizenship and valid photo ID such as a drivers license to apply. 

A Visa is a document issued by a country’s government that allows the bearer to enter or leave a host country. Most countries require a visa before you can travel there.  You cannot board an aircraft unless you have a valid visa and return ticket, and few countries allow US citizens free passage without a visa.  It is necessary as valid proof of identification and should be carried with you at all times in case of an emergency.  A visa requires a visit to the destination country’s embassy or nearest consulate.  For some countries the visa application takes some time to process, so it’s necessary to apply for a visa well in advance to avoid last minute problems.              

If you are carrying valuable and electronic items, good travel tips is to keep a copy of the invoice, insurance and troubleshooting manuals with you while you are traveling. While invoice and insurance are needed to prove your ownership, a manual will help the technicians if some problem occurs in it. These documents will also help you to avail international warranty and service facilities wherever applicable.

Most countries require the foreign tourists covered up with insurance before they enter the country. However, insurance during travel is a critical issue due to legal differences between two countries. Contact your insurance company to find if the present insurance covers the foreign trips or not. Even your travel agent can help you with important travel insurance tips.

American Airlines is the world’s largest passenger airline with headquarters in Fort Worth, Texas, which is also its main hub.  American Airlines serves hundreds of destinations and operates flights in the United States, Canada, Latin America, Europe, the Caribbean, Japan, China and India.

Founded in 1930, American has been a pioneer of many of the features that make flying easier. American Airlines was the first carrier to offer a frequent travel flyer program. It was the first airline to use electronic ticketing. Its AAdvantage frequent flier rewards program serves over 50 million members, and is the largest frequent flier program in the world.

Flying almost 700 planes to over 250 cities, American Airlines is especially popular on routes within the USA and between the United States and Latin America, carrying over a million passengers a year between the two markets. In fact, no other carrier serves more passengers between Latin American and the USA than American. But American Airlines is also strong in many other international markets.

American has four hubs, at DFW (Dallas-Fort Worth), San Juan, Puerto Rico, Chicago, and Miami. American is also strong in Boston, Los Angeles, and New York. The company maintains and services its plains at facilities in Fort Worth, Kansas City, and Tulsa.

A well-known subsidiary of American is its regional carrier American Eagle. This small airline with the smaller planes often provides the only service at less-traveled airports in the US, Mexico, Canada, and the Caribbean. American Eagle’s home offices are also located in Fort Worth, Texas.

American Airlines was one of the founding members of Oneworld, the third-largest airline alliance on earth, sharing ticketing and luggage transfer facilities with numerous other carriers to make flying more convenient. Oneworld airlines also share passenger terminals and frequent flier programs. Oneworld celebrates 10 years of service in 2009.

Part of the reason American Airlines serves so many destinations around the world, but especially in the USA, was its acquisition of Trans World Airlines (TWA) and the TWA hub in St. Louis in 2001. Unfortunately, the acquisition of TWA caused American to bleed cash, and these financial problems were compounded when two American Airlines planes were hijacked and crashed on 9/11. After the September attacks, American Airlines was forced to relinquish its St. Louis hub and to lay off a small number, that is, a few dozen, former TWA employees. American Airlines continues to struggle to minimize its losses, and in 2008 was the first airline to charge fees for checked baggage. Despite the nearly universal unpopularity of the move with passengers, just as they adopted other American Airlines innovations, other carriers also announced their own baggage fees.

Of American’s fleet of nearly 700 jets, most of them are McDonnell Douglas MD-82 and MD-88 twinjets. American recently announced it will order the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner to add to its fleet.

In 2008 American became the first carrier to offer in-flight Internet service on all its planes. This innovation came only a year after the airline began offering Wi-Fi on its flights within the United States.

Ready for the vacation of a lifetime this holiday but can’t shake the feeling you’re forgetting something?  Not to worry:  here are a few holiday travel tips to help you stay on track.  Whether you’ll be spending time with your family or off to a getaway, it’s important to plan.  Number one travel tip:  find out peak travel dates—then avoid them like the plague!  There are two problems associated with peak travel. One: everything costs more from plane tickets to hotels to car rentals. And two: everyone else will be traveling those same dates.  If at all possible, plan for your trip to start a few days before the peak travel period and then plan to come back a few days after.  It’s your best bet for finding great price reductions and to avoid holiday traffic headaches. 

