Arlene's Air Travel Blog

With the collapse this past spring of both Aloha Airlines which served Hawaii for 61 years before its fuel-driven demise, and ATA which flew as a low cost airline, with several flights to Hawaii, it has become increasingly expensive to fly to this state of islands.

We've seen baggage fees go up and be introduced where they never existed before, and now, low-cost airline Go! Airlines which serves Hawaii is no different. Now in effect, go! is charging $17 for a second piece of checked luggage, and will be assessing a $10 fee for the first piece of checked luggage beginning on August 10.

What You Can / Can't Pack - includes a list of fees for checked luggage with major airlines around the world.

More cost-cutting measures abound with the airlines in the past week or so. US Airways has decided to clip its inflight entertainment on domestic routes. This means no more movies during flights.

Also this week, in a fuel-spurred, cost reduction frenzy, airlines are also trying to trim costs in the following ways:

• Midwest Airlines to Cut 40% of Work Force
• Delta Adds Frequent Flyer Fee
• Alitalia faces 5,000 to 6,000 job cuts in relaunch plan

Definitely no such thing as a free ride in air travel these days.

Ah, was a struggle to scrape up some airfare specials for this week, but here are a few of the better ones I found...

AirTran is having a sale with the title - Book the Beach Chair with the Best View Now! Book by July 29. Sample one way airfares before taxes and fees include - Memphis to Detroit $129. Travel dates run from now through November with a minimum 14 day advance purchase required.

JetBlue Adds Richmond to Orlando Nonstop Service - one way airfares start at $89 for travel through December 15. Fares require a minimum 14 day advance purchase. Travel must be booked by July 28, 2008. Travel dates run between November 2, 2008 and December 15, 2008

Aer Lingus is having a sale to the US from Ireland. Book by July 21. One way airfares including taxes and fees start at 249 Euro. Travel dates are August to December. And from the US to Ireland starting at $299 one way plus taxes - note this sale must be booked by July 18 for travel dates from August to October.

Don't forget to check the Air Travel Forum - lots of airfare specials/airline promotions are listed, as are plenty of opinions!

image by Arlene Fleming

The rapid increases and changes to fees in air travel have not only confounded passengers and airline employees alike, but have led to a bit of a cottage industry in terms of poking a bit of fun at what you'll be charged for on board.

One such jab at fees is: Latest airline fee: pay to pee? A top 10 style look at potential airline fees.

I blogged about Derrie-Air a few weeks ago as well. And our Hawaii Travel Guide came up with a potential list of "fees" that airlines could charge for in the future. The Air Travel Forum has a fairly new subject folder dedicated to Fees, Surcharges, and Taxes.

Who hasn't left loose change behind at airport security screening points, or known someone who has? I suppose I hadn't really thought of where those coins went, but it seems that those loose coins added up really equal a mountain of money!

The TSA has collected over $1 million in loose change from screening points in the last 3 years. According to a USA Today article, the TSA has kept the change left behind by passengers.

What You Can / Can't Pack - Looking at luggage allowances and what you can bring on board.

What Are TSA Backscatter or Body Imaging X-Ray Machines at Airports?

This week, the focus on airfare specials is where you can find airfare specials, and not just the destination-specific ones that I often write about, but from the airport most convenient to you as well.

I have put together an article with some of the resources I like to use to find airfares; some that are simple and straightforward; some that are fun as well as helpful; and where I try to post as many press releases as possible that alert to upcoming and current airfare deals.

Finding Cheap Airfares, Discounted Airline Tickets, and Bargain Travel Deals

Don't forget to check the Air Travel Forum - lots of airfare specials/airline promotions are listed, as are plenty of opinions!

image by Arlene Fleming

Here is a rather unconventional way to earn frequent flyer miles - donate to a good cause and earn.

"American Airlines has raised more than $600,000 for Susan G. Komen for the Cure through its “Miles for the Cure” campaign, through which donors earn five AAdvantage miles for each dollar contributed with a minimum $25 donation." I've included a link to the press release that details the charity and how to earn miles for donating.

image courtesy of Arlene Fleming

I don't know if it is all that surprising, but a recent study of airline crashes and survivors has found aisle seats to be safer. In particular, the aisle seats in the exit rows or rows nearby rank well for surviving an air disaster.

The study looked at over 100 crashes and 2000 survivors to reach the conclusion that aisle is best in a crash. For the average traveler, these statistical notes probably won't impact their seat choice given that air travel is such a safe mode of travel. Interesting, though.

Want to know more about seats and seating on a plane?

• Airline Seat Maps
• Preferred Seating - Emergency Exit Row
• Exit Row Restrictions

I really enjoy the posts in the Air Travel Forum that I receive from readers of the site, particularly when it's something I can answer! Getting seats together on a flight is of particular concern to those traveling with infants; with someone requiring special assistance; or with a child/children.

A recent post in the Air Travel Forum reminded me of this, and I thought it a good question to blog, as it is something I encounter a lot at the airport.

Poster mcros wrote the following: "Anyway, my 6 yr old son and I are flying for the first time. I am quite scared of the fact that we will be separated on the plane. The flights have assigned seats and they are fully booked. Our departing flight has our seats assigned together. Our return flight does not, we are sitted in front of each other. With the holiday weekend coming up, am I right to be so worried?"

Included in my replies to mcros: "This time of year, it's inevitable that seats aren't always going to be together.

You have a few options:
- check in as early as possible online and you may be able to change seats
- ask at the gate - say that you are willing to wait until final call as you are aware that seats may possibly be released if passengers nosho the flight (don't show up)
- mention it to the in-charge flight attendant who should be able to reseat - particularly if of the two seats at least one is a window or aisle

Between 15 and 25 percent of seats are usually held back for the airport (check in, and online check in), so that there is sometimes room to make changes." i would try in the above order - asking on board when the other options are exhausted. try not to worry, unfortunately this happens pretty much every day, but luckily can often be resolved before you get on board.

A few other resources for air travelers:

• Family Air Travel - Flying with Infants, Children, Pregnant, Seniors
• How To Survive Plane Rides With Small Kids
• Learn About Accessible Travel

image courtesy of Arlene Fleming

Happy 4th of July for those who are celebrating this weekend. I often find the beginning of July to be a bit of a wasteland for air specials. Many times the good ones start getting cranked out in mid-August or so. However, I did manage to find a few good specials, so here we go for this week's airfare deals...

JohnnyJet found two airfare specials worth mentioning this week, both for travel to Europe in the fall. The best of the 2 sales is United/Lufthansa joint Europe sale from $422 roundtrip. Book by July 8 for dates both in the fall and into the spring of 2009!

JohnnyJet also found this nice airfare special for travel to Europe, which also must be booked by July 8 - Air France autumn sale offers Europe fares from $480 roundtrip. Travel dates run from the beginning of September to the end of October.

Kayak found an airfare special from now through the end of September for travel between the US and Canada on United Airlines. Sample one way airfare includes - Denver - Toronto $190. 14 day advance required.

Don't forget to check the Air Travel Forum - lots of airfare specials/airline promotions are listed, as are plenty of opinions!

image by Arlene Fleming