Travel Roundup: Canada's Free Seat to Disabled and Obese, Qantas Cans First-Class, Harrah's Goes Interactive and More

Canada’s airlines must provide a free seat to disabled or morbidly obese passengers — Canada’s two largest airlines must provide disabled and morbidly obese passengers an extra free seat on domestic flights. Canada’s Supreme Court upheld the federal decision after it refused to consider further appeals, thus ending a six-year legal wrangle by disabled travelers. Both Air Canada and WestJet failed to sway the court to reconsider a January 2008 decision from the Canadian Transportation Agency. The agency recommended airlines adopt a policy used by Southwest Airlines, which gives a free seat to people who can’t lower their armrest. [Source: Canwest News Service]

Qantas cans first-class — Australia’s Qantas Airways has temporarily killed first class on its San Francisco, Buenos Aires and Melbourne-Hong Kong-London routes, offering only business, premium economy and economy classes to its customers because of declining demand. Last month, the carrier said it would post its first loss in six years as well as cutting jobs and capacity. [Source: Reuters]

Harrah’s Entertainment launches interactive division — Harrah’s Entertainment announced the launch of its new division, Harrah’s Interactive Entertainment, which will hand the online growth of its World Series of Poker brand. Harrah’s hired Mitch Garber, former head of PartyGaming, to man the new online subsidiary. Harrah’s said the company would expand other gaming technologies globally. [Source: Las Vegas Sun]

Passport or passport card to head to the border June 1 — Passports or passport cards are needed if Americans want to visit Mexico on or after June 1. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the State Department will demand the documents for border crossings, no longer allowing just birth certificates or a state-issued drivers licenses. Instead, U.S. citizens will need a passport, passport card, enhanced drivers license or other government-approved documents. [Source: Arizona Republic]