Yapta Yapta Blog

Bad weather wasn’t the only thing slowing travelers down Thursday in New York.  Passengers on a Delta Connection flight out of Rochester were delayed after two female flight attendants got into a fight on board the plane.

Dozens of passengers were forced off the flight and had to make alternative travel plans at a time when flights from the New York area are being canceled faster than a Tiger Woods endorsement contract.

A spokesman described the fight as a “little” argument that started as the plane was returning to the gate after a passenger complained of panic attacks.  However, passengers aboard the flight have reported that it was a full blown “fist fight“.

And in case you’re wondering, the answer is “no” – this is not what psychologists mean by “fight or flight.”

Here’s some more travel news you can use:

• Delta Air Lines and American Airlines, the world’s two largest carriers, are counting on lie-flat seats and Tahitian crab soup (or gingered scallops with lobster sauce) to help win back their most-profitable customers -  the corporate passengers whose ranks dwindled when the global recession ravaged budgets for international flying.

• Los Angeles International Airport wants to increase its car rental fees to fund an off-site terminal that would house car rental agencies. The project aims to reduce pollution and congestion from car rental courtesy vans that circle the airport.  LAX officials are backing a state bill that would increase the current $10 rental car fee by an undisclosed amount.  So, let me get this straight: Building an OFF-SITE terminal will help cut down on courtesy vans?  And even though this bill is about to be introduced, it’s still not clear how much the airport would raise the fees?  Sounds like California politics to me.

Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, American Airlines and Continental Airlines have all raised fuel surcharges on travel to Europe by $20 per round-trip – and have added conditions that could cause travelers to pay higher fares.  ABC News reports that, “surcharges to Paris, Frankfurt and most cities on the Continent were raised to $280 per round-trip and to $242 for London.”

And what about the “added conditions”?  Well, some airlines that previously required only a seven-day advance purchase for the lowest coach fares are now requiring a 14-day advance purchase.

With heightened security, steeper fuel surcharges, and tighter booking windows, international travel just keeps gets better and better every day.

Here’s some more travel news you can use:

• Yesterday we noted that Delta had hiked its baggage fees.  What we failed to mention was that Continental Airlines had also hiked their baggage fees – matching Delta.  And as if the parade wasn’t long enough, today we learned that United Airlines has also raised its baggage fee – matching Delta & Continental.  United boosted the charge for the first piece of checked luggage 53 percent to $23.  A second bag will cost $32, up from $25.  The prices apply to online check-ins only, with airport transactions $2 more for the first bag and $3 more for the second.

• According to the annual Travel Trends survey conducted by the Travel Leaders Franchise Group, Orlando, Fla. is now the top tourist destination in the United States.  Vegas had been the country’s No. 1 tourist destination for the past seven years, but the report released this week found that tourists who were surveyed late last year preferred the family-oriented attractions in Orlando.  After Orlando and Las Vegas, an Alaskan cruise; New York City; Maui and Honolulu, Hawaii; Chicago; Phoenix; Washington, D.C.; and Los Angeles rounded out the top 10.

Today Delta Air Lines boosted its baggage fees for domestic travel to $23 for the first checked bag and $32 for the second one, up from $15 and $25, respectively.  Of course, that’s if you pay in advance online.  If you check your bags at the airport (which I’m assuming most people do), Delta is going to sting you for $25 on the first bag and $35 for the second one.

This fee hike shouldn’t come as any surprise for frequent Delta customers as it’s clearly the most aggressive carrier in it’s fee-collection activities.   A recent report from the U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics reveals that Delta’s ancillary revenue efforts – which brought in $447.5 million in Q3 2009 – has no rival.  American Airlines was a distant second with $261.2 million for the quarter.  Plus, when you take into account that Delta and its subsidiary, Northwest Airlines report their numbers separately, then the combined ancillary revenue is a whopping $670.8 million.

So, how can you avoid these fees?  Well, here’s some tips:

1. Pack light so that everything fits in a single carry-on suitcase.  Check out websites like OneBag.com for suggested packing lists that can help you cut down on your luggage.

2. Ship excess clothes ahead of time.  A large priority mail flat-rate package will hold two-thirds of what a carry-on does for about $14.50.

