Air Travel News

Protest planned against U.S. airport security searches

2010-11-11T11:10:00.000-05:00

Protest organizers are calling upon travelers to "opt-out" of all body scans at U.S. airports on November 24. Read the full story on Examiner.com

French aviation unions plan four day strike

2010-11-01T12:24:00.001-04:00

Deadline for the next edition of French air travel chaos is Nov. 5 (but with a "bonus" strike by Air France workers on Nov. 4). Read the story here.

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times

2010-11-01T12:20:00.002-04:00

And Consumer Reports has released its latest list ranking domestic U.S. airlines from best to worst. Here goes:

Hawaiian Airlines
AirTran
JetBlue
Southwest
Continental
Frontier
US Airways
American
Alaska
United
Delta

Factors included passenger satisfaction, on-time performance, baggage handling, and more.

Strike cancels flights in France

2010-09-22T10:32:00.003-04:00

Twenty-four hour strike by French air traffic controllers begins at 0600 GMT on September 22. Follow the story on Examiner.com

Strike forecast: Virgin clear, BA cloudy

2010-09-13T10:05:00.002-04:00

Virgin Atlantic airlines managed to avoid its first-ever strike when it reached an agreement with its pilots union concerning work schedules.

Competitor British Airways continues to face possible strike by the union representing its cabin crew. The Unite union has already sponsored more than 20 days of strike action at BA this year.

Unite is seeking support from other BA union groups, although these have not joined in Unite's past actions against the airline. British Airways plans to operate all scheduled services if more cabin crew strikes are held.

Volcano sleeps and Europe flies

2010-06-04T12:35:00.001-04:00

Iceland's onetime trouble-maker is now quiet. See the story on Examiner.com

British Airways union in a striking mood

2010-05-31T14:06:00.000-04:00

Unite union planning yet another strike vote. Follow the story on Examiner.com

BA strike is more than just a labor dispute

2010-05-25T10:32:00.000-04:00

The strike has become personal...pitting an airline CEO against a labor union chief. Follow the story on Examiner.com

BA strike begins

2010-05-23T23:45:00.001-04:00

After a war of words waged in the media, the British Airways cabin crew union strike has begun. Story on Examiner.com

Union offers to suspend May 24 British Airways strike

2010-05-23T15:16:00.000-04:00

Updated story on Examiner.com

Strike by British Airways cabin crew begins May 24

2010-05-23T11:26:00.001-04:00

Negotiations fail after protesters interrupt. Follow the story on Examiner.com

Tensions flare at last minute talks between British Airways and union

2010-05-22T15:17:00.002-04:00

Union and BA "so close" to settlement...then the protesters crashed the party. Details on Examiner.com

British Airways strike resurrected by court ruling

2010-05-20T09:29:00.001-04:00

Ruling allows strike to restart as early as May 24. No word on further talks. Follow the story on Examiner.com

Strike one, strike two, strike three, strike...

2010-05-19T15:51:00.001-04:00

Next up at bat: American Airlines flight attendants. They've authorized a strike in an attempt to recoup pay lost when American faced bankruptcy several years ago.

Strikes possible at Airtran and Spirit

2010-05-18T17:04:00.002-04:00

AirTran pilots voted overwhelmingly to allow their union leaders to call a strike if talks with the airline do not progress. The issue—unsurprisingly—is wages. Meanwhile, pilots at Spirit Airlines have also threatened a strike in the next 30 days. The issue at Spirit is employee benefits.

Court stops British Airways strike

2010-05-17T15:00:00.001-04:00

Strike by cabin crew, planned to start on May 18, has been blocked by a British court. Details to follow.

London, Amsterdam airports reopened

2010-05-17T11:15:00.002-04:00

London airports are now reopened after a briefly closing due to volcanic ash aloft. Some restrictions remain in Ireland and western Scotland. Restrictions in the Netherlands have also been lifted. Follow the story on our Examiner.com page

London airports closed

2010-05-16T20:45:00.001-04:00

Heathrow, Gatwick and other airports are closed until at least 07:00 (local) Monday. Follow the story.

