On Tuesday, Steenland outlined the steps being taken to address the cancellation problem, and said he hopes those steps will prevent a recurrence of the cancellation problem in late August.
airlines
Northwest Promises To Fix Cancellation Problem
By 8.1.07
Read Before You Click: Spirit Airlines Signs You Up For Club Membership and Travel Insurance
By 7.31.07
If you buy a ticket on Spirit Airlines’ website, the purchase screen has the nasty habit of prefilling options to buy travel insurance and join the Spirit Airlines fare club. And those fees? Nonrefundable, even if you cancel your membership. How nice.
Expiring Airline Miles Could Cost Consumers $28 Billion
By 7.30.07
If 14% of the existing unredeemed airline miles are allowed to expire as United Airlines predict they will, the cost to consumers would be about $28 billion, according to the Chicago Tribune.
Travel Tip: Avoid Northwest Airlines at End of Month
By 7.30.07
Northwest Airlines canceled hundreds of flights — about 10% of its schedule — this past weekend because of a pilot shortage. This isn’t a new problem: It’s been happening consistently at the end of the month, like clockwork.
Southwest Testing "Family Only" Section of Plane
By 7.27.07
Southwest, in an effort to speed their boarding process, is testing a “family only” section of the plane. As you’re probably aware, Southwest does not issue seating assignments, and as a result have to spend time asking single people to move so xyz family can all sit together.
Airline Passengers Bill Of Rights Gutted In Congress
By 7.27.07
They’ve made a cute little propaganda video in the hopes of encouraging you to contact your representatives.
By 7.27.07
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It’s expensive to run an airline, which is perhaps why American Airlines in-flight radio offered to interview Freakonomics co-author Steven D. Levitt for the price of $3,995. [Freakonomics]
American Airlines Fined $231,000 For Unsafe Work Conditions At O'Hare
By 7.27.07
American Airlines faces fines of up to $231,000 for unsafe work conditions that include fall hazards, electrical and fire hazards, hygiene issues, blocked exits and storage of oxygen and acetylene cylinders, according to the Chicago Tribune.
By 7.26.07
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Southwest and JetBlue are welcoming Virgin America to the discount market by cutting fares.
Airports On High Alert After TSA Seizes Block Cheese
By 7.25.07
Logan security remains high as terror concerns are raised [Boston Globe] (Thanks to Dork Esquire!)
By 7.24.07
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Hackers interrupted Virgin America’s launch last week. Virgin America would not specify how many tickets were sold, but did say: “It’s exceeding all our expectations.”
By 7.24.07
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United and American Airlines introduced new business class seats. United’s let you lie completely down. [Upgrade Travel Better]
Northwest Airlines Loves Canceling Flights
By 7.24.07
Northwest Airlines is experiencing some serious problems with canceled flights. What is the reason? Is it the weather? Martians? Roving gangs of flying zebras? Nope. They have a pilot shortage. This could probably be solved by hiring more pilots, but well, who are we to judge?
US Air Tray Ads Annoy
By 7.24.07
US Air has boasted ads on seatback tray tables for many months now, but they still have the power to irk some customers, as reader Cameron writes:
I took these photos on my return flight from New Orleans this past Sunday. It appears that, in order to bolster revenues, US Air has turned to placing advertisements on the top surfaces of your seat back tray. Not only that, but they are “self-aware”, sporting beverage spill graphics and touting the safety of Ford SUVs. I was settling into my seat and was going to lower my tray to hold my book and iPod when I was confronted by this – I must say this should be stopped and I’ve already contacted US Air complaint line.
What Good Is A Carbon Offset Program If British Airways Doesn't Tell You About It?
By 7.23.07
British Airways has come under fire for not informing customers of its carbon-offsetting program, possibly for fear that people will fly less if they knew the real environmental impact, according to the Times of London.
Save On Airline Tickets, Shop On Saturday Morning
By 7.21.07
Saturday morning is the best time to find a deal on airline tickets, according to CNN Money. Most airfare sales are released to the Airline Traffic Publishing Company on Friday evening, and then forwarded to travel sites and agencies. With 200 million fares in circulation at any given moment, CNN has a novel solution for ferreting out the best deal:
Canceled Flights Up 133%
By 7.20.07
Why? Number of flights are up 14%. Essentially, we’re looking at a traffic jam in the air, and on the tarmac.
