Tagged With "airlines"
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Re: New routes give Denmark big tourism boost
It's good news for travelers and for Denmark. It shows budget travelers do contribute too. I haven't been to Denmark yet but I thought Sweden was very reasonable. Now Norway is pricey, but its so well worth seeing.
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Re: TSA, American testing automated security screens
This sounds like a nice idea. A modernization of a tedious process. Hope it works!
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Re: TSA: More lines, delayed flights
European airlines have taken a big hit this year with Europeans staying home more. It was because of terrorism before airport security and also in public places in Brussels and Paris. Isn't that more of a risk now? We have accepted that minor risk on other forms of transportation and still go about our lives. I'd vote to cut back on scanning 100% of the people in airports to occasionally, like we did a few years ago. We can still walk through metal detectors. I guess the added carry-on bags...
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Re: TSA: More lines, delayed flights
Several Senators suggested last week that the airlines kill the bag fees to speed up the lines, but there was an audible silence on that... Meanwhile, in Paris the lines have been growing, too, and causing delays at CDG; the airport authority is calling for more staff to speed up border controls.
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Re: TSA: More lines, delayed flights
I hate the bag fees, but they're not the problem. The TSA is. Everyone would still have a carry-on bag, albeit a smaller one if they could check a suitcase for free. My experiences in Calgary, Frankfurt and Spain in the past month. Waiting times were never more than 10 minutes and usually less than 5 minutes to be screened. You just need enough of and a motivated staff that gets people through quickly
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Re: TSA strands 450 overnight: could it get worse?
What a mess. The very agency that is to protect citizens from terrorist activity is creating an environment wherein "tent communities" are springing up at America's airports. How embarrassing is that. Talk about a target rich environment for the bad guys. The TSA's funding, even with "cuts", is about US$ 7.3 billion for 2016. In contrast, Canada, which has 1/10th the population of the USA, has an airport screening budget of about CDN $0.56 billion, and Transport Canada acknowledges it has...
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Re: TSA strands 450 overnight: could it get worse?
Most countries around the world exchange ideas and processes to fulfil the common good. But some countries refuse to enter into a dialogue and share ideas. Russia is another one.
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Re: TSA strands 450 overnight: could it get worse?
To be fair to the TSA (which I find hard to do), the $7.3 billion is not all for screening, only about half is. That said, while airports are looking to outsource the screening, maybe they should hire Transport Canada! As for the PreCheck point: TSA can't seem to make up its mind. When it started, they semi-randomly selected 'extra' people to go through it, on the theory that they would like it enough to buy it—and some did, but not enough. Then the people who had paid for it started to...
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Re: TSA strands 450 overnight: could it get worse?
The few US airports that have private security companies handling the screening are reporting good results and I think that's a good option for the airports. My guess is for liability reasons, airports are scared to dump the TSA. After seeing the comments by DrFumblinger and PHeymont, I do think we can learn from Canada on this. I did a little more reading on Canada's airport security. It seems all major airports in Canada have private screening. The airports give out three year contracts.
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Re: Delta likes its 'basic economy,' will expand it
I like choice, so this is overall good news for consumers. On a somewhat unrelated topic, we've covered Canadian jet manufacturer Bombardier on our pages. It seems the company is very near agreement with Delta to sell it 125 of its new C series jets. It would be a big boost to Bombardier and might allow Delta extra basic economy seats and new routes on which to sell them. More on that story at this link .
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Re: Delta likes its 'basic economy,' will expand it
I'm excited to fly in a C-Series and will go out of my way to buy a ticket when they start appearing! I also like the trend of one way tickets being less because that opens up lot's a route opportunities
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Re: Norwegian Air to finally get U.S. license
This is great news! And this license should really have an impact on trans-Atlantic prices.
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Re: Why your airline chose your plane
I rode a 747 to and from China a few months ago. It was the first time in years that I had been on one, and it reminded me that not all coach flights have to be like a sardine can. The wide body had room to walk and stretch on the 13 hour flight, and toilets were actually comfortable. I wish they were still using them on cross country flights.
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Re: Why your airline chose your plane
Thanks for the bit of history, Pheymont. Nicely written and I, for one, found it very interesting. Looking forward to part II.
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Re: Are airline alliances costing you $$$ on flights to Europe?
