Stories discussed in this podcast are from the Travelography Twitter Blog for the week of 29 September 2008. This podcast is also available at Blubrry.com and Travelgeography.info.  

• Low Gas Prices Help Airline Stocks Take Off

   

  Airlines also attracted investors by retiring older, less fuel-efficient planes and cutting capacity to support higher ticket prices. Passengers seemed willing to pay additional fees for everything from luggage to food to extra leg room, which added millions to airlines' revenue.

• As International Airfares Soar, Americans Stay in the U.S.

   

  Growth of international passenger traffic worldwide slowed to a five-year low in July and dropped further in August, according to the International Air Transport Association, which represents 230 airlines.

• Airlines add service and amenities to Asian routes

   

  ...996 nonstop flights a week were scheduled in the third quarter of 2008 from the United States to Asian countries, more than ever before. Los Angeles is the most popular departure city from the United States, with 180 flights a week. Narita Airport in Tokyo is the most frequent destination, with 380 arrivals a week.
• The give and take of travel

   

  Bargain in good faith The 50 cents you save may give you pride because you "beat down" the salesperson, but you may have also robbed that person of extra food or prevented his or her children from purchasing school books or a mandatory school uniform.