By remaining aware of all travel advice, you will be able to get the best deals for your money. This begins by finding deals on flights, and continues by finding specials on particular destination spots. If you’re holiday vacation destination is to a family’s place and you don’t need the use of a hotel or rental car, then your main concern will the price of your flight. There are several online sites that offer specials for holiday specials. Some of these sites include Cheaptickets.com, Travelocity, and Expedia. You may also be pleasantly shocked to learn that you may also obtain deals on airfare by going to airline websites directly. You way also use SideStep.com; this site allows users to compare the prices by flight special side by side. In my experience, this site has produced the best results.

While planning a trip you need to see that your package deal is all inclusive of stay, tour and travel. If your deal does not include transportation ask for a car. It is better to ask other travel agents what they offer to the same destination.

There is one holiday travel tip that will greatly reduce your stress level. I know because I’ve experienced being in the waiting room waiting to board the first of two connections, only to hear an airline attendant announce that there will be a delay exceeding an hour due to a major snow storm. Upon hearing this information, you immediately begin to think of you connecting flight scheduled to leave half an hour after the first arrives. You are aware that pre-boarding begins 30 minutes before the flight is scheduled to leave to ensure it leaves on time. That’s when you begin to ask “What am I going to do if my connecting flight takes off before the first one lands?” or “Are there more flights available?” And without a doubt, the last thought will be “I should have scheduled a later connecting flight.”

By selecting connecting flights with at least an hour and a half of layover this nervousness can be completely avoided. I’m aware that you may choose a connecting flight that is close in time to your first so that you may reach your destination quicker and avoid the dullness of being in the airport for too long. However, all things considered, half an hour is that long when you have to leave the plane, locate the departure flight and gate, which may be in another terminal, then get settled before it is time to board the plane. What’s more important is that by giving yourself this extra time you are almost guaranteeing that you will make your connection, a guarantee that is worth it during the hectic holiday travel season.

Today traveling by air has a lot of restriction. Be sure to contact your travel agent or the airport staff to find out exactly what you can and cannot carry in your hand luggage. As far as I know you can carry, no liquid, nail cutter, food item, scissor, needle etc. They are extremely strict. Please take great care while packing. When in doubt please ask.

To make people aware of what passengers can and cannot carry, the airport authorities have put up signs with pictures with regard to liquids, gels, lotion, toothpaste, baby oil, aerosols (hairspray), perfume bottles, bottled water, and much more. If the rules are violated the items are discarded at the time of security check. So to avoid unnecessary embarrassment it is better to follow the rules and all is well with everyone. Have a safe and enjoyable trip.

Whether a travel has been adequately planned for or a spur of the moment decision, it still may prove to be an unsettling occurrence. This occurs because you’re constantly thinking up about your destination, what you will need, what will be provided for you, and what you can’t go to or leave the destination without. Therefore, you’re typically running back and forth at the last minute insuring you’ve packed your toothbrush, passport, contact solution, batteries, gum for the plane and everything else you deem important. When you consider flight security restrictions you must adhere to when at the airport, this may drive you crazy. Though it may be a bother getting everything together, traveling doesn’t have to be such a hassle if you plan properly and follow these easy travel tips.

Do you have your toothbrush and contacts? Batteries for your camera and chewing gum?  You make to check everything in your carry-on to make sure that you’re not carrying any restricted items. With a little preplanning, travel stress can be eased. Read on to find some helpful travel tips!

To avoid the embarrassment and frustration, keep airline policies in mind when packing.  You are allowed to carry on small clear zipper top bags of less than three ounces and absolutely no aerosols.  Pack all other liquids into the bag you intend to check.  To avoid this, it helps to learn their travel tips, which include packing larger bottles of liquids into the bag you’re checking. Also your shoes: you must remove your shoes at every flight security checkpoint, therefore its best not to wear shoes or boots that are difficult to remove.  Otherwise you will slow the line down.  Instead wear sneakers that are easy to remove.  If you must change your shoes after the checkpoint then pack the pair you intend to wear in your carry-on bag.  Security and your fellow officers will thank you.