Basically Norwegian Air told us the same thing and it's true. If the public supports Norwegian and other airlines that attempt to break the alliances trans-Atlantic hold, lower prices will follow. https://www.travelgumbo.com/blog/norwegian-air-1
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Re: White-hat hackers get million-mile bonus from United
And then United's systems crashed last week.
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Re: Cost of Japan flights to plummet in 2016
With fuel charges at a 12 year low all the Air carriers should stop gouging the public and give us all a refund.
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Re: U.S. Airlines put in their bids for Cuba flights
UPDATE: USA Today has published a complete list of the airline filings .
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Re: U.S. Airlines put in their bids for Cuba flights
It's unfortunate you still cant take a short flight to Cuba to enjoy some winter sun on the white sands it has to offer. But on the positive side, it keeps prices down for us Brits and Canadians.
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Re: Mediation for AA/US Airways Merger
This case seems very peculiar to me. I have never understood why what is acceptable for some large airlines - Delta and United - is considered unfair competition for others. The airlines have been growing and merging since the Pan Am Clipper days. Why is this transaction any different ?
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Re: Mediation for AA/US Airways Merger
In a nutshell: AA and USAir are making exactly the argument you are, and the Justice Dept. is saying, in effect, "We shoulda stopped them, too." Obviously a lot of issues (both in terms of fares and of maintaining service to smaller cities), but not clear why the line's been drawn here. Meanwhile, Texas pulled out of the suit, Florida may follow, mayors of cities with AA and USAir hubs have backed the merger, airport operators are chiming in...so the mediation may end up being Justice's way...
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Re: Emirates Adds a 3rd US Frequent Flier Partner
There are a lot of possibilities with these airlines to both have budget flights and earn lots of miles. The combined route maps must be interesting.
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Re: Mediation for AA/US Airways Merger
the Justice Dept. is saying, in effect, "We shoulda stopped them, too." A stronger, healthier Delta and United is a bad thing because ?
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Re: Mediation for AA/US Airways Merger
Anti-merger views generally argue that the mergers reduce competition, raise fares, and cut service to smaller cities. Others might reply that the key to these new large carriers' survival is not so much that they got larger as that all of the carriers involved passed through bankruptcy, shedding workers, benefits, contracts and perhaps maintenance standards as they went...
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Re: Spirit's New Plan: Higher 'Rush Hour' Bag Fees!
New Yorker cartoon, flight attendant announcing, "In case of a loss of cabin pressure, oxygen masks will drop down in front of you for two dollars".
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Re: Spirit's New Plan: Higher 'Rush Hour' Bag Fees!
Thanks...that's definitely the "spirit!"
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Re: "New AA" Details Dates for Alliance, Loyalty Change-overs
Thanks for the update. It's already been useful. I have a few thousand USAir miles, not a lot but still enough to not let lapse. I've been making the occasional purchase of gifts through their site to keep them alive. After reading the article and the miles merge date I just bought my mother's gift through the AA site instead, the better to see them added to the bigger pile sooner. Thanks!
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Re: Will JetBlue Change Its Colors?
I can't see why they would change if their stock is up already 49% this year. Airlines are making record profits in the US now and that's mainly been because of higher fares and fees for the consumer. There's not too many true budget airlines left in the US.
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Re: Chinese Airlines Looking for Bigger Share of Int'l Service
I have, indeed, noticed that Chinese airlines (China Eastern, China Southern) that I've used domestically or from other Asian countries to China, appearing on fare searches lately, usually with very competitive fares. I intend to pay closer attention. Thanks P.
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Re: Flying this week? Check your Airline!
As "Climate Change" continues to keep Western Europe in a warm Caribbean breeze - then crossing the pond will be fine. Presuming - of course - you get a take off from America !
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Re: $6 BILLION in bag and change fees!
I'm not sure if it's a great business model to make most of your profits by annoying your customers. I think many have gotten their heads around the baggage fee (note coincidentally the increase in the number and size of bags rolling onto a plane), but some of the airline change fees are obscene. I point to Southwest airlines as one that still does the right thing. You get to check one bag without a fee. And ff you can't make your flight, they give you a credit on the airfare good up to one...
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Re: United Campaign: Enforce carry-on limits, reduce complaints and crowding
I hope this effort is a real and continuing one and that other companies follow. Carrying everything onto the plane, to my way of thinking, is like any trend where if enough people say it's a good idea, even when it's not, hoards fall right into step, like lemmings. If I was offered valet service for a nominal fee to have someone carry my suitcase for me and I wouldn't have to touch it from the time I arrived at the airport until the time I was leaving at my destination, I'd jump at the...
