Emirates Airlines is based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.  The eighth largest airline in the world, Emirates was founded in 1985 and has its main hub at Dubai International Airport.  Emirates Airlines serves 92 destinations in 55 countries and is the largest airline travel in the Middle East.  Emirates Airlines does not offer domestic service and has a strong presence in Southeast Asia.  Emirates is one of only six airlines to operate an all wide-body aircraft fleet, consisting of Boeing and Airbus planes.

The Dubai government is the founder and sole owner of Emirates Airlines, which has recorded a profit every year except for one since its travel founding.  Emirates Airlines’ growth has never fallen below 20 percent a year. In its first 11 years, it doubled in size every 3.5 years, and has every four years since.  The airline’s lean workforce puts it on the equivalent with a low cost carrier.  Emirates Airlines is a member of the Arab Air Carriers Organization, a regional airline trade organization of Arab airlines established in 1965 by the Arab League.  Its mission is to promote cooperation, quality and safety standards among the Arab airlines. Any carrier based in one of the states that belong to the Arab League may join the organization.

Emirates Airlines is owned and operated by the Dubai government, but the government does not invest money into the airline, nor does the government meddle in airline affairs, allowing the airline to function as an independent company. This arrangement seems to work well for both the airline and the government, as the airline is consistently profitable and continues to grow.

Emirates Airlines also operates Emirates SkyCargo.  This airline is a cargo carrier.  It is based at Dubai International Airport and functions like a passenger airline. The SkyCargo division operates nine aircraft, and Emirates SkyCargo also utilizes the cargo capacity of the passenger fleet.

Emirates was the second carrier to place the Airbus A380 into service, accepting delivery in July 2008. Emirates Airlines flies the A380 between Dubai and JFK (New York) and Heathrow (London), and also on its flights to Australia and New Zealand.

Emirates flies to over 100 destinations in 56 countries on six continents from its primary hub in Dubai.  While Emirates does not maintain sizable hubs elsewhere, it has taken advantage of agreements between Dubai and Australia, and with Singapore, to offer more onward connections from Sydney and Dubai.

Emirates operate a frequent flyer program called Skywards that offers rewards for miles flown on Emirates or any of its partner airlines.  Partner airlines are Japan Airlines, Korean Air, United Airlines, South African Airways, Jet Airways, Continental Airlines, Kingfisher Airlines and Virgin Blue.

Emirates also maintains a stake in Dnata, the leading travel service provider in the Middle East. Dnata’ 6,500 employees provide technical, ramp, cargo, and passenger services at Dubai International Airport.

Emirates Airlines, Emirates SkyCargo, and Dnata all belong to the Emirates Group, an international holding company with headquarters in Dubai. The airline alone employs about 35,000 workers.

KLM-Royal Dutch Airlines is the national airline 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.

KLM-Royal Dutch is part of Air France-KLM and also has an operating partnership with Northwest Airlines of the United States. The entire KLM group carries almost 75 million passengers annually, operates a fleet in operation of 607 aircraft, and serves 258 destinations worldwide.  Air France-KLM recently purchased a 25 percent stake in the Italian airline Alitalia.

KLM-Royal Dutch is the world’s oldest airline and was founded in 1919.  KLM-Royal Dutch operated its first flight in May 1920 from London to Amsterdam.  The airline stopped operating during World War II.  KLM-Royal Dutch Airlines has been accused of helping Nazi war criminals flee Germany after World War II, a charge the company denies.

Air France and KLM announced their plans to merge in 2003, marking the end of the oldest independent airline in the world. However, the merger did not impact KLM’s long time partnership with United States based Northwest Airlines, as both companies joined the SkyTeam alliance 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.

KLM’s frequent flyer program is called Flying Blue.  Flying Blue members can earn and spend mileage points on flights and services of Air France-KLM, other companies of the SkyTeam airline alliance and assorted other financial, travel, and transportation companies.  Flying Blue contains four membership levels – Ivory, Silver, Gold and Platinum.  Level miles are gained by taking any flights with an AF or KL code or flights operated by one of SkyTeam’s airline companies under the code of any other SkyTeam airline, or flights operated by Kenya Airways, which is a Flying Blue partner.

KLM’s past success isn’t protecting the airline from a bumpy future.  The airline recently announced it will cut up to 2,000 jobs due to lower ticket sales and lower cargo volumes.  The cuts represent three percent of the KLM workforce.  KLM also plans to reduce its airline capacity by two percent in summer 2009.  KLM lost $653 million dollars in the quarter ending December 31, 2008.  Airline officials say they haven’t ruled out future cuts or reductions as they look to stabilize their business and return the airline to profitability.

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

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 bout 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.

This may be the most significant portion of you voyage- not only because you may leave something you will need later. In addition to leaving vital products, there are certain measures that will have you rummaging through your bags attempting to make necessary changes at moments when time is of the essence. One of the major rules of travel today is to not carry liquids past security checkpoints. This includes but is not limited to beverages, toothpaste, lotions, liquid deodorant, lip gloss and aerosol. Though they are banned, some people are so accustomed to packing these products in their carry-on bags they don’t realize they are banned. They learn soon enough when their bags reach the x-ray machine and are searched by security officers who then take their favorite scented lotion never to give it back.