Ash cloud closes some British and Irish airports

2010-05-16T10:40:00.002-04:00

Updates on closings of some Irish and UK airports—follow the story on Examiner.com

Ash may cloud British skies again

2010-05-15T13:35:00.001-04:00

Airport closings possible on May 16. Follow the story on Examiner.com

Drifting ash cloud delays transatlantic flights

2010-05-07T15:48:00.002-04:00

Rerouting of flights between North American and United Kingdom has caused minor delays on May 7. Follow the details on Examiner.com

Volcano may force new airspace restrictions in Ireland

2010-05-03T15:36:00.001-04:00

Follow the developments on Examiner.com

Ryanair backs down on passenger compensation

2010-04-22T12:26:00.002-04:00

Budget Irish airline Ryanair will now follow European Union rules and reimburse expenses for passengers stranded during the mass shutdown of airspace. Read more on Examiner.com

Ryanair disobeys EU passenger rules

2010-04-21T17:32:00.002-04:00

Airlines operating in the European Union must compensate passengers for food, hotels, and similar expenses when flights are canceled. Now Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary is refusing to abide by those rules and reimburse passengers stranded during the recent shutdown of airspace due to a volcanic eruption in Iceland.

Mr. O'Leary claims that his airline charges so little for flights, they cannot reimburse passengers for prolonged cancellations. Ryanair is basing its decision on a section in the EU Regulation 261 that exepmts cancellations caused by "extraordinary circumstances that could not have been avoided by any reasonable measure."

The British website ThisIsMoney advises passengers to file a claim against airlines that refused to provide care (hotels, meals, etc.) during the recent airspace shutdown.

This is not the first time that Ryanair has caused a public relations uproar over its policies. The airline was criticized for its decision to install pay toilets on some of its planes.

Flight situation in Europe improving, but chaotic

2010-04-19T19:00:00.002-04:00

Some airspace and airports open and some flights operating, but situation varies widely and is in a near-constant state of change. Read updates here.

Britain flights grounded through Monday

2010-04-18T22:59:00.001-04:00

British airlines cancel flights through Monday - details here

Half of European flights may fly Monday

2010-04-18T15:09:00.001-04:00

Latest comments from European officials show that the flight ban may be loosened. Follow the story here.

Pressure building to reopen Europe's skies

2010-04-18T11:19:00.001-04:00

Airline test flights reveal no safety issues. Questions growing about whether near-total flight ban is warranted. Read the story.

Hope for restart of European flights?

2010-04-17T21:00:00.002-04:00

KLM and Lufthansa airlines shifted empty aircraft in test flights by flying under the volcanic ash cloud covering most of Europe. No word on any changes to passenger flight restrictions.

Follow the story on our Examiner.com European travel column.

Volcano day 4 brings paralysis

2010-04-17T10:30:00.002-04:00

More airspace closed, almost all northern and central European flights grounded. Ash continues to spew from Iceland's volcanic eruption. See our continuing coverage here.

German air traffic controllers cancel strike

2010-04-16T21:47:00.001-04:00

The union representing German air traffic controllers called off plans for a strike during the week of April 18-24. The union and the German air traffic control agency reached an agreement concerning working hours for approximately 3,200 union members.

from Examiner.com

Europe versus the volcano: day 3

2010-04-16T10:01:00.002-04:00

Air travel chaos continued across northern Europe on Friday April 16 as ash from an Icelandic volcano drifted east.

Read our update on Examiner.com

Volcano shuts down most air traffic in UK, Ireland, Scandinavia

2010-04-15T12:14:00.001-04:00

Ash from a volcanic eruption in Iceland is causing a virtual shutdown of air traffic in Britain, Ireland, Sweden, Denmark, the Netherlands and other northern European countries.

For details see our story on Examiner. com

German air traffic controllers to strike

2010-04-13T20:51:00.001-04:00

The union representing German air traffic controllers announced plans for a strike during the week of April 18-24. The union promised to provide only 24 hours advance notice, but refused to state when the strike will begin.

More on Examiner.com

United + US Airways?

2010-04-07T21:50:00.002-04:00

Whether this latest proposed airline merger goes through or not, it has become increasingly hard to keep track of the merger trend in the industry. The New York Times has a wonderful graphic showing the history of mergers, acquisitions, name changes, etc. in the U.S. airline industry.

Study it carefully...there may be a test.

That's the Spirit!

2010-04-06T10:32:00.002-04:00

Budget carrier Spirit Airline will start charging for carry-on luggage as of August 1. Under the new policy, every passenger can bring one "personal item" (briefcase, purse, backpack) that will fit under seats. And passengers can bring only one carry-on bag that will fit in the overhead compartment. For the latter privilege, passengers will pay between $20 and $45. The lowest fee is for online purchases by Spirit Air's $9 Fare Club members; the highest fee is for gate check-in.

