News

AirTran Airways has joined most of the other major airlines in adding a first checked bag fee

November 13, 2008 -- A second checked bag fee had already been in place, but now AirTran Airways will add a first checked bag fee. The following information is from the company website, accurate as of this date (Check with the airline for any changes and for current fees):

Effective December 5, 2008, for all reservations booked on or after November 12, 2008, the charge for the first checked bag will be $15. For reservations booked prior to this date, for each fare-paying customer, AirTran Airways will allow one (1) checked bag free of charge, with size and weight limitations (see baggage allowance details below). A second bag fee is already in place and detailed in the chart below.

Active military personnel traveling with ID and official orders will have all bag fees waived.

Any customer who requires use of a wheelchair may have it checked as baggage at no charge, and it will not be considered part of the passenger's baggage count when assessing other baggage fees.

Baggage Allowance Summary	Fees (per bag)
1st checked bag: weight: 50 lbs. or less; dimensions: 61 inches or smaller
Traveling on December 4, 2008 or earlier	Free
Traveling on December 5, 2008 or later
-------Booked on November 12, 2008 or later	$15
-------Booked on November 11, 2008 or earlier	Free
2nd checked bag: weight: 50 lbs. or less; dimensions: 61 inches or smaller Fee based on reservation booking date:
-------Booked on August 14, 2008, or later	$25
-------Booked April 22 – August 13, 2008	$10 online, $20 at airport
-------Booked on April 21, 2008, or earlier	Free
Excess baggage (more than 2 bags)	$50
Overweight baggage 51-70 pounds 71-100 pounds	$39 $79
Oversized baggage 62 to 70 inches 71 to 80 inches	$39 $79
Active military personnel traveling with ID and official orders	Free
Sporting equipment	Varies (see details)

Passengers traveling on or after December 5 on Delta Airlines will be now be charged a first checked bag fee on domestic* flights.

The essentials of the new checked baggage fee policy are below, from the Delta Airlines web site, as of November 7, 2008. The first checked bag fee will be charged beginning December 5, 2008 to ticketed domestic* coach passengers who do not have elite status in the Delta or Northwest frequent flier programs or are flying in full fare Y class. However passengers that purchased tickets on or before November 5, 2008, will still be able to check one bag free. The second bag fee of $50 for  economy domestic coach passengers will still be charged. There are additional allowances for other flight classes, international flights and SkyMiles Medallion members and WorldPerks Elite members. Full details on checked baggage allowances, fees and restrictions are available at the Delta web site. Policies will be the same on both Delta and Northwest flights.

For Travel On or After December 5, 2008—Delta and Northwest Baggage Alignment Policy

For travel on or after December 5, 2008, customers flying within the United States will be charged $15 for the first checked bag and $25 for the second checked bag, consistent with Northwest’s existing policies.

Customers who purchased Delta tickets on or before Nov. 5, 2008, and who are traveling on or after Dec. 5, 2008, will be charged $50 for a second bag, but will be permitted to check their first bag without charge pursuant to Delta’s previous policy.

All customers flying in First or Business Class, including SkyMiles Medallion members and WorldPerks Elite members, will receive up to three checked bags, up to 70 pounds each, for free.  SkyMiles Medallion members and WorldPerks Elite members flying in Coach Class will receive up to two checked bags, up to 70 pounds each, for free.

All customers traveling in full fare (Y) Coach Class, as well as customers traveling internationally will receive up to two checked bags, up to 50 pounds each, for free.

U.S. Military personnel on active duty with travel orders will continue to be able to check up to 10 pieces of luggage on Delta- and Northwest-operated flights only. 

*Domestic flights refers to travel within the 50 United States, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Perks returning to coach passengers on Northwest Airlines following merger with Delta

(October 31, 2008) - According to a recent story regarding Northwest Airlines in the Detroit News, rumor has it that Northwest Airlines will again provide snacks, blankets and pillows in coach. Also, personal  in-flight entertainment systems will eventually be installed on each seat, and for a fee, in-flight WiFi will also eventually be available. Northwest Airlines will however continue to charge for select aisle and window seats in the front of the coach section.

[Let's hope that we see the return of amenities in coach on other airlines also now that fuel prices have fallen - Gus]

Fly US Helicopter Between New York/Newark Liberty Airport (EWR) and Manhattan for $45 one-way or for Free when Traveling on Continental Airlines

Valid  Thu., Oct. 2, 2008 - Fri., Oct. 31, 2008

Now through Oct. 31, 2008, Continental Airlines is offering a $45 one-way fare for US Helicopter service between New York/Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) and Manhattan.

Continental Airlines is also expanding their current offer of complimentary US Helicopter service for BusinessFirst to customers traveling on first class and full fare economy tickets. This promotions is valid for BusinessFirst customers traveling between Newark and Europe, Asia, Tel Aviv, Delhi, Mumbai, Brazil and Argentina only. Passenger must be booked in J, D or Z class of service to qualify and the customer is responsible for taxes. This offer is subject to cancellation or change at any time so check with Continental Airlines for details.

US Helicopter provides an eight-minute flight from Newark International Liberty Airport (EWR) to the Midtown Manhattan (TSS) or the Wall Street (JRB) heliport. To make your travel even easier, you can check in for your Continental flight and check your bag through to your final destination at the heliport. TSA security screening is conducted from the heliports and no further screening is required in Newark, allowing easy connectivity to all Continental flights. You'll also earn 500 OnePass miles on US Helicopter codeshare flights when connecting to or from a Continental flight.

US Helicopter flights operate hourly, Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 7:50 p.m. Flights connect to and from gate C-71 at Newark. To reserve flights, contact Continental Reservations or book your flights online.


Terms and Conditions from the Continental Web Site

Promotion valid for tickets purchased on US Helicopter codeshare flights booked in H class and when connecting to or from a Continental flight at Newark Liberty International Airport. Complimentary service applies to international and domestic flights booked in C, R, A or Y classes. [See Continental Web Site for Full Details]

Travelers should confirm with airlines before going to Houston airports

Houston Airport System (September 11, 2008) -- On Friday, September 12, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. local time all airlines will cease commercial flight operations in and out of George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) and will not resume until further notice. No airline service is presently expected to operate at IAH on Saturday, September 13, 2008.

The Houston Airport System strongly recommends that customers not go to the airports unless they have a confirmed seat and that they have also confirmed with their airline that the flight is still operating. Please check with your airline for further flight schedule changes or contact the Houston Airport System flight tracking information line at 281-230-7000 or www.fly2houston.com for further information.

Continental Airlines is implementing a flight schedule reduction at its Houston hub at IAH for Friday and Saturday in anticipation of deteriorating weather conditions caused by Hurricane Ike. A reduced flight schedule will take effect on Friday, September 12 at IAH. Most mainline jet departures should operate normally until early afternoon on Friday. After that time, Continental does not expect to operate mainline jet flights at IAH. Continental Express and Continental Connection regional airline flights will be suspended earlier on Friday, starting between mid-morning and mid-day. No Continental, Continental Express or Continental Connection flight operations are expected at Houston on Saturday.

Southwest Airlines has announced it will suspend flight operations at Houston’s William P. Hobby Airport starting Friday, September 12, 2008, at 9:00 a.m. local time. Customers who are scheduled to fly in and out of Hobby Airport are advised to contact their individual airlines to determine when flights will resume.

Both Bush Intercontinental and Hobby Airports will remain open for emergency operations and essential activities only. However the airports will not operate as shelters. Passengers should be aware that hotels and motels near the airports may not have availability.