Travelers may avoid this by making themselves aware of the rules of traveling. One of these flight rules is that they should pack bigger bottles of liquids into the bags you’re checking. Airports permit the carrying of small clear zipper-locked bag with liquids three ounces or less on the plane (no aerosols). Simple remember to pack these items in a small zip-lock bag and all other liquids in bags that are to be checked. Another factor people must bear in mind is their shoes. Travelers should remember that at every checkpoint they are required to take off their shoes. If you are wearing shoes that are difficult to remove quickly, you will impede traffic flow and soon become a bother to security, other passengers and yourself. To avoid this complication it is suggested that you wear pair of sneakers that are easily removed; if needed, you should pack the shoes your going to wear in your carry-on bag and change after you’ve pass all checkpoints. This would simplify the entire procedure.

Another key travel tip I can provide is to arrive no less than two hours before the departure time depending the time of the year. I suggest this because flights customarily board, 30-40 minutes before the flight. By arriving early you grant yourself an hour and a half to complete all check in requirements.

Depending on how you made your flight reservation, you may print your ticket at the check-in kiosk. These kiosks are self-serve, so you don most of the work yourself. This is convenient, but you need to know how to use them or else check-in can eat-up your time at the airport. Keep some things close at hand: your ticket record locator (a 13-diget number), confirmation number and driver’s license. After checking in and printing your ticket, you can check your bags at the counter and show your ID to the ticket agent. Now you’re free of your huge suitcase and you can head for the security checkpoint!

The security checkpoint isn’t as bad as it may seem. As previously stated, this is a fast moving process that that like any other procedure moves along smoothly if you know what you’re doing. One tip to ensure this process goes smoothly would be to have your id and boarding pass close by. This shouldn’t be a problem as you recently needed them to check in your luggage. The next step is to place your carry-on bag on the x-ray machine at the same time you pass through a metal detector. Prior to putting your items on the conveyer belt, you will have to take your shoes off, and remove zip-lock bag with three ounce liquids and any electronic devices larger than you hand and place them on the belt as well. After passing through the checkpoints and collecting your belongings, you’re done. Only thing to do now is get on the plane.

It is a good idea to gather information for trips from several sources. This prevents you from having to worry whether or not you have everything you need when the time comes. I have become interested in gathering travel tips as they have proven to be very handy. I hope my tips may help you the same way they did me; good luck and have fun!

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.

Alitalia Airlines was founded in 1946.  The airline’s inaugural flight was from Turin to Catania and Rome. The first international flight left a year later from Milan to South America.  Its current fleet consists of primarily Airbus and Boeing aircraft. The airline has made some strategic changes recently in hopes of expanding its presence in the international market.

Alitalia Airlines has struggled financially for decades, with numerous takeover and merger attempts occurring in recent years.  Its financial difficulties can be tied to problems with pilots and crew members, labor issues and government interference. Alitalia Airlines has only recorded one profitable year, 1998, since it was founded over 60 years ago.  The Italian government stopped investing money into the airline in 2006 on the orders of the European Union. The airline went bankrupt in 2008.  Alitalia Airlines became a private company in January 2009 when Air France-KLM bought a 25 percent stake in the airline, and the Italian government agreed to lower its stake in the airline.

The “new” Alitalia Airlines merged with Air One, which operates a high-frequency scheduled network to 36 destinations in Italy, Europe and North America.  Air One’s main hubs are located in Rome, Milan and Turin.  The airlines are partnered under a consortium called Compagnia Aerea Italiana (CAI), which finalized its purchase of the two airlines in December 2008.

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.

The new airline includes a partnership with Air France-KLM, with Air France taking a 25 percent minority stake in Alitalia Airlines.  Alitalia officials hope this partnership will help Alitalia reach its goal of profitability as well as expand its presence in the international market. The new partnership and the merger with Air One also means expanded mileage and flight opportunities for the members of the MileMiglia frequent flyer program, as miles can be obtain on all three airlines.

The Pope flies on a chartered Alitalia Airlines jet nicknamed “Shepherd One.” The changes in Alitalia’s ownership are not expected to impact that arrangement.

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 in 1957 and serves 117 destinations with its major focus on Eastern Europe and the Middle East.  Many of the flights to Eastern Europe and the Middle East are handled by a subsidiary of Austrian Airlines called Tyrolean.  Austrian Airlines has over 8,500 employees.  The airline is a member of the Star Alliance and the Austrian Airlines Group.  The Star Alliance is the largest airline alliance in the world with 24 members.  The airline operates a flight that consists of planes built by Airbus and Boeing.

Austrian Airlines is a member of the frequent flyer program called Miles & More.  This is the largest frequent flyer program in Europe, with over 15 million members, and Miles & More is used by 13 European airlines.  The program allows its members to earn and redeem frequent flyer miles on all member airlines as well as the airlines that are members of the Star Alliance.

Austrian Airlines is a leader in airline safety, beginning with armed monitoring of its flights in 1981.  At least two undercover sky marshals are on each Austrian Airlines flight. Austrian Airlines staff, especially its pilots and flight attendants, receives frequent safety training with a special focus on in flight safety and 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.

The airline is operating under new management as of February 2009.  Dr. Peter Malanik and Dr. Andreas Bierwirth were appointed as the airline’s chief executive officers with equal rights.  The airline’s board of directors hopes the new management team can strength the airline as it continues to face declining passenger totals in the wake of the global economic crisis.  Austrian Airlines carried 10.7 million passengers in 2008, down from 2007, and the airline expects a further decrease in passenger totals in 2009.  To help combat this expected decrease, Austrian Airlines plans to add four new flights a week to Amman, Jordan in May 2009, keeping with its focus on serving the Middle East.