Takeoff

10 most crowded airports in America
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport has been ranked as the most crowded airport in America. In second place is Charlotte Douglas International Airport, followed by Los Angeles International Airport at third. Forbes (5/7)

LAX may be in line for much-needed $4.76B makeover
The Los Angeles City Council approved $4.76 billion in improvements to Los Angeles International Airport. Built in 1961, the airport's amenities lag behind newer airports in Asia and the Middle East, according to Cheryl Marcell, a spokeswoman for ACI World. Los Angeles Times (tiered subscription model) (5/5)

The Smarter Traveler

Algorithm a better predictor of flight arrival times
Alaska Airlines and General Electric sponsored a contest to come up with an algorithm to better predict flight arrival times. A team of analysts at the Institute for Infocomm Research in Singapore took home the $100,000 prize for its work. Bloomberg Businessweek/Very Near Future blog (5/7)

Unisys debuts mobile app for baggage tracking
Unisys has released a mobile application that can help fliers keep better track of their bags. The app alerts passengers when their luggage has been loaded on the pickup carousel. FutureTravelExperience.com (U.K.) (5/2)

Refuel and Refresh

Hotels take the casual route with dining options
The casual-dining concept is taking over the lodging industry as more hotels transform their dining venues into less-formal spaces where guests can relax and socialize. Meal options are also giving way to upscale comfort foods that guests can pick up and eat where they like. USA Today/Hotel Check-in blog (5/6)

Sleeping pods debut at Abu Dhabi airport
Fliers at Abu Dhabi International Airport can grab a nap in the world's first GoSleep pods. The pods include covers for privacy and run $12.25 an hour. The airport plans to add 35 pods later this year, and already has 10 of them in Terminal 3 and in the Al Dhabi Lounge in Terminal 1. ArabianBusiness.com (United Arab Emirates) (5/6)

Spotlight on Meetings and Events from MPI

5 Critical Job Search Questions
Now that the economy is showing signs of improvement, you should focus on a strategy for securing the job you want. A career expert offers some advice. Read more at the MPI site.

Travel Pulse

Would you do yoga poses during a flight?

Anything to ease the pain	58.70%
I'd be afraid of looking silly	41.30%

SmartQuote

When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, 'I used everything you gave me.' " -- Erma Bombeck, American humorist Share: