Cuba

What we’re reading: Orbitz Price Assurance refunds hits $10M, Cuba approves more flights, unruly passengers attack AA crew

by Stephanus Surjaputra on August 2, 2011

Orbitz Price Assurance® refunds hit $10 million mark Orbitz announced that it has refunded $10 million through its Price Assurance® program. Pamela Bailey of Los Angeles, CA received the Price Assurance refund check that broke the $10 million mark. “While I had heard about Price Assurance before booking my trip, I didn’t realize Orbitz really [...]

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Orbitz’ Harford: Quoting a total price is “a strategic priority for us”

by Christopher Elliott on September 11, 2009

Barney Harford is the president and chief executive officer of Orbitz. One of the first things he did when he took over eight months ago was to institute a “total” price for hotel rooms, making it the first of the major online travel agencies to do so. He also launched a campaign to lift travel restrictions to Cuba imposed by the American government during the Cold War. I asked Harford why he decided to take on prices and politics so early in his tenure.

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What we’re reading: Qantas reduces premium seats, Cuba suspends Mexico flights, Delta asks blind woman to move

by Stephanus Surjaputra on April 29, 2009

With business travel plumetting, Qantas has decided to reduce the number of premium seats on its planes.

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Who wins — and who loses — if Obama opens travel to Cuba?

by Janice Hough on April 20, 2009

But now, with President Obama lifting some travel restrictions for Cuban Americans, and Raoul Castro saying nice things about our new government, it looks like travel for ordinary Americans to Cuba will soon be possible. Along with an end to the trade embargo. So what does this mean for the travel industry?

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Verboten vacations: 9 reasons forbidden is “in” this year

by Christopher Elliott on January 20, 2009

When it comes to travel, forbidden is in. Cuba, Iran and North Korea — long off-limits to most American visitors — might be added to the “allowed” list under an Obama administration. Other destinations that were considered too dangerous or hostile to Americans are becoming fashionable again as travelers jettison boring “staycations” for something more exotic.

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