Adam’s letter yesterday laid bare what smart travelers already know: you can request a seat upgrade (like the emergency exit row which boasts more legroom) for free once you’re aboard.
airlines
Skybus Will Try To Mimic Some Other Ultra-Low-Cost Carriers, Just Without The Whole Imploding Aspect
By 4.25.07
The first thing that comes to mind when reading about the super duper low cost, and low amenity, airlines service offered by Skybus, is Ryanair. They pioneered low-fare short-hauls in Europe, and also levied surcharges luggage, preferential seating and food. The second are People Express and Laker Airways, low-cost carriers that hit big, only to overextend themselves and dissolve. Skybus plans to hold out thanks to $160 million in startup kitty. The airline only has four planes right now, will get four more at the end of the year, and get 65 more delivered by 2012. Maybe by keeping an even keel on a more moderate growth strategy will spare Skybus the fate of its antecedents. — BEN POPKEN
Virgin Atlantic Charges $110 For Seat Upgrade, Gives Same Seat To Another Passenger For Free, Doesn't Care
By 4.24.07
UPDATE: Looks like we bungled this one. We asked travel expert Mark Ashley for clarification and he said:
Skybus – New Zero-Frills Airline With $10 Tickets
By 4.24.07
Skybus is a new airline launched today boasting $10 tickets, but you get what you pay for.
Airlines Salivating Over Open Skies Agreement
By 4.24.07
The Trans-Atlantic deregulation agreement known as “Open Skies” has airlines chomping at the bit—even though the start date is still 11 months away, according to USAToday. The agreement will allow any US airline to fly anywhere in the EU and any EU airline to fly anywhere in the US. So, will you be flying Aer Lingus from Cleveland to Dallas? Maybe. Will it be cheaper?
The Best Of United Airlines
By 4.24.07
How would you like to fly from Hawaii to Chicago in an airplane full of cigarette butts, candy, used tissues, pretzel bags, maxi-pad wrappers, crumbs, dirt, pens, balls of “goo”, and god knows what else…
JetBlue CEO Apology Marathon Enters Its Second Month
By 4.23.07
“As long as I’m head of this company, it will never happen again,” JetBlue CEO David Neeleman testified at a House subcommittee hearing, where he also argued against proposals to restrict how long delayed airplanes can wait on airport tarmacs before passengers have the right to deplane.
British Airways Edits Virgin Atlantic Logo And CEO Out of Casino Royale
By 4.23.07
Sir Richard was seen briefly in the original film, passing through an airport security scanner, but can only be seen from behind in the new edit.
Department Of Transportation To Examine Deceptive Airline Schedules
By 4.21.07
The Department of Transportation is accusing eight airlines of publishing unrealistic schedules. At issue is whether airlines are properly disclosing on-time performance statistics as required.
“We want to understand … how it is possible that a flight could be late 70 or 80 percent of the time and actually not disclose that inadequate rate to the customer,” said Andrew Steinberg, assistant secretary of transportation for aviation and international affairs.
If airlines do not demonstrate improvements within the year, Congress has threatened to unleash a barrel of monkeys new rules. The Department can start by having a friendly chat with U.S. Airways, operator of Flight 154 from Philadelphia to San Francisco, which arrived late 100% of the time in February. — CAREY GREENBERG-BERGER
First Class Meals Get Increasingly Delicious As You Suck On A Pretzel For Sustenance
By 4.18.07
We’ll have to take the New York Times’ word on it, but they say that First Class meals on airlines are getting increasingly decadent as coach passengers cling with desperation to a maxipad-sized package of trail mix. From the NYT:
Charlie Trotter, the Chicago chef, will soon introduce dishes created for premier United Airlines passengers. (Mr. Trotter’s personal tip? Try the short ribs spiced with Thai-style barbecue sauce.)
AirTran: Here's Your Pretend Voucher, Have Fun Redeeming It
By 4.18.07
It certainly looks real, but according to AirTran this voucher may not be valid. Why? Because it doesn’t specifically say you get a flight. Why would AirTran issue vouchers that don’t vouch for anything? We just don’t know.
POLL: What About Airlines Using Backwards Seats?
By 4.17.07
Airlines are said to be considering using some seats that face backwards, alternating with forward-facing seats. The proposal aims to both fit in more fare-paying booties, and provide more leg room.
Customer Service Reps Give Out Fake Names
By 4.17.07
Heard a very interesting story tonight from the friend of a United Airlines customer service rep. Apparently when you call up United customer service, the name the customer service rep provides may be completely false. That’s right, they sometimes make up the names they give you. These names are registered in a database, so when someone calls up to register a complaint about customer service rep “Peter Parker,” United knows exactly who they’re talking about. Undoubtedly, this practice extends to other companies as well. Nothing particularly earth-shattering, just interesting that while a company knows everything about your credit and purchase history, and most certainly, your name, they still feel compelled to use false identities. Probably a good security move, nonetheless. — BEN POPKEN
Be Sure To Check The Status of Your Flights Today
By 4.16.07
There are delays of over 2 hours at some airports in the northeast today, so you’ll want to make sure to check the status of your flight before you head to the airport. JetBlue, ever the media whore, is canceling 44 flights in an attempt to take pressure off the system. According to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, 600 flights were canceled Sunday due to gale-force winds in the Northeast.
Your Ticket Taxes Fund Corporate Jets
By 4.16.07
Billions of dollars in the taxes and fees you pay on airline tickets are being funneled to make upgrades at small airports used mainly by corporate jets and private pilots, the AP reports.
New Study: Flying Is The Worst Part Of The Trip
By 4.13.07
Asked to cite their “most problematic” trip experiences, 40 percent of those surveyed cited flight delays and 21 percent said airport security. Only 15 percent said hotel amenities and cleanliness, while 9 percent cited rental cars.
Air Traffic Controllers Are Sleepy
By 4.13.07
Fatigued air traffic controllers contributed to four aviation mishaps in recent years, and may have been a factor in last year’s Comair crash that killed 49 people, according to federal accident investigators.
