“I WANT CO!” image courtesy Wall Street Journal We all knew the “talks” between US and UA were just a ruse: Negotiations between UAL Corp.’s United Airlines and Continental Airlines Inc. are picking up pace, with parties believing a merger...
United Delays Launch of Dulles – Lagos, Nigeria Route
Bad news for those of you who took advantage of UA’s introductory fares to Nigeria: United Airlines said it will delay the start of planned flights to Lagos, Nigeria, because of regulatory issues. The flights had been set to...
When the Money Runs Out: Living on Airline Miles
With millions of miles in the bank, Ryan Bingham could live off his frequent flyer accounts for months. Others, must resort to more desperate measures. There are two kinds of business travelers. Those who have a goal in mind...
United Eliminates Free Standby for Premier Executives and Below
United will eliminate free unconfirmed standby starting on April 28. Passengers wishing to take an earlier flight will be charged $50 if they clear the standby list. Passengers can still confirm a seat on an earlier or later flight...
Diplomat Jokes About Shoe Bomb After Smoking in Lavatory on DCA-DEN United Flight
Here’s a hint: if you decide you want to smoke in the lavatory, don’t cover it up by claiming you were trying to detonate a shoe bomb. A Qatari diplomat who caused a security alert aboard a United Airlines...
United and US Airways in Merger Talks…Again
Here we go again: UAL Corp.’s United Airlines and US Airways Group Inc. have resumed discussions of a potential merger that would create a global behemoth, people familiar with the matter said Wednesday. The talks are the latest in a decadelong...
Spirit Airlines to Charge for Carry-On Bags
And we thought Ryanair was bad… That lumpy person seated next to you on your next Spirit Airlines flight may not be so large in real life. The budget carrier announced Tuesday it will begin charging a fee of...
United Promises Picketing FAs They Will Match Continental’s Pay Scale–but there’s a catch
In another move that hints that a United-Continental merger is in the works, United is "offering to bring flight attendants up to the pay scale of Continental Airlines…in exchange for adjustments to work rules." The AP provides further details:...
Chris Elliott’s Response to My Post on "Mistake" Fares
Last week I posted my thoughts about airline mistake fares in response to Scott McCartney’s excellent “Middle Seat” column in the Wall Street Journal on the same subject. Today, Christopher Elliott decided to chime in. While I prefer not...
More Details Emerge About the Diversion to Omaha on United 142
More details have emerged about what exactly happened on my diverted United flight to Omaha: Charges filed Tuesday in federal district court in Nebraska identify the woman as Maria Rita Manzoni. Authorities seek to formally charge her with interfering...
Bad News For Us: A Discussion on Airline Mistake Fares
Nicholas Kralev’s mistake fare column was superior because it featured yours truly, but Scott McCartney’s latest column on mistake fares is well done. I particularly liked this: UAL Corp.’s United Airlines, Continental Airlines Inc., Southwest Airlines Co., JetBlue AirwaysCorp. and Singapore Airlines all say their policy is...
Delta to Introduce Shuttle Service Between New York (LGA) and Chicago (ORD)
Delta announced plans to begin shuttle service this June between LaGuardia and O’Hare. Highlights: 11 r/ts daily (on the hour) Flights will depart from LGA’s Marine Air Terminal Flights will be operated by Compass Air, using two-cabin ERJ-175s (12...
No More Hidden Airline Fees?
Speaking of airlines lobbying Congress, I doubt the airlines are happy about this news: Hate those hidden airline fees? A provision was added to the Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization bill, passed by the Senate earlier this week, that would require airlines...
United Spent $600K in 4Q Government Lobbying
The AP reports that United spent $600,000 lobbying government officials in the Fourth Quarter of 2009. Among United’s concerns: 1. DOT Tarmac Delay Guidelines United’s lobbying disclosure report doesn’t say which side it took on the legislation, but most airlines...
The Authoritative Post on Airline Fees
Although he wrote it in January, the Philadelphia Inquirer just published a column our friend Christopher Elliott did on airline fees in this week’s Sunday travel section. Some of his analysis is spot-on, much of it is…not. First, what makes...
Virgin America to Expand Service to Orlando and Toronto from West Coast
Good news for LAX and SFO-based flyers. With Virgin America entering the MCO and YYZ market, you may soon see some great deals to those destinations. MCO fares are usually reasonable, but YYZ fares are often over $500 r/t from...
Plane Strikes and Kills Jogger in South Carolina
My brother always laughs at me for jogging, saying I’m wasting my time and burning out my knees. Now he has another argument against jogging: you might get hit by an airplane: HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. – Robert Gary...
Paperless Boarding Passes now Available on United Airlines
In a shocking move for UA’s crack IT department, you can now use your web-enabled mobile phone to check in for your flight and obtain a boarding pass. You can also check schedules, flight status, and flight availability on...
End of an Era: Continental to Eliminate Complimentary Food on Most North American Flights
An end of an era. Continental announced today that it will phase out complimentary meals in Economy on all North American flights under six hours. Continental Airlines Inc., the last big U.S. airline to operate catering kitchens and to serve...
Corendon Airlines’ Pilot Arrested for Flying with Fake License for 13 Years
Catch Me If You Can is one of my all-time favorite movies. I never thought we’d see another Frank Abagnale, Jr. though. A pilot has been arrested at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport for flying passenger planes for 13 years with...
