I wish this was a joke, but it appears that United Airlines is harshly cracking down on those who exploit so-called “hidden city” ticketing to save on ticket prices. Let’s understand how realistic the threat is. Briefly, United (and...
New Jersey Compromise: All Airlines Will Be Taxed
It’s compromise in New Jersey: all airlines will be taxed, not just United Airlines. Earlier this month I wrote about United’s threat to abandon its Newark Liberty International hub due to a proposed fuel tax increase from the Garden...
United Threatens To Abandon Newark Hub
United Airlines has threatened to abandon its Newark hub if New Jersey lawmakers follow through on a proposed tax increase at Liberty International Airport that would only affect United. Currently, New Jersey only taxes the fuel on a plane...
What Happens When A Passenger Assaults You And FAs Refuse To Intervene?
If another passengers assaults you onboard an airplane, do flight attendants have an obligation to intervene? A story on Flyertalk sets up an interesting hypothetical. The plane had landed and a passenger was standing in the aisle of row...
Frontier Pilot Suspended: Online Bullying or Protected Speech?
A Frontier Airlines pilot was suspended for allegedly encouraging children to beat up a transgender student in Oklahoma. Some context first. In rural Oklahoma, a 12-year-old transgender student began using the female restroom in the new school year after using...
The Incredulous, Absurd Reason Lufthansa Is Denying Me EU261 Compensation
I received a call from Lufthansa on Friday concerning my EU261/2004 compliant I filed in late June. It bordered on hilarious. If you recall, in June my Frankfurt to Munich flight was delayed due to a late-arriving crew, causing...
Why U.S. Flight Attendants Will Now Carry Thermometers Onboard
Isn’t it true that an airline passenger cabin is usually either too cold or too warm? Welcome to the fickle world of airline thermostats. But after a baby almost died on a hot plane last year, many U.S. flight...
Ryanair Spits In The Face Of Customers
As labor unrest has hammered Ryanair, the carrier is only digging itself into a deeper hole by waging a two-front war against its own employees…and now its customers. I’ve written twice this week about the labor issues currently going...
Ryanair Strikes Expand Across Europe
Earlier this week I wrote about the collapse of Ryanair as strikes continued to plague the budget carrier. The problem is only getting worse. Strikes have already occurred in Belgium, Ireland, Italy, Portugal, and Spain. That led to the...
Why I’m In FAVOR Of New TSA Plan To Eliminate Security
The U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) wants to eliminate airport security at 34% of U.S. airports in a new process to “streamline” security. I’m actually in favor of the idea. The plan would see the elimination of security at...
Let’s Give Alaska Airlines The Benefit Of The Doubt
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...
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...
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...
