PSU Fans Pack the Terminal

Regional travel agencies booked seven chartered flights for eager Penn State fans heading to the Rose Bowl from HIA. On December 29 and 30, shuttles, tour buses and vehicles funneled into the airport dropping off approximately 1150 excited Penn State alumni and fans. Six of the seven chartered flights departed between 6:30 am and 9:00 am on Monday, the 29th. Lions supporters began lining up at the ticket counters for check-in beginning at 4:30 am, the occasional "We are Penn State" chant could be heard from the bleary-eyed passengers.

In spite of all of the additional passenger traffic from the chartered flights the security checkpoint lines and ticket counter check-in moved efficiently. We would like to extend our sincerest thanks to those charter and regularly scheduled commercial service passengers who waited with a pleasant attitude and a smile in the early morning hours!

Once the charter passengers made their way through the check-in and checkpoint lines, they headed to their gates and waited to board their planes. The flights were charted with AirTran Airways, Sun Country Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and North American Airlines.

Here's to a successful Rose Bowl game for Penn State!

GO STATE!

For more pictures from the Rose Bowl charters, visit the Harrisburg International Airport (HIA) Facebook Group.

How can you help HIA?

...by joining the HIA Travel Network!

The Harrisburg Patriot News' Midstate Traveler column featured the HIA Travel Network in the Sunday edition. Read more>>

Are you plugged into this group? Do you want more information on how you can get involved in HIA's air service development efforts?

Then look no further! Click here>>

US Airways Making Strides?

US Airways has been making huge strides in improving their operations, but are still plagued with numerous complaints. They're still experiencing high volumes of complaints regarding customer service and reservations, ticketing and boarding.

Read more:
USA Today
Charlotte Observer

Have your recent travel experiences with US Airways reflected the improvements they're making, or not? What are your thoughts on flying Harrisburg to Philly via US Airways?

Share your experiences here:

Quick Advertising Viewing & Reponse Habits Poll! Feedback Needed!

HIA is investigating ways to cost-effectively reach our target audiences this upcoming year. Therefore, we're curious about your advertisement viewing & response habits:

1) Do you pay attention to advertisements in the print publications that you read?

Y or N

2) How likely are you to take action based on the content in those print advertisements?

N/A, Not Likely, Somewhat Likely, Very Likely

3) Do you click-thru on online adverts to learn more if the content is relevant to you?

Y or N

4) How often would you estimate that you pay attention to online advertisements?

(open ended answer)

5) What would cause you to notice an online advertisement?

a) a brand that I normally buy

b) flash animation

c) brightly colored

d) "incentivized" call-to-action

e) other (please specify)

6) Are you more likely to pay attention to print or online advertising? Why?

(open ended answer)

7) Would you book a flight based on the content of an online advertisement?

Y or N

8) Would you book a flight based on the content of a print advertisement?

Y or N

Thank you for your participation! Your feedback is tremendously helpful!

Results will be posted on Monday 12/8/08.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Enjoy a few travel tips on us!

1) Know the security rules before you pack. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has a 3-1-1 campaign to educate travelers on the carry-on baggage restrictions. For specific details, visit www.tsa.gov before you pack your bags.

2) Call your airline’s toll-free flight tracking phone number for an update on your flight before coming to the airport. Flight status information is also available on each airline’s website.

3) Arrive at an HIA parking lot about 90-minutes before your schedule departure.

4) Follow the signs and park in the Long Term/Economy lot ($5 per day, plus tax). Shuttle uses run every 8-10 minutes from the numbered shelters in the lot and bring you directly to the terminal building.

5) When picking up or dropping off a passenger, park on the second or third floor of the garage. The garage rate is just $1, plus tax for the first hour (additional rate information available here). Federal security mandates prohibit parking along the terminal curbside. Only the active loading and unloading of a vehicle is permitted in front of the terminal building.

More info online at HIA travel tips or HIA FAQ!

Holiday travelers should experience few delays...read more.

We wish you & yours a lovely holiday! Should you have any tips you wish to share for the benefit of others, feel free to comment!

