More than 30 years of serving the international business and non-profit communities
TIME.com has done a survey to see who is charging for what. With the caution that things could change even before your next trip to the airport, here's a run-down of the current status of passenger fees on nine major carriers, ranked from the friendliest to the stingiest:
1. Southwest The one major airline that is bucking the trend of increasing fees, Southwest still doesn't charge for checked bags (up to two), nonalcoholic drinks, blankets or making a change to your flight. The discount airline has even launched an ad campaign to brag about that fact. Its new slogan: "Fees don't fly with us."
2. Virgin America In these straitened times, a pretty good deal: your first checked bag is free (the second is $25), drinks and pillows are free too, and the fee for changing flights is a relatively nominal $75.
3. Delta Among the major carriers, Delta has done the best job of holding the line on fees: no charge for the first checked bag ($25 to $50 for the second), free drinks and blankets, and a flight-change fee that hasn't increased from $100.
4. JetBlue If it doesn't turn up the air-conditioning and force you to buy that blanket and pillow, the airline is still relatively flyer-friendly: no charge for the first checked bag, free soft drinks and unlimited snacks, and a $100 change fee.
5. Continental No charge for the first checked bag ($25 for the second), and it's holding the line on the other freebies, like drinks and blankets, as well as still offering free meals like sandwiches, burgers and pizza. But it recently raised its change fee from $100 to $150.
6. Northwest Recently increased the fee for making flight changes to $150, to go along with a $15 charge for the first checked bag ($25 for the second). Nonalcoholic drinks and blankets are still free.
7. American Also hitting you up for $150 to make flight changes, and charging $15 to $25 for the first and second checked bags, with soft drinks and bedding still gratis.
8. United A similar package: $15 to $25 for checked-bag fees; $150 to make flight changes. Plus an extra wrinkle — the highest standby fee in the business: $75 if you want to fly standby on a different flight the same day, a service that for years was free and now commonly costs $50 on several airlines.
9. USAirways Broke new ground last week by starting to charge for all beverages: $2 for a soft drink (or even a bottle of water); $1 for coffee or tea. Checked bags cost $15 and $25; flight changes are $150. How to get around it: Bring an empty water bottle through the Transportation Security Administration screening area and fill it at the closest water fountain in the terminal. Remember, you can’t bring liquids through a checkpoint, but there’s no rule against empty containers.
New United flight service from Dulles to Dubai and from Dulles to Moscow. Flights are now available for booking to Dubai for an October 26, 2008 startup and to Moscow for a March 29, 2009 startup. Service pending government approvals.
United is applying advance ticketing requirements to most applicable fares which do not currently have ticket time limits. This change is effective now for North America ( U.S. and Canada ) point-of-sale bookings. The revised policy requires ticketing the later of three days before departure or 24 hours after booking for First and Business, and Normal Economy (Y, B) Classes; and 24 hours after booking for all other Economy classes.
Clear, the TSA-approved Registered Traveler Program, now includes both Dulles (IAD) and Reagan (DCA) airports. Clear members are pre-screened and provided with a high-tech card which allows them to access designated airport security fast-lanes nationwide. Clear members pass through airport security faster, with more predictability and less hassle. Clear's first year price is $100 plus the TSA vetting fee of $28 for a total charge of $128. Pre-enrollment online. Clear enrollment locations: Dulles International Airport (IAD) Main Terminal Daily, 6AM - 8PM By United Airlines ticketing counter next to the Travelex Currency Exchange. Reagan National Airport (DCA) Daily, 6AM - 8PM Terminal B Across from Cibo Wine Bar on Concourse (Level 2) between checkpoints B and B/C. Terminal C Near Information Desk on Concourse (Level 2) between checkpoints B/C and C.
United relocated to Terminal 1 at London’s Heathrow airport featuring:
- An improved Premier lobby area that is closer to the pre-flight security checkpoint
- An exclusive check-in area for Global Services and United First customers
- New Lounge facilities including an arrivals lounge
- A Star Alliance departure lounge with business technology including Wi-Fi Access
- Faster flight connections to Star Alliance partners
Less frustration with flight delays with Virtually There. Automatic notifications can keep you informed and save you precious time So far this year, 25% of U.S. flights have been delayed. With summer travel, more delays are expected. Why not let Sabre® Virtually There® reduce your frustrations with our automatic flight notification updates? It’s easy. You simply register for flight notification from your Virtually There itinerary. In the event of a delay, you'll receive an automatic notification. This keeps you informed with real-time updates. You can even choose how they want to receive their notifications: Email, Wireless Email (pager or mobile phone), SMS (text notification), Voice Message (US and Canada only), Fax.
And with several personalized flight notification options available, you are notified of the information that you care the most about: Cancelled flights, Departure delays, Trip reminder, Terminal and gate changes Register your personal preferences by choosing ‘Notify me of flight changes’ on your Virtually There itinerary page or from the main menu navigation bar on the Virtually There Web site select Mobile Services > Flight Notification
Royal Caribbean Cruise's newest creation, Oasis of the Seas. See the incredible video. To receive expert Royal Carribean, Celebrity and Azamara travel advice, contact Linda Olson 703-577-7717 RCL stock owners receive from $50 to $250 shipboard credit on all Royal Caribbean, Celebrity and Azamara cruises. See link.
Best of new international restaurants
Live parking status for Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport
TRAVEL SECURITY
US State Department current Travel Warnings
