Travel Roundup: Congress' Cuba Travel Bill, US Airways Drops Drink Fee, Air Canada Faces Bankruptcy and More
Cuba travel bill in Congress — Members of the U.S. House of Representatives filed a bill that would allow Americans to travel legally to Cuba for the first time in 46 years, but pro-embargo opponents want to stop it. Called the Freedom to Travel to Cuba Act, the bill has had similar predecessors killed at the committee level, but supporters are hoping new allies and a new president might make the bill a law. The proposal would also lift limits on travel by Cuban exiles and prevent the president from regulating travel to the island country. [Source: Sun-Sentinel]
US Airways scraps drink fee — US Airways Group Inc. will once again start serving free soda and other nonalcoholic drinks Sunday. The Tempe, Ariz.-based carrier reversed a six-month-old policy that charged coach passengers $2 for a soft drink on domestic flights. (First-class and international passengers always received free soft drinks.) Passengers will be offered free soda, juice, tea, water and coffee in flight. However, the carrier will still charge for checking baggage, blankets and pillows. [Source: Business First of Columbus]
Air Canada could face bankruptcy — Air Canada faces bankruptcy as it deals with being $1 billion in debt and a growing pension deficit. Five years ago, the carrier was restructured and seems to falling into a similar circumstances, with a $1 billion loss for 2008 and $1 billion in debt payments within the next two years. The airline is now seeking government relief for paying its employee pensions. [Source: Calgary Herald]
Tourist attractions hand out discounts — At Walt Disney World near Orlando, Fla., visitors can save $400 off the price of a week stay while Hersheypark is offering $15 off its $51.95 admission price. The Monterey Bay Aquarium in Monterey, Calif. is offering free days once a month for local residents and animal attractions Sea World in Florida and the San Diego Zoo are freezing the price of their annual passes to keep regular customers. [Source: Kansas City Star]
Bay Area resident and award-winning business journalist Barbara E. Hernandez has covered tourism, real estate and personal finance. Her clients include the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, San Francisco Chronicle and Washington Post.
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