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Random Airline Fees Continue Into 2010, Including Super Bowl Travel
Remember all those airline fees that were pouring in a few months ago related to this season’s holiday travel? Well the airlines must have really enjoyed what they were seeing, as they are now looking to tack in some additional charges for days well into 2010. Delta, United, and American Airlines are busy adding these presents to our tickets anytime they think travel will be busier than usual.
The website BestFares.com is reporting that Delta and United have added surcharges to as many as 40 days between now and next May. The fees can be as much as $30 each way depending on distance, time, and other factors that appeal to the airlines. Our favorite airline fee has to be the $50 one-way charge that has now been added to some flights on February 8. In case you don’t have the NFL calendar kicking around, that’s the day after the Super Bowl. Not like we could afford tickets anyway, but we can still be angry about it.
Tags: Airline News / American Airlines / US Airways / Airline Mergers / Airlines / → All Tags
American and US Airways Might Sneak A Kiss Under The Mistletoe
Last week we were intrigued with the latest developments regarding a possible merger between United and Continental, but this week there’s a different merger rumor kicking around. Unfortunately—or fortunately depending who you ask—this one doesn’t seem as likely. We’re talking about the possibility of American Airlines and US Airways joining forces.
American and Delta jostle for the title of largest carrier, but like we said last week, if Continental and United hooked up they would move into first and American would fall to third behind the newly formed Delta. That’s got to hurt your ego, even if everyone remembers that first is the worst and second is the best.
Tags: Frequent Flyer Programs / Mileage Programs / US Airways / Airline News / → All Tags
US Airways Rearranges Frequent Flyer Program To Give 'More Flexibility.' Oh Noes!
US Airways just published a press release promising customers a new tier system for frequent flier purchases, the promise being that travelers will get "more choices and flexibility." Right now there are three kinds of award bookings you can make using your miles: off-peak, mileage saver, and standard awards. After January 6, 2010 there will be four categories: off-peak, low, medium, and high awards.
Essentially they've taken one of their awards tiers and split it into two. Fair enough. But now they get to rearrange what each rewards ticket costs into a 4-category system, and here's where things get interesting; will they use the new system as a cover for making everything more expensive?
Tags: Airport Lounges / US Airways Club / Drinking / Booze Travel / Lounges / US Airways / → All Tags
US Airways Wants Everybody In The Club To Get Tipsy
Frequent flyers of US Airways will soon be smiling a little more as they prepare to board their flights. The airline has finally caught up with other carriers and has added free booze to the menu at the US Airways Club. However, a membership to the airline club will still set passengers back at least $325 to join, and can cost $450 if they don’t have any status with the airline. The free alcohol will begin to flow in the clubs starting on October 30.
Additionally, passengers will be able to use the clubs of partner airlines as well. This includes Continental Airlines’ Presidents Club as the airline finally joined the Star Alliance this week. Domestic travelers can also swing into United’s Red Carpet Clubs for a little rest and relaxation.
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FAA Launches Campaign Of Penalties And Fines Against US Airlines
The Federal Aviation Administration has reached back to the beginning of 2008, contemplated the record, and decided to fine United and US Airways over $9 million dollars for safety lapses. The government agency is letting it be known that these penalties are just the beginning and that the entire industry is now on notice. Larger fines and penalties against American Airlines and Southwest Airlines are probably pending:
Tags: Airline Fees / Airline News / Airlines / Holiday Travel / Delta / Continental / American Airlines / US Airways / United / → All Tags
The Airline Holiday Travel Grinch Strikes Again
We thought this would happen, and we’re not too thrilled about it: The holiday surcharge that was introduced last month on some airlines has slowly crept into new dates as well. At first it was just Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day; however, now it seems like every major holiday except for Flag Day is associated with a $10 each way fee.
According to fare tracking website FareCompare, some airlines have now added additional dates in which these holiday fees apply. November 30; December 19, 26, and 27; March 14, 20, 21, and 28; April 11; and May 28 all now may increase your airfare cost by about $20 round trip when the surcharges are tacked on.
Tags: US Airways / Airline News / Airlines / Drinking / Booze / → All Tags
New Mexico To Blame US Airways For The Alcohol
If you need a couple of adult beverages to get through your flight, you may not want to choose US Airways for your next trip, especially if you’re headed towards New Mexico. Unfortunately, a couple of years ago a passenger aboard a US Airways flight had too much to drink. After getting off the plane the passenger caused a fatal accident on a highway near Santa Fe. Other passengers reported that the airline served drinks to the person in question despite that fact that he already appeared intoxicated. It doesn’t help that state regulators in New Mexico had already cited the airline twice for over serving its fliers.
