Alaska Airlines has taken a lot of heat this week over an allegation that it deliberately separated a gay couple onboard a New York to Los Angeles flight so a straight couple could sit together. But I’m ready to...
A $105,000 Fine For Drinking And Flying
As seat pitch shrinks and amenities are slashed, many passengers have taken to the bottle. But drunk passengers in the UK may soon get six-digit bill for drinking one too many. Drunk and disorderly conduct by airline passengers is...
Quiet Skies: The Secret TSA Program To Spy On You
What do a Southwest Airlines flight attendant, a federal law enforcement officer, and a businesswoman who recently traveled through Turkey all have in common? They’ve all been trailed by Federal Air Marshals in a new program called Quiet Skies....
China Rejects Compromise On Taiwan By U.S. Airlines
China has rejected an attempt at compromise over the thorny Taiwan issue by the three U.S. legacy carriers. Earlier this week, I wrote that U.S. airlines agreed to Chinese demands that Taiwan not be listed as an independent nation...
Last Chance: How To Claim Your British Airways Lawsuit Cash Settlement
If you are party to the British Airways class action lawsuit, don’t forget you only have until July 29th to file your clam. Here’s how to do it. If you are a member of the class action, you should...
Be Very Afraid: United Airlines Loosens Onboard Photo Policy
Take it from the guy who was thrown off a plane for taking a picture of his seat…there is going to be stiff flight attendant resistance to United’s updated onboard photo policy. And maybe some passenger pushback as well....
A Pricey New Dutch Air Passenger Duty Like The UK?
The Dutch government wants to add an air passenger tax to airline tickets starting in 2021. Will the Netherlands embrace a controversial scheme like the UK Air Passenger Duty? The proposed plan will start modestly: €3.80 on flights within the...
Justice: Delta Passenger Forced To Pay Up For Flight Diversion
We read about flight diversions fairly regularly, but it is not often we read about who settles the bill. Diverting a plane cost moneys. There are fuel costs, landing fees, labor costs, not to mention passenger rebooking. A diversion...
The Smart Way To Bequeath Your Frequent Flyer Miles
Many news outlets have picked up on the fact that Anthony Bourdain bequeathed his frequent flyer miles to his ex-wife in his will. Here’s how she should handle them. The will asks her to “dispose of them in accordance...
“Horny” Pilot Allegedly Molests Woman On United Flight
A woman is suing United Airlines for failing to protect her from a “horny” pilot who allegedly molested her on a 13-hour flight. Anne Dowling was flying in business class on United from Hong Kong to San Francisco in...
Feds Won’t Regulate Airline Legroom
“The FAA has no evidence that there is an immediate safety issue necessitating rulemaking at this time.” That’s the bottom line from the Federal Aviation Administration in response to a well-organized effort from a group called FlyersRights to more closely...
Iberia’s Legal Obligation To Honor Avios Promotion
For those hoping 90,000 Iberia Avios would quickly hit their account after 10 days…be patient. It may take some more time, if the the points appear at all. A pair of moves over the last 24 hours reveals how...
China Won’t Discuss Taiwan Issue With U.S. Airlines, Blames Trump
As a “final” deadline approaches for U.S. airlines to respect Chinese wishes over the classification of Taiwan on their websites, the issue is escalating into a full-blown diplomatic battle. Recall that China has insisted that all U.S. airlines identity...
Christopher Elliott Misleads Consumers on Travel Perks for U.S. Politicians
Like the rail passes of the Gilded Age, are U.S. politicians being bought out by airlines through lucrative and exclusive travel benefits? That’s what consumer advocate Christopher Elliott would have you think. The reality, however, is a bit more...
U.S. Airlines Brashly Defy China: Consequences Coming?
The Chinese government is insisting that U.S. airlines stop treating Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau as separate nations on their websites and other booking channels. Thus far, U.S. airlines have steadfastly refused. But what will happen when Beijing tightens...
Is It Ethical To Steal Premium Cabin Amenities?
Is it ever ethical to walk away with amenities from business and first class that airlines do not intend for you to take? The Wall Street Journal covers this topic in-depth. It’s a great read. The last paragraphs of...
$500 Fine Dropped Against Delta Passenger Who Carried Apple Into USA
A $500 fine has been dropped against a traveler who attempted to bring in an apple to the USA she was given as part of a Delta pre-arrival snack. As I wrote about in April, Crystal Tadlock was on a Delta...
British Airways Class Action Settlement: Why I’m Taking Cash Not Avios
British Airways has agreed to pay up for its obscene fuel surcharges levied on transatlantic travel. I’m taking cash over Avios. In a nutshell, this lawsuit contends that British Airways’ fuel surcharges were disproportionate to the price of fuel...
Why Airlines DON’T Want Doctors Onboard
When a medical emergency occurs onboard a flight, what do airlines do if there is no doctor onboard? As it turns out, often the same thing they do when there is a doctor onboard: consult with professionals on the...
Civil War in Trump Administration Over Gulf Carriers
What happens when two factions within the White House hold differing views on the same agreement? A war of words, to say the least… A fascinating AP story by Josh Lederman outlines the conflict. In one corner, President Donald Trump’s trade...
