In the winter travelers expect delays and cancellations. In the summer they are supposed to ease up. This summer there may be more storms and a shortage of workers to keep the aviation system running. Many travel agents I know have long hated booking travel in winter....
The normal increased round-trip airlines baggage fees now cost between $70 and $80 per checked bag. Baggage fees, one of the most hated in the industry, have increased again during the last two weeks. Virtually all the airlines, from American Airlines to United...
The problems of pets on planes have severe consequences for others caused by passengers breaking the rules. Last month, a passenger was flying with her chihuahua on United Airlines. She was traveling from Denver to Portland. United’s pet rules state, “Once...
It’s not your imagination. Airline passengers suffer from exit envy — they do almost anything to get off the aircraft as soon as it arrives. I saw it after my recent flight from Los Angeles to Houston landed. I opened the overhead bin to grab my carry-on bag,...
The judicial elimination of the JetBlue/Spirit merger guarantees that the US will be dominated by the Big 3 airlines for the next decade. The JetBlue/Spirit merger with its disapproval ruling has cramped competition between the Low Cost Carrier (LCC) markets and the...
Choosing aircraft seating for flight can make or break a flight, particularly if it’s long. Here are questions and tips to get the seat of your choice. What aircraft seating you choose is a topic of continual discussion among travelers. What’s the best or...
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.
