New luggage fees ... is the sky the limit?

American Airlines is the next-to-last major U.S. airline to announce baggage fees for international flights. Coach passengers will soon be charged $100 round-trip for a second suitcase to Europe, India and the Caribbean; but first-class passengers will not pay the fee.

United Airlines is the only remaining big U.S. carrier that doesn’t (yet) charge fees for a second bag to Europe; but industry experts expect they will join the party soon. Why? Simple ‒ because airlines make millions of dollars on luggage fees, and they need the cash.

So, how can you avoid the fee?

Strategy No. 1: Fly by private jet, or fly first class with a commercial airline. This is our favorite option for all the obvious reasons.

Strategy No. 2: Use airline miles to upgrade to first class. Another really good option.

Strategy No. 3: If you can’t fly first class, then book a foreign carrier (they don’t levy the second-bag charge).

Strategy No. 4: Conserving cash? The most thrifty solution is to trade US airline mileage points for coach travel on foreign carriers. Expect to make compromises in your preferred flight dates or schedules to make this happen.
Read the rest of this entry »

Tarmac Act: Musician Dave Carroll mourns his broken guitar

To the dismay of every iPhone/iPod-connected twenty-something, there are still a few humans who have not yet seen the music video, United Breaks Guitars. Some haven’t even heard of it.

It’s a good story so let’s catch up.

About a year and a half ago, singer-songwriter Dave Carroll and his band, Sons of Maxwell, were headed to a performance. They flew United Airlines with a connection in Chicago. There, at O’Hare Airport, Carroll says baggage handlers chose to throw his guitar rather than stow it. The damage was significant, and the repair estimate came in at around $1,200.

Carroll tried to get United to accept responsibility for repairs; but after a year of getting nowhere, he informed United that his band would make not just one, but a trio of music videos to commemorate the way the airline had treated him.
Read the rest of this entry »

 

Between October 2008 and May 2009, more than 550 flights operated by major airlines were stuck on the tarmac, loaded with passengers, for more than three hours each.

Anyone who has been in a similar situation knows how frustrating it can be.

Often flight attendants insist that passengers remain strapped into their seats, with little or no fresh air, food or water and, occasionally, malfunctioning toilet systems. Inside, cabin temperatures (and tempers) tend to rise.

Congress has heard about it from enough travelers to propose legislation that would require airlines to let passengers off the planes. Airlines have a number of good reasons for not wanting to do so; but tell that to your bladder, your blood pressure, or your baby.

Commercial jets line the runway, waiting to take off.