Though it might seem like “no smoking” signs on airplanes aren’t even needed anymore — who could possibly think lighting up a cigarette in an enclosed cabin filled with other people is okay? — there are apparently those out there who still need reminding that smoking isn’t allowed. To wit: a United Airlines flight headed to Boston from Denver was forced to turn around after a passenger reportedly lit up and refused to stop smoking. [More]
travel
Airline Group Backs Away From That Whole “Carry-On Bags Should Be Smaller” Thing
By 6.17.15
You might recall a recent suggestion from the International Air Transport Association that airlines should adopt a smaller carry-on bag standard, at which time the industry group showed off the “optimal” design to meet that purpose. But amid consumer outcry, the IATA says it’s taking a time out from the campaign to reconsider. [More]
Feel Like The Trip Home Is Quicker Than The Trip There? Science Says You’re Not Alone
By 6.11.15 — Updated: 5.2.17
After reading the above headline, you’re probably already saying to yourself, “Yessss I know exactly what that feeling is!” The “return trip effect” is one we’ve all likely experienced — it seems to take a long time to get somewhere — whether it’s vacation, a visit to relatives or a business destination — and a much quicker time to arrive back home again, even though you traveled the same distance. Scientists are on the case to try and explain why we all feel this way. [More]
Airline Industry Proposes Ideal Bag Size For Overhead Bins
By 6.9.15
Line up to board a plane, and you will see a wide array of carry-on bags in a variety of shapes, colors and, unfortunately for the airline staff, many different sizes. While some of those oversized bags immediately get the boot, the assortment of sizes can still make it tough to maximize overhead bin space. That struggle could be a thing of the past, if carriers sign on with the industry’s new specifications for the “perfect” carry-on. [More]
No More Carry-On Bottled Beverages For Carnival Cruise Passengers
By 6.9.15
Carnival Cruise passengers traveling any time after July 8 be warned that you’ll no longer be able to sneak on a water bottle full of vodka… or gin… or water for that matter, as the cruise line will no longer allow most bottled beverages to be carried on board their ships. [More]
Profits Are Up In The Global Airline Industry With Carriers Making An Average Of $8.27 Per Passenger
By 6.8.15
As airlines make room on planes so they can pack in more passengers, North America’s carriers are showing that such efforts are paying off, literally, with a new report that gives North America the lead in profits compared to the rest of industry worldwide. [More]
There Might Be Fewer Available Seats On Your Next Delta Or United Flight
By 6.5.15
At least two major U.S. airlines are looking at the possibility of cutting the number of seats offered on flights later this year; a move that could make it more difficult and more expensive for travelers to get to and fro. [More]
Man Legally Changes His Name Just To Avoid Airline Booking Error Fee
By 6.5.15
Because you can’t just fly under anyone’s name, some airlines institute a fee for travelers seeking to change the name on their already purchased ticket to ward against reselling them for a profit. But not everyone wants to pay for mistakes, like one student who decided he’d rather spend the money to change his name and get a new passport than pay Ryanair to fix a booking error. [More]
Delta Air Lines Pilot Gets Pizza Delivered To The Plane For Passengers On Delayed Flight
By 5.27.15 — Updated: 2.9.17
Following on the heels of Delta Air Lines’ decision to serve free pizza to make up for a smoke-filled cabin — because feeling mad/sad/annoyed while eating hot cheese is a near impossibility — a Delta pilot ordered pies delivered to a plane full of passengers delayed by bad weather. And apparently, this is all part of a new pizza policy at the airline. [More]
Group Of Travel Sites Claim Delta Air Lines Has Cut Them Off From Using Its Data
By 5.20.15
Travelers often turn to travel websites to search for the cheapest fares and quickest flights out there, but a group of more than a dozen sites now says Delta Air Lines has shut them out, and is keeping its data to itself. [More]
Southwest Airlines Passenger Says Flight Crew Wouldn’t Let Her Make Emergency Call To Husband Before He Died
By 5.13.15
In what can only be described as a tragic turn of events, a Wisconsin woman says that after she received a troubling text from her husband while on board a Southwest Airlines flight about to take off, she was told she couldn’t call him. When she arrived home, police informed her that her husband had taken his own life. [More]
Memorial Day Weekend Travel Expected To Reach Highest Level In Past 10 Years
By 5.13.15
The unofficial start to the summer kicks off in just over a week, and it looks like the 2015 Memorial Day holiday weekend will be the busiest we’ve seen in nearly a decade. The folks over at AAA estimate that 37.2 million Americans will hit the open road or board planes over the holiday weekend, an increase of more than 2 million travelers from last year. The auto club says the increase in vacationers is likely due to the lower fuel prices much of the U.S. has experienced over the past several months. [The Plain Dealer] [More]
Family Claims They Were Escorted Off United Airlines Flight After Autistic Daughter Deemed Disruptive
By 5.11.15
A trip home from the most magical place on earth was anything but magical for an Oregon family after they claim their United Airlines flight made an emergency landing and they were escorted from the flight because of their autistic daughter. [More]
Delta Passengers Get Free Pizza After Plane Cabin Fills With Smoke During Flight
By 5.8.15
It can’t be fun to be flying miles above the Earth and then have the plane cabin fill up with smoke. But passengers on a Delta Air Lines flight who had to sit through a bit of a scare until when one of their plane’s engines reportedly went out at least got free pizza when the plane landed to soothe any frayed nerves. [More]
Police: “Serial Stowaway” Known For Trying To Sneak Onto Planes Arrested At Two Chicago Airports
By 5.6.15
A woman who’s been caught multiple times — with varying instances of success — trying to sneak aboard planes without a ticket has been arrested at two Chicago airports within a month trying to pull her signature stowaway move, police say. [More]
U.S. Approves Licenses For Ferry Services Between Florida And Cuba
By 5.6.15
It’s been 55 years since ferries were allowed to operate between the United States and Cuba, something that’s about to change now that the Treasury Department has granted licenses to four companies that want to offer services between the countries for the first time since a 1960 trade embargo. [More]
Cancer Patient Says American Airlines Ticket Agent Refused To Provide Her A Wheelchair
By 5.5.15
Just because someone looks healthy on the outside doesn’t necessarily mean they actually are. That’s the lesson a Texas woman hopes to pass on to others after she says a ticket agent with American Airlines declined to provide her with a wheelchair despite the fact she had just receiving cancer treatment. [More]
Airlines Raking In More Cash From Bag, Reservation Fees
By 5.4.15
While airlines didn’t bring in as much income last year as they did in 2013, a new report says they’re still sitting pretty thanks to people willing to pay reservation and checked bag fees. [More]
