For anyone who has ever been put off by an airline’s overly complicated explanation of their already cryptic fare schedule, there might be a slight, sweet taste of vengeance in this news: The Dept. of Transportation just slapped US Airways with a $40,000 fine for not disclosing their full ticket prices on their Web site. [More]
department of transportation
Tarmac Imprisonment Limited To 3 Hours
By 12.21.09
Airlines must let passengers stuck in airplanes stranded on the tarmac get off after 3 hours, the Transportation Department today ordered. They’re also now only allowed to starve you for 2 hours, after which they must serve pizza or a reasonable facsimile. Toilets must be functional during the entire time as well. [More]
Continental, ExpressJet Fined $100,000 For Tarmac Delay Incident
By 11.30.09
Back in August, Continental and its partner, ExpressJet kept 47 passengers, including some babies, on a plane for 11 hours with only some pretzels to eat. A few days later, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced that he was looking in to the issue. Last week, the DOT announced that the Aviation Enforcement Office (AEO) had fined Continental Airlines and ExpressJet Airlines $100,000 for their involvement in the incident. [More]
DOT To Airlines: Sorry, But People Like To Change Their Underwear
By 10.14.09
The United States Department of Transportation has finally warned airlines: Most people don’t like to go for more than 24 hours without brushing their teeth and changing their underwear.
Cash For Clunkers Program Sputters To A Close
By 8.20.09
If you’re still thinking about trading in an older, fuel-inefficient car, get moving. Due to its overwhelming, car-crushing success, the Cash For Clunkers (CARS) program will end at 8 p.m. on Monday.
Delta Fined $375,000 For Bumping Passengers
By 7.11.09
The Department of Transportation smacked Delta with a $375,000 fine for ignoring federal laws that require airlines to offer bumped passengers adequate compensation and an explanation of their rights. Inside, a listing of your options if an airline tries to bump you off their flight…
Airline Fines Fall Even As Complaints Rise
By 1.13.09
Claiming it had better things to do, the Department of Transportation issued only $1.2 million in airline fines last year, even as consumer complaints over fees and delays continued to rise. Five years ago, the agency issued over $8 million in fines, but now, they say they’re too busy working on “consumer rulemaking” and “consumer forums” to ensure that airlines honor consumer protection laws.
You've Got About A 1 In 3 Chance Of Arriving Late With American Airlines
By 7.7.08
For the third month in a row American Airlines is the worst airline when it comes to arriving on-time, says the Department of Transportation. Only 67.3% of American’s flights arrived within 14 minutes of scheduled arrival. Also remarkably tardy were United Airlines and Continental.
American Refunds Canceled Plane Ticket, Keeps $15 Checked Baggage Fee
By 7.6.08
American refunded Josh’s airfare after canceling his flight to New York, but not his $15 checked baggage fee. Though the fee is listed in their system, American won’t issue a refund unless Josh sends a formal request letter along with his baggage claim receipt to Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Confessions Of An Airline Executive
By 12.15.07
Threatening to complain to the media or the Department of Transportations is the single best way to reach an airline’s executive customer service team, according to an anonymous airline executive. The jaded executive also shared his dour insights on the availability and effectiveness of short-term sales.
By 11.9.07
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US Airways had the most consumer complaints of any airline for the month of September, with 2.13 complaints for every 100,000 passengers. [Phoenix Business Journal via Consumerama]
Delta's Atlantic Southeast Airlines Is America's Worst Airline
By 11.7.07
The Department of Transportations Air Travel Consumer Report was released Monday and it confirms what we’ve all been thinking: Delta’s Atlantic Southeast Airlines is just stunningly terrible.
What To Do When Your Luggage Is Hopelessly Totally Completely Lost
By 9.13.07
Here at Consumerist we get a lot of complaints that go something like this:
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
Airline Performance Down in 2006
By 2.9.07
The airlines posted a lower rate of on-time flights and more reports of mishandled baggage.
Virgin America’s Awesome Plane DOT Won’t Let You Ride
By 1.17.07
This is Virgin America’s vision of budget, yes, budget, air travel. And you can’t go on it.
Why Are There Taxes On Frequent Flyer Miles?
By 12.14.06
Why are “free” frequent flyer miles taxed, asks Katie.
Banning Liquids Increased Lost Suitcase Claims
By 10.5.06
New government statistics released today show a 25% increase in passengers reporting lost luggage during August.