Snow Descends at HIA

The first snow of the season has arrived! The airlines are busy de-icing and the snow crews are keeping the airfield clear.

First snow of the season at HIA

US Airways in the snow

Northwest de-icing a departure

United completing the de-icing of an outbound flight

Do you mind flying in the snow? What have your experiences been when flying during inclement weather? HIA wants to know your travel story!

Tackling High Fares at HIA!

A new era of convenient and affordable air travel began today as AirTran Airways flight 1002 pushed back from gate B2 just after noon with more than 100 passengers bound for Orlando, Florida.

AirTran Airways, a subsidiary of AirTran Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: AAI), launched service today at Harrisburg International Airport in Harrisburg, Pa., with former Penn State and Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Jack Ham and Eric Madden, deputy secretary of transportation for Pennsylvania, in attendance to welcome AirTran Airways to the airport.

The airline offers daily nonstop roundtrip flights between Harrisburg International Airport and Orlando International Airport. The flights will be operated with the airline’s quiet and fuel-efficient Boeing 717 aircraft.

As part of the service launch, AirTran Airways hosted a celebratory event at the airport, featuring Ham running through a ceremonial barrier to symbolize the end to high fares in the Harrisburg area. AirTran Airways also incorporated the Make-A-Wish Foundation into the festivities by donating flights to the organization, which grants wishes for children with life-threatening medical conditions, and presenting Make-A-Wish officials with an oversized boarding pass to demonstrate its commitment to the foundation.

“AirTran Airways will help bring fares down in Harrisburg and give vacationers a direct route to Orlando, one of the most popular leisure destinations in the country,” said Matthew Klein, director of pricing and distribution planning for AirTran Airways and a native of Lancaster.

“We are thrilled that AirTran Airways now provides convenient, high-quality and affordable daily nonstop service between Harrisburg International Airport and Orlando,” said Tim Edwards, executive director for Harrisburg International Airport. “Orlando is central Pennsylvania’s top destination for fun and excitement and is very popular for business travelers as well. Thanks to AirTran, driving hours out of your way for daily nonstop service to Orlando has become a thing of the past. With the region’s strong support, we look forward to earning more AirTran service in the future.”

The following nonstop service between Harrisburg International Airport and Orlando International Airport will begin November 20, unless otherwise indicated:

From	To	Flight	Departs	Arrives	Frequency
Harrisburg	Orlando	1002	12:22 p.m.	2:55 p.m.	Daily
Orlando	Harrisburg	1001	9:20 a.m.	11:46 a.m.	Daily

AirTran Airways, a subsidiary of AirTran Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: AAI), a Fortune 1000 company, is ranked number one in the 2008 Airline Quality Rating study. The airline offers coast-to-coast flights, North America’s newest all-Boeing fleet, friendly service and Business Class and complimentary XM Satellite Radio on every flight. To book a flight, visit www.airtran.com.

Read more about this story online at www.flyhia.com/airtran!

Have you booked a flight? Are you traveling for a visit with family? Vacation? Business? HIA wants to know your travel story!

Meeting with Delta

On October 28 & 29, the air route development team at HIA met with air route planners at Delta (in Atlanta) to discuss the future of Delta at HIA post Delta/Northwest merger. The Delta planners were pleased that their service is performing well at HIA and indicated that they have no immediate plans to change the service levels offered at HIA post merger. Nonstop service currently offered by Delta from HIA is Atlanta and Cincinnati. Northwest offers nonstop service to Detroit and Minneapolis from HIA.

The HIA air route development team spent part of their meeting with Delta educating Delta on what our region has to offer to them. What are your thoughts on what Delta can offer to this region? What key destinations would you like to see Delta add to their nonstop offerings at HIA?

Merger Results in World's Largest Airline

You heard it right, the world's largest airline will be serving HIA!

