Two of South America’s most iconic cities will soon have a faster link to Bangkok when Emirates commences its daily nonstop service to Rio de Janeiro and extension to Buenos Aires from January 3, 2012.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) reported that airline profits are down significantly heading into the third quarter. The airline industry typically earns 80 percent of its profits in the second and third quarters, with seasonal losses in the first quarter and a weaker fourth quarter.

Antigua and Barbuda’s Tourism industry is set to receive a boost this year as a new daily non-stop service from New York John F Kennedy Airport, operated by American Airlines, will commence from November 17th 2011.

Next summer Lufthansa will begin service between Munich and Mexico City. The flights are slated to start on March 26 and they will be using Airbus A340-600 jetliners. From that date onward, Mexico City will be served five times a week from Munich, supplementing the daily flights already operated from Frankfurt.

British Airways is adding some of the world’s most prestigious wines to create an in-flight cellar that it says any Michelin-star restaurant would be proud of. The airline is making a substantial investment in champagne and wines on board and customers will see the new premium vintages taking flight beginning this month.

Virgin America, which will start flying from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Puerto Vallarta International Airport (PVR) on Dec. 2, has launched a “No Chihuahua Left Behind” fare sale in support of its ongoing Chihuahua rescue and airlift efforts.