United States

Customer complaints up, morale down in airline study

The nation's airlines arrived later, received more customer complaints and lost more bags last year than in 2003. And one of the biggest reasons is the low morale of airline workers, according to an annual aviation quality study released last week.

Researchers at Wichita State University and the University of Nebraska at Omaha said airline service is getting worse because more people are flying at a time when airlines have slashed their work forces to cut costs.

Performance declined at 10 of the 14 airlines studied in 2004 compared with 2003. But AirTran, Atlantic Southeast, JetBlue and United improved. A total of 16 airlines were reviewed in 2004, with ComAir and SkyWest added to the study.

It's the 15th consecutive year for the study, which is based on Transportation Department statistics on late flights, lost bags, denied boardings and consumer complaints.

United States

U.S. citizens will need passports for Canada, Mexico

U.S. travelers to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda will need passports to return to the United States by 2008 under a proposed new terrorism-prevention policy.

The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, to be phased in by 2008 in three proposed stages, also would require nationals of those countries and territories to present passports when entering the United States, the officials said.

Many cross-border travelers to and from the United States and its North American neighbors now need only drivers' licenses or other identification.

But from Dec. 31, 2007, passports or their equivalent would be the only documents accepted under the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004, the officials said.

Under a proposed timetable that will be formalized later this year after a public review period, the passport rule will be imposed on air and sea travel to and from the Caribbean, Bermuda and Central and South America Dec. 31, 2005. It will be extended to Canada and Mexico Dec. 31, 2006.

United States

Korean Air to launch service between Seattle, Seoul

Air service between Asia and Seattle will be expanded with Korean Air Line's announcement that it will begin three-times-per-week service from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport to Seoul-Incheon Airport June 2.

Flights will arrive at Sea-Tac each Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at 12:05 p.m. Return flights will depart for Seoul at 2:35 p.m. on those days. KAL plans to use a Boeing 777-200 for its new service, which has a capacity for 300 passengers plus crew, according to the Port of Seattle.

The service will be in addition to nonstop service already provided by Korean-based Asiana Airlines, which flies from Seattle to Seoul on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.

KAL is a member of the SkyTeam Global Alliance, which includes Delta and Northwest Airlines.

Hong Kong

Budget airlines in Asia face a falling-out

Asia's budget-airline industry is heading toward a shakeout, just a few years after getting off the ground.

Rocketing jet-fuel costs, a patchwork quilt of landing rights and tougher competition have been squeezing entrants in the field. Now, analysts and industry executives expect a consolidation somewhat like the one that made America's Southwest Airlines and Europe's Ryanair Holdings and easyJet leaders in their regions.

"A number of these carriers will go under," says Ian Thomas, of the Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation in Sydney.

The Asian market holds great promise. Unlike the earlier crops of low-cost carriers in North America and Europe, which tried their wings in mature economies, Asia's no-frills airlines will get to tap vast emerging middle classes flying for the first time and take advantage of low labor costs.

United States

Hotels invest in healthy food for child diners

Some hotels are introducing menus this spring designed to appeal to finicky children and their health-conscious parents.

KSL Resorts, which includes the Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa, the Hotel del Coronado in San Diego, and La Costa Resort in Carlsbad, Calif., is hoping to tempt children away from chicken nuggets and french fries with its "Sun Power Kids" menus. La Costa's new menu items include "Power Rice Bowl," grilled chicken strips and veggies served over steamed rice, topped with soy-ginger sauce.

Loews Hotels is introducing a "Quenchers Menu" of drinks designed as alternatives to soda. New kid-friendly entrees — which vary from location to location — include baked fish nuggets, turkey wraps and grilled chicken with a yogurt dip.

Seattle Times wire services