“We have no rules regarding restrooms,” U.S. Department of Transportation spokesman Bill Mosley said, suggesting that the Environmental Protection Agency be asked.
travel
There Is No Law Or Regulation That Says Airplanes Have To Have Working Toilets
By 8.10.07
Airline Complaints Up 47.2% In First Half
By 8.9.07
According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics complaints about airlines were up 47.2% in the first six months of 2007.
Hotels Resist The Urge To Snooze Though Wake Up Calls
By 8.9.07
A special circle of hell is reserved for hotels that fail to rouse their guests with a promised wake-up call. Technophobic travelers rely on the traditional front desk ping; programming the ubiquitous hotel room alarm clock is a weighty task many find more complicated than filling out taxes or setting a VCR, according to a 2005 survey. Hotels are noticing that missed wake-up calls are their Achilles Heel, and some are taking corrective action.
US Airways Misplaces Two Teenagers
By 8.9.07
When mom took the teens to the airport July 28, there was already trouble. Flight delays made the connection schedule tight.
Sign Up For Virgin America's Frequent Flier Program, Lose Your Discount Airfare
By 8.9.07
Mike writes to us on Virgin America’s maiden day of service to complain that his discount fare vanished after he signed up for Virgin’s frequent flier program. Mike and his girlfriend tried to buy $44 tickets from San Francisco to Los Angeles, but after signing up for the frequent flier program, the fare jumped to $79. Though Virgin has invested in a state-of-the-art in-flight entertainment system, from the looks of Mike’s letter, they haven’t invested nearly enough in customer service. Mike writes:
Virgin America Begins Flying The Crowded Skies
By 8.8.07
Virgin America has taken off, according to USAToday. The carrier had to fight hard to convince US authorities it was not an extension of Richard Branson’s “worldwide aviation empire” and, instead, something new. But will it be?
Will American Airlines In-Flight WiFi Succeed Where Others Have Failed?
By 8.8.07
The Chicago Sun-Timestakes a look at the difference between American Airline’s new in-flight WiFi service and other failed services that came before it. What will be the big difference? Technology. Unlike more pricey satellite services American will use technology that uses ground-based cellular phone sites to provide internet.
In-Flight Bunk Beds: Would You Rather Fly "Horizontally?"
By 8.7.07
Economy-class passengers have had to settle for being packed into tightly regimented reclining seats for extended periods of travel, which have been blamed for causing potentially fatal blood clots known as deep-vein thrombosis, or DVT, in susceptible individuals.
Air Travel Delays Worst In 13 Years
By 8.7.07
So what can you do? NBC finds some expert to give you advice, but let’s face it: You can’t really do anything. Airlines are flying too many flights, and they’re flying them 90% full.
By 8.6.07
../../../..//2007/08/06/from-now-on-the-tsa/
From now on, the TSA would like you to remove any XBOXs (or DVD players or Nintendos, etc…) from your carry-on during screening so they can be inspected. [USA Today]
Virgin Atlantic, British Airways Admit To Collusion, Prepare To Issue Vouchers
By 8.6.07
Virgin Atlantic and British Airways admitted last week to the Department of Justice that they colluded to levy excess fuel surcharges ranging from $10 to $100. Despite the admission, both airlines claim that passengers weren’t really overcharged.
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.
American Will Test In-Flight Broadband Next Year
By 8.2.07
American Airlines will test fee-based broadband on its transcontinental flights early in 2008. If you hate listening to other people talk on the phone, don’t worry—they’re going to block Skype and its ilk.
By 8.1.07
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In case you hadn’t heard: Airline delays bad, getting worse. “FAA Blames Poor Weather, Traffic Congestion; Little Improvement Likely” [Washington Post] (Thanks, Ian!)
Northwest Promises To Fix Cancellation Problem
By 8.1.07
On Tuesday, Steenland outlined the steps being taken to address the cancellation problem, and said he hopes those steps will prevent a recurrence of the cancellation problem in late August.
Read Before You Click: Spirit Airlines Signs You Up For Club Membership and Travel Insurance
By 7.31.07
If you buy a ticket on Spirit Airlines’ website, the purchase screen has the nasty habit of prefilling options to buy travel insurance and join the Spirit Airlines fare club. And those fees? Nonrefundable, even if you cancel your membership. How nice.
Expiring Airline Miles Could Cost Consumers $28 Billion
By 7.30.07
If 14% of the existing unredeemed airline miles are allowed to expire as United Airlines predict they will, the cost to consumers would be about $28 billion, according to the Chicago Tribune.
Travel Tip: Avoid Northwest Airlines at End of Month
By 7.30.07
Northwest Airlines canceled hundreds of flights — about 10% of its schedule — this past weekend because of a pilot shortage. This isn’t a new problem: It’s been happening consistently at the end of the month, like clockwork.
