Alaska Airlines debuted a plane Wednesday fitted with power and USB outlets at every seat. (courtesy Alaska Airlines)

Alaska Airlines said Wednesday it has debuted its first aircraft with both a 110-volt and USB power outlet on every seat, the first U.S. airline to have such an amenity.

The improvements are part of a $100 million investment the carrier has made to upgrade the cabins in all 737-800, 737-900 and 737-900ER aircraft. The carrier expects to finish the upgrades by the end of 2014, which will result in three-quarters of its fleet being equipped.

"We've heard the request for seat power loud and clear and we're pleased to deliver 'juice' to our customers," said Joe Sprague, Alaska Airlines' vice president of marketing. "Providing easy to reach 110-volt power for laptops and USB power for smart phones and tablets is just another way Alaska Airlines is making travel easier."

Alaska also announced Wednesday that is starting flights between Anchorage and Phoenix today and between Anchorage and Las Vegas Thursday. Flights will operate on each route three times a week year-round to Vegas and seasonally to Phoenix through April 19.

British Airways First In Europe To Offer Electronics During Full Flight

British Airways announced via its Twitter page Wednesday that it will become the first airline in Europe to allow passengers to use handheld electronic devices throughout their flight.

Fliers will be allowed to use tablets, phones and other electronic devices in airplane mode throughout the flight.

The move becomes official Thursday following acceptance by the Civil Aviation Authority.

British Airways has a history of innovation, as it was the first European airline to allow travelers to use mobile phones and other handheld electronic devices to call, text and send emails after their plane has landed, a move that took effect earlier this year. It was the first UK airline to permit fliers to watch in-flight entertainment from gate to gate on longer flights.

TSA to open three Washington, D.C. Pre-Check Centers

The Transit Security Administration (TSA) continues its rollout of in-person enrollment centers for its Pre-Check service.

TSA will open three centers in Washington, D.C. on Monday.

Travelers who use the TSA’s Pre-Check program keep their shoes, belts and sweaters on and do not have to pull their laptops from cases or display their plastic bags of liquids as they hustle through special airport checkpoints. 

Enrollment in the program starts online, and is finished in a 10-minute process at the center. Travelers must pay $85 for a five-year subscription and be prepared to submit to a background check and fingerprinting.

Once approved, the Pre-Check approved code will automatically appear on boarding passes on nine airlines  - Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Hawaiian Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Southwest Airlines, United Airlines, US Airways and Virgin America.

Virgin America offering 50 percent off best seats

This is a today only offer for Virgin America. Travelers will get 50 percent off seats in First Class and Main Cabin Select booking on the company’s website today using the code 50BEST.

Seats must be booked today for travel between Dec. 23 and Jan. 4, 2014.

The airline is also offering a 10 percent off deal for First Class and Main Cabin Select travel in 2014. Use codes ELLEN10 and WINTER10 today only for travel Dec. 25 through Mar. 5, 2014.

Delta Adds More Service to Seattle

Delta Air Lines announced Tuesday that it will add new daily nonstop flights to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport from San Jose International Airport and Juneau International Airport as well as an additional flight from Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, all beginning May 29, 2014.

There will be four new daily nonstop flights from San Jose and a new summer seasonal flight from both Juneau (a new route) and Anchorage (its third daily non-stop).

"The Pacific Northwest economy is one of the fastest-growing in the U.S., and a big part of why we're adding domestic flights in support of our growing global gateway in Seattle," said Mike Medeiros, Delta's vice president of Seattle. "By next summer, we'll offer more than 2,500 daily international seats as part of our 79 peakday departures to 25 destinations."

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