Airline Update: One Calls it Quits, Another Adds New Seating

A nationally recognized reporter, writer, and consumer advocate, Ed Perkins focuses on how travelers can find the best deals and avoid scams.

He is the author of "Online Travel" (2000) and "Business Travel: When It's Your Money" (2004), the first step-by-step guide specifically written for small business and self-employed professional travelers. He was also the co-author of the annual "Best Travel Deals" series from Consumers Union.

Perkins' advice for business travelers is featured on MyBusinessTravel.com, a website devoted to helping small business and self-employed professional travelers find the best value for their travel dollars.

Perkins was founding editor of Consumer Reports Travel Letter, one of the country's most influential travel publications, from which he retired in 1998. He has also written for Business Traveller magazine (London).

Perkins' travel expertise has led to frequent television appearances, including ABC's "Good Morning America" and "This Week with David Brinkley," "The CBS Evening News with Dan Rather," CNN, and numerous local TV and radio stations.

Before editing Consumer Reports Travel Letter, Perkins spent 25 years in travel research and consulting with assignments ranging from national tourism development strategies to the design of computer-based tourism models.

Born in Evanston, Illinois, Perkins lives in Ashland, Oregon with his wife.

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Another European carrier calls it quits, an online travel agency offers inflight entertainment options up front, and a legacy line finishes an upgrade.

Malev No More

Yet another European airline ran out of money and had to stop operating—this time, Malev, the national Hungarian line. Several other lines—especially fully or partially state-owned operations—face similar cash crunches, and we haven’t seen the last of these failures.

If you have a ticket on Malev, the website remains open and posts information (in English) about possible refunds and alternative transportation. For the longer term, if you’re interested in Budapest, you won’t have to wait long for replacement flights: Ryanair quickly announced it would establish a base there.

Plan Your Onboard Entertainment

Need a computer or movie fix while you’re traveling? CheapAir, the big online travel agency, now lets you screen flight options for various entertainment services: It tags individual flight displays with icons indicating onboard Wi-Fi, movies on demand, and live TV broadcasts. The tags apply to most domestic flights and many overseas trips.

United Completes Economy Plus

United announced it has completed installation of extra-legroom semi-premium economy Economy Plus seats on all international 757s, including those coming in from the former Continental fleet.

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