Miscellaneous items like coats, umbrellas, hats, diaper bags, etc. are still allowed without a fee. Infant safety seats are allowed for children with their own, ticketed seats.

To strike, or not to strike

2010-03-10T15:51:00.002-05:00

That is the question for British Airways cabin crew. The dispute between BA and the Unite union has been going on without resolution since late 2009—leaving potential fliers up in the air, as it were.

To read the lastest, see our report on Examiner.com

European airline and air traffic strikes continue.

2010-02-23T13:30:00.000-05:00

Update of European airline and air traffic control strikes as of Feb. 23.

British Airways strike update

2010-01-25T13:11:00.001-05:00

Cabin crew union begins a new strike authorization vote this week. Earliest possible strike date is March 1.

Ryanair pisses off public

2010-01-20T10:36:00.002-05:00

From the Irish Times:

RYANAIR says it will press ahead with plans to charge passengers to use its aircraft’s toilets. Despite admitting its announcement last year that it might install coin-operated facilities was a publicity stunt, chief executive Michael O’Leary is now revisiting the issue, according to the airline.

Ryanair would also like to remove the two toilets at the back of each aircraft, leaving only one on board and creating room for six extra seats.

Read it...and consider staying far away from this airline!

Plastic only

2010-01-19T16:58:00.002-05:00

American Airlines has joined other carriers in banning cash from its planes. No, that doesn't mean you have to surrender the bills in your wallet when you board. It simply means you can't buy those tasty in-flight drinks, snacks or other items using cash. Credit and debit cards are gladly accepted.

British Airways strike replay?

2010-01-19T16:57:00.000-05:00

The union representing British Airways cabin crew plans to hold a new vote to authorize a strike against the airline. A previous strike attempt was stopped by a court injunction in mid-December. The court action helped the airline avoid major disruptions during the busy holiday travel period.

Results of the new vote would not be known until early February and any strike would follow the announcement.

Media reports indicate that British Airways and its cabin crew union continue negotiations to head off a possible strike, although the status of the talks has not been made public.

The planned December strike's length was unprecedented and the action appeared to have a high level of support among union members. Over 12,500 workers were expected to participate in the walkout. The planned strike followed announced job reductions and changes in staffing levels in response to continued operating losses at British Airways.

British Airways' last strike was in 1997. The airline and its unions reached last minute agreements to avoid a potential strike in 2007.

European airlines strke woes

2009-12-02T14:53:00.002-05:00

Strikes and threats of same are having an impact on European airlines as the holiday travel season approaches. See our article on the Examiner.com travel site.

You and 800 fellow passengers

2009-11-18T20:49:00.002-05:00

Imagine boarding a plane with 839 fellow passengers. That's right 800-plus people going through check-in, baggage checks, security...and then coming into the same airport at the same time and doing the 0ff-boarding process. Sounds like a nightmare to this frequent flier, but it will be reality for some poor souls, er lucky fliers on Air Austral airlines in the near future.

The airline has ordered two "high density" Airbus 380 super-jumbo jets for its Paris-to-La Reunion routes. For those unfamiliar with the destination La Reunion is a smallish island in the Indian Ocean east of Madagascar.

A leg up?

2009-11-17T12:14:00.002-05:00

Frontier Airlines recently announced its version of premium economy (there's an oxymoron if ever there was one.) Frontier joins a select few domestic U.S. carriers–United and JetBlue for example–and a host of overseas carriers in providing a bit more legroom for a bit more money.

But as several observers have noted, Frontier is adding legroom for some seats at the expense of others! Airlines certainly have a unique business model–can you imagine say, Starbucks, introducing a premium coffee and then putting vinegar in their regular brew?

An American strike?

2009-11-16T15:11:00.002-05:00

Some American Airlines flight attendants are participating in a "simulated strike" this Wednesday to alert the flying public to their side of a dispute with the airline. A simulated strike is essentially informational leafleting at airports. In addition some cabin crew members wearing badges that tell passengers: if I was on strike, your flight would be canceled.

The chances of an actual strike at American are remote for the time being–if negotiations make no progress, the chances go up in January.

"Step out of the plane, sir."

2009-11-10T22:01:00.002-05:00

A United Airlines pilot was arrested at London's Heathrow airport just before he was scheduled to pilot a plane to Chicago. Police were alerted by another United employee and the pilot was removed, tested, and arrested. The flight was canceled.

Seems authorities at Heathrow are quite vigilant in this regard–an American Airlines pilot was arrested at the airport earlier this year under similar-sounding circumstances.

Whither British Airways?

