New consumer-protection rules proposed by Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood last month would require airlines to better compensate passengers bumped from their flight because of overbooking.  The proposed compensations would be up to $650 for short delays and up to $1,300 for longer delays.  That is nearly double of what the current compensation requirement is on airlines but the new rule should not greatly hinder most airlines as the majority of passengers that are bumped from flights voluntarily give up their seat.

Several other protective measures are a part of the DOTs proposal, including a requirement that airlines reimburse passengers their luggage fee in the event that the airline loses their bags or delivers them late.  According to current regulations, an airline is not required to reimburse a checked bag fee if the bag is misplaced.

Airlines will also be required to develop contingency plans for lengthy delays at smaller airports like they are supposed to do for larger airports.  Several hour delays have unfortunately become a familiar nightmare for many travelers at some of the nation’s busiest airports, but the problem is growing at smaller airports as well.

Another consumer protection for airline travelers is a new requirement that airlines offer a refund for a period of 24 hours after a flight is booked, allowing more flexibility to travelers.

The changes aimed at protecting airline passengers have been called political maneuvering by some who feel Washington is attempting to gain political points before elections this November.  But many air passenger advocates believe the new regulations are a step in the right direction, but with any new requirement the fear is that airlines will counter with higher fairs, something frequent flyers will have to hope against if the proposed regulations become law later this summer.

Airlines have been unsuccessful at creating set system wide airfare increases over the past few years which has led most major carriers to search for revenue in other places such as baggage and service fees.  But this summer at least four U.S. airlines are introducing extra fees for flights between June 10 and Aug. 22, depending on the airline.

The average fees are between $10 and $30 each way.  According to a report in the Kansas City Star, the added surcharges are harder to detect in the advertised fare and many passengers are unaware of the hidden costs until they are ready to complete their transaction.

“When people see headlines about the airlines raising fares, they tend to stay away,” said Rick Seaney, chief executive officer of FareCompare.com, in the Kansas City Star. “So the peak-travel surcharge is a smart move in that the airlines are getting a higher price that people are willing to pay to fly without announcing a hike.”

Summer is typically a busy time for airlines as most families are able to take vacations with children out of school.  The airlines believe that travelers are more willing to accept the surcharges in summer months when vacation plans are usually set.  But frequent fliers may be able to save nearly $60 per-person if they can book a flight outside of the peak travel times or chose a day in the middle of the weak instead of the weekend.

More than 17.9 million airline travelers from over 100 different nationalities took part in the 10 month survey that measured 38 different items of customer satisfaction. Asiana Airlines was named 2010s airline of the year.
In the North American airline category, Air Canada was the highest finisher followed by Continental Airlines and Delta Air Lines

“This is a fantastic achievement for Air Canada,” said Edward Plaisted, Skytrax Chairman. “They are clearly meeting and exceeding their customer’s expectations to have been named the Best Airline North America, amongst such a choice of different airlines across this large continent.”

When it came to frequent-flyer programs, Oneworld Alliance -anchored by American Airline- was named the world’s best frequent-flyer program. Star Alliance, which includes airlines like United, US Airways and Air Canada, was awarded second place.

The World Airline Awards began in 1999 and this year was presented in Hamburg where more than 40 airlines from around the world gathered for the announcement.
Winners of other categories:

• Best low-cost airline: 1. AirAsia; 2. Air Berlin; 3. Virgin Blue
• Best regional airline: 1. Dragonair; 2. Silkair; 3.Bangkok Airways
• Most-improve airline:1. Garuda Indonesia; 2. Hainan Airlines; 3. Oman Air
• Best leisure airline: 1. Thomson Airways; 2. TUIFly; 3. Monarch Airlines
• Best in-flight entertainment: 1. Emirates; 2. Singapore Airlines; 3. Virgin Atlantic
• Best cabin staff: 1. Singapore Airlines; 2. Malaysia Airlines; 3. Asiana Airlines
• Best airline alliance: 1. Oneworld; 2. Star Alliance; 3. SkyTeam
• Best trans-Atlantic airline: 1. Virgin Atlantic; 2. British Airways; 3. Lufthansa
• Best trans-Pacific airline: 1. Cathay Pacific; 2. Singapore Airlines; 3. Asiana
• Best first-class airline: 1. Etihad; 2. Singapore Airlines; 3. Qantas
• Best business-class airline: 1. Qatar Airways; 2 Singapore Airlines; 3. Etihad
• Best premium economy class: 1. Qantas; 2. Air New Zealand; 3. ANA
• Best economy class: 1. Malaysia Airlines; Qatar Airways; 3. Singapore Airlines

Things always seem to be changing –often for the worse– in the airline industry, but while frequent fliers have to deal with growing fees for checked baggage and new restrictions related to increased safety measures, on-time rates appear to be changing for the better.