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More Frequent Flier changes in the air
The world of award travel and elite perks continues to shake and shift. Delta, which like United, has switched for next year to awarding flight miles based not on distance but on price paid for ticket—a move that hurts many frequent...
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What if the exit row weren't a row?
That's the kind of question that comes to mind at first glance at an idea Airbus has asked a patent for...a circular seating arrangement, in tiers. OK, that's a little hard to grasp, so here's a drawing submitted with the patent application. ...
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Travel Deals for Black Friday & Cyber Monday
In recent years, the travel industry has picked up on Black Friday and Cyber Monday and started expanding their offering of sales on those days. Conde Nast published a list of some of the top deals. For Hotels- One of the most...
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Scotland's vote may help ax high flying tax
The infamous British Air Passenger Duty, which can add as much as $450 to airfare for a family of four flying trans-Atlantic to or from Britain, may have met its match in the Scottish vote against independence earlier this fall. Seem...
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One year into merger, AA is optimistic
American Airlines and USAir merged a year ago this week, forming the world's largest airline, even though it's not quite operating like one. Passengers still book on two different systems, and sometimes use different customer service reps...but the...
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Airline Seats Shrink While Passengers Expand
Airlines have recently begun replacing many of their seats with lighter, slimmer seats that allow them to either offer more legroom or...surprise!...jam in more seats. As this article from the Sydney Morning Herald points out, it's not just that space...
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Say it isn't so! Southwest to charge for bags???
There are only two domestic airlines in the US that don't charge for checked bags -- Southwest and JetBlue. Will Southwest start charging a baggage fee? Click on this link to read more
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Please Don't Squeeze the Passengers: Airbus
Airbus, the big European planebuilder has urged airlines to go with 18"-wide seats, up from the standard 17" in use now. Their studies indicate that the extra width makes a BIG difference in passengers' ability to sleep on long flights (which are...
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Emirates Adds a 3rd US Frequent Flier Partner
Emirates Airways, which serves over 130 cities on 6 continents from its hub in Dubai, has added another U.S. frequent-flyer partner: Virgin America, which flies from 7 of Emirates' 8 U.S. cities. Emirates already has links with JetBlue and Alaska. The...
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Mediation for AA/US Airways Merger
The planned merger of American and USAir, which has been challenged by the Justice Department will go to mediation, in hopes of finding a solution that will be acceptable to the airlines and the Federal government. A mediator has been selected; if an...
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The World's Best Airlines
Conde Naste has published this year's Reader's Choice Awards, a broad range of awards but the one people most notice are the ranking of airlines. This year's top international airline, yet again, is Singapore Airlines. This year's top...
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FAA: Now you can use electronics gate-to-gate
Government safety rules are changing to let airline passengers use most electronic devices from gate-to-gate.Government safety rules are changing to let airline passengers use most electronic devices from gate-to-gate. The change will let...
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Not just DC: Govt wants more concession from AA/USAir
Reuters reports the Department of Justice wants a broad range of promises and concessions in any deal to withdraw its objections to the merger of American and USAir. Read more HERE
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Spirit's New Plan: Higher 'Rush Hour' Bag Fees!
Spirit Airlines--the one that sometimes makes Grinch seem like a good guy--is planning a new revenue-squeezer. It's planning to raise checked bag fees at high-travel times such as Christmas and other holidays. Spirit already has some of the...
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United's Award Chart: Premium Award Cost Goes UP
United Airlines has released a new award chart that bumps up the miles required for nearly all business and first-class awards, and (for the first time) makes flights on its Star Alliance partner airlines cost more miles than on United. Details HERE
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Hope for Europe's small "flagship" airlines
In the face of competition from Gulf-based carriers and European budget carriers, it's been hard times for the familiar "national" airlines of Europe. Some, such as Sabena and Swissair have gone under, re-emerging in other forms; some, such as...
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New Target for Thieves: Frequent-flier miles
If you believed all the whining about how this airline's or that airline's loyalty programs were no longer worth anything...a ring of thieves didn't, and have turned frequent flier accounts into new targets for thefts. Both American and United...
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AA gets its first Dreamliner
American Airlines got the keys today to its first Boeing 787 Dreamliner, Like anybody with a new toy, they promptly took it out for a spin, flying from Boeing's plant in Everett WA. American has 42 of the planes on order; this one, seen at...