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Flight Fee Explorer
Sabre
is pleased to announce Flight Fee Explorer, a new innovative tool
providing agents and travelers the ability to pre-estimate ancillary
service fees charged by airlines outside of their ticket fare. Users can
select from a list of services offered by global carriers such as checked
baggage, onboard meals, unaccompanied minors, premium seating, internet
service and seat selection. The filter feature gives shoppers the ability
to easily calculate cost from a single carrier, or compare across
multiple carriers whether the airline charges separate service fees or
not.
Read more...
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· Airlines Raise
Fuel Surcharges To Europe
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Major airlines
have raised fuel surcharges on travel to Europe by $20 per roundtrip, and
some have added conditions that could cause travelers to pay higher fares.
Surcharges to Paris, Frankfurt and most cities on the Continent were
raised to $280 per roundtrip and to $242 for London.
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Read more...
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· Airplane Air: Not
As Bad As You Think
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Several scientific
studies show that, in terms of the spread of contagious bugs, airplanes
are healthier environments than is commonly believed. Research indicates
that you need to be sitting very close to a sick passengerusually within
two rowsand for longer than eight hours to significantly increase your
chances of contracting an illness.
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Read more...
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· DOT Makes It
Easier For Fliers To File Complaints
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Airline travelers
who want to complain to the government may find it easier to file their gripe,
perhaps even while theyre still on the plane. The U.S. Department of
Transportation has launched the redesigned airconsumer.dot.gov, which has
a direct link to the agencys Web form for filing complaints about
service, safety and security or disability and discrimination.
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Read more...
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· American Airlines
Updates
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Effective Feb. 1,
American Airlines will be cashless onboard all flights. American will
accept major credit and debit cards for purchases made inflight. Cash will
not be accepted. Beginning May 1, American Airlines will charge $8 for a
pillow and blanket in coach class for domestic trips and some
international flights. JetBlue and US Airways charge $7 for a
blanket-and- pillow set. Most American Airlines' passengers will no
longer be able to stand by for a different flight on their day of travel
without paying a fee. However, the free- standby option will still be in
effect for higher-level members of its frequent-flier program, for first-
and business-class travelers, for those paying military fares and for
some coach passengers, according to a statement from the airline. All
passengers will be able to pay a $50 fee for a guaranteed same-day flight
change if space is available.
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· Airlines Brace For
Kennedy Runway Closure
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Airlines are
girding for more delays at New York City's John F. Kennedy International
starting March 1 when the already-congestion-plagued airport shuts down one
of its four runways for construction. The Federal Aviation Administration
is forecasting delays equivalent to those seen during the clogged height
of summer. The impact for the rest of the country is uncertain, but
flight delays in New York can potentially ripple across the air-traffic
system.
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· Delta, US Airways
May Drop Slot Swap
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Delta Air Lines
Inc. and US Airways Group Inc. said they may drop a planned asset swap after
regulators requested they sell airport slots to new entrants to win
approval. The U.S. Department of Transportation tentatively approved the
slot swap at Reagan Washington National Airport and New York's LaGuardia
Airport, announced by the airlines last summer. However, DOT's
requirement that the two must divest many of the slots at the two
congested airports irked both carriers.
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· Airports May Face Delays,
Space Constraints With Full-Body Scanners
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As the
Transportation Security Administration prepares to install 950 full-body
scanners during the next two years, experts are warning the devices could
cause significant delays and logistical headaches at airports around the
country. Some airport executives have complained about the size of the
devices, which are significantly larger than current metal detectors. The
scanners also take about 15 seconds per passenger, leading to
"significant passenger delays at the checkpoint," according to
an industry group.
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· Airlines Pad
Schedules To Ensure More Flights Arrive On Time
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Airlines are adding
minutes to the scheduled duration of their flights to boost their on-time
arrivals. Passengers are noticing the difference. It used to be that
"if you leave late, you know you will arrive late. But now you leave
late and arrive early," frequent traveler Steve Edmonds said.
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Read more...
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· Looking to take a
vacation?
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