SIA's A380 takes off for Sydney video

Skybus to begin service from new base at Piedmont Triad

Skybus will launch its newly-announced base at Piedmont Triad International Airport (PTI) in January and February with nonstop flights to seven new destinations and additional service to Columbus. The ultra low-cost airline will connect the Greensboro/Winston-Salem/High Point area in North Carolina with Florida, Gulf Coast, East Coast and West Coast markets. PTI will become Skybus’ second hub after its headquarters city – Columbus, Ohio.

Currently, the low-fare carrier provides service to 12 destinations throughout the United States with five full-size Airbus A319 jets. Prices start at $10 one way on every flight, excluding taxes and fees.

American Airlines to start Chicago-Moscow flights

American Airlines is to launch non-stop scheduled service between Chicago O’Hare (ORD) and Moscow Domodedovo (DME) airports next summer. Beginning June 2, the new flights will be served six times a week with Boeing 767-300 aircraft, seating 225 passengers in two classes. The business class configuration will feature 30 next-generation lie-flat seats with audio and video on demand system.

AA officials said the new service is aimed to provide convenient links for business, tourism and Russian immigrants living in the United States.

Singapore Airlines takes delivery of its first Airbus A380

This morning, Singapore Airlines took delivery of the world’s first A380 at a special ceremony at Airbus Delivery Centre in Toulouse, France. The 'super-jumbo' aircraft will make its debut on October 25 with an inaugural flight between Singapore and Sydney, with the majority of seats sold for charity on eBay. Then, on October 28, the A380 will commence scheduled service on the Singapore-Sydney route on one of the three daily flights in each direction.

Meanwhile, Singapore Airlines has confirmed that it will operate an A380 aircraft on one of its daily flights between Singapore and London’s Heathrow Airport from the first quarter of 2008.

3-D body scanner tested at Phoenix Sky Harbor

The first airport 3-D body screening machine was tested at Phoenix Sky Harbor International yesterday. The new tool in U.S. airports’ security arsenal is taking a 3-D image of passengers using radio waves to check for explosives, metal, plastic and liquids - anything hidden on the body. The machines are being used by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) as an alternative to physically patting down some passengers at the security checkpoints. The American Civil Liberties Union has objected to the technology, concerned that the machines are capable of showing passengers' bodily parts. TSA says the images look more like an x-ray and blurred photo negative keeping passengers’ privacy.

The new airport security equipment will also be tested at New York's Kennedy and Los Angeles International airports, officials confirmed.

Frontier Airlines began service to Sioux City

Frontier Airlines launched non-stop service between its main hub at Denver International Airport and Sioux City, Iowa on Friday. The twice daily flights will initially be served by a 76-seat Embraer E-170 which will ultimately be replaced by a 74-seat Bombardier Q400 aircraft.

The morning flight from Denver will depart at 10:35 am and arrive at Sioux Gateway Airport at 1:07 pm. The second flight will leave at 8:30 pm and arrive at its destination at 11:02 pm. The first return flight from Sioux City will leave at 6:55 am and arrive in Denver at 7:33 am, and the second will depart at 1:37 pm and arrive at Denver International at 2.15 pm. All times given are in local time.

Las Vegas-style hotel opens in Detroit

The $800 million MGM Grand Detroit is due to open today in downtown Detroit, Michigan. The property, co-owned by MGM Mirage and Partners Detroit L.L.C, is the first luxury casino built in a major metropolis outside of Las Vegas. Key features in the MGM Grand Detroit include: 400 rooms and suites ranging from 510 to 2,225 square feet; a world-class spa with every imaginable amenity; three signature restaurants by famous chefs Wolfgang Puck and Michael Mina; five high-energy nightlife destinations; 30,000 square feet of meeting and event space; and of course a luxury casino with over eighty table games, 2,700 of the latest slot machines and a dedicated room for video poker.