Bumped? What your airline ticket says about you

There are a few bits of information to pay close attention to on an airline ticket: the flight number, gate number and boarding time. Fare basis code? Not a common concern. But the single-letter code can make a big difference in some parts of the travel experience, even though most passengers don’t pay any attention. [...]

British Airways apologizes for scary midair crash message

In the middle of an otherwise-peaceful British Airways flight from London to Hong Kong on Tuesday, a terrifying announcement blasted over the speakers. The automated message warned the 275 passengers to brace themselves, because the plane was about to crash into the sea. “We all thought we were going to die,” one passenger said. Flight [...]

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 [...]

Troubled Mexicana airline suspends ticket sales

Troubled Mexicana de Aviacion, Mexico’s largest air carrier, indefinitely suspended ticket sales Wednesday but said it would continue operating flights for travelers who already bought them. The decision did not affect the company’s Click and Link airlines, which fly routes only inside Mexico. Mexicana flies to more than 65 domestic and international destinations, saying it [...]

Travel deals from Gulf spill spread wider than oil

As more oil from the Gulf of Mexico washes up on surrounding beaches, tourism in many Southeastern states is fading — even in areas far away from the gooey mess. But hotels from Texas to Florida and some airlines like Spirit are eager to drum up business driven away by oil fears — which means [...]

Southwest Airlines launches Boston-Philadelphia flights

Southwest Airlines is expanding at Logan International Airport. The Texas-based carrier has just launched service to Philadelphia that will put it in direct competition with US Airways, which has long had a hub in the city. With five daily nonstop flights, Philadelphia becomes the fifth city Southwest will serve from Boston. In less than a [...]

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