2009-10-30T10:12:00.005-04:00

Today's (London) Telegraph asks a valid question: what must British Airways CEO Willie Walsh do to get the airline back to profitability? Well, for starters, it's not this:

Telegraph's picture of Willie with Las Vegas showgirls at launch of new LA-London service

Sorry

2009-10-27T22:19:00.003-04:00

This posting was supposed to have landed on this blog 90 minutes ago, but we got distracted using our laptops,

Southwest sweeps

2009-10-27T16:49:00.002-04:00

Respondents to Smarter Travel's survey voted Southwest the best US airline in all categories. U.S. Airways got the nod for worst domestic carrier. Some 7,400 people voted in the unscientific survey.

Bad, but not AS bad

2009-10-22T12:54:00.002-04:00

U.S. airlines garnered 2 percent less passenger revenue in September 2009 than the same month in 2008. That isn't good, but it is a lot better than the 5 percent decline August 2008 to August 2009. On the plus side for those still flying, airfares were down 18 percent in September from a year ago.

Ryanair...evil genius?

2009-10-13T10:09:00.003-04:00

Many airlines face criticism for cutting amenities and downgrading their level of service. Ryanair, on the other hand, has worked hard on its reputation as a "cheapskate" airline--one that might even charge you to use the onboard toilets. Operating at the bottom of the service barrel, there's little chance that Ryanair will have to cut amenities and face customer complaints. Almost anything Ryanair contemplates doing is better--or certainly not worse--than the current perception of their customer service. Traditional airlines continue to be forced to cutback services to survive--and their reputations suffer.

This is the same perverse lesson that some students learn--teachers reward improvement. High performing students face a risk that lower performing children don't.

Alert the townsfolk, the monster is growing

2009-10-11T10:52:00.002-04:00

Ryanair has one of the worst reputations for bad attitude aloft--starting with its CEO who promotes things like onboard pay toilets. Now Ryanair may be looking at expanding through acquisition of rival Aer Lingus and potentially bmi. What's worrisome to some is a potential expansion of the Ryanair "corporate personality."

Taking bets on airline strikes

2009-10-09T11:01:00.002-04:00

British Airways and Aer Lingus both seem headed towards worker strikes in the coming months. No sure bets, but enough so that British bookies have set odds and are taking bets on strikes at these airlines by the end of 2009. The odds:

British Airways 2 of 5
Aer Lingus 8 of 15

But then Irish and British bookies will take bets on almost anything...

Another fee? Not what you'd think

2009-09-19T10:33:00.003-04:00

Would you be willing to donate $2 to help fight HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis in Africa? That's the question airline ticket buyers will be asked starting in January, under a new cooperative venture between the United Nations, charitable agencies, and the airline reservations industry.

There are several problems with this effort. First, airline tickets are already so fee-laden that fliers are in near revolt. Second, the use of the donation has very little connection to the source--it's not like asking fliers to offset the carbon emissions caused by their flights.

Now THIS is bitter news

2009-09-18T23:03:00.002-04:00

Southwest Airlines has taken the latest slice of cost-cutting to, of all things, lemons. Seems the budget carrier will save money if it curtails offering lemons with its onboard drink service. Oddly, limes were not sliced from Southwest's already paltry drink and snack service.

Those other guys....they've got fees

2009-09-05T21:30:00.003-04:00

British Airways still sticks pretty much to its heritage as a "traditional airline." They eschew many of the fees for services that budget carriers employ. So much so that BA has an online value calculator to compare its fees to those of budget competitors RyanAir and EasyJet.

A survey in the Times of London found that British Airways was cheaper than the budget carriers on many short-haul European routes--in part due to all those pesky fees that the low fare airlines charge.

SkyEurope grounded

2009-09-03T13:35:00.002-04:00

And yet another airline website has this message:

Please be advised that ________ has suspended its sales and operations immediately.

This time, it's low cost carrier SkyEurope that has come down to earth. And of course, there's this helpful note on the website too:

Those of you who have purchased flights with a credit card, please turn to your credit card issuing bank to seek refunds for unused portions of SkyEurope's flights. In case you have paid directly to SkyEurope in other means than credit card (e.g. bank transfer, cash), please be advised that a refund may not be possible.

Another reason to always use a credit card when buying tickets.

FEE, Fi, Fo

2009-09-02T15:45:00.002-04:00

I smell a FEE from another airline! Arrrr...it's Southwest this time and the fee is $10 to reserve a spot in line to get a boarding pass. No, not a physical spot in the old A-B-C cattle call that Southwest fliers either love or hate, but an online check-in fee that provides a priority boarding spot when you buy the ticket, instead of 24 hours ahead of the flight at online check-in.

