Notable Airline, Hotel and Travel Industry News: February 18, 2013

Probably the most reported airline news story today is about a man who allegedly smacked a crying child on a Delta Air Lines flight adding a racial slur as he did so. Abhorrent behavior on the “adult’s” part, and his employer reportedly took swift action in firing him. “Buh-bye.”
United Airlines modified some checked baggage allowances and fees without notice recently. The adept folks at Australian Business Traveller first spotted the change, which includes reducing the free allowance of 70-pound bags for international business class (BusinessFirst) passengers from three to two. Also new for international BusinessFirst fliers is a $200 rate for the third (and beyond) bag. First class passengers traveling within the U.S. also have their free allowance cut from three to two. Status matters, however, as Premier Golds and above (and any Star Alliance Golds) still receive three 70-pound bags free domestically and internationally.
Iberia has taken delivery of its first Airbus A330-300 aircraft sporting the new “Business Plus” business class. At the same time, however, Iberia had plans to cancel more than 400 flights this week amid worker strikes.

Iberia Business Plus

If you wanted to live in a penthouse suite, I suppose Ritz-Carlton is the way to go. And Ritz-Carlton is offering Lake Tahoe suites for sale at $1.25 million each. I think I’ll pass for now.