Airline policies

All the latest articles about Airline policies

Cellphones on airplanes? Debate continues.

01/14/11
Debate continues over using cell-phones on airplanes. In Europe, the Middle East and Asia, airlines that wire planes for connectivity can install special equipment to allow passengers to use their own cell phones to make and receive calls. Domestic airlines own about 90 percent of the world's connected planes, but federal regulations still ban the use of in-flight mobile calls. →

Flying Food: Complimentary meals in economy class a thing of the past

10/13/10
My column this week on msnbc.com –  Free meals on planes fly into the sunset – is all about the demise of “free” meals for economy class passengers on domestic airlines. It’s also about the efforts airlines are making to convince travelers to buy their meals on board. Working on the story was especially fun, →

Flying phone calls, free B&B stay, and free ice-skating

10/06/10
This is a truly great endeavor by some inns and B&Bs across the country. On November 10th, in observance of Veterans Day (November 11th), more than 300 B&Bs and Inns in more than 40 states around the country will be offering a free night’s stay to active and retired U.S. military members.  Here’s the list →

Universal access at airports: it could happen

09/16/10
My “At the Airport” column for USATODAY.com this month is about what airports and airlines are doing – or not – to make it easier for people with disabilities to make their way through airports. Researching the story was an educational and quite sobering experience. And as the column title says: Travelers with disabilities face →

Paperless boarding passes: benefit or bother?

09/05/10
We’ve all become accustomed to checking in for our flights on-line and printing out our boarding passes at home or at an airport kiosk on our way to the security checkpoint. Now the TSA is working with five airlines and 70 airports to test paperless boarding passes. Here’s how it works: When a traveler checks →

Tidbits for travelers: seat fees, bag check refunds & fast rail service to ORD.

08/19/10
Good news, bad news for air travelers today. In the good file: If you book a 2-night weekend stay (Fri/Sat/Sun) at a IHG hotel (InterContinental, Crowne Plaza, , Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Staybridge Suites, Candlewood Suites and others), and check a bag on your flight there, you can get a rebate for up to →
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