Ohio native and Yale University student Jessie Maiman has filed a lawsuit seeking $1 million in damages from US Airways for losing a video game console in his luggage. Maiman, 21, alleges that during a flight from New Haven, Conn. to Cincinnati, Ohio in December, his Xbox 360 disappeared from his luggage.

But it wasn't just any Xbox 360. Maiman's had a specialized harddrive, although we're pretty positive that it still wouldn't bring the value up anywhere near $1 million.

Maiman claimes he got "an unconscionable run-around" from US Airways. He is seeking $1,700 for the loss of the Xbox, and for the maximum damages allowable, which is $1 million.

He filed the lawsuit Monday in Hamilton County Common Pleas Court. A spokesman for US Airways said that the airline was not aware of the suit, but noted that the US government limits liability for lost luggage to $3,300 per bag.

Need to use the restroom? That'll cost you, if Ryanair's new plan to begin charging passengers to use the toilets while flying comes to fruition. Company CEO Michael O'Leary said that customers might have to fork over £1 to "spend a penny" on flights.

O'Leary said Friday, "One thing we have looked at in the past and are looking at again is the possibility of maybe putting a coin slot on the toilet door so that people might actually have to spend a pound to spend a penny in future."

He added, "We are always looking at ways of making air travel cheaper. We are all about finding ways of raising revenue so we can keep lowering air fares."

There's one problem with this plan, however. By charging people to use the bathroom, it could result in fewer drink purchases during flights.

Despite the economic downturn, Akron-Canton Airport (CAK) posted its best year ever in 2008. The small, but mighty airport was able to achieve this by offering the lowest average fare in Ohio, a relaxing atmosphere, and flights to popular nonstop destinations. CAK broke their all-time passenger record, which was set in 2006.

A total of 1,469,196 customers traveled to and from CAK in 2008, beating the old record by more than 30,000 people. The 2008 number is 2% higher than the 2006 record, and 5.6% over 2007's figures.

Nearly every carrier at CAK saw an increase in 2008. US Airways Express saw a 20% increase, Frontier Airlines was up 14%, Northwest Airlink was up 14%, AirTran Airways was up 6%, and United Express was up 4%. Delta Connection was the only one down on the year, down 8.5%.

With all flights grounded in Houston, travel in the US this weekend is expected to be a nightmare. Continental Airlines, however, seems to have been more prepared than most, having purchased rental space in an underground bunker where they can safely house their important computer systems and up to 200 staff members in the event of an emergency.

The bunker, which is located in Montgomery, Texas, was built by a wealthy Taiwanese businessman who feared that the Russians or Soviets would attack the US with nuclear missiles. Ling-Cheih Kung made his fortune during the 1970's with Westland Oil (now defunct), but lost the title to his property in the 80's when oil companies went bust.

The bunker is located 50 feet below ground, and Continental occupies an area of about 2000 square feet. Continental moved into their spot in 2006, just a few months after construction and renovations on the facility began, which also added internet connectivity for companies leasing space.

American Airlines has, until now, waived the $15 first checked bag fee and the $25 second fee, but not the $100 third checked bagged fee. They explained that they had "always understood that soldiers traveling on duty were reimbursed by the military for the fees on required excess baggage." After numerous complaints from soldiers traveling, American Airlines has caved, and will no longer charge soldiers en route to training or deployment for their third checked bag.

American Airlines issued a press release stating, "The choice for us to forgo payment for a third checked bag from the Department of Defense was clear."

Military personnel are supposed to receive vouchers and reimbursement for any baggage fees they incur, but this wasn't always happening.

American Airlines explained the new policy:

In an attempt to find some way to generate additional income, six of the major US airlines have decided to sell advertising space on their boarding passes. Sojern, a start-up based out of Omaha, Nebraska, said that they would start by filling up the white space on boarding passes travelers print out at home with targeted coupons, dining recommendations, ads, and weather information.

Airlines soon to feature the ad-plastered boarding passes include America, Continental, Delta, Northwest, United, and US Airways.

Delta will be the first to kick off the new boarding passes, beginning today in Las Vegas, and expanding on Thursday to cover 300 cities nationwide. The remainder of the airlines will be launching their efforts in the next few months.

Hate ads? Don't worry, consumers will have the option of printing boarding passes without the ads. In the future, Sojern also promises that travelers will be able to save preferences for future trips, allowing them to customize their boarding passes.

Sojern is planning to continue signing on new partners, and hopes to take their program international. Marketers currently taking part include NBC Universal, Crocs, Cirque du Soleil, Bahama Breeze, Borders, and Omaha Steaks.

While the news for the airline industry has been bleak of late, Continental Airlines brass can smile today after winning an awards given out by Executive Travel Magazine. The biggest airline in Cleveland was named "Best Domestic Airline," "Best Airline for Customer Service" and "Best Airline for Flights to Mexico" in Executive Travel Magazine's 2008 Leading Edge Awards. The awards were given out according to a readers survey.

The airline industry is being hit hard with increasing fuel costs, and has begun shifting some of that burden over to consumers with incrased fares and charging for checked bags. Next up is cutting out the little luxuries we take for granted. US Airways has announced that they will be removing in-flight movie systems from their flights, which will save them about $10 million per year.

US Airways made the decision to pull out the entertainment systems because the number of people paying $5 for headsets has dropped, while the cost of jet fuel, maintenance and studio fees and increased. Furthermore, the video system adds about 500 pounds to a plane's weight, increasing the amount of fuel used per flight.

The in-flight entertainments will be shut off on November 1 and removed from Airbus A320-family aircraft when the planes undergo other maintenance. Movies are currently only shown on flights of at least 2.5 hours.

US Airways had initially hoped to replace the current entertainment systems with lighterweight, individual devices. In October they'll be testing a fiber optic system on one plane. However an 85% increase in the cost of jet fuel in the past year has changed those plans, and new Airbus planes delivered to US Airways will have no entertainment systems.

American Airlines flight 1908 from Miami to LaGuardia on Sunday night was delayed because the flight crew didn't show up on time, and when they did finally arrive, pissed off passengers began to boo. This hostile behavior on behalf of the passengers apparently proved to be too threatening, and the American Airlines crew refused to fly.

One passenger described the incident saying, "...and then they closed them behind glass doors, and they kind of threatened us that they weren't going to fly with the way people were acting. Some people got very agitated." Another passenger indicated that a few people were acting like a mob and using harsh language.

At this point, two American Airlines crew members refused to work in a "hostile" environment, and because they were unable to find another crew, the flight was grounded and cancelled.

Passengers on the cancelled flight were compensated and given a hotel for the night. When they finally arrived at LaGuardia the next evening, however, passengers found out that their bags had been sent to JFK.

Continental Airlines and United Airlines announced today that they had reached an agreement on a broad marketing alliance that would provide many of the same revenue benefits of a merger, but without financial and operational risks that have been made larger by the credit crisis and rising oil prices. The country's number two and number 4 airlines have been in talks about an alliance since late April.

Continental has been previously discussing a merger with United, but abruptly called all talks, stating that they'd be better off remaining independent. United had also been exploring a merger with US Airways, but called that off a month after Continental pulled the plug on their discussions.

As part of the agreement, Continental and United have agreed to link their networks and operations globally. Continental also agreed to join the Star Alliance, the world's largest group of airline partners, which United currently belongs to. In joining the Star Alliance, Continental will give up their membership with another airline group, SkyTeam.