All this matters because a federal judge has now ruled that New Mexico officials can prohibit the airline from serving alcohol in the state or when an airplane is flying over the state. With US Airways having a major hub in Phoenix, we’re thinking that a lot of the airline’s planes have to go over New Mexico to connect passengers to elsewhere around the globe.
Tags: Chesley Sullenberger / US Airways / Flight 1549 / LGA / Airplane News / → All Tags
Business As Usual At US Airways As Captain Sully Flies Again
He got a book deal, he met the president, he got the key to the city and now Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger is getting the keys to his airplane back. The hero pilot of US Airways Flight 1549, which landed in the Hudson River after goose strikes knocked out the plane's engines, returns to work today at US Airways and will fly on his old route between LGA and Charlotte.
It's been almost ten whole months since the accident, and US Airways is obviously ready to resume business as usual. Sully will not only fly the same LaGuardia-to-Charlotte route that was Flight 1549, but will do it with the same first officer, Jeffrey Skiles. Now we're all for welcoming Sully back to the skies, especially since he'd be the pilot you'd want to have in control in case anything goes wrong, but piecing together much of the same scene from the accident doesn't make avoiding stress and flashbacks any easier.
Tags: Airline Fees / Airline News / Airlines / Holiday Travel / Delta / American Airlines / US Airways / United / → All Tags
This Year's Holiday Season To Be Hampered By Airline Grinch Fees
You may have already noticed that the Christmas decorations have arrived at your local discount store, but like it or not, the major airlines also have a little decorating already planned for the holiday season. Last week, several domestic airlines decided to tack on an additional surcharge for travel during the peak travel season around Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day. American Airlines started this fee earlier in the week, and by the time we were ready for the weekend, United, Delta, and US Airways had joined the party.
According to the fare tracking website FareCompare, this new miscellaneous $10 fee applies for November 29, January 2, and January 3. So far it appears that Santa and his reindeer are safe, as nothing has been announced for travel immediately around Christmas. However, we’ll let you know if you’ll need to leave an extra cookie for him just in case.
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Some Pretty Sweet Suites Coming Soon On US Airways
Sorry US Airways, but when we hear your name the first thing that comes to mind is how you guys were the airline that first decided to charge for drinks up in the sky. To be fair, the policy was only temporary, but we don’t really associate your business model with cool, comfortable, or classy. That’s why we were pleased and surprised to hear that US Airways is equipping part of their fleet with a new business class seat known as the Envoy Suite.
This new Envoy Suite will be able to recline 180 degrees—AKA totally flat—which will definitely help us catch a few winks on a long haul flight. Also noteworthy is that the total bed length will between 6’4” and 6’8” depending on the cabin, so there will be no need to curl up to fit in this seat.
Tags: Checked Baggage Fees / Airline Fees / Airline News / Continental / US Airways / → All Tags
Continental and US Airways Hike Checked Bag Fee To $50
Do you know that song from Cabaret that goes: "Money makes the world go around, the world go around?" Well, these days the lyrics should be amended to "money makes the airlines fly round the world, round the world." You see, yet another baggage fee hike went into affect yesterday, and it'll no doubt cause even more headaches at check-in.
Now raising second checked bag fees on international flights up to $50 each way, Continental Airlines and US Airways join Delta and American Airlines in such skyway robbery. For US Airways, the new charges apply to tickets purchased beginning yesterday for travel on Oct. 7 or later, while Continental's fee applies to flights between US and Europe and akes effect for tickets purchased today for travel on or after Sept. 15.
Tags: Checked Baggage Fees / Airline Hell / Airline Fees / US Airways / → All Tags
The Latest in Airline Atrociousness: US Airways Hikes Baggage Fees Again
US Airways just announced that they're hiking up their baggage fee again. Why, and a Happy Hump Day to you too US Airways! Grrr....
The Tempe, Ariz.-based airline said Wednesday it will charge $20 for the first checked bag and $30 for the second, when bags are checked online. Passengers will pay an extra $5 per bag when checking in at the airport.
They're also adding a $50 second checked bag fee for trans-Atlantic flights. Because for business travelers spending significant time overseas, a second bag is an indulgence that it's reasonable to harshly penalize.
This hike is actually good news for us. We were a little nervous that our indifference toward US Air's last fee hike would make people think that we were losing our edge. Now we get a whole new opportunity to complain about the ticky-tacky nickle-and-dime opaque fees that they've taken to indulging in.