All you can fly (or stand to)

2009-08-19T17:45:00.002-04:00

JetBlue Airways is offering an "all you can fly” promotion that promises unlimited travel between September 8 and October 8 for $599. The package must be purchased by August by the end of today (August 19). Individual flights must be booked three days in advance, but that's about the only restriction.

Next question: "What's your sign?"

2009-08-18T12:51:00.003-04:00

Starting August 15, you must provide your age and gender to complete an airline ticket booking. The information is supposedly designed to reduce the number of errors when checking against "no-fly" lists. Good intentions, but the amount of personal information required does raise some privacy concerns.

Deny MY claim, will you?

2009-08-12T21:37:00.003-04:00

Passengers flying into and out of European Union member countries are covered by a passenger bill of rights and are entitled to compensation for delays and cancellations. Trouble is, airlines often deny claims. Enter EUclaim, a company that fights for your compensation on a fee-contingent basis. If they (you win), you get 73 percent of the award, but if not, you owe nothing.

Seems worth a look...here's the EUClaim website.

Here is a summary of those wonderful EU passenger rights:

Involuntarily bumped passengers can get between €125 and €600 (depending flight distance and delay length)

If a flight is delayed over 5 hours, passengers can get a full ticket refund.

Airlines must provide at least 14 days advance notice of cancellation, or reroute the passenger close to the booked schedule (with a few exceptions).

A little politics

2009-08-12T17:13:00.002-04:00

After reading the latest outrage--Continental passengers "held hostage" for nine hours on the tarmac in Rochester, Minnesota--this blog will take a brief political detour:

Fliers who are registered U.S. voters should contact their senators and congresspersons concerning the Airline Passengers Bill of Rights! Do it now before you become a prisoner, er passenger.

Commuter air perils, continued

2009-08-06T18:39:00.002-04:00

What's the conversation in the cockpit while your plane is cruising through the air? The 24-year-old copilot of the Colgan Air plane that crashed near Buffalo, NY in February complained repeatedly about how sick she felt while flying the doomed aircraft. Then she and the pilot spent time talking about how poorly the airline paid.

The pilot allegedly falsified his employment application--omitting several flunked "check rides"

Everyone aboard--and one person on the ground--were killed when the plane crashed on approach to Buffalo.

The U.S. Congress is considering new training and record-checking requirements based upon this crash.

Easy profit

2009-07-29T17:54:00.002-04:00

Discount European airline EasyJet expects to make a profit for the first three quarters of 2009. That's no small feat when most airlines are wallowing in losses due to the economy, swine flu, and unsustainable business practices. Also counter to industry-wide trends: the number of passengers flying EasyJet has risen slightly in the past three months.

Alors, come on over

2009-07-28T12:35:00.002-04:00

A source of confusion (for the uninformed) and complaints (for those who know): the difference between quoted "fares" and the actual cost of a transatlantic ticket. And worse, the difference between the cost of flying in one direction versus the other.

Case in point: a really nice $202 fare on Aer Lingus between Boston and Paris...the beans to fois gras flight, as it were. The real cost with fees and taxes is a still-reasonable $241 from Boston to Paris. But coming home from France, it will cost $314 to return to Beantown. Total cost of the $404 advertised fare? $556.

A fix to delays at ATL?

2009-07-28T12:25:00.002-04:00

Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport is notorious for delays. As the busiest airport in the United States, delays at Atlanta can trickle down to airports across the country. Starting in 2010 the Atlanta airport will operate a new computerized management system to try and cut down on gate delays, long taxi times, and other operational issues. Unless the system goes horribly wrong, it will be a welcome relief to Atlanta fliers.

RIFs at Continental

2009-07-21T16:20:00.002-04:00

Up to four percent of staff at Continental Airlines face lay-offs after the airline reported a $213 million loss for the second quarter. Amazingly, Continental management assigned blame for $50 million to the impact of the H1N1 viral panic.

Feever

2009-07-21T16:06:00.001-04:00

Delta Airlines joins the growing number of carriers adding fees for baggage checked-in at the airport. To avoid the additional $5 charge, check-in bags online.

Ryan Air...SIGH

2009-07-16T13:04:00.000-04:00

The World's Cheapest Airline--and we don't mean that as a compliment about ticket prices--is reported to be considering standing room for passengers on short haul flights.

