2011 has been safest ever for air travel If you suffer from a fear of flying, here's something that might calm your nerves: The first 11 months of 2011 were the safest period for commercial air travel on record. The global accident rate for January through November was 22 percent better than the same time last year and marked the safest period since a United Nations aviation agency began collecting data in 1945, according to the International Air Transport Assocation, an airline trade group that issued a report based on the U.N. data. Globally, there were 486 deaths in the first 11 months of the year, down from 784 fatalities in the same period last year.

LOS ANGELES TIMES

MSP ranks No. 14 for tech travelers PC World has issued a report on the 20 best airports for "tech travelers," considering such amenities as Wi-Fi access, cell signals and workspaces. Dallas-Fort Worth placed first. Minneapolis-St. Paul came in at No. 14. Delta earned the top position for tech-friendly airlines. The magazine commended Delta for its charging stations, onboard Wi-Fi, social media presence and smartphone app.

WASHINGTON POST

Museum of London celebrates Dickens A new exhibit presents 19th-century London through Charles Dickens' eyes. The showstoppers at the Museum of London's "Dickens and London" are items traced directly to him: the manuscript of "Great Expectations," the peeling leather desk on which it was written, and a shopping list telling the butler to buy ham and Yorkshire pie from Fortnum & Mason in Piccadilly. The exhibit runs until June 10. www.museumoflondon.org.uk

BLOOMBERG NEWS

Expedia now taking cruise bookings Expedia is expanding its reach on the high seas. The online travel agency is taking reservations on eight cruise lines including Crystal Cruises, Oceania Cruises and Windstar Cruises, as well as three river cruise lines.

WASHINGTON POST