Despite what may be the most frustrating summer ever for airline travelers, 8 airlines have decided to raise their fares. Why? Jet fuel prices are up 24% this year.
southwest
Southwest Could Become World's Biggest Airline
By 8.20.07
According to the Associated Press, Southwest Airlines is poised to become the world’s biggest airline—beating American Airlines for the first time. Even though Southwest is a domestic-only carrier, they’ve already eclipsed American Airlines’ combined domestic and international travel in 2007.
Southwest carried 40.3 million passengers on domestic routes between January and May, an increase of 4.2 percent from last year.
Southwest Airlines Won't Pay Your Train Fare
By 8.10.07
Bad weather forced a recent Southwest Airlines flight to divert to Baltimore instead of its destination of Philadelphia. The only option for a couple eager to make their granddaughter’s birthday was to take a train, at a cost of $118. The couple claims a Southwest employee told them they’d be reimbursed for their trip if they called the 1-800 number and explained what had happened–but when they called, the reimbursement was refused.
Today Show Interview With CEO of Southwest On The Crappy State Of Air Travel
By 8.3.07
The Today Show asks Gary “Sit Anywhere” Kelly, CEO of Southwest Airlines, to explain himself in the above clip.
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.
9 Airline's CEO Email Addresses, And Other Useful Complaint Resolution Contact Info
By 7.18.07
Travler’s friend site Elliot.org has these great customer service “cheat sheets” to help you if you have a dispute with your airline. CEO contact info, how to hack their phone trees, email addresses, phone numbers, mailing addresses, it’s all there.
Sprinklers Douse Travelers At LAX
By 6.25.07
A water pipe broke, dousing travelers and workers and causing an evacuation at Los Angeles International Airport Sunday. Fun! From CBS:
At the Southwest Airlines check-in counter, computers were covered in plastic. The baggage claim area on the lower level was cordoned off, and sawdust and puddles of water lined the floor.
Midwest Airlines Has Good Customer Service
By 5.24.07
Midwest airlines has topped a Travel & Leisure magazine survey of airline customer service, according to MSN Money.
Midwest scored 75.64 in the 2007 World’s Best Service readers’ poll in the magazine’s June issue. Readers evaluated airlines’ customer service and in-flight service.
The runners-up were JetBlue, Hawaiian Airlines, Southwest, and Sun Country Airlines. Hooray for good customer service!
American Airlines Copies Southwest's Website
By 5.22.07
Cheater! Copy-cat! American Airlines has resigned their website “based on focus groups” and by “focus groups” they mean, “Southwest Airlines’ website.”
Above And Beyond: Southwest Melts Customer's Heart After Deicing Snafu
By 4.21.07
Dan’s family changed planes in snowy Chicago while on their way to sunny Orlando. Before taking off, their Southwest flight spent three hours awaiting deicing on the tarmac. Dan’s family took the delay in stride.
The pilot kept us informed (he even said at time he would pull back into the gate if we were there much longer) and the flight crew were very helpful and understanding. No one got upset, we all just tried to make the best of it.
After returning from Orlando, Dan did not complain about the delay to Southwest. That did not stop Southwest from apologizing…
Don't Fly Without A Copy Of Rule 240
By 4.6.07
If it’s the airline’s fault that your flight is delayed or canceled or you missed your connection, whip out a copy of their Rule 240.
Everyone Loves Southwest Airlines, Hates United And US Airways
By 4.2.07
The new Airline Quality Rating is out and Southwest airlines received the fewest complaints of any airline in 2006. United and US Airways both tied for the highest number of complaints.
Boy, 9, Sneaks On A Plane to Texas
By 1.18.07
- Police in Lakewood, Washington, say the boy (Semaj Booker) has a history of stealing cars and running away from home. He was apparently trying to get to Dallas, where his grandfather lives, and where the boy himself used to live. But he came up short, only getting as far as San Antonio after hopping two separate flights.
Southwest Raises Fares $10
By 11.27.06
Southwest Airlines raised fares as much as $10 each way over the Thanksgiving weekend. This will be the 5th price hike this year for the discount carrier. Southwest faces rising fuel and labor costs that are only going to get worse.
Top 10 Companies for Customer Service
By 11.10.06
CRMLowdown sifted through countless customer service surveys, studies, and real-life experiences to come up with a pretty damn impressive list of the best/worst companies for customer service.
Airlines Say, “Keep Your Damn $6”
By 10.30.06
Several U.S. airlines gave up an attempt to raise round-trip airfares by $6 after United Airlines, the airline that initiated the fare hike, returned to their old rates over the weekend.
The News; Say it With Brio, Say it With Bernake!
By 7.20.06
• Consumer affairs just got a whole lot sexier! [WP] “Avoiding Customer Service Nightmares”
Southwest Launches Corporate Blog, But Where’s The CS?
By 4.28.06
Southwest Airlines have launched a pretty respectable example of a half-decent, minimally-manipulative, somewhat-entertaining corporate blog. If you know what we mean. This isn’t McDonald’s stupid “Horse Whsiperer” Corporate Responsibility nonsense. For example, we got a kick out of the entry about a bee hive that was found in the tail of a plane that was being repaired and the bee keeper who was brought in to deal with the problem.
