Report says airline service has suffered
Report says airline service has suffered — People are boarding planes as often as they did before the Sept. 11, 2001, hijackings _ and complaints about airline service are growing as well, says an annual survey of carrier quality. (AP)
What do you think: How would you rate the airlines on customer service? What are your biggest gripes?
Cases of unruly passengers fall, but bad behavior still rampant — Airlines and federal regulators, armed with a slew of new security precautions, have warned that misbehaving passengers face tough penalties. But that hasn’t led to a significant decrease in incidents. (USA Today)
O’Hare Airport expansion begins — After decades of debate and scrapped blueprints, crews are moving dirt and pouring concrete at O’Hare International Airport for the largest airport expansion in the nation’s history. (AP)
Travel insurance policy covers terrorist attacks for first time — Travel insurance that covers holidaymakers against terrorist risks is on sale in Britain for the first time. Costs arising from terrorist incidents are usually excluded from holiday insurance packages but a new policy designed by WorldAssure breaks the mold. (Times Online)
For low fares, the waiting game may not play — When it comes to buying airline tickets for a summer vacation, late winter and early spring is a time of uncertainty. Do you book now, and lock in what may be a higher fare? Or do you wait until the summer fare sales that normally take place just before Memorial Day, and hope there are still seats left? (The New York Times)
As frequent flier programs turn 25, some would like an upgrade — When frequent-flier programs, the carrot dangling from the airlines’ stick, mark their 25th anniversary next month, they’ll have much to celebrate. But those who play the frequent-flier game know the programs sometimes appear to be victims of their own success. (The Los Angeles Times)
Act fast, but smart, when searching eBay for bargains — individuals and businesses are using online auction giant EBay to sell thousands of travel-related items, yet another way for consumers to ferret out bargains. (The Los Angeles Times)
Delta to pass along airport fees to passengers — Delta Air Lines said Friday that it will start adding airport fees to its ticket prices after previously absorbing them, a move that could boost fares nationwide if matched by rivals. (Reuters)
Carrie Charney, Christopher Elliott, John Frenaye, Charles Leocha, Marge Purnell, Valerie Schneider, Mary Staley, Stephanus Surjaputra, Richard Wong.