According to information filed with the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), the 18 largest airline carriers posted an on-time arrival rate of 80 percent in March 2010, an increase of over 5 percent from the month before.

The BTS data, which includes reports on flight cancellations and causes of delayed flights, showed that carriers canceled 1.5 percent of their scheduled domestic flights in March 2010, a significant drop from the 5.5 percent in February 2010 and the cancellation rate of 2.1 percent in March 2009. For those flights that were delayed, the most common cause was weather as close to 40 percent of delayed flights were caused by Mother Nature. However, that was a 10-percent decrease from the same month last year.

While more passengers are arriving at their destination on-time, many still are finding that their luggage wasn’t as lucky. Data from the BTS showed that there were 3.72 reports per 1,000 passengers of mishandled baggage, an improvement over March 2009’s rate of 4.23 and February 2010’s 4.01 rate.

However, improved on-time rates and fewer mishandled baggage did not result in fewer complaints filed with the Department of Transportation. Complaints increased by 35.7-percent in March 2010 when compared to the same month last year. It was also an increase of nearly 25 percent from February 2010.

Passengers of Hawaiian Airlines enjoyed the highest on-time arrival rates with 90.2 percent of flights arriving at their destination on-time. JetBlue Airways reported an on-time arrival rate of 72.1-percent, the lowest of any carrier for the month of March.

While on-time rates showed an increase, many passengers flying to and from New York’s LaGuardia airport may not have noticed. Southwest Airlines flight 1142 from Baltimore to LaGuardia reported experiencing a delayed flight 100 percent of the time in March 2010, making it the nation’s most delayed flight.

Highest On-Time Arrival Rates
1. Hawaiian Airlines – 90.2 percent
2. Alaska Airlines – 87.3 percent
3. Pinnacle Airlines – 84.2 percent

Lowest On-Time Arrival Rates
1. JetBlue Airways – 72.1 percent
2. ExpressJet Airlines – 75.1 percent
3. American Airlines – 76.1 percent

Most Frequently Delayed Flights
1. Southwest Airlines flight 1142 from Baltimore to New York LaGuardia – late 100.0 percent of the time
2. Southwest Airlines flight 1229 from New York LaGuardia to Chicago Midway – late 93.75 percent of the time
2. Southwest Airlines flight 1138 from Denver to Kansas City, MO – late 93.75 percent of the time
4. Southwest Airlines flight 1599 from Baltimore to New York LaGuardia – late 87.50 percent of the time
4. Southwest Airlines flight 1925 from Baltimore to Hartford, CT – late 87.50 percent of the time
4. Southwest Airlines flight 2585 from Houston Hobby to Albuquerque, NM – late 87.50 percent of the time
4. Southwest Airlines flight 3922 from Houston Hobby to Austin, TX – late 87.50 percent of the time

Flights with Longest Tarmac Delays
1. American Airlines flight 160 from San Diego to New York JFK, 3/13/10 – delayed on tarmac 300 minutes
2. SkyWest Airlines flight 6530 from Denver to Birmingham, AL, 3/23/10 – delayed on tarmac 272 minutes
3. American Airlines flight 24 from San Francisco to New York JFK, 3/13/10 – delayed on tarmac 261 minutes
4. SkyWest Airlines flight 6136 from Denver to Appleton, WI, 3/23/10 – delayed on tarmac 241 minutes
(There were only four flights with tarmac delays of four hours or more in March)

Highest Rates of Canceled Flights
1. Comair – 3.4 percent
2. Atlantic Southeast Airlines – 2.9 percent
3. JetBlue Airways – 2.8 percent

Lowest Rates of Canceled Flights
1. Hawaiian Airlines – 0.0 percent
2. Continental Airlines – 0.2 percent
3. Alaska Airlines – 0.5 percent

The photograph, allegedly taken by an American Airlines hostess, was used to show why larger passengers should be made to buy an extra seat.

