• no more cheap tickets

    As Airlines Become More Efficient, Cheap Seats Become Harder To Find

    Scott McCartney, who writes the WSJ's Middle Seat column, says that airlines are starting to use these newfangled things called "computers" to work out all their scheduling demons — and while it's good for business, travelers should expect fewer "off peak" cheap seats. More »

    10:42 AM on Tue Oct 21 2008
    By Meg Marco
    8,110 views, 35 comments

    Most discussed NotATool: Once again, Southwest on top of its game. Schedule optimization, fuel hedging, what will they think of next? more »

  • southwest

    Southwest's "Credit Cards Only" Policy Increases Sales By 8%

    Here's the real reason for an airline to switch to credit-card-only sales on board its flights: people spend more. Southwest Airlines' customer service veep, Daryl Krause, told the Dallas Morning News that "since Southwest began accept credit cards (and no longer taking cash) on Sept. 9, its drink sales are up about 8 percent." Since in general "the goal was one more drink sale per flight," we wonder whether that wasn't the real reason for going cashless all along. More »

    5:45 PM on Wed Oct 1 2008
    By Chris Walters
    4,164 views, 37 comments

    Most discussed reighvin: Or how about the flight attendants can't pocket some of the cash for themselves, meaning they are getting all the more »

  • southwest airlines

    Do The Math, Southwest: 25-Minute Layover, 20-Minute Security Screening

    Tsk tsk, Brandon, obviously you failed in your responsibility to wear Velcro sneaker when flying Southwest Airlines. Otherwise you wouldn't be in this mess. Brandon writes:

    ...I flew from Sacramento to the connection hub in San Diego, where I had a 25 minute layover. While I would not have chosen a 25-minute layover, Southwest doesn't give you your flight times until you've booked....the two gates were in separate parts of the building, separated by security...

    UPDATE: Brandon got a refund after a Southwest rep on Twitter saw the story on Consumerist. (He also agrees his statement about not getting the flight times was incorrect, details inside... More »

    12:55 PM on Thu Sep 25 2008
    By Ben Popken
    11,056 views, 72 comments

    Most discussed dieselman8: ...and why don't we have high speed rail yet? more »

  • corrections

    Southwest Never Meant To Apologize To Doctor They Had Arrested

    In our post earlier today about the 65-year-old doctor who tried to use the bathroom on a recent Southwest flight and was subsequently arrested, we noted that the airline sent him an apology letter and a $100 voucher. That seemed kind of inappropriate for the situation, right? It turns out the letter was never meant for Dr. Madduri and was sent to him by mistake. According to our reader RedwoodFlyer (Sockatume also picked up on it), the letter was actually about him and was sent to all the other passengers on the flight; he was never meant to see it. More »

    8:31 PM on Wed Sep 24 2008
    By Chris Walters
    27,216 views, 111 comments

    Most discussed jeffbone: Maybe I'm the only one who pays attention during those announcements anymore...the only thing I've ever heard relating to the more »

  • racial profiling

    Doctor Flying Southwest Tries To Go To Bathroom, Ends Up In Jail

    A 65-year-old urologist, born in India but living in the United States for 38 years now, was flying from his home in Missouri to a medical convention in Las Vegas on June 26th, 2008. Did you notice that "born in India" detail? Apparently his attempts to go to the bathroom angered and frightened a flight attendant, who wouldn't tell Dr. Sivaprasad Madduri why he couldn't use the lavatory (the pilot was using it) and who wouldn't listen to Dr. Madduri's explanation that he was taking a medicine that acts as a diuretic. When the plane landed he was arrested, spent the night in jail, and was told the next day to plead guilty and pay $2500 if he wanted a quick resolution. More »

    12:14 PM on Wed Sep 24 2008
    By Chris Walters
    28,602 views, 158 comments

    Most discussed Skankingmike: You guys have to understand a few things. 1.) Who on that plane knew this mans story? Nobody i could more »

  • cash

    No More Cash On Southwest Airlines

    Southwest Airlines will no longer be accepting cash for drinks on board their flights. The airline will "accept credit and debit cards and Rapid Rewards drink coupons for items that carry a fee, which also includes cocktails and energy drinks." [CNNMoney]

    12:59 PM on Wed Sep 3 2008
    By Meg Marco
    3,360 views, 47 comments

    Most discussed digitalgimpus: And me thinks that the airlines don't trust underpaid and overworked flight attendents who have to bear the public's wrath more »

  • Above and Beyond

    This Apology Letter From Southwest Is Refreshingly Honest And Informative

    A fluid leak forced Deepak's Southwest flight from Oakland to Seattle back to the airport. Southwest shifted passengers to a waiting plane, and everyone made it to Seattle about two hours late. Within a week, Southwest sent passengers an extraordinarily honest and informative letter detailing exactly what went wrong, and by way of apology, tossed in a $175 voucher. More »

    5:00 PM on Sun Aug 31 2008
    By Carey
    73,694 views, 76 comments

    Most discussed Hands: Ok, this is going to make me sound like a jackass, but my recent Southwest flight was not only almost more »

  • sales

    Morning Deals

    • Woot: Soundcast Audiocast Wireless Audio System for $49.99
    • American Signature Furniture: Urban Living Queen Panel Bed for $299
    • Dell: Flip Video 30 Minute Camcorder for $49.99 Shipped after rebate
    Highlights From Dealhack
    • Vann's: Klipsch iGroove HG iPod Speakers $100 Shipped
    • Mac Connection: Apple iMac $1099 + Free VMWare Fusion Software
    • Chefs: Labor Day Sale: Save up to 80% off Cookware, Kitchen Tools, & More
    Highlights From Bargainist
    • Southwest: Fares starting at $59 one-way
    • Purina: Free bag of Purina Yesterday's News cat litter
    • Arizona Jeans: 50% off select jeans and all shoes

    9:07 AM on Wed Aug 27 2008
    By Ben Popken
    698 views, 4 comments

    Latest by CountryJustice: Arizona Jeans? What am I in 1995 all over again? Tomorrow you'll tell me there's a clearance on more »

  • airline fees

    Top 3 Most and Least "Fee Crazy" Airlines

    Airline fees are a controversial topic these days, so we look a look at the fees that airlines were charging and picked the top 3 most and least "fee crazy" airlines. Avoiding fees is hard, so why not try to avoid the airlines that charge them instead?
    More »

    Feature

    8:30 AM on Wed Aug 27 2008
    By Meg Marco
    59,310 views, 92 comments

    Most discussed V for Vishnu: Its really too bad that the "Least Fee Crazy Airlines" don't fly outside North America. I need to fly more »