Passengers complain mightily about the extra fees airlines now charge for everything from checking bags to choosing seats, yet are paying up – and up. In 2014, airlines earned $38.1 billion from fees charged for retail activities, a la carte services, frequent flier miles sold to partners and other so-called ancillary fees, according to a […]
In a switch-up from the funny and celebrity-filled in-flight safety videos that are becoming the norm on airlines, Hawaiian Airlines has decided to go heartfelt and local. The carrier’s new safety video features crew members and their families sharing the crucial information – in picture-postcard Hawaiian locations, including Yokohama Beach and Kualoa Ranch on Oʻahu, […]
Perhaps you remember a bit of news a while back that about Delta Air Lines’ test program of pre-loading some carry-on bags for passengers before flights. The airline said the complimentary service was designed to speed up the boarding process, while some said the early gate valet program might just be testing a new optional […]
Hate paying to check your bag with the airline and just not confident they’ll really get it where it needs to go? You have some other options – as I outlined in a recent story for NBC News Travel. For standard-size bags, shipping door-to-door instead of checking a bag at the airport is rarely faster […]
To mark the 25th anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act, last month the Open Doors Organization (ODO) released the findings of a new study looking at the impact the disability travel market has on the industry and the broader economy. A follow up to similar studies the group conducted in 2002 […]
During the party held to welcome EVA Air’s new Hello Kitty-themed jet at Houston’s Bush Intercontinental Airport on Friday, a wide variety of Hello Kitty-themed items were on display. The food and toilet paper were designed to be used on board, but samples likely end up going home as souvenirs (which is probably why there […]
Passengers complain mightily about the extra fees airlines now charge for everything from checking bags to choosing seats, yet are paying up – and up. In 2014, airlines earned $38.1 billion from fees charged for retail activities, a la carte services, frequent flier miles sold to partners and other so-called ancillary fees, according to a […]
In a switch-up from the funny and celebrity-filled in-flight safety videos that are becoming the norm on airlines, Hawaiian Airlines has decided to go heartfelt and local. The carrier’s new safety video features crew members and their families sharing the crucial information – in picture-postcard Hawaiian locations, including Yokohama Beach and Kualoa Ranch on Oʻahu, […]
Perhaps you remember a bit of news a while back that about Delta Air Lines’ test program of pre-loading some carry-on bags for passengers before flights. The airline said the complimentary service was designed to speed up the boarding process, while some said the early gate valet program might just be testing a new optional […]
Hate paying to check your bag with the airline and just not confident they’ll really get it where it needs to go? You have some other options – as I outlined in a recent story for NBC News Travel. For standard-size bags, shipping door-to-door instead of checking a bag at the airport is rarely faster […]
To mark the 25th anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act, last month the Open Doors Organization (ODO) released the findings of a new study looking at the impact the disability travel market has on the industry and the broader economy. A follow up to similar studies the group conducted in 2002 […]
During the party held to welcome EVA Air’s new Hello Kitty-themed jet at Houston’s Bush Intercontinental Airport on Friday, a wide variety of Hello Kitty-themed items were on display. The food and toilet paper were designed to be used on board, but samples likely end up going home as souvenirs (which is probably why there […]
The final season of Mad Men kicks off tonight and that gives us yet another excuse to look back at the real work done by advertising men and women on behalf of airlines during the glory days of the industry. We get help from an impressive new book – in looks, size (it measures 12.2″ […]
To show off its new “Alaska Beyond” package of in-flight amenities and services, Alaska Airlines parked a 737 out in front of Seattle’s Museum of Flight on Thursday and welcomed aboard a planeload of frequent fliers, reporters and bloggers for a two-hour flight over Oregon and Washington. I got to tag along. During the flight […]
Here’s a round-up of some of the sweet perks you’ll find on airlines and in airports on Valentine’s Day: JetBlue passengers will receive complimentary Dylan’s Candy Bar cookies onboard flights. United Airlines will be serving complimentary Valentine’s Day-themed cocktails with cute names such as “Casanova,” “Bubbling with Love” and “Cupid’s Arrow” (with sides of chocolate) […]