New DOT Rules Require Refunds for Cancelled Flights, Junk Fees
FlyerTalk
by Joe Cortez
1h ago
  The agency announced a new set of rules for airlines, requiring flyers to receive automatic refunds when services are not provided as scheduled.   Airlines Must Provide Refunds for Flyers Without “Jumping Through Hoops” Under the new rules, which take effect immediately, airlines are on the hook for more of the problems flyers may face during their travel day. This includes flight cancellations, major flight delays, significant delay of luggage, or when ancillary services – like in-flight wi-fi – do not work.   The rules require airlines to provide the refunds automatically, w ..read more
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California Bill Seeks to Cut Clear From PreCheck Lines
FlyerTalk
by Joe Cortez
1d ago
  Introduced in February 2024, California Senate Bill 1372 seeks to prevent Clear and other third-party vendors from providing pre-screening services which would utilize current Transportation Security Administration lanes.   Law Would Change Clear Operations at Eight California Airports Currently, Clear operates pre-screening at eight California airports, including Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), San Francisco International Airport (SFO), Oakland International Airport (OAK), and Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC). At each kiosk, flyers scan their boarding ..read more
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Transportation Department Teams with Attorneys General to Probe Airlines
FlyerTalk
by Joe Cortez
1w ago
  The department announced the formation of the Airline Passenger Protection Partnership on Tuesday, April 16, 2024, during a ceremony at Denver International Airport (DEN).   Partnership Opens Federal Data Books for States Investigating Airlines Under the new cooperative, the 18 states joining the partnership will get additional resources to investigate allegations of airline and ticket agent misconduct. Attorneys general who “uncover unfair or deceptive airline practices” will get a new fast-track system with the Transportation Department, who will in turn pressure stakeholders to ..read more
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Wyndham Rewards Courts Business Travelers with New Program
FlyerTalk
by Joe Cortez
1w ago
  Called Wyndham Rewards Business, the new “generous loyalty program” offers businesses the opportunity to directly earn points for room, group, and event spending.   Program Acts Similar to Personal Rewards Program on Bigger Scale Under the new program, companies earn one point per dollar spent on “business-qualified stays,” which are booked through Wyndham’s direct channels (the website, app, call centers, or direct with the property) when providing their corporate ID. Hotels booked through third-party websites do not qualify.   In turn, businesses have multiple ways to use th ..read more
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Delta Revises Boarding Order in May 2024
FlyerTalk
by Joe Cortez
2w ago
  The Atlanta-based carrier announced a new numbered boarding zone lineup that will go into effect starting on Wednesday, May 1.   Diamond Medallion and Sky Priority Gives Way to Numbered Categories Under the current boarding order, flyers are categorized in one of nine different categories based on their booked service class or elite status with Delta Air Lines or another SkyTeam carrier. Diamond Medallions are currently allowed to board immediately after first class flyers and those who require preboarding.   When the new numbered boarding procedure begins, preboarding travele ..read more
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United Cuts Planned Routes with FAA Review Looming
FlyerTalk
by Joe Cortez
2w ago
  Bloomberg reports the new routes from Newark to Portugal and Tokyo to The Philippines will be delayed as the Federal Aviation Administration reviews the carrier’s performance record.   Faro and Cebu Put on Backburner Pending Review In an email to the news outlet, United confirmed that two routes planned for launch would be pushed far into the future. A planned route between Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) and Faro International Airport (FAO) in Portugal will be delayed by at least a year. The carrier planned for the first flight to take place on May 24, 2024, but it will ..read more
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Alaska Receives Compensation from Boeing Over Door Plug Blowout
FlyerTalk
by Joe Cortez
2w ago
  The Associated Press reports the Chicago-based aerospace giant paid $160 million to Alaska as “initial compensation” with more money on the way.   First Compensation Payment Covers Loss Related to Incident According to the Seattle-based airline, the $160 million payment is related to losses after an unsecured door plug fell off Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 in January 2024. This includes loss of revenue from not having the aircraft in service and the subsequent grounding of the 737 MAX 9, along with the cost of repairs for the aircraft.   While this is the first payment offered ..read more
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Transportation Department Encourages More Military Travel Benefits
FlyerTalk
by Joe Cortez
2w ago
  In an open letter to U.S.-based carriers, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg is asking airlines to provide clear and consistent benefits detailed in public-facing customer service plans.   Enhanced Benefits Request Ahead of “Support Our Troops” Dashboard In his request to airlines, Buttigieg referenced his own service as a U.S. Navy Reserve officer, and his experience with the military benefits provided by airlines. However, he also noted that they are not necessarily communicated effectively to service members.   Most airlines offer early boarding and free baggage allowa ..read more
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Travis Kelce Hosts Latest Hilton Honors Experiences
FlyerTalk
by Joe Cortez
3w ago
  The opportunity is part of the latest Hilton Honors Experiences drop, celebrating the three-time Super Bowl champion’s music festival, Kelce Jam   Experiences Include Football Toss and VIP Access to Kelce Jam The new experiences are in celebration of the music festival, taking place on May 18, 2024. Hilton Honors members will be able to bid on three packages currently up for auction.   The biggest package involves playing a football challenge with Kelce himself. For a bid starting at 200,000 points, one Hilton Honors member and their guest will get to meet Kelce, receive signe ..read more
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Study Finds Airlines Boost Flights in Subtle Lobbying Effort
FlyerTalk
by Joe Cortez
3w ago
  Published in Organizational Science, researchers discovered airlines increase the number of flights between the chair’s home district and the nation’s capital in a bid to gain political clout.   Seats to D.C. Increase by 4%; Departures from Home Increase by 5.5% The research was authored by Min-Seok Pang, an associate professor and research fellow at Temple’s Fox School of Business, along with Russell Funk from the University of Minnesota and Daniel Hirshman of Cornell University. Studying airline data from 1990 through 2019, the data revealed a significant increase in flights for ..read more
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