Bankruptcy isn’t just for discount carriers anymore! The all-business class carrier EOS filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection yesterday, and will fly its last flight tonight. Eos envisioned a beautiful world, one where business elites traveled unfettered by proles and crying babies, unless the babies were crying for more gold. That vision lies shattered, hopeless pummeled by rising oil prices and stingy business travelers who will now have to share planes with the rest of us.
airlines
American Airlines Flirting With US Airways On Possible Merger
By 4.25.08
An unnamed source has told Reuters that American Airlines is in talks with US Airways about a possible merger—and that it’s also in talks with Continental about sharing passengers! Meanwhile, Continental is currently in talks with United about a possible merger of its own, and has said it will only choose one partner eventually. United, on the other hand, is not only pursuing Continental but is also in talks with US Airways about a merger. Yes, we have an airlines romantic triangle, folks. Someone’s heart is going to end up broken.
Calculate The "Emissions Cost" Of Your Next Flight
By 4.25.08
Enpalo is an online calculator that lets you estimate the flight emissions of your next airplane jaunt—you choose an airline, enter your origin and destination, then sit back and light up a cigar while you laugh about how many baby polar bears you’re drowning.
4 Hints For Getting Your Ticket Money Back When The Airline Goes Bankrupt
By 4.25.08
We got passed a communique from the Fiserv debit-card processing company to its clients that offers some insights for consumers concerned about getting their money back if they have bought tickets on an airline that has gone bankrupt (as several have recently). Here’s the takeaways:
- Chargebacks can be filed on all tickets, whether they were purchased directly from the airline or from a third-party
- You don’t have to take a replacement flight offered by another carrier if you don’t want to
- You have 120 days from the date of expected travel to file a chargeback
- Depending on merchant policy, travel insurance may be transferable or redeemable
(Thanks to mac-phisto!)
Spirit Air Burns Woman's Luggage
By 4.24.08
Sean writes, “Lost luggage? That’s so 1990’s… Spirit Air’s all about burning bags instead.”
The Future Of Air Travel Fees
By 4.23.08
Minyanville has received a leaked copy of how a US Airways ticket will look after they apply some new fees that are currently under development…
By 4.23.08
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Since its creation in 2001, the TSA has fired over 200 employees for stealing. Since the TSA will invariably deny your request for compensation if you file a theft claim, your best bet is to either pack valuables in your carry-on, or just leave them home all-together. [MSNBC]
Delta & Northwest CEOs Say All Airlines Should Raise Fees 15-20%
By 4.22.08
Delta’s CEO, Richard Anderson, told reporters today that all airlines need to raise fees by as much as 20% “just to break even due to the rising price of fuel.” His new bedmate, Northwest CEO Doug Steenland, piped in to say cost-cutting measures “have largely been exhausted”—and by “cost-cutting” we assume he means, “We can’t find anything else to add surcharges to, except maybe the bathroom and the recycled oxygen, and we’re not monsters.”
9 Most Obnoxious Hidden Airline Fees
By 4.22.08
As their corpulent systems collide with increasingly harsh economic realities, airlines are making up more creative fees and charging for things that used to be free. Here’s 9 of the worst offenders of the hidden airline fees, via Aviation.com.
JetBlue To Charge $20 For Second Checked Bag
By 4.22.08
JetBlue announced its first quarter results today and while things aren’t as bleak as they are over at United Airlines, the discount carrier said that it was struggling under the weight of its fuel bill and was going to modify its baggage check policy in order to remain competitive with other airlines.
United Airlines Raises Ticket Change Fee To $150
By 4.21.08
United Airlines announced today that they are raising their ticket change fee to $150—up from $100, “in an effort to combat high fuel costs.”
Pilots Complain That Cash-Strapped Airlines Are Skimping On Fuel
By 4.19.08
What’s the surest way to save money on rising fuel prices? Don’t use it! MSNBC has gathered pilot complaints from a database NASA maintains for the FAA, and they show that airlines are challenging pilots’ refueling decisions, urging them to carry only the minimum fuel required by FAA regulations in…
Aer Lingus Accidentally Sells Transatlantic Flights For 5 Euros Each
By 4.18.08
Aer Lingus is apologizing to some 100 customers to whom it accidentally sold transatlantic tickets for a measly 5 Euros.
The Stupid Spirit Airlines M.I.L.F. Sale Is Back
By 4.18.08
The first time around the promotion featured an illustration of islands cleverly arranged in the shape of a buxom female figure, and a spokesperson who, aw shucks, had no idea (none! really! honest!) what M.I.L.F. stood for. Spirit even went so far as to claim that there is no way they could have known what M.I.L.F. meant because the executive who approved the promotion is “British.”
By 4.18.08
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Due to recruitment difficulties, the same guy making sure you don’t bring on more than three ounces of deadly shampoo is now getting trained as a US Air Marshal. [CNN]
US Airways Pilot Who Fired Gun In Cockpit Will Himself Be Fired
By 4.18.08
The US Airways pilot who accidentally fired his weapon in the cockpit of a plane will be fired, says CNN. The pilot, Capt. James Langenhahn, 55, was not available for comment. He told investigators that he was stowing his weapon in preparation to land when the gun went off. The bullet pierced the jet’s fuselage but did not hit any crucial wiring or instrumentation, according to the TSA.
By 4.17.08
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American Airlines lost a bunch of money this quarter. Ruh-roh. [NYT]
United Airlines Raises Fuel Surcharges For The Second Time This Week
By 4.17.08
United Airlines has raised its already not-exactly-insignificant fuel surcharge for the second time this week, says USAToday.
