Two Brazilian tourists died Monday and 23 other people were hurt after two hot-air balloons collided in a beauty spot in central Turkey, officials said. The accident occurred over Cappadocia's sculpted rock formations when one balloon collided with the basket of another balloon above and crashed to the ground, the governor of Nevsehir province, Abdurrahman Savas, told Anatolia news agency. "The lower balloon was torn and fell quickly," he said, citing witness accounts.

A strike by pilots and cabin crew at Croatia Airlines continued for a seventh day on Monday, and the loss-making company said that the dispute had cost it hundreds of thousands of euros (more than $1 million). "Direct financial damages (from the strike) are estimated at up to 6.5 million kunas (859,000 euros, $1.1 million) and unions' action continues," a Croatia Airlines spokesman told AFP. Since the strike began on May 14, about one third of Croatia Airlines flights -- about 20 -- had to be cancelled every day, spokesman Davor Janusic added.

United Airlines is again flying the 787, four months after smouldering batteries forced the plane to be grounded worldwide. A United 787 flight took off from Houston on Monday morning and landed in Chicago. United Continental Holdings Inc. has six 787s. Battery problems on planes owned by other airlines prompted the grounding. Federal authorities cleared the planes to fly again on April 19. United plans to use its 787s on routes from Houston to other U.S. cities this week. It plans to restart international flights on June 10.

It’s not just about getting the cheapest airfare anymore, say the developers of yet another online reservation site who have added the ‘happiness’ factor into the fray. While, for most online airfare bookers, price and schedule remain the most important factors when purchasing tickets, Routehappy.com promises users that they can also help flyers find the ‘happiest’ and most comfortable flight.