British Airways ties its fate to business travel

2009-07-15T16:20:00.002-04:00

One of the areas that airlines are being hit hardest is a decline in business and first class travelers. That trend notwithstanding, British Airways renewed its commitment to premium travel, employing the Harvard Business Review to help prove that face-to-face business meetings are essential to business success. The airline is even giving away free travel to businesspeople who enter a contest and make a convincing case.

Will BA's strategy work? It probably depends more upon global business conditions than any other factor. If business picks up, business travelers will re-emerge. But when your company is skitter around bankruptcy, travel budgets are among the first targets.

About that hole in the fuselage...

2009-07-14T12:50:00.002-04:00

Southwest Airlines inspected all its 737-300s overnight Monday after one of its jets developed a 1-foot-by-1-foot hole in the fuselage during a flight from Nashville to Baltimore. There were no injuries in this incident. Passengers could reportedly see the sky through the hole--and they say Southwest doesn't have in-flight entertainment!

Southwest has previously been fined for flying planes without mandatory fuselage crack inspections.

How much worse for airlines?

2009-07-13T22:54:00.002-04:00

Today's New York Times paints a dismal picture for the airline industry--perhaps even more dismal than when fuel prices spiked--as passenger traffic continues its decline due to the recession. Hardest hit: business and first class ticket sales. Expect continued "mothballing" of planes and reduction in capacity.

On-time airlines (lol)

2009-07-09T16:24:00.003-04:00

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, domestic U.S. flights were on schedule almost 81 percent of the time. So why does it seem so much worse? The department is investigating "padding" of schedules and delays after gate departure, which might be one reason.

But that issue aside, here are the best and worst U.S. airlines for timeliness as of May 2009:

The best...Yay!
1. Hawaiian Airlines – 90.3 percent
2. SkyWest Airlines – 86.8 percent
3. Pinnacle Airlines – 86.8 percent

The worst...Boo!
1. Comair – 65.7 percent
2. Atlantic Southeast Airlines – 70.8 percent
3. AirTran Airways – 75.6 percent

And the question du jour: Why are the airlines we fly the most always in the second group?

Unclear

2009-07-02T12:45:00.002-04:00

The operator of the FlyClear program has gone bankrupt. The program allowed paying members to bypass airport security lines. Airports received fees from the program and are now scrambling to deal with yet another revenue problem. Our suggestion for a new way to speed up the security screening? An optional FlyNaked program.

BA staff sacrifices pay

2009-06-25T22:17:00.001-04:00

Some 7,000 British Airways workers--including the CEO--have volunteered to take temporary pay cuts or work reduced hours to help their employer weather a downturn in revenues.

One more way air travel is becoming like bus travel

2009-06-25T12:03:00.002-04:00

Ryan Air--one of the acknowledged "cheapskates" in the airline business--plans to ban all checked baggage in the near future. Replaced with unlimited carry-on allowances, the airline has not specified how this is all going to work. There's some talk of letting passengers carry bags onto the tarmac and check them directly into the cargo hold!

In other news, Ryan Air still plans to charge passengers for using on-board toilets...

"Thunk!" the sound of dropping fares

2009-06-20T10:32:00.002-04:00

According the International Airline Transport Association, economy fares have declined by 15 percent as airlines struggle to fill seats. But the real "bargains" are to be found in business class and first class, where you can travel in comfort for 20 percent less. Now, if the potential traveling public only had money and jobs...

British Airways update

2009-06-14T22:02:00.001-04:00

from our London Travel News Blog...

An American deal?
Willie Walsh, head of British Airways, predicts approval of an alliance with American Airlines by year end.
Let's not strike
BA faces the same pressures as most of the world's airlines: passengers are scarce in the current economy and some form of downsizing is inevitable. That probably means layoffs, but in the British corporate world that often means strikes by employee unions. BA is in talks to work out some accommodation with its unions to avoid the prospect of industrial action (strikes).

Trop de spéculation

2009-06-06T03:27:00.002-04:00

Air France travelers can hardly be assured by the unbridled, sometimes conflicting, initial speculation coming from the airline's spokespeople, the French government, Brazilian officials, and others following the recent mid-ocean crash of an Air France jet. Even before the first pieces of debris have been recovered, we've heard blame assigned for "turbulence", faulty airspeed indicators, even lightning. Officials have said that the cause may never been known, that the black boxes may not be recovered, that recent bomb threats were unrelated...

