airline news
DELTA TO CHANGE BAGGAGE POLICY
Effective for travel on or after January 15, 2013, Delta Air Lines will check the bags of ticketed passenger between the origin and destination points that are issued on a single ticket. If a second ticket is presented for travel on another airline beyond the destination of the first ticket, the passenger will be advised that Delta will only check the bag to the destination on the Delta ticket(s). The passenger must collect the bag at baggage claim for their Delta ticketed destination, and re-check the bag with the down-line carrier for the next flight(s). This clarification of policy helps Delta ensure that checked baggage service is consistent for all customers. (Delta.com)
FEATURED PARTNER: KOREAN AIR
As a founding member airline of SkyTeam, the global airline alliance formed in 2000, Korean Air has the potential to deliver passengers to 993 destinations in over 186 countries worldwide every day. Committed to offering passengers exemplary quality service this airline has received many citations for excellent customer service. In celebration of Korean Air’s 40th Anniversary of providing Transpacific Service, the airline is holding a contest giving away 40 tickets this year. For rules and participation details, please visit, http://www.koreanair.com/.
SHOE SCANNERS LACKING
The Transportation Security Administration concluded that four shoe-scanning devices under testing did not meet security requirements, dashing traveler hopes to keep shoes on during screening. TSA had spent “millions” testing the screening devices, one of which “is now used in airports in 18 countries.” New York Times, 8/28/12
Airline Industry News
For tickets booked on or after Sept. 1, Delta will reduce the value of miles earned in some unpublished fare categories including; group fares, consolidator fares, tour or cruise package fares and student fares. Delta revised its policy to more closely align with that of transatlantic joint-venture partners. (BTNews.com, Aug. 27
Airlines have booted passengers for being inappropriately dressed. The dress code is not published so do not wear T-shirts with four-letter expletives or provocative slogans about terrorists and do not show excessive cleavage. Airplanes are deemed to be private property where free speech rights can be legally curtailed by the crew. (USAToday.com, Aug. 27)
TRAVEL NEWS
United launched the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) PreCheck program at O’Hare International Airport, Terminal 1. TSA PreCheck is a new pre-screening initiative which allows customers to volunteer information about themselves to expedite their screening experience. Eligible United customers traveling through Terminal 1 at O’Hare are allowed to leave their shoes, light outerwear and belts on, keep their laptops and leave 3-1-1 compliant liquids and gels in their carry-ons. This should ease their check-in experience. (Unitedcontinentalholdings.com, June 27)
Emirates Airline is embarking on a major expansion of its route network with three additional destinations to be launched in the next six months, on top of the 12 new routes already introduced this year. On November 1, Emirates will launch four weekly flights to Adelaide, rising to a daily service from February 1, 2013. Adelaide will be the airline’s fifth destination in Australia which is currently served with 70 flights per week. The airline’s current twice-daily service to Perth will grow to 19 weekly flights from December 1, becoming a triple daily operation on March 1 next year. (Eturbonews.com, July 4)
AIRLINE NEWS
American Airlines passengers could experience delays in July due to a pilot shortage. The carrier will trim capacity by 1.5 percent to account for pilots retiring and their increased use of sick leave. (TravelMole.com, June 14)
In efforts to gain more control over security screening, the U.S. government with the cooperation of foreign countries is placing officers in 14 airports around the world. These officers will advise and assist local authorities with security procedures. (NYTimes.com, June 13)
PACK LIGHT TO AVOID THIS FEE
United has raised the fee to check a second bag on many international flights. The fee went up from $70 to $100 matching what Delta charges. The first checked bag is free. This fee applies on flights from the US to Europe, Africa, India, the Middle East and some South American destinations. American and US Airways still charge $60 to $70 for the second checked bag for now. (TravelMole.com, June 13)
UNSATISFIED
J.D. Powers and Associates, reports that customer satisfaction with airline service overall, declined slightly in 2011 from the previous year. The quandary for the airline industry is to meet the expectations of consumers who demand everything but are reluctant to pay for it and still make a profit despite significant market challenges. The low cost carriers that do best in the survey like JetBlue and Southwest began as no-frills carriers and consumers do not expect certain services when traveling with them. The legacy carriers are in the opposite situation. Services that were previously included in the price of the ticket are now fee items which can quickly inflate the ticket price if selected. (JDPower.com, June 13)
AIRLINE INDUSTRY NEWS
Senator Charles Schumer of NY is urging airlines to allow families to sit with their young children without paying additional fees. Senator Schumer was instrumental in getting five large carriers to promise not to charge for carry-ons two years ago when Spirit instituted a fee for such bags. (Trib.com, May 27)
On Aug. 12, Allegiant Air will end its service from Oregon’s Roberts Field-Redmond Municipal Airport serving the communities of Bend and Redmond. The pullout will be a major disruption for more than 10 percent of the airport’s passengers if officials cannot find alternatives for the loss of Allegiant. The carrier currently flies from Redmond to Oakland and Phoenix. (USAToday.com, May 30)
MORE ROOM FOR BAGS OVERHEAD AHEAD
Several carriers are making more space in overhead bins to better accommodate carry-on bags. American, Delta, United and US Airways are all retrofitting older aircraft bins or buying new planes with larger bins. The airlines have noticed that passengers are bringing more onboard since the advent of checked bag fees. Carriers have also seen a slowdown in revenue from checked bag fees. For the first time since these fees were introduced income took a dip instead of continuing to increase. (USAToday.com, May 29)
