Dallas-based Southwest Airlines, American Airlines top travel headlines this week

This week's travel news out of Texas centers around Dallas-based American Airlines and Southwest Airlines.

Southwest Airlines announced this week it will temporarily half flights on three routes early next year. The decision was made due to the airline dealing with a decline in air traffic and its attempts at adjusting its schedule to fit in with seasonal demand.

Southwest's new schedule is now available via their Web site, and covers flights from Jan. 9, 2010, to Mar. 12, 2010. The airline will cut one flight per day on 92 routes and increase service on 42 routes.

The airline also will suspend service between Albuquerque, N.M., and Portland, Ore.; and between Manchester, N.H., and Phoenix, with flights resuming in February. Flights between Kansas City, Mo., and Seattle will stop in January and resume in May, according to the airline.

Southwest will add nonstop service from St. Louis to Boston and Minneapolis in January. Southwest began service in Boston and Minneapolis this year.

Dallas-based Southwest, the nation's largest discount carrier, operates about 3,300 flights per day.

American Airlines said Wednesday it is offering promotions to its frequent flyers. The promotion will be geared toward helping make frequent flyers eligible for elite status and extra rewards.

Now American Airlines customers will be able to earn twice the elite status qualifying miles when they fly on American Airlines, American Eagle, and AmericanConnection between Sept. 2 and Dec. 15.