You need a passport

2009-05-24T20:03:00.002-04:00

Everyone entering the United States must have a passport or if traveling by air. As of June 1, passengers arriving by land or sea pretty much join this requirement (there are other documents that U.S. and Canadian citizens can use if traveling in the Western Hemisphere). For details, go to the U.S. State Department website.

When does this merger merge?

2009-05-23T17:40:00.002-04:00

Delta Airlines took over Northwest Airlines last October, but the two airlines remain separate--sort of. Airport signage has been changing and there has been some consolidation at check-in counters. But computer systems? That's taking a bit longer and won't be complete until late this year. Expect some confusion (as if you didn't expect confusion when going to an airport!)

TSA stands for...

2009-05-23T17:32:00.002-04:00

Today'S Answer. What now? Well, the airline security gurus still want to x-ray your shoes, but now they don't want you to put them in the plastic bins, but directly on the belt of the x-ray screening machine. Reason? To let the scanners get a closer look as suspicious shoes.

OK, what else? Starting August 15, the name on your airline tickets must match the government-issued ID that you use to pass through security. So pull out your driver's license, passport, or military ID and check before you buy tickets. Reason? To better match passenger names to "no-fly" lists and cut down on errors.

This might cost more than a bag of peanuts

2009-05-15T17:30:00.002-04:00

Southwest Airlines is being sued for $2 million by a woman who was thrown off a flight and arrested, but claims a flight attendant was harassing her. The original charges were quickly thrown out of court, but the airline was unrepentant, according to the attorney representing the passenger. If she prevails and wins the $2 million, perhaps the plaintiff can fly first class--on another airline.

The best pilots (little) money can buy?

2009-05-13T16:07:00.002-04:00

Today's revelation from the National Transportation Safety Board's hearing on the Colgan Air (Continental) crash in New York is that starting pilots are paid about $16,000 per year at the commuter airline. Is it any wonder that the pilots lacked experience? A bus driver could demand a higher salary.

Incompetence in the cockpit?

2009-05-12T14:22:00.002-04:00

The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board just released transcripts of the final minutes of a Continental Connection (Colgan Air) flight that crashed near Buffalo, New York in February. The words are chilling, not just because they chronicle the crash of an airplane, but because they also hint that the crew was not competent to handle the flight conditions that day. Further, the apparent lack of attention to duties, and over-attention to discussing personal issues, seems evident from the transcript.

All of which raises more questions about the training and competencies of commuter airline crew members. Unfortunately for the passengers of this flight, there was no Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger at the controls to guide the plane through a crisis.

Drunk passenger tries to bite flight crew

2009-05-05T19:32:00.002-04:00

When will airlines learn their lesson? Plying some people with on-board booze is asking for trouble. It's not like your local pub/bar where the proprietor can throw a rowdy patron into the street, or call a taxi to take them home. In this latest episode, a United Airlines transatlantic flight was diverted when a Russian-born UK actress/artist/writer allegedly got high on a combination of prescription drugs, airline alcohol, and lavatory hand soap!

Veep peeves airlines

2009-04-30T22:19:00.003-04:00

U.S. Vice President Joe Biden--already an acknowledged practitioner of the art of inserting one's foot into one's mouth--really ticked off the airline industry with his latest comments on Swine Flu travel precautions. Mr. Biden (or just "Joe" for purposes of this story) told a television morning show that he cautioned his family not to travel by airplane due to the danger posed by the flu near-pandemic.

That's fine advice for a father or grandfather to give, but it's not so great when that father/grandfather is speaking as Vice President of the United States. Joe's boss has a different opinion on the matter. That opinion is official U.S. government policy (avoid travel to Mexico; don't fly if you are sick, etc.)

USA to UK? You pay APD

2009-04-22T13:31:00.002-04:00

Britain has high fees for flights to and from its airports. The Air Passenger Duty will get even higher this November, and again in 2010. Over this period, North American passengers will see this tax rise from the current £40 to a new high of £60 (almost $90).

Pets fly first class while the rest of us are treated like dogs

2009-04-20T14:18:00.004-04:00

It's a new business venture seemingly headed for quick bankruptcy or for instant success. Announcing Pet Airways where pets fly in the main cabin. No, humans aren't relegated to the cargo hold...this is a pet only air carrier. Introductory fares will whisk Fido or Fluffy from New York to LA for about $150.

