In yet another sign that the government has adopted a “get tough” approach in dealing with the airline industry, the Federal Aviation Administration today proposed near-record penalties against two airlines for safety violations.
US AIRWAYS
Unlike some of my esteemed travel writing colleagues, I won’t make the mistake of confusing a few tarmac delay activists with the entire passenger rights movement. Still, the August airline performance numbers, which have just been released by our friends at the Department of Transportation, merit a closer look.
Ethel Schweitzer’s husband falls ill before a trip to Las Vegas, and the couple cancels their vacation. Now US Airways wants to keep their money. Why can’t it offer them a refund?
Michael Winn is the president of a private university, a US Airways frequent flier, and according to at least one flight attendant, an imminent threat to security. Why else would he have kicked Winn off a recent flight from Charlotte to Phoenix?
Every now and then I come across a case that leaves me deeply conflicted. This is one of those times.
The Transportation Department has fined three airlines for consumer rule violations, signaling a new “get-tough” approach to the airline industry, if not in practice, then at least in principle.
Remember Jerry Ginnis, the traveler who booked a Bermuda vacation online, only to have the reservation taken over by a travel agent? The original story provoked an outcry from the travel agency community, and a follow-up post did little to placate it. I didn’t name the travel agency in either post because I wanted to wait for its its side of the story. Well, the wait is over.
Jerry Ginnis’ says his first mistake was asking a travel agent for a quote on a Bermuda vacation. He’d already found a terrific price online — a week at a luxury resort for $2,800, about 40 percent off the normal rate — but a friend suggested that he call.
When it comes to online booking horror stories, Lisa O’Brien deserves an award. The online agency and airline that tried to help her does not.
It’s every parent’s worst nightmare: Your 11-year-old son is scheduled to fly home on his own, but on the eve of his departure, the airline tells him his ticket is no good. Specifically, he has no ticket. It happened to Meera Gopalan this weekend.
It’s no secret that the airline industry has seen better days. But how bad is it? Not as bad as the mainstream media would like us to believe, according to airline analyst Robert Herbst, who publishes the Web site Airlinefinancials.com. And not so good that we shouldn’t be cautious with future bookings, he adds.
Believe it or not, the latest celebrity death has a travel angle. TV pitchman Billy Mays, who was found dead in his Tampa home this morning, was a passenger on a US Airways flight yesterday. His son first reported the news on Twitter. And here’s where things get a little weird. The highly respected TV [...]
If you’re delayed on your way to the airport because of a summer thunderstorm, you might think you’re out of luck. Most airlines now gladly charge you a full walk-up fare for the next flight when you don’t get to the gate on time — even if it’s for a reason beyond your control. But here’s a secret.
John Romantic’s title is director of customer relations and central baggage resolution at US Airways. But he’d prefer you simply think of him as your advocate at the airline. For the last nine months, he’s had the unenviable job of improving the carrier’s iffy reputation for customer service. I asked him how he’s doing it.
Airline luggage has been making headlines recently, whether it’s US Airways’ controversial decision to add a $5 convenience fee to some checked bags or Alaska Air’s luggage fee/guarantee. But which airline has the most customer-friendly policy when it comes to checked luggage?
US Airways plans to announce tomorrow that it will bring complimentary sodas, juices, tea, water and coffee to its flights starting next month. Charging for soft drinks — particularly bottled water — was highly unpopular with its passengers.
Denyse Sadkin and her husband had two first-class tickets from St. Thomas to Buffalo on US Airways. At least they did until the airline bumped one of them back to economy class to make room for a crewmember. The Sadkins, which had redeemed a total of 120,000 frequent flier miles for their flights, weren’t happy with their new seats, so they asked US Airways to be rerouted. It refused.
Air travel sure can be a confusing experience. Just ask Patricia Lapadula, who recently bought a ticket on United Airlines through Cheaptickets.com. At least that’s what she thought.
Airlines almost never tell their customers the truth. But from time to time, they tell their own employees — more or less. Here’s a memo sent out to US Airways employees a few days ago, for example.
US Airways is firing its skycaps and replacing them with Wall-E in 23 cities — in a manner of speaking.
