Travel Roundup: AirTran and Delta Optimistic, Royal Caribbean Cuts Charge, PDA Boarding Passes and More

(MoneyWatch)  Holiday flights still strong, airlines say, but fewer planes in air -- AirTran Airways and Delta say holiday bookings have plumped their planes as much if not more than last year. But the reality is that so many flights were scrapped because of high-cost fuel this holiday season, fuller planes don't necessarily mean more people flying. [Source: Associated Press/Chicago Tribune]

Royal Caribbean Cruises to end fuel surcharge --- Royal Caribbean Cruises, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Cruises will no longer collect a fuel surcharge for cruises booked on or after Nov. 10 and sailing Jan. 1, 2010 or later. The company said that passengers sailing in 2009 may get a refund, decided on a quarterly basis. [Source: Royal Caribbean]

Using your phone or PDA as boarding pass -- Passengers can use their iPhone and PDA to board nine airports around the country. The program, started at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport last week, allows passengers to download boarding passes to their personal electronic devices. Continental, Northwest, Delta and Alaska airlines are part of the pilot program that could expand next year. [Source: Canadian Press]

Hilton appoints Martin Rinck as Asia Pacific president -- Hilton Hotels Corp. anointed Martin Rinck as president of Hilton Hotels - Asia Pacific. Rinck, former president and managing director of Carlson Hotels Worldwide, will be based in Singapore. [Source: HotelExecutive]