This is just too ripe for speculation...imagine:

A Dalmatian gets drunk on complimentary champagne and tries to proposition his seat mate--a French Poodle who rejects his advances. The Dalmatian then falls asleep with his head on the poodle's shoulder, drooling...
Two Pitt Bulls are arrested by an air marshal for congregating too close to the cockpit door.
A small Tabby stuffs her multiple, oversized carry-on suitcases into the first overhead bin she finds.
A Great Dane complains about the legroom.
A Labrador Retriever falls in love with the stewardess.
Small dogs yap during the whole flight, keeping the Bloodhounds from catching up on sleep.
The Afghan is denied boarding by the TSA.

Southwest at a loss

2009-04-16T18:43:00.003-04:00

The global economy has tanked...but that's not news. And airline profits have certainly been victim to the downturn. But for perennially profitable Southwest Airlines to post a loss...that is news. Southwest posted a third consecutive quarterly loss this week and the airline plans to offer buyouts to some workers to reduce costs.

The impact to the flying public? Certainly, continued reduction in airline flights, increased passenger fees, but probably not increased fares, at least in the short term.

Airline finally addresses a heavy issue

2009-04-15T16:41:00.002-04:00

United Airlines will require obese passengers to buy two seats when they cannot fit into a single seat. The policy echoes those of Delta and Southwest and is based in part upon complaints from other passengers.

Maybe a pee bargain, er plea bargain will work

2009-04-08T16:56:00.003-04:00

A passenger on a United Airlines flight from Honduras to Atlanta was arrested and charged with assault on aircrew after he tried to reach a restroom on the flight. Apparently, a beverage cart blocked the passenger's access to the lavatory, and he asked whether he could use the business class loo. He was told that violated FAA regulations (it doesn't) and he was charged with assault after allegedly touching/pulling a cabin attendant's arm.

They vanished into thin air

2009-04-04T23:41:00.002-04:00

Hundreds of airline flights have simply vanished. The planes are no longer on radar.

"Why haven't I seen this on the news?" you wonder? "How come the National Enquirer isn't on the case?" Well, the problem is a little less dramatic, but still newsworthy. Airlines are cutting flights right and left in response to the dismal economic situation. For example, during the past year, more than 170 daily flights from European cities to London have been eliminated.

Open Skies, close wallets

2009-03-28T22:54:00.002-04:00

The Open Skies agreement was supposed to increase competition for flights between the United States and Europe. The Atlanta Journal Constitution reports that the agreement appears to be working with decreases in fares, especially business class fares. The AJC also took time to tout hometown Delta Airlines' new flatbed (lie-flat) seats on its business class service between the U.S. and London.

Pardon me. Where's the Ryanair desk?

2009-03-11T20:10:00.002-04:00

As of this summer discount Ryanair will phase out its airport check in desks. All passengers will have to use online check-in. Unaccompanied children under age 16 will not be able to fly on Ryanair any longer. All designed to save money and hold down fares, which is laudable. But it will still be odd to have an airline with no airport checkin desks in airports.

Flying on autopilot

2009-03-04T15:40:00.002-05:00

Most airline passengers assume that someone like USAirways hero pilot Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger is at the controls when they board an aircraft. But in reality, your plane may be under the control of a computer autopilot.

What could be easier or safer? A sophisticated computer system controls your airliner's flight. The computer doesn't get sleepy, doesn't talk about sports to the copilot, it is very precise and accurate. But wait. There have been two airplane crashes recently--in Buffalo, New York and in Amsterdam--in which the use of an autopilot may have contributed to the catastrophes.

Ryan Air pisses off many

2009-02-27T17:29:00.002-05:00

This is almost too incredible to report. But the source is Ryan Air CEO Michael O'Leary, who has made some really incredible anti-customer comments in the past. This time, the BBC reports that Ryan Air has considered putting a coin slot on the doors of the toilets onboard its aircraft. To use the facilities would cost fliers £1 (about $1.45) !!!

The audacity of this concept certainly speaks for itself. If adopted, Ryan Air could certainly lay claim to the title World's Cheapest Airline, but it would not be a compliment.

Achtung! again. Strike at Berlin airports

2009-02-23T15:56:00.002-05:00

Another mini-strike planned in the German air travel industry. This one a 3 1/2 hour walkout Tuesday 22 February at Berlin's two major airports.

Will they charge for life jackets too?

2009-02-05T15:54:00.002-05:00

US Airways will charge coach passengers $7 for pillow and blanket sets...but hey, at least they are "take home" sets. What are we talking about? Who wants a take home US Airways pillow and blanket?!

US Airways has some excess political capital due to the heroic efforts of the crew of the jet that splashed down in the Hudson River. Guess they chose to "spend" some of that with the pillows-for-cash scheme.