Tagged: airline

Soon You Can Use Electronic Devices During Most of the Flight, the FAA Declares

The FAA has decided it's safe to operate most electronics for the duration of a commercial flight.In a press release issued on Halloween, it said that although mobile phone use…

Watch Betty White's New In-Flight Safety Video for Air New Zealand

Air New Zealand, an airline known for its celeb-studded safety videos (which have featured Richard Simmons and, erm, some hobbits, managed to convince TV legend Betty White to do its…

JetBlue Upgrades Its Standard Seats: Power Outlets, Bigger TVs, Triple the Channels

At a media event on the roof of its New York City headquarters today, set-price airline JetBlue, which since it inception has been a one-class airline, unveiled an overhaul of its…

Way To Stay Classy, Ryanair! Wait Until You Hear What's In The Airline's Training Manuals

The same airline that once declared it would install pay toilets (that didn't happen), has been instructing its flight attendants to avoid making change for passengers when they buy…

Spirit Airlines Quietly Ditches Its 800 Number, Domestic Airfares Are Down to Many Popular Destinations, and More Airline News

What's the difference between 800 and 801? The first is a toll-free call, and the second is an area code in Utah. Which does Spirit Airlines use for its reservations number? The one…

The Bad News About Flights That Arrive Early

Did your latest flight arrive early? Mine did and that's not necessarily a good thing. As a recent analysis in USAToday showed, airlines are padding their flight times to improve…

It's Going to Be A Bumpy Ride: The Effect of Global Climate Change on Airplane Turbulence

Here's an odd, and disturbing, bit of news. Scientists are predicting that as carbon dioxide levels rise, so will air turbulence for transatlantic flights. The bumpiness will…

The Able Traveler: Exploring California's Eastern Sierra Scenic Byway

Road trips are an ideal option for wheelchair-users and slow walkers, as you can take things at your own pace and pack along as much equipment as you need. And although there's no…

Travel Troubleshooter: No Refund for Derailed Train Trip

David Battas exits his first-class train halfway through the trip after numerous problems and decides to fly to his destination. He wants a refund from Amtrak (www.amtrak.com). But is…

Is Economy Plus Really Worth the Price?

As airlines cram seats more tightly together, they're profiting from new ways out of the crush. Premium economy seats, which give you a few inches more legroom, have been around for a…

Travel Troubleshooter: Getting Sick on Vacation -- Does My Hotel Owe Me Anything?

Daniel Vosburgh is afflicted by a mysterious illness while he's in Mexico. His hotel isn't answering his complaints, but he thinks he's entitled to either a refund or credit. Is he?Q:…

Travel Safety: The Economic Situation in Greece

Greece's economic troubles today are a cautionary tale that proves the truth of Shakespeare's aphorism: Neither a Borrower Nor a Lender Be. In this case, Greece is the borrower, and…

Smoking Bans: Where to Light Up (or Not) on Cruise Ships

When was the last time you heard someone say, "Mind if I smoke?" What used to be a common-courtesy question with a laissez-faire response ("Of course not! Go right ahead!") has become…

3 Summer Steals in the Sunshine State

As temperatures zoom upward in the Sunshine State, hotel rates come down. That makes Florida a great place to snag a steal for a summer family getaway. Here are three fabulous deals…

10 Reasons to Visit London in the Spring

It's the time of year when the green and pleasant land becomes green and pleasant once more -- everything's bluebells, crocuses, daffodils and Easter bunnies -- this year, a royal…

10 Reasons to Visit New York City This Holiday Season

The weather outside may be frightful, but New York City rarely looks better than it does during the holiday season. It's a time of year when the city goes all out decorating --…

Travel Troubleshooter: Who's Gonna Pay These Overdraft Fees?

When a Hampton Inn hotel charges Alia Naffouj twice for the same room, there are two surprise overdraft fees on Naffouj's credit card. Hampton is dragging its feet on a refund. Is…

How to Complain to the Airlines: Effective Ways to Get Ahead

Air travel isn't always fun. Things go wrong. And while you're unlikely to get compensated because a summer thunderstorm made your plane late, it's often worth complaining to the…

How to Plan a Volunteer Vacation in India

The town of McLeod Ganj, just northwest of Dharamsala in the Indian Himalayas, is the home of the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan government in exile. For tourists, McLeod Ganj provides…

Fly Safe, Fly Smart: Pack Like The Pros

You don't need to check luggage. Never, ever again. Really. That's what packing experts Susan Foster and Doug Dyment say, and they know what they're talking about -- they roam the…

Deal or No Deal?: 3 Special Offers Where You Need to Do the Math

There's an excellent reason why a list of recession travel rules should begin with the old chestnut: Always do the math. Unless you take the time to test-book and compare actual…

Bringing Science Back to U.S. National Parks

Not long after he moved into his office as director of the National Park Service, Jon Jarvis turned to Dr. Gary Machlis to serve as his science advisor. It's a new role for the…

Travel Insurance: What You Need to Know Before You Buy

Here's the good news: travel insurance covers more than it used to. Since I first wrote about trip insurance in Frommer's Fly Safe, Fly Smart in 2001, travel insurers have come up with…

Recycled Cities: Three Great Post-Industrial Destinations

Leftovers aren't always junk. In this era of reusing and recycling, more cities are looking at their old stuff -- industrial buildings, abandoned neighborhoods and leftover rights…

7 Places to Eat: Hunting Down Rome's Cucina Romana

Like any major European capital, Rome has its share of three-star gourmet shrines and trendy bistros, but the essence of Roman cuisine is the sort of simple, robust peasant fare that…