Airline fees test travelers’ limits

After a United flight hit severe turbulence over Kansas on July 20, injuring dozens of people on board, Jay Leno joked that flight attendants administered first aid only to passengers who paid a $7.50 “triage fee.” It was a bit of morbid humor reflecting the view that airline fees are out of control. Even the [...]

Airline fees make it hard to shop for best deal

Finding the best deal on a flight has become a lot more difficult, thanks to hefty baggage and service fees that consumers often don’t know about until they show up at the airline counter, congressional investigators say. Those fees are not part of the ticket price, meaning they can easily go unseen until it’s too [...]

5 major US airlines won’t charge for carry-ons bags

U.S. airlines never met a fee they didn’t like. Until now, it seems. Five major carriers on Sunday agreed not to follow the lead of a small Florida airline that plans to charge for carry-ons bags. Their commitment comes just in time to keep travelers from running for the exits during the peak summer flying [...]

10 ways to maximize your miles

If you’re not able to redeem your miles or points for the flights you want, it could be that either you’re in the wrong program or you’re not employing the new tools and strategies you need in this changing landscape. Here’s a step-by-step plan for using your miles to fly where you want, when you [...]

American Airlines wants exemption from tarmac rule

Add American Airlines to the list of carriers that want out of the government’s new rule to limit the time passengers can be held on the tarmac. American has filed for a temporary exemption with the Department of Transportation, saying delays caused by the closure of the main runway at New York’s JFK airport could [...]

Continental Airlines to charge for food

Continental Airlines is ending free hamburgers, barbecue and sandwich rolls for many of its passengers in favor of a food-for-sale program that mirrors what other carriers are already doing. A spokesman said Monday that the airline, based in Houston, expects a $35 million annual benefit, from cost savings and added revenue. Delta Air Lines, American [...]

British Airways, American Airlines, Iberia to cede airport slots

British Airways, American Airlines and Iberia have offered to give away takeoff and landing slots at London and New York airports to soothe European Union antitrust worries, EU regulators said Wednesday. The European Commission said it would ask other airlines whether freeing up slots at London Heathrow, London Gatwick and New York’s John F. Kennedy [...]