Remember when you looked forward to lots of snow? Neither do we. [More]
air travel
JetBlue Keeping Door Open To Free In-Flight WiFi
By 3.5.13
Last year, JetBlue announced it would begin installing new, satellite-based WiFi Internet access on board its planes — and that the service would initially be free on the first 30 jets that get the upgrade. Now the airline’s CEO says that freebie could continue beyond that starting point. [More]
TSA To Relax Restrictions On Pocketknives, Sporting Goods
By 3.5.13
More than a decade after enacting strict prohibitions on carrying knives on U.S. flights, Transportation Security Administration head John Pistole says the agency will begin allowing smaller pocketknives and limited carry-on of golf clubs and other sporting equipment. (via Bloomberg) [More]
United Holds Connecting Flight So Passenger Can Get To Dying Mother
By 3.4.13
Given the current state of the airline industry and the nature of the stories that people send to us, it’s nice to hear the occasional account of airline staffers going to extra lengths to help a passenger out. [More]
Frontier Airlines Decides You Really Shouldn’t Go To Disney World This Year
By 2.20.13
Only three months ago, Frontier Airlines started offering flights from Columbia, MO, to Orlando, so of course travelers began booking tickets for trips to Disney World and other area attractions. Now Frontier is pulling the plug on the route, leaving customers to scramble for new travel plans. [More]
Former Spirit Airlines Mechanic: I Was Fired After Complaining To FAA About Service Issues
By 2.19.13
A New Jersey man who had worked at Spirit Airlines for more than a decade claims he was fired last year after he and a group of his fellow aircraft mechanics filed a complaint with the Federal Aviation Administration about allegedly sketchy service practices at the carrier. [More]
Alleged Delta Baby-Slapper Fired For Allegedly Slapping Baby On Delta Flight
By 2.19.13
You probably remember last week’s story of the Delta passenger accused of not only slapping a 19-month-old child but also using an unpleasant racial slur while doing so. Looks like that man’s employer isn’t exactly thrilled with the publicity caused by the incident. [More]
Delta Passenger Accused Of Slapping 19-Month-Old Across The Face, Using Racial Slur
By 2.15.13
Slapping another passenger on an airplane is bad. When that passenger is a baby, it’s even worse. But if you go that far in being a terrible human being, might as well throw in a racial slur just in case you hadn’t offended everyone on the plane. [More]
US Airways Charges $75 To Change My Ticket To Incorrect Flight, Won’t Talk To Me About It
By 2.13.13
Consumerist reader Ryan would really like to talk to someone at US Airways about a mix-up at the ticket counter that cost him $75 and delayed his travel time by a few hours, but getting an airline rep on the phone has been a trial. [More]
Lost Your License Or Passport? Airport Security Will Accept A Costco Card
By 2.8.13
A few years back, I misplaced my license while in Washington, D.C. for a wedding. Little did I know that I didn’t have to take a bus back to New York; I apparently could have just shown my Costco card. [More]
More Than 1,000 Flights Already Canceled For Tomorrow Because Of Storm
By 2.7.13
Another day, another natural disaster that screws things up for people who don’t even live near the affected area. [More]
Woman Sues TSA, FBI, Frontier Airlines After Being Detained & Strip-Searched
By 1.22.13
Back on Sept. 11, 2011, the tenth anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, an Ohio woman was one of three people detained by authorities at Detroit Metro Airport, where she claims she was strip-searched and held without cause for four hours. [More]
Delta Says Too Many People Were Getting Elite Status, Will Make It Harder To Achieve
By 1.17.13
Airlines have spent the last decade trying to get customers to rack up points in any way possible. But apparently too many people were enjoying the high-life on Delta, as the airline announced changes today that will make it more difficult to achieve elite status in it frequent flier program. [More]
18 Heads Found In Airport Duffel Bag; May Be Completely Legal
By 1.15.13
There are all sorts of restrictions on things you can carry on to a plane; don’t dare try to bring that bottle of Poland Spring through the checkpoint. But 18 heads in a duffel bag? That might actually be okay, say customs officials. [More]
Here Is Video Of The Unruly Passenger Who Had To Be Duct Taped Into His Seat
By 1.9.13
Really drunk people and planes don’t mix. So what to do when a passenger is so drunk he can’t be restrained by ordinary meaures? [More]
Southwest Helps Out Longtime Customer Even Though It Didn’t Have To
By 1.8.13
For more than 20 years, Consumerist reader Carl has been flying on Southwest Airlines, and he’s been a frequent customer of the carrier for around 15 years. [More]
DOT Issued Record-Setting Number Of Violations To Airlines In 2012
By 1.2.13
Up until the very end of 2012, it looked like the Dept. of Transportation was only going to tie the record it set in 2011 for the number of fines handed out to airlines. But a pair of Dec. 31 violations pushed 2012 into a spot on top of the charts all on its own. [More]
FCC Makes Changes To Improve Availability Of In-Flight Internet Access
By 12.28.12
For more than a decade, the FCC has been approving individual applications from companies to provide in-flight Internet access. But this burdensome process will soon be cut in half thanks to new rules issued by the Commission. [More]