Most all of us have had at least one horror story of an economy class seating nightmare, stuck between smelly, loud or extremely obese passengers. A picture, allegedly taken by an American Airlines hostess, has been spreading around the internet like wildfire demonstrating that sometimes certain passengers can cause more problems than a little in-flight discomfort.

The photo (left) was taken by a stewardess who wanted to show her boss why she believed that many passengers should be required to purchase an extra seat. While it’s clear from the photo the plane had not taken off yet, it’s uncertain as to whether or not the passenger was asked to move before takeoff.

The internet was abuzz with opinions about the picture, ranging from obvious concerns for passenger safety to debates on whether or not larger passengers should be charged for the additional weight, much like certain airlines charge for additional baggage.

A spokesman for American Airlines, the carrier believed to be shown in the above picture, was unable to confirm whether or not it was taken from one of their flights but did insist that obstructing the aisle would be a safety hazard.

Certainly no passenger would ever be allowed to fly in any way that obstructs the aisles of the aircraft,’ he said. ‘It is very obvious in the photo that the aircraft is not in-flight at the time the photo was taken – other passengers are still boarding and several overhead bins are still open.’

Regardless of whether or not you sympathize with this character, it does bring into question fairness to other passengers, the concept of fuel surcharges and whether or not having extremely obese people are safety hazards to the other crew members and passengers whether they purchased an additional seat or not.

SOURCE Southwest Airlines

Southwest Airlines Investor Relations, +1-214-792-4415

Despite the exponential growth of airport security guidelines, dressing for air travel is actually a lot simpler than it seems, though many people insist on opting for the more difficult route almost every trip.

Casual Travel Attire

This is probably the simplest way to dress for a flight, not to mention the most comfortable. If I’m not headed directly to a conference or a meeting, I will almost always opt for flip-flops, jeans, a t-shirt and my carry-on bag. The key items of note on this air travel dress code are:

• Never wear a belt
• Always opt for shoes without laces
• Carry absolutely nothing in your wallets
• Wear no jewelry

Aside from that, it’s a pretty simple process dressing for casual air travel.

Business Travel Attire

Let’s pretend that you’re not trying to impress your cohabitants on the plane and genuinely have to be dressed for an important meeting on the other end of your flight. Business dress does not require you to have a difficult time at airport security.

Carry your dress shoes in your carry-on bag and opt for flip-flops or other slip on shoes for travelwear. If you have leather shoes that require polishing, you can wrap them in Saran™ Wrap to prevent scuffing.

Belts, tie clips and cuff links should be carried in your carry-on bag. Car keys, coin change and metal ink pens should join them. When you arrive at your destination airport, it should take you less than 10 minutes to don your shoes and other accessories.

Preparing for the Security Check

While it may seem that different airports treat certain things differently, there are a few guidelines that will make your security check go much smoother:

• Laptops must be pulled out of carry-on bags and placed in a separate tray to be X-Rayed
• Other electronic devices (cameras, iPods, voice-recorders and GPS units should be pulled out of your carry-on bag but may go in the same tray as your bag
  • Keep electronic items in an easy to access compartment so that you can be prepared to pull them all out at once when it’s your turn at the airport security line.
• Shoes should also go in a separate tray, in front of your other two so that you can start putting them on while security is checking your laptop and carry on bags for prohibited items.

n addition to the above items, large metallic items not pulled out of the carry-on bag might result in a bag check. I have an engraved white and yellow gold money clip I often carry in my bags that will almost always trigger a bag search if I do not pull it out with the electronic devices.

Also, I do not wear jackets through security and instead opt to stuff them in my carry-on bag. I have never had a bag searched because of a jacket inside as the X-Ray machines can easily see through these items.

Lastly, keep your pockets empty except for your wallet. Even if you don’t have any metallic items that might set off a metal detector, you may be asked to empty your pockets during a secondary search which can be time consuming.

