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You’ve flown over it, now see it on the ground
Confirmed: Air Greenland to begin nonstop service from Baltimore to Kangerlussuaq, Greenland in May 2007.
Unconfirmed: Discounts for correct pronunciation of “Kangerlussuaq.”

Too many miles
Me, I get tense when I have too many miles in my account. Not only do the miles not earn interest, but I have the creeping feeling that airlines will devalue them. So my first thoughts, when I read that someone has amassed 31 million Delta SkyMiles: “This guy must be nuts.” Or lazy. Or maybe he really has been trying to cash ‘em in, calling and calling, trying to get those first class tickets to LAX… Saving for an award may make sense, but hoarding is foolish. Spend faster!

Synergy!
Airlines have been turning to NASCAR, and hotels have been training their staff with improv actors, so let’s turn it around: Car dealerships are taking service lessons from hotel chains like Ritz-Carlton and Four Seasons.

More upgrades to premium cabins
Star Alliance member LOT Polish Airlines is upgrading their transatlantic business class seats.

More upgrade opportunities
Star Alliance is slowly rolling out mileage-based upgrade options across the entire alliance. United just joined the program, and you can now use United miles to upgrade flights on some Star Alliance members: ANA, Asiana, Austrian, LOT Polish, Lufthansa, TAP Portugal, and Thai. (Some airlines are joining within the week.) The catch: Your economy ticket has to be in Y or B booking classes — the most expensive, full-fare tickets. Business class tickets can be upgraded to first from C or D booking classes (not the discounted Z.) Still, a new option, and a new benefit.

Separate, not equal
Delta Airlines is moving check-in for BusinessElite ticketholders at JFK to a different terminal: Terminal 2. Economy-class riff-raff customers can continue to check-in at Terminal 3. The scoffing sound you hear is coming from Germany: Those seeking (or offended by) separation of the traveling classes should really get their pulse racing with Lufthansa’s dedicated First Class Terminal in Frankfurt, which features a chauffeured ride to the plane. Jetways are apparently for suckers.

tags: travel | airlines | hotels | Greenland