Remember SideStep? With all the focus on Kayak with its TV ads, possible IPO and the intermediary saga, many would be forgiven for forgetting about the rival metasearch engine it bought. Well, for all the talk about mobile and other developments at the mothership, Kayak appears to be throwing some energy into its acquisition from 2006. The Connecticut, USA-based company says it is considering an iPhone app for Sidestep as a way to keep tools and services across both brands developing along similar patterns.... Read More

Dear Airport Authority, TSA, and/or Agencies responsible for security, As a member of the traveling public who, over the years, has adjusted my habits in order to streamline the airport security experience not only for myself but for fellow passengers, I want it to be known that I will be adjusting my habits again to take in account the use of full body scanners. Not only will I be wearing pants that don't require a belt and slip on shoes, and sorting all my personals into plastic baggies for easy screening, now I will be checking in my carry-on luggage which, for so many years, has been the only luggage I have had to bring on any trip up to a week in length.... Read More

Fresh from hiring its first ever advertising agency for TV creative work, Skyscanner has unveiled the first 30-second spot to be aired in Scotland ahead of a possible wider roll-out across the UK. The ad launched on a number of leading Scottish commercial channels in prime and off-peak time slots and will run until mid-February before officials at the metasearch site decide whether to extend elsewhere. The agency behind the ad - featuring two plane spotters discussing aircraft and fares at the end of a runway - is Edinburgh-based Newhaven, with media buying by FeatherBrooksbank.... Read More

So much for outsourcing. Using in-house staff, Amadeus opened customer service centers in San Jose, Costa Rica, and Buenos, Argentina, to support travel agencies in 39 countries in the Americas. Meanwhile, Sabre signed a multifaceted, multi-year agreement with LAN Airlines.... Read More

Technology, design and modern printing methods can be used to make the airline boarding pass so much more appealing to the eye and helpful for the brain. Or at least that is what Tyler Thompson, creative director at New York-based agency SquareSpace, says after studying the functionality and design of the ubiquitous cards given to passengers after check-in at airports around the world. Thompson took to his task after receiving a Delta pass on a recent trip from JFK to Seattle, Washington.... Read More

The National Business Travel Association surveyed 150 travel managers and found that the vast majority, 81%, have no plans to reduce business travel out of concerns about the Dec. 25 Northwest flight attempted bombing. While 43% expressed safety concerns about the incident and 42% had no new concerns about air safety, NBTA Executive Director and COO Michael McCormick says: "NBTA encourages governments and airports to strike the proper balance of safety and efficiency in these new regulations and future policy changes." But, is there really a proper balance between air safety and efficiency, and is risk management the way to go?... Read More

Global Motion, the company behind the highly regarded EveryTrail iPhone app and web service, has secured a $1 million round of funding. California-based Band of Angels has invested in the fellow state startup as it looks to spearhead growth of the product and widen the senior management team. A number of other undisclosed US and international investors are also part of the funding team.... Read More

Before getting into the recruiting game, I used to sell software for a living - admittedly one of those software salespeople who didn't always feel comfortable or knowledgeable about some of the products I was representing. I am not proud of it, but when one drinks the KoolAid it’s hard to settle for plain water. Most of the time I was backed up by the company and software I was representing, thus ensuring smooth installs and happy customers.... Read More

After a four percent drop in 2009, travel bookings in China will grow by five percent in 2010, projects a new PhoCusWright report, Emerging Online Travel Marketplace in China. The same report predicts that travel will expand to become a $65 billion industry by 2011, and that 20 percent of that market would be online. “You can see that online booking is growing, and people are ready to travel,” says Sandeep Bahl, general manager of China for Delta-Northwest Airlines, adding that he expects support from Beijing to boost the market. “The government in China has recognized tourism as a pillar.”... Read More

Expedia has unveiled a new logo - an event usually of biblical proportions and almost guaranteed to get the advertising community to huff and puff over for a few days. The new logo has, in the words of one ad creative and branding blog, lost the "playfulness" of the old version in favour of a "dull and generic" rendering of an aircraft. They're not very happy with the fonts either. Tnooz Node Tim Hughes also suggests it marks a newer image for a new decade - "a world of darker hues and serious companies". Little mention so far, however, has been made about the tagline: "Where you Book Matters".... Read More

Most popular travel websites in the US for the week ending January 2 2010. Data includes Top Ten travel search terms and the Top Ten Agency, Airline and Destination/Accommodation sites.... Read More

Former U.S. counter-terrorism official and frequent CNN guest Larry Johnson labels the new TSA security measures and the agency's failure to impose a uniform security system as "criminal negligence." In a blog post, TSA Punts on Security, Johnson, co-founder of BERG Associates and former deputy director in the U.S. State Dept.'s Office of Counter Terrorism, says the TSA's procedures, which went into effect Jan. 4, "likely increase the chance that terrorists will succeed in putting a bomb onboard an in-bound commercial airliner." In a phone interview, Johnson told Tnooz that the new TSA procedures for flights in-bound into the U.S. revert to the "absurd notion" of "threat-based security," which was in place prior to 9/11 when the FAA had responsibility for airline security and tried to "play Kreskin to figure out where the threat came from."... Read More

If the global financial markets continue their recovery this year - or at least a return to 2008 levels - then the rumours about travel-related public listings may not be so wide of the mark. The initial benefit of throwing the doors open to the world's stock exchanges is a well-trodden path for travel firms as it gives the listed company access to growth capital from the outset, opportunity to create an acquisition warchest, ability to spread the equity base, and the chance to reward the best management and staff. The big publicly listed online travel agencies have seen a strong return to 2008 levels during the latter part of 2009 and it now appears other tech and online travel firms are either weighing up their options or are in advanced stages.... Read More

What you missed on Tnooz this week, Sunday 26 December to Saturday 2 January 2010. Read on to see the most commented articles, the most controversial topic, and every other article this week...... Read More

Most popular travel websites in the UK for the week ending January 2 2010. Data includes Top Ten travel search terms and the Top Ten Agency, Airline and Destination/Accommodation sites.... Read More