OAG again names LAN Airlines Best Airline Central/South America and Caribbean

For the sixth time, LAN Airlines has been chosen as the Best Airline Based in Central/South America & Caribbean by OAG (Official Airline Guide), the foremost world guide on information regarding airline schedules and itineraries.

LAN Airlines also ranked among the eight finalists in the Airline of the Year 2006 category, alongside such important international airlines as British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Continental Airlines, Emirates, Qantas, CSA Czech Airlines and South African Airways.

OAG awards have been presented for more than two decades based on voting by frequent travelers worldwide that select the best companies at an international level, resulting in the recognition of excellence in the products and services that LAN offers its clients. The most important representatives from the worldwide airline industry attended the 2006 awards ceremony, which took place recently in London.

Armando Valdivieso, LAN Airlines' CEO passenger: "We are honored to once again receive this important recognition that reflects the opinion of experienced frequent travelers worldwide. We will continue to always offer a service of excellence with the highest standards of security and efficiency that have distinguished LAN internationally."

OAG - specialists in travel and transportation - annually distinguishes those airlines and airports that have maintained the best standards in the industry according to the opinion of business travelers throughout the world.

Summary of 2006 Awards:

-- Airline of the Year 2006: Cathay Pacific
-- Best Airline Based in Australasia/Pacific: Qantas
-- Best Airline Based in Asia: Cathay Pacific
-- Best Airline Based in Central/Eastern Europe: CSA Czech Airlines
-- Best Airline Based in Central/South America & Caribbean: LAN Airlines
-- Best Airline Based in North America: Continental Airlines
-- Best Airline Based in Western Europe: British Airways
-- Best Airline Based in Africa: South African Airways
-- Best Airline Based in Middle East/Indian Sub-Continent: Emirates

For more information on the 2006 OAG Awards, visit http://www.oag.com/Airline+of+the+Year/current_winners_2006.

The LAN service alliance participating airlines, LAN Airlines, LAN Argentina, LAN Ecuador and LAN Peru, offer a united spirit of reliability and charm that provides passengers the highest level of service and safety with the complete travel experience throughout the skies of the Americas.

The LAN service alliance's vast route network reaches a large number of destinations throughout the world, including the Americas, Europe and the South Pacific. The alliance offers flights from North America to Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela with service from 29 North American cities, including daily flights from its Miami, New York and Los Angeles gateways. Passengers traveling with any of the LAN service alliance participating airlines may accumulate frequent flier kilometers/miles in LANPASS or American Airlines' AAdvantage. Additionally, passengers traveling with LAN Airlines or LAN Peru may also accumulate frequent flier miles in any of the oneworld(TM) member frequent flier programs. LAN Airlines is a member of oneworld(TM) and LAN Peru is an affiliate of oneworld(TM), the world's leading quality alliance.

Seating and timing go hand in hand.

Airlines as a general rule have very specific timelines for releasing pre-assigned seats. Most airlines release pre-assigned seats 20 minutes prior to departure for passengers who have not checked in. The traveler's reservation remains intact, but the seat assignment becomes subject to whatever is available upon check in.

Check in less than 10 minutes before departure, and the airline is not obligated to honor the reservation and your space on the plane can be given to someone else. In the industry it's aptly called "The Ten Minute Rule."

Each airline controls the seating and not all travelers or fares are eligible for every seat; availability is capacity-controlled and based on frequent flyer status, plus the type of fare you are booking.

It's also not uncommon for the airline to switch aircraft types which results in a different seat availability and layout. The seat you once had may not exist on the new aircraft configuration, resulting in a new seat assignment.

That's one reason I like to check in online before heading out to the airport. If I'm dissatisfied with my seat assignment on the printed boarding pass, I see that it is my first order of business to get it changed at the airport.

I often ask for exit rows which are blocked for airport check-in or premier frequent fliers. You can expect a little more leg room and a little less seat padding. (Not a problem for this traveler.)

You also want to make sure you've noted your seating preference in your profile.
Log on to your Expedia® Corporate Travel account

Enter your seating preference in your profile
Go to My Profile (in the top yellow bar)
Click Flight (under Traveler contact information and preferences)
Options include aisle/window; row; wing; and left or right side
Taking these precautions may help you remain comfortably seated before, during and after the flight.

Cut in Line With Web Check-In

Check-in may just be the best thing to happen to air travel since the in-flight movie and airport neck massage. The idea of being able to check in anywhere and at anytime within 24 hours of your flight is like sanctioned cutting in line. By checking in online, you're protecting your reservation and seat assignment should you be delayed in transit to the airport. In essence, you're telling the airline, "I really, really, really plan on taking this flight." Sound silly?

It's not unusual for a full flight to be overbooked by 10-20 percent, as the airline formulates a no-show factor based on the history of the flight. Think of it like going to a movie. The closer to showtime the more limited the seating. Show up ten minutes before curtain and you'll be munching those Milk Duds four feet from Tom Hank's onscreen forehead. That said, the first seats to be released near departure time come from travelers who are late and have not checked in.

Of course, you can always check in online at the airline's Web site, but we've saved you that step by bringing you the check-in links to your online itinerary under My Trips. Just print and go! You can link to Web check-in on Expedia(R) Corporate Travel for the following carriers: Air Canada, AirTran, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, America West, British Airways, Continental Airlines, Delta Airlines, Frontier Airlines, Northwest Airlines, TZ, United Airlines, and US Airways.