Ancillary airline fees must be disclosed during the buying process to make the free market work. This talk was given in November 2013 before IATA’s World Passenger Conference (to which no passengers seem to be invited to attend) held in Dublin, Ireland. The post...
We need common airline flight credit rules for airfare refunds and flight credit protection. The refund issue has been screwed up for consumers since the beginning. It is a major issue with more than $10 billion in outstanding flight credits, estimated by the Wall...
The long-haul flight between Doha, Qatar, and Auckland, New Zealand, is one of the longest in the world. It seems to never end and crosses 10 time zones in 16 hours. How do you choose the right airline for a long-haul flight like that? It’s not an abstract...
Both airlines and passengers bear responsibility for the recent spate of misbehaving travelers. z Airline passengers are normally nice folk with good manners. However, the airlines have taken advantage of passengers’ good manners and reduced safety in a drive to...
If you want a less-stressful flight, it may be worth a splurge for preferred or premium seats. If you’re an elite level flier already booked for holiday travel you probably have your seat assignments confirmed, so you can disregard this post. Ditto if...
The May 7 Real ID deadline is just 31 days away. You’ll still likely be able to fly without a Real ID — for now — but you will suffer some pain, including airport security checkpoint delays. The Real ID deadline is thirty-one days away. The deadline will not be...
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.