3. Fly JetBlue or Southwest – which don’t charge for the first checked bag.

Here’s some more travel news you can use:

• USAToday business travel columnist, David Grossman has noted that, “2010 may prove to be a less turbulent and more benign year for air travelers.”  Wondering why?  Well, to find out, read the eight factors that are likely to affect air travel this year for business travelers.

• Late last week, a three-year-old boy took a frightening and unusual journey at Copenhagen Airport, travelling through the entire baggage belt system before being rescued.  The boy and his mother were checking in for a flight when the boy hopped onto an unattended baggage belt at the check-in area.  His mother was distracted while looking for her travel documents, and neither she nor airline staff noticed the boy’s departure down the baggage belt.  The boy travelled right through the system, including the baggage x-ray machine, which directed him to an area for bags to be handled manually because he had no baggage identification tag.  At this point, an airport worker heard his cries and rescued him from the machinery.

• The National Transportation Safety Board said today it is investigating Sunday’s emergency landing of a United Airlines flight at Newark Liberty International Airport after a landing gear malfunction.  One early discovery thus far: The radio system used by the gound rescue team crashed just when it was needed most.  But by the time rescue teams were in place, their radios went dead, apparently because of utility work nearby.

Today Delta Air lines received government permission to operate its namesake service and its Northwest Airlines subsidiary as a single carrier.  The single operating certificate from the FAA allows Delta to put its code on Northwest flights and phase out the Northwest name.  That process will be complete in the first quarter of 2010.  For now, travelers won’t notice anything different.

Operationally, the two carriers have been kept separate while Delta sought the FAA certificate.  Delta plans to operate Northwest-coded flights until all seats and fares are consolidated in Delta’s reservations system.  Once that occurs, it will remove the distinction for passengers of purchasing on Delta or Northwest, and the Northwest Web site will be folded into Delta’s.

Employees of both carriers are wearing the same uniforms, and the two carriers frequent-flier programs have already been combined under the Delta SkyMiles brand.  Additionally, more than 80 percent of pre-merger Northwest aircraft have already been painted over with the Delta look.  I bet Delta can’t wait to paint the other 20 precent and attempt to separate themselves from the failed terrorist attack that occurred on a Northwest flight during Christmas.

Here’s some more travel news you can use:

• Orbitz is offering up to 50% off at hotels world-wide through its Winter Hotel Blowout sale.  For trips booked now through Feb. 14 on Orbitz.com, travelers can save up to 50% on thousands of hotels in destinations, including Mexico, Hawaii, the Caribbean and Europe.  Orbitz is Yapta’s hotel booking partner, so if you search for hotels on Yapta and want to book it – you’ll be eligible for the sale price from Orbitz.

• Marriott is boosting its rewards program this spring with promotions that allow members to earn extra points.  Between Feb. 1 and April 30, members can earn 2,500 bonus points per stay starting with their second stay, for up to 25,000 bonus points. MegaBonus points can be earned at more than 3,100 Marriott International hotels. Travelers must register by March 31 at MarriottRewards.com/Megabonus or by calling 1-888-627-7468.

• New York City’s Buckingham Hotel is holding a seven-day sale starting Jan. 4 and offering rates starting from $149 for stays through April 6. Visit buckinghamhotel.com/Seven_Day_Sale.

Thousands of airline passengers in the United States and overseas are still stranded after this weekend’s snowstorm on the East Coast, and more storms are heading for the Midwest in the coming weekend.  Several airlines are offering travelers heading to or from parts of the country affected by winter storms the ability to change their flight plans without being charged a fee.  Here’s a snapshot of what each of the major carriers are doing to help you:

American Airlines says they are following their storm policy. People flying in and out of Wisconsin today through December 24th, are able to change their flights without a fee or penalty.  The best way to do so, is to call American’s Reservation Services at 1-800-433-7300.  That line is open 24/7.

Delta Air Lines and Northwest Airlines are allowing passengers with tickets from Dec. 22 to 27 to make free changes.

United Airlines is encouraging customers who are flying to, from or through the Midwest between Dec. 22 and 27 to change their flight itineraries and travel early.

Midwest Airlines and Frontier Airlines are allowing any passengers with tickets through Milwaukee for Dec. 22 to 25 to rebook for free.

