Comment

Comment by Northeast News on December 27, 2010 at 3:51pm

Charlie, you sure got my attention with this sentence: With an approval of the Google purchase of ITA Software, the Internet world may get its first peak behind Google’s search processing curtain.  This possibility -- that the combined authority of the departments of Transportation and Justice might compel Google to either reveal its algorhythm or drop it when it comes to booking flights -- is tantalizing. Is it possible that this threat would convince Google that the disadvantages of acquiring ITA outweigh the advantages?

Comment by Charlie Leocha on December 27, 2010 at 3:34pm

The New York Times piece misses a major part of this Google/ITA deal. Consumers will be better off for the short run, but perhaps worse off if Google drives everyone else out of the market. There is a DOT trump card. With this card Google may call off the deal. http://www.consumertraveler.com/today/will-the-googles-buyout-of-it...

Comment by Tripatini on December 27, 2010 at 2:17pm

Will consumers win or lose if Google is allowed to acquire ITA? Read the story and let us know what you think.

Comment by José Balido on December 26, 2010 at 3:45pm

So what's the big deal with Air New Zealand's new 777-300ER?

Comment by Darryl Musick on December 20, 2010 at 10:33am

Today atThe World on Wheels, we start unveiling our Best of 2010 awards.  Today, it's the best airline.  A hint - they've now won two years in a row: http://tinyurl.com/23weupt

Comment by Charlie Leocha on December 15, 2010 at 12:21pm

NATIONAL CONSUMER AND TRAVEL ORGANIZATIONS PRAISE PRESIDENT OBAMA AND TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY LAHOOD FOR LEADERSHIP ON HIDDEN AIRLINE FEES

Groups Urge White House to Take Swift Action on Proposed Rule Ensuring All Ancillary Fees Visible to Consumers

WASHINGTON, DC -- December 15, 2010 -- The Consumer Travel Alliance (CTA), Business Travel Coalition (BTC) and American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) today sent a letter to President Barack Obama praising his leadership, and that of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, for working to make all airline fees visible to consumers before they purchase a ticket.

The text of the letter follows.

December 15, 2010

President Barack H. Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500

Dear President Obama:

On behalf of the 64,000 consumers who this fall signed a petition to Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, conveying how deeply concerned they are about the problem of hidden airline fees, we write to applaud you and the Secretary for your extraordinary leadership in support of airline consumers. In the view of the American Society of Travel Agents, Business Travel Coalition and Consumer Travel Alliance, you are overseeing perhaps the first consumer-centered Transportation Department in the history of commercial aviation.

We strongly support Secretary LaHood’s efforts to require airlines to make their fees fully and easily accessible to both consumers and intermediaries in the travel industry so that travelers can compare prices and know in advance how much their trips will cost. Leisure and business travelers alike are too often surprised to find hidden fees, adding up to billions of dollars, that can sometimes double the cost of an airfare upon arrival at the airport or upon completion of their travel purchase.  This situation is ruining vacations and undermining business travel management processes.

Just as the Transportation Department has required of airlines full disclosure on other issues critical to consumers, it should require airlines to make all of their ancillary fee information, such as checked bag fees, easily accessible through online and offline travel agencies via the major reservations systems that power those ticketing systems. This will give consumers more information and better choices, allowing them to comparison shop among airlines by both cost and services offered to find the best air travel options.

Mr. President, families trying to get home for the holidays during these extraordinarily difficult economic times are getting a very unwelcome present at the airport wrapped in hundreds of dollars in hidden fees. We strongly encourage you to affirm your commitment to airline consumers and unequivocally support a Transportation Department rule that will eliminate the increasing financial burden inflicted upon consumers each and every additional day they are surprised at the airport by hidden airline fees.

Sincerely,

Paul Ruden, Senior Vice President Legal & Industry Affairs, American Society of Travel Agents, Inc.
Kevin Mitchell, Chairman, Business Travel Coalition
Charlie Leocha, Director, Consumer Travel Alliance

Comment by Buzzy Gordon on December 15, 2010 at 12:16pm

It's one thing to charge baggage fees for domestic flights, when there is a possibility of taking a short trip and making do with carry-on luggage. But to charge for one or two checked bags on int'l flights is criminal. 

Anil, you say "'extra' baggage fees;" does that mean excess weight, or more than 2 pieces per pax? Because that has been SOP for years, and not necessarily unreasonable. 

Comment by Anil on December 15, 2010 at 7:37am

While researching about extra baggage fees for a friend of mine (without any status in any airline, and lacking an affinity Credit Card)  I was shocked to find that per piece, Air India charged $133 from its non Gateway cities in US, to India. That was about 18% of total ticket price.

 

I am not surprised that airlines have found a way to fleece unfortunate travelers.  

Comment by Ed Wetschler on December 14, 2010 at 3:03pm

US Air will net $500 million in extra fees in 2010, but Wall Street estimates it will net $475 million or less. So has it come to this -- that booking seats is a wash and the real $ is in baggage and earphone fees? 

Comment by Anil on December 9, 2010 at 9:40am

In October flying Kingfisher in India, I noticed the boarding pass had an Ad for Whyte & Mackay in the back, The airline is owned by the company that owns the british distillery :) No booze on the flight though :(

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