European flights

US Airways is beginning daily seasonal service between its hub at Charlotte Douglas International Airport and Madrid, Spain, and Dublin, Ireland. The new flights will operate through Sept. 30 and will complement US Airways’ daily nonstop service to both cities from Philadelphia, the airline’s international gateway. Madrid service began last Friday and will be operated with Boeing B767-200ER aircraft with seating for 18 in Envoy, US Airways’ international business class, and 186 in the main cabin. Dublin service began over the weekend, and is operated with Boeing B757-200 ETOPS aircraft with seating for 12 in Envoy and 164 in the main cabin.

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United Continental Holdings has announced that all Continental flights operated with Boeing 757-200 aircraft now feature new flat-bed seats in BusinessFirst, marking the second major milestone in the installation of 180-degree flat-bed seats throughout Continental’s international fleet. Continental completed the retrofit on its 22 Boeing 777s in December 2010.

Continental operates 41 Boeing 757-200 aircraft, flying principally between its New York hub at Newark Liberty International Airport and Europe. Additionally, the tenth United Boeing 777 to be outfitted with flat-bed seats in both United First and United Business is scheduled to enter service in April. United completed the retrofit of its Boeing 747-400 and international 767-300 aircraft with flat-bed seats in its premium cabins in 2009.

“With reconfigurations completed on 116 aircraft, United and Continental together offer more flat-bed premium cabin seats than any other U.S. airline,” said United Senior Vice President of Marketing Mark Bergsrud. “The flat-bed seats and advanced audio/video on-demand offer our customers an unmatched onboard experience.”

On retrofitted aircraft, United and Continental offer premium cabin customers flat-bed seats that recline 180 degrees, along with power ports and headset and USB plugs. iPod connectivity enables customers to view their personal videos and music. Each seat offers audio and video on-demand and a 15.4-inch video screen.

In addition to the reconfiguration of the international fleet, United plans to expand Economy Plus seating to all Continental aircraft beginning in 2012, offering more extra-legroom economy seating than any airline in the world.

US Customs Regulations

As the summer travel season approaches, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is providing summer travelers with travel tips to assist with cross-border travel. CBP has implemented many important initiatives designed to facilitate travel while, at the same time, improving U.S. border security.

WHTI document requirements for air travel have been in effect since January 2007. Almost all travelers flying back to the United States need to present a passport or NEXUS card.

Visitors to the U.S. who are nationals or citizens of visa waiver program countries (VWP) are now required to have an approved Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) prior to boarding a carrier to travel by air or sea to the U.S. under the VWP. ESTA applications may be submitted at any time prior to travel, and once approved, generally will be valid for up to two years or until the applicant’s passport expires, whichever comes first. Authorizations will be valid for multiple entries into the U.S. CBP recommends ESTA applications be submitted as soon as an applicant begins making travel plans.

When returning to the U.S., declare all items obtained abroad. Don’t bring in fruit, meat or fireworks without first checking to see if they’re allowed. International border crossers should expect a thorough inspection process, even during busy holiday periods, when entering the U.S. CBP officers are authorized to conduct enforcement examinations, ranging from checking luggage to a personal search, without a warrant. For more information, visit www.cbp.gov.