Usually we wouldn’t be fans of fighting, but when it comes to companies vying for consumers’ hard-earned dollars, the more they try to one-up each other, the better it is for us. So it’s cause for celebration now that the three biggest airlines in the U.S. are paying attention to their low-cost rivals, bringing down ticket prices for everyone. [More]
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Thousands Of Flights Canceled, Delayed As Storm System Wreaks Holiday Travel Havoc
By 12.28.15
Even if you haven’t had to fly anywhere yesterday or today, you’re likely aware that there’s a large storm system currently duffing up air travel across the U.S. Time to break out the leftover egg nog and reconcile yourself to the inevitable nog hangover, travelers, as thousands of flights have been canceled or delayed already. [More]
United Airlines Expands Age Range For Children Flying Alone Who Are Required To Use $150 Service
By 12.28.15
If you’ve got a tween who’s preparing to fly alone on United Airlines, you might end up paying a fee you weren’t prepared for: United Airlines has quietly expanded the age range of children who have to use a $150 service when flying without an accompanying adult, raising it from an upper limit of age 12 to age 15. [More]
Cat Gets Loose On Delta Air Lines Flight, Tries To Realize Dream Of Being A Flight Attendant
By 12.21.15
Traveling can be a mundane, routine task: print off your boarding pass, check your bags, walk through security, sit at your gate, board, and takeoff. But a recent Delta Air Lines flight had the exciting bonus of an escaped feline roaming around the aircraft. [More]
United Airlines Bringing 200 Comfort Dogs To Seven Airports For A Bit Of Holiday Travel Stress-Relief
By 12.21.15
With holiday travel predicted to reach record levels this week, it’s probably a safe bet that someone at some overcrowded airport across the country will get a bit stressed out. In a bid to make sure holiday travel is a bit less grueling for passengers, United Airlines is sending in the dogs, literally. [More]
Either Your Dreams Or Your Nightmares Could Come True With Design For Airplane Observation Deck
By 12.16.15
The good news is, we’ve finally heard about an airplane seating design that doesn’t involve stacking passengers on top of each other or forcing travelers to stare at each other awkwardly. The other news is that the plan for an observation deck built for two atop an airplane could either sound like a dream come true or a nightmare scenario fully realized. [More]
Holiday Travel Predicted To Hit Record High With 100 Million People Planning A Trip This Season
By 12.15.15
Santa Claus isn’t the only one polishing up his ride for the season: more than 100 million travelers are expected to take a trip for the holidays this year, which is a record number for the travel-heavy season. And, of course, it means sharing the roads and skies with more people than usual, which is always fun. [More]
Alaska Airlines Joining Premium Ticketing Bandwagon In 2016
By 12.4.15
Following the lead of other domestic carriers, Alaska Airlines will soon offer passengers a premium economy ticket option. The Premium Class section will debut in late 2016 and provide customers three to four inches of extra legroom, priority boarding and as yet unspecified “additional amenities.” The upgrade will be available to Alaska Airlines elite Mileage Plan members on a complimentary basis at booking or on the day of travel, but it was unclear how much the option will cost for other passengers. [Alaska Airlines] [More]
Denying Travelers Compensation For Damaged Bags Won’t Fly With The DOT Starting Jan. 9
By 12.3.15
Some airlines aren’t living up to their obligation to compensate passengers for damage to their luggage, recent inspections by the Department of Transportation found. Now, the agency is warning carriers that if their policies and trainings don’t fall in line with federal regulations by Jan. 9, they could face fines and other enforcement action. [More]
Lawmaker Questions Airlines, Plane Manufacturers On Cybersecurity Measures
By 12.2.15
Eight months after a government report found that airplanes with WiFi connections may be vulnerable to cyber attacks and seven months after a hacker claimed to have commandeered a United Airlines flight via the plane’s in-flight entertainment system, one lawmaker wants to know just what airlines are doing to protect their computer systems — and passengers. [More]
First Commercial Passenger Flight Touches Down In Antarctica
By 12.2.15
Until now, tourists with a yearning to explore Antarctica have been much like the penguins that live there… flightless. Though cargo craft often fly to the southernmost pole with scientists and equipment for research purposes, most other visitors have had to rely on ships to carry them to the icy continent. That could all change in the future, with the landing of the first commercial passenger flight in Antarctica late last month. [More]
Study: Airlines Padded Flight Schedules To Improve On-Time Performance Stats
By 11.30.15
So many things can delay a flight — weather, traffic, minor technical glitches to name just a few — and yet nearly three-quarters of all flights arrived at their destination on schedule last year. A new study suggests that this achievement might not just be the result of increased efficiency, but of padded schedules. [More]
American Airlines Apologizes To Passenger Who Said He Was Kicked Off Flight For Being Overweight
By 11.24.15
American Airlines has apologized for the experience of a passenger who claims he was at first told to get off a flight because he’s overweight, and was only able to stay on the plane after he begged the crew to reconsider. [More]
Officials: Spirit Airlines Flight Returned To Airport After Takeoff Due To Bomb Threat Onboard
By 11.20.15
UPDATE: The Broward County Sheriff’s Office is now calling the incident a misunderstanding by a passenger who overheard a phone conversation. [More]
Authorities Clear Two Paris-Bound Air France Flights Diverted Over Anonymous Threats
By 11.18.15
Two Air France flights bound for Paris from the U.S. that received anonymous threats phoned in while they were in the air have been cleared by authorities and declared safe. [More]
Officials: British Airways Passenger Restrained After Trying To Open Exit Door During Flight
By 11.17.15
Though it might seem like a fine idea to catch a breath of fresh air after a few cocktails, if you attempt to gain access to the outdoors during a flight, you’ll find yourself in trouble. To that end, law enforcement and the Federal Aviation Administration said a British Airways passenger who appeared to be intoxicated tried to open the plane’s exit door on a flight from London to Boston. [More]
United Airlines Will No Longer Charge $50 To Get A Hardship Refund
By 11.16.15
While it seems like the major players in the travel industry are constantly coming up with new ways to charge customers more money, travelers flying on United Airlines can say good-bye to at least one fee: the carrier announced it’ll no longer charge a hardship refund fee of $50. [More]
DOJ Sues To Stop United And Delta From Swapping Slots At NYC-Area Airports
By 11.10.15
When two major companies decide to get along, it’s not quite so simple as exchanging friendship bracelets — each side usually sees some benefit. For example, airlines United and Delta want to get friendly, so they’ve agreed to swap slots at two New York City-area airports. One hitch, however, is that the United States Department of Justice isn’t a fan of the plan. [More]
