I’ve been on the road so I’m introducing my first Weekend Update. It’s pretty much the same as the Friday News Roundup, only later.

New Routes

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGEgltND0Tc

American has announced a few new routes this week (from airlineroute.net)

American Airlines from 05APR11 introduces 1 Daily New York JFK – Nashville service with Embraer ERJ145 by American Eagle.

American Airlines from 10FEB11 introduces 2 new service to Mexico, where American Eagle operates Daily service on Dallas – Queretaro with Embraer ERJ135 and Dallas – Veracruz with Embraer ERJ145 aircraft.

American Airlines from 10FEB11 is increasing service with Extra Daily flight on Chicago O’Hare – Champaign (from 5 to 6 Daily) and Chicago O’Hare – Ft. Wayne (from 3 to 4 Daily).

From 05APR11,

American Airlines introduces 2 Daily Los Angeles – Boise service with American Eagle’s Embraer ERJ140 aircraft.

Also, new domestic New Zealand codeshare routes with jetStar

Effective Thursday 18NOV10, American Airlines will begin placing its “AA” code on all jetStar’s Domestic New Zealand service to/from Auckland, which covers Auckland – Christchurch, Auckland – Queenstown and Auckland – Wellington service.

oneworld News

Qantas 90th Birthday A380 Engine Back Side Exhaust by emmettanderson, on Flickr

Qantas delays A380 Service

oneworld partner Qantas continues to keep their A380 fleet grounded after the November 4 A380 emergency landing in Singapore. Europe’s aviation investigators believe that the likely cause of the Rolls-Royce Trent 900 engine blowout was a fire from an oil leak. Qantas has announced that they will continue to suspend A380 service until they can replace the Rolls-Royce engines. (from airlineroutes.net)

As per 19NOV10 GDS timetable display, QANTAS is further postponing planned Airbus A380 service into December 2010.

Latest resumption dates as follows, note that further postponement is possible as the airline is unsure when its A380 fleet will be able to re-enter service, according to latest article by Reuters filed

Melbourne – Los Angeles eff 05DEC10
Melbourne – Singapore – London Heathrow eff 05DEC10 (LHR eff 04DEC10)

Sydney – Los Angeles QF011/012 eff 04DEC10
Sydney – Singapore – London Heathrow eff 27NOV10, service operates 4 times a week in its first week of service resumption

More troubling though is that beyond losing an engine, the A380s backup electrical and information systems failed to work after the primary systems were taken offline by the engine explosion.

Salon’s Ask a Pilot, Patrick Smith, writes how the five Qantas pilots found themselves coping with a rapidly deteriorating emergency situation in what he describes as a “Qantas’ perfect storm of failures“:

I wrote my article when the story first broke, and relatively little was known — but it’s definitely time for an update. It turns out things were a lot more serious than it first appeared: The failure of the giant Rolls-Royce turbofan triggered a massive fuel leak, as well as 50 or more failures and malfunctions of various systems and subsystems, some more serious than others and not all of which are yet understood.

That the crew managed to land the plane safely seems no less extraordinary than the US Airways 1549 landing on the Hudson River.

S7 Airlines Joins onworld

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Egk8utTK0CM

Russian airline S7 officially joins the oneworld alliance expanding the oneworld network to include 750 destinations in 150 countries. Now you’ll be able to use and earn AAdvantage miles when to visit Russia. Here’s the video that oneworld released for the occasion.

AAdvantage Elite Status

[vimeo clip_id=”7167640″ height=”” width=”511″]

“Frequent Flyer” is a 20-minute documentary about frequent flyer miles, the people who collect them, and the world of airports and airplanes that they inhabit.

If you’re trying to achieve or maintain your AAdvantage Elite status for next year, you’re running out of time to earn Elite Qualify Miles. The best milage run options are to take advantage of American’s double Elite Qualify Miles offer for round-trip flights beginning and ending in either Raleigh Durham or St. Louis.

Another option is to enter the Farecompare Map Your Miles and Fly with Status promotion.

FareCompare will whisk one winner on a whirlwind mileage run this December, guaranteed to get you at least 15,000 air miles

That’s enough miles to earn you elite status before the end of 2010!

The winner will get a 15,000 milage run designed by Farecompare CEO Rick Seaney.

Enter before Friday, November 26, 2010.

Weekend Reading

vacation reading, part 2 by ruminatrix, on Flickr

Charlie Leochas- “Top TSA slogans and TV fun at TSA’s expense“

For a lighter look at the TSA controversy, head over to Consumer Traveler and read a list of suggested TSA slogans.
My favorite: You were a virgin.

The Cranky Flier – The New American Airlines Homepage

American’s new website design is Topic of the Week and most of the reviews are favorable. I think my favorite comment may be:

I’d rather have the most functional than the most difficult but beautiful website. Therefore, in that respect, AA may look like a pig but that pig works hard and smart!

Head over there to read or add your own comments.

Technology

The “Coach Section Laptop” concept

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Coach Flight Friendly Laptop by revision3 on Flickr

Take a look at this modified laptop from the Ben Heck Show.

Ever try and use a laptop in coach? It’s pretty difficult, especially if the jerk in front of you leans back.

No longer! For Episode 5 of the Ben Heck Show we built the “Coach Section Laptop” – a modified Toshiba Satellite that can transform to fit your needs!

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Iz-81VIsyg

Watch the episode from the Ben Heck show and learn how to make your own.

Free Airport Wifi

wifi by gune_ in wonderland, on Flickr

Looking for a free airport hotspot? Visit the Free Wi-Fi in Airports directory before you start your travel.

Art

coruscant by Steve Thomas Art, on Flickr

Take a look at these Star Wars Travel Posters inspired by some of the vintage travel posters of the early 20th century. You can view the whole collection from the artist Steve Thomas at his online gallery. Two of the posters from the series, Mos Eisley and Kessel Run, are available for purchase from Acme Archives Direct.

Finally

Here’s a look at Darth Vader’s Hawaiian Vacation (photo from Hawaiian Seamonkey)

See all the Dark Lord of the Sith’s vacation photos here.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!