Tagged: department-of-transportation

U.S. Airlines Try to Abandon Passenger Rights and Performance Reports—to Secretly Police Themselves

The nation's largest airlines are quietly asking the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to virtually eradicate every meaningful consumer protection we have. If the big carriers…

How to File a Complaint Against an Airline Using the U.S. Government's Updated System

The U.S. Department of Transportation says it has streamlined and modernized the process for consumers who want to submit complaints with the government against airlines or ticket…

JetBlue's New Partnership with United, Rubberstamped This Week by the Department of Transportation, Is Bad News for Flyers

The United States' domestic airlines would rather team up than compete against each other. Whether it's called an alliance, a collaboration, a codeshare partnership, or an out-and-out…

Will Trump Undo the New DOT Rules Protecting Traveler Rights?

When Donald Trump nominated Sean Duffy for Secretary of Transportation last month, Airlines for America—lobbyists for the largest carriers—said it was “thrilled.” Not surprising,…

Warning, U.S. Travelers: Airline Execs Want to Snatch Your Consumer Rights Away

The fight for fair treatment isn't over once a battle is won—especially when powerful interests stand to benefit from keeping things unfair. In the United States, travelers are facing…

How We Helped to End Family Seating Fees, the Worst Airline Junk Fee Ever

About ten years ago, airline greed reached a new low when every carrier in the nation refused to waive seating fees for families with young children to sit together inflight. I was at…

U.S. Forbids Airlines from Charging Families to Sit Together

There's been another big win for consumers at the U.S. airports. On Thursday, the Department of Transportation (DOT) announced that it has proposed a rule that forbids commercial…

DOT’s New Airline Refund Rules are a Godsend for Travelers

Last Wednesday at Washington’s National Airport, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) announced sweeping new protections for airline travelers.  Considering how stressful air…

How to Get a Refund from or Complain to Any Travel Company: Which Government Agency Oversees What

Whether it’s a bankrupt cruise line, a canceled flight, a missing car rental reservation, or a hotel “walking” you due to overbookings, there are times when you need to complain to a…

Canada Gets New Airline Refund Rules (They're Better Than America's)

The Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA) announced this week that as of September 8, 2022, its regulations governing passenger protections will be expanded.Until now, flyers on…

The Department of Transportation Says It's Not There to Ensure Passenger Safety

In late July, members of 33 transportation unions—flight attendants, pilots, TSA inspectors, ferry workers, bus drivers, and others—filed an official petition with the Department of…

Airport Leadership Begs the US Government to Regulate Mask Usage

Much of the attention given to the issue of air travel safety in the time of Covid-19 has focused on the in-flight experience. But airports, too, are gathering places for crowds, and…

How to File an FAA or Consumer Complaint Against an Airline: A Guide to Directing Your Government Grievances

Let’s say you have an issue with an airline. The company owes you a refund, for example. Or lost your baggage. Or bumped you from a flight unfairly. Or discriminated against you…

Can a Florida Congressman Put the Brakes on American Travel To Cuba?

The vast majority of Americans favor travel without restriction to Cuba. Heck, in a recent poll the overwhelming majority of Cuban Americans answered that they wanted to end the…

7 Places to Eat: Get in Line for São Paolo's Best

The carioca culture of Rio de Janiero is great for music, barhopping, and beach going, but when Brazilian gourmets want to indulge themselves, where do they head? Easy: São Paolo. In…

Travel Troubleshooter: Funny Math on My Mexico Vacation Refund

Donald Dinsmore's daughter and son-in-law cancel their Mexico trip and are promised a refund by Apple Vacations. But even though they bought cancellation insurance, they're only…

7 Ways to Experience China on the Cheap

Though it's not as strong as it once was against the yuan, the American dollar still has more might in China than it does in many other parts of the world. With that exchange rate…

International Events to Plan Your Trips Around

Brxl Bravo -- Brussels, Belgium, March 2-4, 2007 This biennial event transforms the European Union capital into a caldron of artistic expression. For three days Brussels celebrates…