The non-partisan battle over DCA’s Beyond-the-Perimeter Rule roils aviation politics. Don’t ignore and don’t forget passengers. The debate about changing the perimeter rule has Democrats fighting Democrats, Republicans fighting Republicans, network carriers...
Oh, the lengths some people will go to get better airline customer service. Like recording phone calls with a customer service agent. Robert Grunfeld, who had a ticket on a United Airlines flight from Newark to Tel Aviv, says a representative offered to rebook him on...
We can learn much about surviving a rapid decompression accident by examining what happened to Alaska Airlines Flight 1282, when a door-plug blew out, leaving a huge hole in the fuselage. Everyone survived, mostly because each passenger was still wearing their seat...
Travel Agents are not happy with the Consumer Protection from DOT. Full disclosure: While most travel agents don’t mind Southwest Airlines, we seldom book them. While in 2007 Southwest was the last major carrier to eliminate basic travel agent commissions, they...
Since it’s a time for Christmas dreams — or for other holidays — here are six wishes for travelers, frequent and infrequent, for 2024. Dear Santa…. Could you make these Christmas dreams come true? Better communication from airlines. Stuff happens, and...
There is a law that the DOT may have forgotten. Passengers who have faced widespread disruptions of schedules are due compensation. Scott McCartney revealed in the Wall Street Journal amazing stories about airline cancellations. That was in mid-2021. Last winter first...
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.
