On a recent flight from San Francisco to New York, Luca Dal Zotto found himself sitting next to an airline passenger with noisy electronics. It wasn’t what he said that was noisy, but what he did. The man opened his laptop and began watching John Wick 3 with his...
At DOT, changes move slowly — 10-year-old Advisory Committee recommendations still are ignored. Earlier this week, I wrote about laws that were passed in 2016, 2018, and 2024 but are still not acted on by the Department of Transportation (DOT). This is not an isolated...
Is it always bad to miss a flight? Airline no-shows can work for you In general, being an airline no-show for a ticketed airline flight means a traveler will lose any value on the ticket. This means, in general, it’s not a great idea. On the other hand, there...
There are few things worse than bedbugs while you’re traveling. Steering clear of bedbugs while traveling and preventing them from hitching a ride with you when returning home is essential. Earlier this year, giant pest control company Orkin published its 2025...
Everything seemed fine when Josie Daigle rented a car in Boston from a national chain. A quick look was all she gave the car rental safety check. The cursory glance at the vehicle before she drove off with her two young kids suggested the car was safe. It wasn’t...
DOT regulations to protect airlines have become anti-consumer rules The Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) have made rules over the years that were designed to help the struggling airline industry. Keeping the industry...
How PFC are used for airport funding Airports should allocate infrastructure funds effectively and share their airport costs among all airport users – passengers and businesses in the region surrounding the airport. However, with free federal money coming in,...
Mandatory hotel fees are different from airline fees. We live in polarized times. When the last President talked about getting rid of “junk fees,” he hit on one thing about which almost all Americans agree — mandatory hotel resort fees have got to go....
The Trump Administration has withdrawn the Biden Administration’s proposed rule for airline passenger flight disruption compensation. Since 2005, European Union (EU) airline rule 261 has been in effect. The rule requires airlines to provide compensation and...
Airline lounges serve millions of guests annually and make the airlines billions of dollars. Airline lounges are a “money-making” amenity for millions of travelers and for millions in airline revenues. The COVID pandemic unleashed consumer craving and revenge travel....
These accomplishments have been achieved by working closely with our members, national media, the travel industry, the Department of Transportation (DOT), Congress and many other agencies.
– Removal of restaurant fees from DC area eateries — this is an ongoing project
– Creation of DOT Dashboard to outline consumer rights after cancellation of a flight
– Bi-partisan bill to eliminate hotel resort fees introduced into House of Representatives
– Creation of the Advisory Committee for Aviation Consumer Protections
– Advertised airfares now include airfare plus, mandatory taxes and fees
– Lost/damaged/delayed luggage compensation limit increased to $3,800
– Passengers have 24 hours to change or cancel their nonrefundable tickets without penalty
– Once an airfare is purchased, that airfare and ancillary fees cannot be increased
– Families flying together act passed by Congress that requires family members 13 years of age and younger to sit with other family members at no additional cost.
