It's more bad news for Northwest Airlines, as AirTran announced yesterday that it will begin flights Nov. 8 between Detroit -- Northwest's major hub -- and both Atlanta and Orlando. Detroit is one of the largest U.S. hub cities that's still dominated by one airline (Northwest flies 78 percent of all outbound passengers from Detroit). The news comes as Northwest is fending off a potential bankruptcy filing and a possible labor strike on Aug. 20. Meanwhile, Northwest's primary regional carriers -- Mesaba and Pinnacle -- said they will continue flying a full schedule even if Northwest suffers a strike because they do not depend on Northwest's unionized mechanics to maintain their planes.

Flights from the airport in Toronto have largely resumed their normal schedules today following this week's accident with an Air France jet that crashed after landing. Air Canada says it expects some continuing delays and cancellations, but most flights will run as planned. The major U.S. airlines have now cleared most of the backlog of passengers who were stranded this week as flights were grounded after the accident.

American Airlines launched a fall fare sale yesterday on its routes throughout the continental U.S.A., Hawaii, and selected international destinations, with prices from $55 each way (booked by Aug. 12 for travel Monday-Thursday through Nov. 17 [cont. U.S.A.], Tuesday-Thursday through Dec. 15 [Hawaii], or as posted for international destinations). Travelers who fly American can also claim a 20 percent discount at participating Sheraton hotels in North America, Latin America, and Europe.

Flight attendants at American's subsidiary American Eagle gave permission for their union leaders to call for a strike if they can't reach a new contract. Union officials downplayed that threat, however, saying any possible strike could be months away.

South African Airways just ended one labor strike, but apparently its pilots union is now voting on whether to hold another strike in about a month.

Business travelers choose Delta more often than any other U.S. airline. That's the finding in a new YPB&R Yankelovich Partners study. Factors cited in business travelers' choices for air travel include excellent safety records, regular on-time departures, friendly and efficient service, and ample leg room.

A woman aboard a United Airlines flight descending to the Seattle airport was arrested after she allegedly tried to open the airplane's exit door while the jet was still at 4,000 feet above ground. A flight attendant persuaded her to sit back down, and the other passengers remained in their seats during the incident.