To avoid losing the new lotion that you got for Christmas, pack larger bottles of liquids in checked bags. Security does allow a one quart, clear, zipper-top bag with liquids in amounts smaller than three ounces (but no aerosols) to be carried with you on the plane.  Remember, pack small, travel size liquids in a clear Zip-Loc bag and pack all other liquids in your checked luggage. Think carefully about your shoes. You’ll be required to take them off at the security checkpoint. Don’t wear shoes that are difficult to remove because this will slow down the security process. Wear easy to remove sneakers or flip-flops. If you need to, you can carry the shoes you want to change into in your carry-on bag. Being well prepared will help you avoid other passengers getting impatient with you.

Depending on the time of year that you’re traveling, you might want to arrive at the airport well ahead of your flight. During peak travel dates, arrive at least two hours before your flight departure. An airline beginning boarding airplanes 30-40 minutes before the plane is scheduled for take-off. This leaves you with only 1 ½ hours to get everything done!

The security checkpoint is not as bad as you think: it moves fast and as long as you know what to do it runs smoothly.  When you arrive you will need to present the security person with your ID and your boarding past.  You must then remove your shoes and place these, any electronic devices larger than your hand and your zip-lock bags containing liquids, in containers and then place your carry-on items on the conveyor belt that takes your items through an x-ray machine.  Meanwhile you pass through a metal detector.  Once you’ve successfully passed through the security checkpoint and collected your items all that’s left is to board the plane. 

There are lots of places to get even more travel tips.  Keeping these in mind when it’s time to take your trip will help you to feel less panicked about what you might have missed.  Hopefully the tips above will prove helpful to you.  Good luck and happy travels! 

Alitalia Airlines is headquartered in Rome, Italy and is the 19th largest airline in the world.  Its main hub is at Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport in Rome.  Alitalia Airlines serves 24 domestic and 66 international destinations. Alitalia’s top 12 flights originate from Rome.  It is a member of the Sky Team Alliance, one of the top airline alliance programs in the world, and offers a frequent flyer program called MileMiglia.  Members earn miles by flying on Alitalia or its partner airlines, including the airlines that form the Sky Team Alliance.

The very first Alitalia flight took place just a year after the end of World War II, in 1946, originating in Turin and arriving in Rome via Catania. The carrier’s first international flight was in 1947, taking passengers from Milan to South America. Alitalia’s present fleet primarily consists of Boeing and Airbus aircraft, as the company makes strategic changes to expand its international presence after bankruptcy and merger.

Like many other airlines, Alitalia has faced financial challenges almost continuously since its inception, with just one profitable year, 1998. Its most serious financial issues were due to problems with labor issues and government interference. The Italian national government stopped subsidies in 2006, and the airline declared bankruptcy in 2008. The airline then became a private company when Air France-KLM acquired a 25 per cent stake in the airline from the Italian government.

The newly privatized Alitalia then merged with Air One under a corporate consortium called Compagnia Aerea Italiana (CAI), which finalized its acquisition of the two airlines in late 2008.  The new Air One operates frequent flights to 36 destinations in Europe and also to North America, flying from Rome, Milan, and Turin.

Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi had called for the formation of the air partnership, which derived over 1 billion euros in investment capital from leading Italian entrepreneurs and banks. Air One assumed Alitalia’s debts and its assets, which led to inevitable public questions concerning how much the Alitalia sale was subsidized by European taxpayers. Air One vowed to bring the carrier to profitability by 2010, but its only initial changes were unpopular job cuts. Although over 12,000 employees of the “old” Alitalia kept their positions, another 3,250 were fired in a five-year plan to bring the new airline to profitability by 2010.

Alitalia officials anticipate that the 25 per cent minority stake held by Air France-KLM will help the new company to achieve its goals of profitability and expanded presence in the international market. The new partnership is a good deal for the flying public, as the chances to earn and spend frequent flier miles through MileMiglia are greatly expanded.

Alitalia continues to provide charters for a well-known jet nicknamed “Shepherd One,” used by the Holy Father whenever he leaves the Vatican on flights around the world. The new consortium is expected to continue to provide Shepherd One.