Topic “A” this morning is the U.S. tourism industry’s surprising call for a national “trusted traveler” program for airline passengers.
AIR TRAVEL
Today is, by some estimates, the busiest air travel day of the year. Here’s what to expect if you’re flying. No significant delays have been reported yet, although there are a few potential challenges that you should know about.
The federal government is giving travelers an extra month to comment on proposed new consumer rules for airline passengers.
Do you remember your first time?
The ash from an Eyjafjallajokull glacier volcanic eruption in Iceland that forced the cancellation of more than 4,000 flights in Northern Europe this morning has raised some questions about the rights of air travelers, and particularly how EU laws handle displaced passengers.
Kids on a plane. No four words incite more acrimonious debate among air travelers. Not “your flight is delayed.” Not “here’s a new fee.” Not even “snakes on a plane.”
Scott McCartney writes The Wall Street Journal’s “Middle Seat” column and is the author of the new book “The Wall Street Journal Guide to Power Travel: How to Arrive with Your Dignity, Sanity, and Wallet Intact.” With the travel season about to take off, I asked him for his thoughts on flying in the summer of 2009.
When Virgin Atlantic Airways cancels James Simon’s flight from New York to London — and rebooks him on a British Airways flight — he’s downgraded from premium economy to economy class. But his requests for a fare refund go unanswered. Is he entitled to any money back?
The European Union’s new regulation on airline ticket transparency, which requires airlines to quote a fare including all taxes, fees and surcharges, went into effect Nov. 1. How will the new rules affect air travelers here and in Europe? I asked Meglena Kuneva, the EU commissioner for consumer affairs.
Elliott is consumer advocate 
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