Tag Archives: airline

Airline Cheap Seats—The Catch

The catch. There’s always a catch. First, it was the pretzels, then the pillows and blankets, now one low-fare airline is about to sock it to us again. According to news reports, Spirit Airlines will soon become the first big U.S. carrier to charge customers for all checked luggage. According to the company, travelers booking flights that depart after June 19 will be allowed one carry-on bag “with the option to check additional bags for a fee.” Spirit executives explain the new policy as something that “liberates customers from being forced into paying for services they do not desire or … Continue reading →

Dieting At 35,000 Feet

Trying to stick to a diet is tough. Trying to stick to a diet during the holidays is even tougher. But, trying to stick to a diet while traveling by air during the holidays may be the toughest feat of all. In fact, according to a new study, many Americans fail when it comes to sticking to a healthy diet when traveling on a plane. Nutritionists working for the website Diet Detective, recently reviewed the food offered by six major airlines. Here’s what they found: A United Airlines’ (one of the two airlines I frequently fly on) snack box is … Continue reading →

Thanksgiving Travelers Stuck With Bad Seats Are Rewarded With Fast Food

If you plan to fly over the Thanksgiving weekend and find yourself dealing with the unfortunate fate of sitting in a middle seat—take heart—and a burger, or a Frosty, or French fries, or even some chicken nuggets… Fast food chain Wendy’s just announced that as part of an advertising campaign for its new gift card program it is giving away free $1 cards for middle-seat passengers at nine airports over Thanksgiving weekend. The idea of gift cards may not be new at powerhouse fast food chain McDonald’s, but they’re new for Wendy’s (the third-largest hamburger chain), which has up until … Continue reading →

Good News For People Who Travel With iPods

Are you addicted to your iPod? I must admit, if you are flying solo, having one sure helps pass the time when forced to stand in atrociously long airport security lines. And speaking of long security lines, have you ever come across a teen waiting in line not wearing an iPod? This next bit of travel news may be especially welcome to that segment of the population. According to Apple, beginning in 2007, six major airlines will install iPod connections in their in-flight entertainment systems. The on-board connection will be available on selected flights of United, Delta, Continental, Air France, … Continue reading →

Breastfeeding At 35,000 Feet = High-Flying Controversy

I’ve breastfed my child on numerous flights—have you? One woman did recently and claims she was kicked off her flight as a result. Now the mom from New Mexico has secured an attorney and has filed complaints against two airlines. According to news reports, Emily Gillette, a 27-year-old mother from Santa Fe, New Meixco, filed the complaint with the Vermont Human Rights Commission late last week against Delta Air Lines and Freedom Airlines. Freedom was operating the Delta flight Gillette was flying between Burlington and New York City. According to the complaint, last month, Gillette was discreetly breastfeeding her 22-month-old … Continue reading →

Travel Tidbits—News You Can Use Regarding Jet Lag, Long Security Lines and Frequent Flier Miles

Can Chronic Jet Lag Kill? If the answer to that question is “yes” then I know a few people who are close to kicking the bucket. In all seriousness, recent tests on mice suggest that chronic jet lag and other behavior involving sharp light-cycle changes, like rotating shift work, could shorten a person’s lifetime. The study done by University of Virginia scientists found that disrupting the circadian rhythms (the 24-hour physiological cycle of humans and many animals) for test mice increased the mortality of especially older mice. During the course of the study the scientists adjusted the light-cycle of the … Continue reading →

Another Way To Travel First Class Without Paying First Class Prices

In a previous blog I shared a great tip on how to fly first class without having to pay through the nose to do so. Now I have another way you can get to the front of the line and the front of the plane without having to go into debt. The answer: elite programs. Airlines call it “elite status,” and perks include early boarding, bonus miles and free seat upgrades. And if you think you have to earn a zillion miles to earn elite status, think again. Special programs and promotions will put you on the fast track. For … Continue reading →

More Luggage Restrictions… Are You Ready For This?

Frequent (and occasional) fliers–are you ready for this? Apparently, applying new restrictions on carry-on luggage just wasn’t enough–now in a historic move–Continental Airlines has announced that it will no longer accept checked pieces that weigh more than 70 pounds. A recent newspaper report says the move makes Continental “the first major U.S.-based carrier to turn away bags that heavy.” The airline says the move is meant “to bring its limits in line with international partners, adding that the 70-pound limit will minimize problems for passengers making connections on international partners.” Of course, the news has Continental baggage handlers doing the … Continue reading →

Rating Airline Food

In the past I have blogged about the various food items available for purchase on different airlines. I even confessed that I have (on a number of flights) forked over way too much money to dine on way too little portions. And, that’s not saying anything about the actual quality of the meals. So imagine my surprise when I opened a recent edition of the Wall Street Journal and saw that the paper’s staff had made it their mission to “find the best of these unfree lunches.” The paper’s test began by “procuring sample snack boxes from six carriers — … Continue reading →

The Land of Lost Luggage

Have you ever experienced the heart stopping agony of reaching your travel destination without your luggage? Talk about a major migraine. Statistics show that each year one in ten travelers must deal with the torment of never seeing their bags again. Airlines rarely offer satisfactory compensation for the loss, rather most passengers are made to simply deal with the fact that their luggage simply disappeared. Or has it? Did you know that much of the nation’s “lost” luggage winds up in America’s Unclaimed Baggage Center in Scottsboro, Alabama? A place where the locals joke that: “The three things that are … Continue reading →