Air Travel News Update

United Air Lines to Lay Off 950 Pilots
United Air Lines says it will reduce its fleet by 100 aircraft, putting 950 pilots out of work. "This process is one of the difficult but necessary steps we need to take to size our business appropriately to reflect the current market reality," the company said in a memo to pilots. By the end of next year, United plans to cut 94 B737s and six B747s from its fleet. While United is the first major U.S. airline to cut flight crews in response to the current economic woes, USA Today says it may not be the last. The newspaper cites a recent study that predicts if oil prices remain at the current $130 to $140 per barrel, about 11,500 pilot jobs will likely be lost.
Hundreds of United workers rallied in protest of the airline's decision to set aside stock worth about $130 million for a new incentive plan for executives, while at the same time the company plans to cut routes and lay off up to 1,600 employees, USA Today reported.

Lufthansa launches Mobile Services in the UK and Ireland
Book flights, check-in and seat selection now possible via mobile phone
Lufthansa has chosen the UK and Ireland as a key launch market for its pioneering Mobile Services product. Now, by simply using their mobile phones to access the new portal, mobile.lufthansa.com, passengers can quickly book flights, check in and select their seats on an interactive seat map, even when on the move. Additional features include actual arrival and departure times, flight schedules or mileage summaries.
The Mobile Services portal can be accessed via an internet capable mobile. For flight bookings, passengers also require a Miles & More card number and PIN or a Lufthansa profile. A profile can be easily created at www.lufthansa.com.
Further information on the new mobile portal can be found here. From here, a direct link to the mobile portal can be sent free-of-charge via sms to a passenger’s mobile phone.