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 [...]

Airlines start tarmac delay response early

At least two airlines are already sending flights back to the gate if they’re caught in tarmac delays approaching three hours, the cut-off point for new fines that take effect on April 29. US Airways and Continental Airlines both said on Monday that they’ve started new procedures ahead of the government rules, which require airlines [...]

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 [...]

‘Insurance’ airlines don’t tell you about

Airlines are required by U.S. regulations to compensate travelers for up to $3,300 in the event that checked bags are lost or damaged. But that’s only for domestic travel. For most international flights, bag liability is limited to approximately $9.07 per pound for checked bags, which is virtually nothing (a 30 lb. bag gets you [...]

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 [...]

Continental Airlines to let coach customers buy more space

Continental Airlines will begin charging coach customers extra if they want a seat with more legroom. Prices will vary depending on the length of a flight and popularity of the route. A spokeswoman said extra room on a Houston-New York flight might cost $59. International fliers would pay more than that. Starting March 17, coach [...]