Air Travel/Airlines

All about airlines, airports, flying in general. How to navigate them, get the best airfares, maximize your experience in a sector that hasn't exactly been a joy in recent years...come fly with us!

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The top 10 of the world´s most expensive/luxurious airlines

Daniel Gillaspia Luxury abounds in the arena of commercial aviation, luxury abounds, from comfortable, stylish cabins to gourmet dining to private accommodations, all complemented with superlative service. These airlines are the standouts which routinely appear on the annual surveys of the world´s best, and which make the journey itself a big part of the pleasure of travel. read post

Started by Tripatini

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How nervous flyers can increase their sense of control whilst flying

FG TradeOne of the key causes of anxiety and stress for fearful flyers is their perceived lack of control. This in turn can make them avoid air travel – limiting their lives considerably – and if they do get on a plane, cause them suffering.While it’s true that as passengers we have no control over the flight itself (fortunately), this doesn’t mean that there’s nothing anxious flyers can do to feel that they do have some control over the situation. And here are five simple ways you can do…

Started by Iberia Airlines

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Airline pilots and their extremely rigorous training

Rathke A few of you may have had the privilege of visiting the flight deck of a commercial airliner, and found yourself fascinated by the myriad levers, buttons, and other mechanisms surrounding the captain and co-pilot. After seeing that instrument panel, have you ever wondered what kind of training a pilot has? Of course, they must have a flight license, but how do you study for it? How long does it take? Are there other requirements along with flight training itself? Here's a quick…

Started by Iberia Airlines

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6 tips for finding cheap airline tickets

Travelers who are passionate about wandering to new destinations often put a hold on their exploration owing to expenses. In order to fulfill all their travel wishes, and to save money for their next trips, they need to cut down flight expenses. If your someone who wants to save on travels, cutting down on flight booking cost is one of the ways to reduce your expenses. Flight tickets costs vary depending on the day of the week, time of the week, and holidays. Follow these simple tricks to…

Started by Tripatini

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Ed Wetschler October 3, 2010 at 6:37pm

Great explanations of an all-too-hazy situation; thank you both. Meanwhile, if I go to amazon.com to buy one of Charlie Leocha's ski guides, they tell me exactly what I'm paying before I complete the transaction. That sounds about right to me.
Charlie Leocha October 3, 2010 at 6:33pm

They know the day is coming. Ironically, the airlines are the ones who own ATPCO, the system that distributes airfares to the GDSs and that has been modified and tested to handle fees as well. If airlines want to have thousands of fees, fine. But they have to let consumers know how much these fees will cost.

Also, the airlines are not getting a tax break. Passengers are. The tax everyone is talking about is the transportation excise tax -- it is paid by consumers and only consumers.
Anil October 3, 2010 at 5:46pm

Ed: What Orbitz/ITA show is /11,User fees,airport taxes. However the farebasis - for example TKXSL94 for JFK-AMS-JFK, has a fare prices associated with it plus fees & taxes. Everyone wants the breakdown of this piece TKXSL94.

This fare has 21 pages of rules and restriction, but no where does it mention handling fees, baggage charges, beverage charges, reservation charges etc. Since the airlines do not pay taxes on baggage fees and reservations fees, they will be loath to disclose the exact breakdown.
Charlie Leocha October 3, 2010 at 5:22pm

The online sites are revealing taxes and government fees. They can not tell customers the baggage, reservation, and other fees, because the airlines will not release the fees to them. Hard to believe, but true.
Ed Wetschler October 3, 2010 at 5:18pm

Charlie, I haven't booked through Orbitz in several years. As I recall, they were revealing fees anyway, but are they doing so now? Put another way, which sites/airlines that are showing and adding up all the fees at present?
Charlie Leocha October 3, 2010 at 5:07pm

Ed,
We actually ended up with more than 61,000 signatures by the end of the day.
It was a great success. Thanks to the members of this list who passed on the information.
My prediction: Definitely all fees will be spelled out on airline sites in one place. But I think DOT will mandate that the airlines file fees at the same time they file airfares in a manner useable by the GDSs. That will change the way we buy airline tickets.
Ed Wetschler October 3, 2010 at 4:40pm

50,000 Fliers Petition Congress to Spell Out Fees

from AP: "A group of travel executives said it has stirred up plenty of support for a [U.S.] government rule that would require airlines to display extra fees prominently on their websites and in travel reservation systems.

"The Consumer Travel Alliance, Business Travel Coalition and American Society of Travel Agents on Thursday delivered a petition to the Transportation Department with 50,000 signatures from consumers who want airlines to spell out fees more clearly."

Any long-range predictions?
Anil October 2, 2010 at 4:48pm

"Alright, but will it affect prices?"

It is bound to happen. One has to look at route pairs where the two airline were dominant, and see if there is any change ?
David Lawrence October 2, 2010 at 4:08pm

UNITED-CONTINENTAL MERGE: WHAT'S IT GOING TO COST US?
Today's email from United:
1. Merger with Continental will take 12-18 mos. to complete.
2. " For now, it's business as usual. Each airline and frequent flyer program will continue to operate separately. Rest assured, the merger won't affect miles in your account or your elite status."
Alright, but will it affect prices?
Tripatini September 28, 2010 at 5:29pm

Great post on the Southwest/Air Tran merger: click here to check it out!