SATSair, said it made record revenues last year proving the concept of the emerging air taxi industry which is spreading across the nation. It also announced new milestones reached in consecutive hours of operation - all despite adverse global economic conditions.

Despite the spectacular failure of DayJet last year along with Very Light Jet manufacturers Adam Aircraft and Eclipse Aviation, SATSair and others such as Linear Air, which recently reported a 131 percent increase in business, may signal they are the leading edge of the next generation of geographically regional air transportation.

SATSair ended the year with over 11 million revenue passenger miles flown since the company's inception in November 2004, flying more than 14,000 flights and landing at over 500 airports in 24 states during 2008, noted President and CEO Steve Hanvey.

"We're extremely pleased with the strong 2008 numbers and the expanded presence in the Southeastern growth corridor that they represent," said Hanvey. "2008 was a landmark year for our business concept from a financial perspective, and signals a growing acceptance of this innovative approach to business and personal air travel."

Among 2008 performance metrics, Hanvey noted that SATSair enjoyed multiple record revenue days in second quarter 2008, and that SATSair flights continued to enjoy double-digit increases during the first 9 months of 2008 compared to 2007. Even as fourth quarter growth flattened in response to the global economic doldrums, SATSair maintained flight levels during the quarter at a pace equal to 2007.

"Cancellation of airline operations into regional hubs and reduced use of personally-owned aircraft contributed to increased use of SATSair's personal on-demand service by air travelers in 2008," noted Phil Quist, Vice President of Business Systems for SATSair. "We've seen a growing number of new customers using our point-to-point air cab operation as a solution to their frustration with hub-and-spoke airlines, enjoying decreased door-to-door travel times. This is particularly significant in that air cab service has been seen more as a remedy for multi-hour driving trips, not as a replacement for other forms of air travel."

While record revenues, flights and passenger miles are key indicators of the company's growing success, Hanvey noted the SATSair record of over 55,000 safely flown hours of operations.

"At the end of the day, SATSair is all about helping customers get where they need to be quickly, efficiently and safely," said Hanvey, who uses the Cirrus as his aircraft platform. "Our impeccable safety record is a point of pride for the entire organization, and an area that our team focuses on every minute of every day."

Travelers Weigh in on the Experience, Fees on Rise
Fifty four percent of respondents to a TripAdvisor poll called the new checked baggage fees the most annoying of fees airlines imposed last year. The company’s airline and iarports survey of more than 1,500 U.S. respondents, also provided a glimpse into their travel plans. Fifty-one percent plan to flying between one to four times in the next 12 months, and 45 percent will fly five times or more in the coming year. And, if airlines are listening, they should pour on the deals because 90 percent said they would take a spontaneous trip this year for a great airfare deal.

Sixty percent of travelers said they factor checked fees into their overall airline ticket price. However, 36 percent have been surprised by the cost of checked baggage fees upon arrival at the airport. Nineteen percent said they always carry on a bag to avoid additional fees, while 39 percent often do.

Fifty-three percent of respondents said they have tried to swap their airline seat for a better one after boarding. Thirty-one percent of travelers get frustrated when another passenger asks them to switch seats with their travel companion. Eighty-five percent have been asked to switch seats in the past. When asked about their seating preference, 53 percent of travelers prefer the aisle, while 42 percent would rather have a window seat. Forty percent of travelers said when selecting their seat, they request the emergency exit row.

Sixty-five percent of travelers are aware that flying first or business class allows them to avoid most airline fees. Sixty percent have tasted the high life and flown first class, 43 percent have bumped up to business class and 22 percent have upgraded to a premium seat outside first or business class. When it comes to paying for higher class seats, 63 percent said they received a free upgrade from the airline. The favorite thing about flying in a premium class is the bigger seat, according to 64 percent of travelers.

Looks as if airlines were right to drop food service since only six percent of travelers said they purchase food on a flight. Fifty percent said they typically satisfy their hunger at the airport, and 37 percent bring food from home.

When asked what factors they would not be willing to endure for a significantly cheaper flight, 75 percent of U.S. respondents “pooh-poohed the idea of coin-operated restrooms on planes,” said TripAdvisor.

Travelers have experienced some unfortunate behavior from their seatmates on flights, below are the lowlights:
• 44% have experienced loud snoring
• 25% have experienced obvious intoxication
• 19% have experienced excessive flatulence
• 11% have experienced couples that cannot keep their hands off one another
• 9% have experienced vomiting

Travelers are willing to splurge for a more expensive flight for the following top three factors: Convenient departure/arrival times (69 percent), non-stop flights (67 percent), and good experiences with the airline in the past (44 percent.)

"It's apparent that travelers are frustrated about checked bag charges and are looking for more clarity when it comes to domestic airline fees," said Michele Perry, vice president of global communications for TripAdvisor. "By using TripAdvisor's new flight search and fees estimator, travelers get the whole picture on the cost of a flight and can take advantage of some excellent flight deals to stretch their vacation dollars farther."

Airfarewatchdog.com: Fees on Rise
Airfarewatchdog warned recently of recent changes to fee structures that indicate the economy continues to impact major airline operations. Airlines continue to charge fees for booking flights, checking bags, using frequent flier miles, and flying with pets and minors. Airfarewatchdog founder says, "Not all fees are irreversible. US Airways rescinded its charge for sodas and bottled water, but most fees are going up."

Airline fee changes include:
• Frontier Airlines has eliminated fees for cashing in frequent flyer miles.
• Spirit recently raised its pet-in-cabin fee to $100, up from $85 in January, and its unaccompanied minor fee went from $75 to $100.
• In December 2008, United planned a 50% increase to its unaccompanied minor fee, more than any other U.S. airline, but then rolled it back to its previous $99 each way fee.
• United has raised its pet-in-cabin round-trip fee to an industry-leading $350, and $500 for pets in the cargo hold.

"The Delta/Northwest merger has also dealt a blow to consumers looking for low-fee airlines, since Northwest has raised most of its fees to the level Delta charges,” said the organization. “In July, United Airlines will begin charging a fee to upgrade from economy to business, or or first if you want to use your frequent flier miles, so that means miles plus cash. Northwest used to charge just $50 to issue a frequent flyer ticket 14 or fewer days before travel. Effective January 15 of this year, Northwest adopted Delta's much more expensive last-minute ticketing fees of $75 to $150 per ticket, and also charges Delta's higher ticket change fees and baggage fees.”

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