Group Travel Scoop - Groople.com

American Airlines to offer in-flight internet

The Group Scoop has been a bit hard on American Airlines in the recent past. We haven’t been happy with the trend of increasing piece-meal fees for things like the first piece of checked baggage. We see how charging for checked bags effects group travel much more than the average travel public.

American Airlines has been quite the pioneer lately. They’ve been the first to announce fees that were soon followed by most other major carriers. Now I am happy to report they are pioneering a major new benefit to flying groups – Internet!

It’s about time. We’ve heard of other carriers like Jet Blue starting pilot programs (nice pun huh) providing simple email service, now American Airlines is soon to offer full blown internet. The program is now in the testing phase, but American expects many flights to be offering in-flight internet access in the next few weeks.

Price for internet on flights is expected to run between $9.95 to $12.95 depending on the length of the flight. A full plane load of websurfers can be accommodated. With internet speeds capable of downloading video, in-flight entertainment looks to be taking the biggest step forwards since the in-flight movie was first rolled out decades ago.

Congrats to American Airlines for brining us some positive news from the airline business. Hopefully, more will follow suit.

American Airlines New Fees

Only a few weeks ago I brought you the report here at the Group Scoop,  that United Airlines would start charging extra fees to check a second piece of luggage. Opening the rate hike floodgates.

Now American Airlines has taken the new fad of extra fees for flying to a whole new level - a fee to check even the first piece of luggage. It's not bad enough they charge you a small fee to book your reservation over the phone, now a $15 fee for one piece of luggage.

Hopefully other airlines will not also institute a similar fee structure. Last time when United Airlines announced their rate hike, most of the other major carriers quickly followed suit. I doubt many airlines will follow American's lead on this one, American Airlines stock dropped almost 25% after the announcement.

Charging fees for luggage is a very bad trend for flying groups. It will encourage even more people to stuff carry-ons to the brim. A major influx of carry-on luggage will slow everyone down.

Further more, flying groups will be hard hit by fees like this as group travelers almost always require luggage. Group travelers are usually event driven.

Stay tuned, I'll keep you all on top of this story.

The New Seven Wonders of the Architecture World

A few months ago the Group Scoop brought you a look into the modern 7 wonders of the world. Now we have a new conversation to begin about the new 7 wonders of the architecture world. The new edition Conde Nast Traveler get credit for the selection of the new seven wonders of the architecture world.

So if you can’t decide where to take your next group trip, consider centering it around a tour of Conde Nast Traveler’s “new seven wonders of the world"...

Cumulus, an exhibit hall at Danfoss Universe- The Cumulus building gives you a chance to take a walk in the clouds. The building is called Cumulus because that’s what it is- a cloud like building. This celestial wonder is the science and technology museum in Nordborg, Denmark.

Burj Dubai- will be the tallest building in the world when it’s completed. The crown Jewel of a city very rich in fascintating architecture. The final height is top secret but it’s rumored to be somewhere above 2,275 feet and over 160 floors.

Wembley Stadium- A Fans dream. This wonder manages to seat 90,000 with no obstructed sight lines. Wembley Stadium will be the centerpiece of the 2012 London Olympics.

New Museum of Contemporary Art- Looks as if a child got a hold of a stack of silvery blocks and stacked them to the sky. The inside of the museum may be the true treasure of this wonder.

Kogod Courtyard- Part of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C. It is a curved roof formed from a patterned grid of glass and steel above pools in the courtyard of the Old Patent Office Building. Be careful not be overwhelmed…

Red Ribbon, Tanghe River Park- This wonder is a testament of man integrated and complimenting nature. Located in Qinhuangdao, China, about 180 miles east of Beijing, it’s a beautiful red steel bench that looks like a flowing red ribbon that runs a 1/3 of mile through a riverbank garden and ecological preserve.

The Crystal-Looking as if a man made crystal is growing over a classic church style building. It’a a controversial addition to Toronto's Royal Ontario Museum.

Groopvine Update

News Alert - Groopvine Upgrade

As many of you know, we here at the Group Scoop are dedicated to following the developing story of Groople’s Groopvine’s evolution.

This time the Groopvine development staff has rolled out new improvements to help you get your group together on the same page…in this wave of Groopvine evolution, we see an easier way to view RSVPs, communicate, and plan.

Manage RSVPs– Now on the top right of your trip page are drop down lists that organize the status of someone you’ve invited to join the trip. The guest’s name and icon will appear in invited, not coming, or haven’t responded boxes.

Email Communication- When someone in the group posts in the forum, creates a poll, or takes another important action an email reminder will be sent to the group. Now everyone will be alerted when important items in the trip are changing.

Activity Scheduling- the activity scheduling tab has been upgraded with a nifty function of keeping a "who’s attending" list. You can now keep track of who’s coming to what planned activity.

Three very cool features for an already great product. More upgrades on the horizon, stay tuned here for the latest Groopvine updates.

Group News Update - United Airlines New Fees

Hot off the Group Scoop wires! Group travel news update…a new feature here at the Group Scoop. Flying your group around just got a little more complicated. Group travel air budgets are growing as of Feb 4^th, 2008. United Airlines is introducing new fees to the airlines business!

United Airlines is now charging a $25 service fee to check a second bag when traveling with a normal fare ticket. This signals a new level of service fees from airlines as checking two bags has always been included in the price of an airline ticket.

It will be interesting to see consumer reaction. United Airlines says 25% of its consumers check a second bag. Will UA lose some of that 25%? Will other Airlines follow suit and the days of two checked bags are leaving? Stay tuned!

A new feature of the Group Scoop will be to bring you news features that effect group travel or stories that represent a harbinger of things to come. What do you think of this move by UA?