Per the 10/29 News Release from Delta, "the new airline, called Delta and headquartered in Atlanta, will begin it's first day as a combined company with a commitment to delivering excellent service to customers in 66 countries and more than 375 worldwide cities - more than any other airline; with a dedicated base of approximately 75,000 worldwide employees; and with a best-in-class cost structure and strong liquidity balance that better positions the company to adapt to the weakening global economy. " Click here to read more of the release.

We don't expect the merger to affect service, at least not over the next three-six months. Delta has cut flights at other airports, but HIA has not lost any. Combined Delta and Northwest would serve about one in three flights at HIA. The merged airline would at least match growth and possibly surpass US Airways - the long dominant carrier at HIA- in the number of flights at HIA.

Both airlines are growing at HIA. Delta's passenger count is up 3% over 2007 and Northwest has grown by 23%. Delta offers daily nonstop service to Atlanta and Cincinnati from HIA. Northwest serves Minneapolis and Detroit from the airport.

Do you fly on Delta or Northwest? If so, where do you fly? How have your past experiences in flying with the carriers faired? Thoughts on the merger?

On the Road Again...

On Tuesday, October 28, we have a meeting in Atlanta with the Delta Air Lines route planning and scheduling department to discuss Delta’s service from Harrisburg to Atlanta, Cincinnati and beyond. In addition, with the impending merger with Northwest, we’ll be discussing what a combined Delta and Northwest operation at Harrisburg may look like within the next 12-18 months.

While Atlanta is currently the number 3 overall destination for HIA travelers, we know that many of you regularly fly to and from Atlanta from BWI due to much lower prices and larger, more comfortable aircraft. We need you to complete a travel data survey as best as you can so that we can show Delta officials exactly how much Atlanta traffic and revenue they could earn at Harrisburg rather than at BWI or PHL. (This same info will also be given to AirTran Airways in efforts to have them to consider ATL service).

We need your help & travel data! Please complete this survey online at http://www.flyhia.com/home/network/travel_log by October 23rd. Thank you!

Continental Kicks off New Service to Newark!

Continental Airlines now serves Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), with four daily, nonstop flights from HIA! On October 2, passengers on the first flight were treated to coffee, pastries and a press conference! Click here for local news coverage of the event.

The first week of the new service has been well received and travelers are off to connections worldwide! Cities like Barcelona, Dublin, Bombay, Quebec and more. Learn more about the Newark service here.

Book your tickets on Continental Airlines today!

Orlando to be served by AirTran Airways from HIA!

Starting November 20th, 2008, AirTran Airways will be joining the 6 other airlines serving HIA. AirTran will begin service at HIA with daily, nonstop service to Orlando International Airport (MCO). AirTran will be serving this market with their popular 717-200 aircraft.

AirTran's marketing campaign for the new service kicks off in the next two weeks, and initial advanced bookings for this service are off to a great start! If HIA's market responds well to this new service from AirTran, there could be potential expansion of the MCO nonstops or other destinations added at a later time.

Have you booked your flight today? If so, what category of traveler are you? "Snowbird," "Visiting Mickey," or "Conference Attendee"?

Continental to fly to Newark!

On July 7, 2008 Continental Airlines made the exciting announcement that they'd be expanding their flight options at HIA to include nonstop service to Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). The new service will begin on October 2, 2008 and the new market will be served with 4 nonstop, daily flights.

Early bookings show that people will be connecting to destinations in Europe and Asia on the new EWR service. Have you booked a flight on Continental to Newark? If so, where are you heading? Let us know!

We're Reaching for a Cruising Altitude...

Welcome to the fly HIA blog!

We're excited to get started on this new initiative. The fly HIA blog will provide our customers with a new resource for interaction and communication with the HIA Marketing team. We encourage and look forward to your comments, suggestions and questions regarding the various activities at and ariline service available to/from HIA.

We're experiencing a marketplace that is moving faster than ever before, where new (and old) airlines can appear and disappear in mere months and where fares can change weekly and even daily. We'd like to explore how this affects our customers and also help you to understand what we're doing to sustain and grow the service availability here at HIA.

Welcome aboard the fly HIA blog, our flight path is set, we're ready for take-off!