Given the possibility of theft, damage, and loss, packing your laptop in a checked bag is not a good idea to begin with. Even so, travelers continue to stow their computers and other large electronics in their checked luggage. But that could come to an end, now that the Federal Aviation Administration has urged airlines around the world to stop this practice, citing the fire and explosion risk posed by the batteries in these devices. [More]
passengers
A Day Of Delays Strands United Passengers At Hawaii Airport For Nearly 24 Hours
By 8.7.17
It’s one thing to be trapped in paradise, it’s another to be trapped in paradise’s airport. Yet, that’s what some United Airlines passengers say happened over the weekend when their flight from Maui to Chicago was delayed for more than 24 hours and the airline’s furnished hotel had only a dozen or so rooms open. [More]
Laptop Ban On U.S.-Bound Flights On Royal Jordanian, Kuwait Airways Lifted
By 7.10.17
Two additional Middle East airlines are now exempt from the Department of Transportation’s ban on laptops and other personal electronics put in place in March: Royal Jordanian and Kuwait Airways became the latest carriers to have the in-cabin laptop ban lifted. [More]
Passenger Kicked Off Southwest Flight Tries To Run Back On Plane, Gets Tackled Instead
By 5.30.17
A man who was kicked off a Southwest Airlines flight last night was not going to take no for an answer, and apparently thought he could somehow run his way back onto the plane. He was mistaken. [More]
Dog Goes On 3,600 Mile Journey After United Puts Him On Wrong Flight
By 5.19.17
In just a few days, one puppy did more flying than many adults will do in a year, traveling on four different planes for a total of 3,600 miles — all because United Airlines put him on the wrong flight. [More]
In-Flight Cellphone Calls May Finally Be Ready For Takeoff
By 12.9.16
You know that woman on the mall scream-talking into her cellphone? She could be on your next flight — well, maybe in a few years. After decades of prohibiting airline passengers from yakking away on their cellular devices from 20,000 feet up, federal regulators are mulling the idea of allowing travelers to make cellphone calls while in flight. [More]
TSA PreCheck On Hold Over Cybersecurity Issues
By 11.14.16
As passengers waited in seemingly endless lines to get through airport security this summer, the Transportation Safety Administration encouraged travelers to sign up for its PreCheck program, which offers expedited screening. The TSA set a goal of enrolling 25 million Americans, but a lack of personnel and “cybersecurity risks” have jolted those plans to a standstill. [More]
Air France Creating Budget Airline To Serve U.S., Asia Starting In 2017
By 11.3.16
Given that most big airline news seems to involve consolidation, it may be a nice break to hear news of a new-ish, (hopefully) lower-cost carrier entering the market. [More]
Sour Over Failed Bid For Virgin America, JetBlue Gives Away Free Tickets
By 4.13.16
You’ve probably seen your fair share of those “(Airline Name) giving away (X number) free tickets if you share this post” promotions that infiltrate social media but are actually bogus. In a new twist — and a ploy to bring over loyal passengers of Virgin America after its announced a $4 billion merger with Alaska Airlines — JetBlue really is offering consumers the chance to win one of 500 free tickets from the carrier, no Facebook required. [More]
What’s Huge, Floats & Has 32,000 Bottles Of Beer, 6,100 Bottles Of Wine & 5,400 Bananas On Board?
By 2.26.16
I’ve never been on a cruise, but if I were to find myself stuck on a massive ship with thousands of other people and no exit other than leaping into the sea, I’d hope there would be enough food and drink to keep everyone entertained, lest it devolve into apocalyptic anarchy-at-sea. Thankfully, the cruise operators make sure to pack a lot of booze and snacks along for the trip. [More]
Traveler Complaints About Airlines Increased Nearly 30% Last Year
By 2.19.16
While airlines might not be leaping at the chance to tell customers how to file complaints about their service, that hasn’t stopped more travelers from sharing their tales of woe with the Department of Transportation. In fact, the number of complaints filed by beleaguered passengers increased by nearly 30% last year. [More]
American Airlines Will Give You Free Treats At The Gate If Your Flight Is Delayed For At Least Two Hours
By 2.12.16
Would a bag of pretzels or a can of soda placate you if your flight were delayed for two hours? American Airlines hopes that’s all it’ll take. [More]
American Airlines Bringing Back Free Snacks, Meals On Some Flights
By 2.1.16
Nearly two months after United Airlines said it would turn back the clock and start providing passengers with free nibbles, American Airlines is also jumping on the snack bandwagon, once again offering complimentary treats — and, on some flights, free meals — to economy-class travelers. [More]
United Airlines Fined $2.75M For Tarmac Delays, Treatment Of Disabled Passengers
By 1.8.16
In October, United Airlines apologized to a disabled passenger who ended up crawling off the plane after he was told he’d have to wait up to 50 minutes for a wheelchair. This is just one of several complaints related to United’s treatment of disabled passengers. When combined with penalties for stranding passengers on the tarmac for more than three hours, the airline now faces federal fines of $2. 75 million. [More]
Delta Pilots Turn Plane Around To Pick Up Passengers Traveling To Funeral
By 12.31.15
For the most part, when a gate agent closes the door to a plane, that’s it, you’re out of luck. But that wasn’t the case for a family traveling to a funeral via Delta Air Lines earlier this month. The pilots of the plane, which had already pulled away from the gate, returned to pick up the grieving passengers. [More]
United Airlines Bringing Back Free Snacks For Economy Passengers
By 12.9.15
United Airlines appears to be bringing back the glory days of flying. Okay, not the ’60s-esque glory days, but the other ones: when you didn’t have to shell out $5 (or more) for a bag of chips. The carrier announced today that it’s leveling the snacking playing field by once again offering economy passengers free nibbles. [More]
United Airlines Offers On-Time Guarantee For Corporate Travelers, Probably Won’t Have To Actually Pay Anything
By 12.8.15
With accusations that airlines have padded flight schedules to improve on-time performance stats still fresh, one carrier is hoping to prove it’s all about valuing your time — as long as you’re a big corporate client. United Airlines launched a new reliability guarantee for some business travelers, promising to get them to their destination on-time or it will provide them with credits for upgrades and fees. [More]
Alaska Airlines Joining Premium Ticketing Bandwagon In 2016
By 12.4.15
Following the lead of other domestic carriers, Alaska Airlines will soon offer passengers a premium economy ticket option. The Premium Class section will debut in late 2016 and provide customers three to four inches of extra legroom, priority boarding and as yet unspecified “additional amenities.” The upgrade will be available to Alaska Airlines elite Mileage Plan members on a complimentary basis at booking or on the day of travel, but it was unclear how much the option will cost for other passengers. [Alaska Airlines] [More]
