Consumers could have another option when looking for their next flight. After more than 20 years away from the tarmac, Eastern Air Lines Group filed paperwork this week to begin service. [More]
faa
The Evolution Of Airport Security: From Carry-On Dynamite To No Liquids Allowed
By 1.24.14
Airports can be one of the most frustrating places in the world to spend an afternoon. Getting to the airport two hours early, waiting in security lines, taking off your shoes, walking through space-age like metal detectors, it can all be a huge hassle. But it wasn’t always that way. Before the days of 3.4-ounce liquids and random screenings, airport security was pretty simple. [More]
FAA Changes Takeoff and Landing Rules At Major Airports Because Collisions Are Bad
By 1.21.14
The FAA is rolling out a new rule for air traffic controllers that’s designed to reduce the risk of airplane collisions. [More]
More Rest For Pilots Could Mean Fewer Flights For Travelers
By 1.10.14
Fewer pilots and longer resting requirements could be trouble for regional airlines. The issues that grounded hundreds of JetBlue flights this week could be just the start after new FAA regulations on rest for pilots went into effect Saturday. [More]
Amazon Thanks FAA For Lifting Device Restrictions With A One-Day Sale On Kindles
By 11.4.13
It was just about time for kicking off shoes and reclining in the comfiest chair (I call him Fergus) at Consumerist HQ when a one-day only sale caught my eye. Because it’ll be over by tomorrow, the time to spread the news is now. [More]
FAA Finally Loosens Restrictions On In-Flight Electronic Devices
By 10.31.13
After years of debate over whether or not it was safe to use certain electronic devices during all stages of flight, the FAA has finally decided to relax the restrictions that forced you to stop reading your Kindle or listening to music during takeoff and landing. [More]
FAA Panel: You Should Be Able To Use Smartphone On Planes, As Long As You Don’t Use The ‘Phone’ Part
By 10.1.13
Travelers were hopeful last week when news came down that an FAA panel would soon be recommending that the use of smartphones be allowed during takeoffs and landings of commercial flights. Those recommendations have finally come through, but don’t get all excited and think that you’ll be using your phone to text or chat through the flight. [More]
FAA Panel To Recommend Allowing Use Of Electronic Devices During Takeoff & Landing
By 9.24.13
Since last June, a Federal Aviation Administration Panel advisory panel has been gearing up to finalize its recommendation on how the agency could maybe perhaps allow the use of personal electronic devices during flights. That means you could be listening to music, texting, emailing and otherwise tapping away on your whathaveyou during landing and takeoff instead of gripping the armrests like your life depends on it. If that’s your thing, that is. [More]
DOT Fines United Airlines For Delaying Refunds To 9,000 Passengers
By 9.3.13
Thanks to the merger with Continental, United Airlines is now the nation’s largest commercial carrier, but has the airline been able to keep up with its increased customer base? On Friday, the Dept. of Transportation fined United $350,000 because it failed to provide prompt refunds to thousands of customers in 2012. [More]
Panel Of Experts Will Tell FAA It’s Pretty Much Okay To Leave Electronics On
By 6.21.13
Hey Alec Baldwin — if you’re still hopelessly devoted to Words With Friends, you should be getting gosh darn pretty excited right about now. A new report says the Federal Aviation Administration is going to get a talking to by a panel of experts who say it’s okay to leave electronic devices on at low altitudes. This will take away my favorite pastime of giving the stinkeye to the guy next to me still blasting his music during takeoff, however. [More]
TSA Decides To Ditch Plan Allowing Small Knives On Planes After All
By 6.5.13
Put your knives back in their wee little scabbards, folks: The temporary suspension on a new policy that allowed travelers to carry small knives in airplanes has now turned into a permanent decision. The Transportation Security Administration has announced that it listened to criticism from flight attendants and the public and decided not to ease restrictions on the little weapons. [More]
Satirical FAA Report On Spirit Airlines Is Scarily Accurate
May 9, 2013
The Federal Aviation Administration would undoubtedly get more respect from the public if it was as obscenely candid as it is in this Onion article about how horrible the airlines handle customers. Our favorite line: “The FAA has come to the determination that Spirit Airlines treats its customers like pieces of sh!t and that everyone should boycott this airline.” [via The Onion] [More]
Senate Unanimously Passes Bill To End Air Traffic Controller Furloughs Causing Flight Delays
By 4.26.13
UPDATE: And there we go, folks — as expected, the U.S. House of Representatives has passed the furlough fix bill as well in a vote of 361 to 41. Next up, the bill will head to President Obama’s desk for a signature. [More]
Shocker: Having Fewer Air-Traffic Controllers On The Job Results In Flight Delays
By 4.22.13
We probably don’t need to tell you, especially if you’re reading this on your phone while waiting for your flight, but when you cut the hours of the people whose job it is to control air-traffic, you’re probably going to end up with some traffic jams. [More]
Airlines Suing FAA In Attempt To Prevent Delays Caused By Air-Traffic Control Furloughs
By 4.19.13
Know who hates flight delays possibly more than frustrated travelers? The airlines, because all those disgruntled fliers will take out their travel woes on the carriers. That’s a group representing U.S. airlines as well as pilot unions are suing the Federal Aviation Administration in an attempt to stop furloughs of air-traffic controllers. The FAA warned fliers that fewer staff on duty means major flight delays could start next week. [More]
FAA Warns That Upcoming Furloughs Could Affect Thousands Of Flights Per Day
By 4.18.13
With a slew of air-traffic controller furloughs set to kick in on Sunday, the Federal Aviation Administration has given the airline industry the heads-up that these staffing shortages could affect upwards of 7,000 flights every day at the nation’s busiest airports. [More]
FAA May Finally Stop Being Such Pains In The Butt About Some Electronics During Takeoff
By 3.25.13
Back in December, the Federal Communications Commission wrote to their pals at the Federal Aviation Administration about reconsidering its hard-and-fast rules regarding the use of approved electronics during takeoff and landing. Looks like the FAA might be getting the message. [More]
I Am Sequestration, Here Me Roar: FAA Closing 173 Air Traffic Control Towers
By 3.6.13
While the government warned of annoying long lines at airports across the country as a result of the budget cuts imposed by the March 1 sequestration, things haven’t seemed too bad yet (except for the usual weather woes). But it sounds like air travel is on the way to getting more annoying, as the Federal Aviation Administration says it’s going to shut down 173 air traffic control towers at smaller airports around the country on April 7. [More]