Items That Often Trigger Metal Detectors

While some of the below items may not trigger a secondary search, it’s always better safe than sorry. Be sure to avoid wearing/carrying items such as:

• Hair clips
• Clothing buttons
• Tie clips
• Money clips
• Cuff links
• Belt buckles
• Jewelry
• Watches
• Military dog tags
• Pocket change
• Hat buckles
• Underwire bras
• Fancy pens
• Lighters
• Personal electronics
• Body piercings
• Pins, plates and other metal in the body
• Contraband (This is a joke. Don’t fly with weapons)

Types of Carry-On Bags

The bottom line with carry-on bags, much like dressing for airport security, is that if you follow the below guidelines you will probably not board your flight any faster. However, you won’t be the guy who the flight crew is waiting on to find a place for his carry-on luggage because he can’t find a place in the overhead compartments for his baggage.

Bookbags Always Best

In my line of work, you can carry a backpack with padded laptop compartment and still appear pretty professional. Some people still opt for bags with handles and wheels but this still shouldn’t translate into unnecessary bulk.

Samsonite makes several good carry-on bags that carry a bit more than a bookbag but will still fit under your site. If you’re looking for a rugged, urban backpack that will accommodate your electronic gear such as laptops and mp3 players, I wouldn’t look much further than the North Face Surge Backpack. 2150 cubic inches of tough yet surprisingly functional carry-on space that can easily be stuffed under your seat or thrown onto your shoulders for boarding/exiting the airplane.

A passport is an internationally recognized travel document that verifies the identity and nationality of the bearer. Only the U.S. Department of State and U.S. Embassies and Consulates have the authority to grant, issue or verify U.S. passports.  For travel overseas and to facilitate reentry into the U.S., a valid U.S. passport is the best documentation available.

A valid passport is required to enter and leave most foreign countries.  Some countries may allow you to enter with only a birth certificate, or with a birth certificate and a driver’s license.  Note, however, that rules established under the U.S. Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004, require that all persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling by air, must present a valid passport to reenter the United States. (Until September 30, 2007, U.S. citizens who have applied for but not yet received passports can enter and depart the United States by air to Western Hemisphere countries with a government-issued photo identification and official proof of application for a passport.  The proof may be obtained at http://travel.state.gov.  This accommodation does not affect entry requirements of other countries, and U.S. citizens who are traveling to a country that requires a visitor to have a passport must still obtain one.)

If you are traveling by land or sea, make certain that you can return to the United States with the proof of citizenship that you take with you.  U.S. regulations require that you document both your U.S. citizenship and your identity when you reenter the United States.  For more information about U.S. passport requirements, see http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html.

Some countries require that a traveler’s U.S. passport be valid at least six months or longer beyond the dates of the trip.  In addition, with the number of international child custody cases on the rise, several countries have instituted passport requirements to help prevent child abductions. (Mexican law, for example, requires a child traveling alone, or with only one parent, or in someone else’s custody, to carry written, notarized consent from the absent parent or parents if the child is not in possession of a U.S. passport.)  Contact the embassy of the foreign destination for more information.  A listing of foreign embassies and consulates in the U.S. is available on the Department of State’s website at  http://www.state.gov/s/cpr/rls/dpl/32122.htm. Foreign embassy and consulate contact information can also be found on the Country Specific Information for each country.

How to Apply for a U.S. Passport

Apply for your passport several months before your planned trip, and, if you will need visas from foreign embassies, allow even more time.  Even if you don’t have specific travel plans, but have family living abroad or are waiting to find a bargain trip, it is a good idea to apply as early as possible. Information about applying for a U.S. passport may be found at http://www.travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html.

If You Need to Obtain a New Passport While Abroad

For information on obtaining a new passport if yours is lost or stolen abroad, see “How to Get Your Passport Replaced” below, under “Emergencies:  Consular Assistance and Crises Abroad.”  Also visit the Department of State website at  http://www.travel.state.gov/passport/lost/us/us_848.html.  Additional information is available at http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/emergencies/emergencies_1197.html.

Adoption Abroad

If you plan to adopt a child overseas, be aware that, in order to bring the child to the U.S. to live, the child must be issued a U.S. immigrant visa in the country of adoption.  In addition to other requirements that must be met before a visa may be issued, U.S. law must be satisfied as to the legality of the adoption process that took place.  Persons interested in adopting abroad should consult the State Department website at http://www.travel.state.gov/family/adoption/adoption_485.html.

The U.S. Government considersforeign adoptions to be a private, legal matter within the judicial sovereignty of the nation in which the child is residing.  U.S. authorities have no right to intervene on behalf of American citizens in the courts of the country where the adoption takes place, and prospective parents must comply with the laws of that country.