AirTran Airways is allowing passengers traveling to or from Mitchell, Chicago Midway Airport and a few other Midwest cities who have Dec. 24 or 25 tickets to change their booking for free.

The New York Times addresses some of the questions travelers may have about their flights.  If you’re reading this post from an airport gate somewhere, you’ll appreciate this article.

Here’s some more travel news you can use:

• An American Airlines flight carrying 154 people skidded across a Jamaican runway in “heavy rain”, bouncing across the tarmac and injuring more than 40 people before it stopped just short of the Caribbean Sea, officials and witnesses said.  The impact cracked open the fuselage, crushed the left landing gear and separated both engines from the Boeing 737-800.  Approximately 44 people were taken to hospitals with broken bones and back pains and four were seriously hurt, airport and Jamaican government officials said.  (American Airlines said two people were admitted to the hospital and nobody suffered life-threatening injuries.)  I live in Seattle and know “heavy rain” – but authorities said that the rain in Jamaica has been so heavy that it washed away a 7-year old girl on Tuesday, leading to bus crash in which two people died.  How can anyone be expected to land a passenger plane in those types of conditions?

• ABC News has spotlighted another potential security gaff by the TSA.  With the approval of the TSA the Sig Sauer gun company has released specific information about the model of pistol that Federal Air Marshals will soon be carrying – data that both current and former Air Marshals say puts the Marshals and air passengers at risk.  The disclosure comes on the heels of a massive security breach in which the TSA published online an improperly redacted manual that revealed sensitive information about air passenger screening.

• There was a surprise wedding at Corpus Christi International Airport earlier this week.  Robyn Moore said she greeted her boyfriend, William Acosta, Monday at the airport with a camera and a wedding party ready to make good on the marriage license they filled out last week.  Oh the irony.  All those airplanes around and still no place to escape to, eh Will?

In early October, we noted that American Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines and US Airways added $10 surcharges to airfare for flights on the Sunday after Thanksgiving, and for Jan. 2nd and 3rd – the busiest days for holiday travel.  Well, let’s now make that $20 each way!  Delta, American, United, US Airways and Northwest Airlines all announced that they have boosted their surcharge on some routes.

This could have a real financial impact for those traveling with large families during the holidays.  For instance, a family of five would have to add $200 to their total cost of travel.  That’s not insignificant.  In fact, it may be enough to keep some people at home this year.

What do you think?  Are these surcharges enough to sink your travel plans?  Or will you be flexible around the holidays and travel on off-peak dates?

Here’s some more travel news you can use:

• Omni Hotels have launched a 72-hour sale for stays between Dec. 2 and Feb. 10, excluding New Year’s Eve.  If you book by Thursday (11/5), you can get up to 40% off a room in cities such as Austin, Chicago, Corpus Christi, Dallas, Ft. Worth, San Diego, New Orleans, San Antonio, Houston & Tucson.  Of course, the offer is subject to availability and can not be combined with other special offers.

• Another day, another bird strike that diverts a plane.  This time it was a Delta Air Lines flight from Phoenix bound for Salt Lake City that was forced to make an early landing after it was hit by a flock of birds.  Airport authorities reported that the windshield of the plane was cracked, but nobody was injured.  According to FAA records, there have been 600 bird strikes nationwide this year and bird strikes cause 600 million dollars in damage to aircraft every year.

• The state of Florida is suing online travel reservation companies over hotel taxes, the latest in a string of lawsuits nationwide claiming the sites owe local authorities millions of dollars.  Attorney General Bill McCollum sued Expedia and Orbitz today, claiming they failed to pay Florida the full amount of taxes collected on hotel room rentals through their sites.  Consumers are charged a rate when they book a room online, and the company later reimburses the hotels a lesser amount, allowing them to pocket service fees. The taxes are paid on that less expensive rate, prompting legal action by cities and states that claim they’re being cheated out of millions of dollars in tax dollars.

Starting Monday, foreigners with HIV-AIDS will be able to travel or immigrate to the United States without having to get a waiver from the Department of Homeland Security.

Earlier today President Obama eliminated a travel ban that had been in place since 1993, forbidding people with HIV-AIDS from traveling to the US.  “If we want to be the global leader in combating HIV/AIDS, we need to act like it,” Obama said.

The President announced the repeal of the ban in a ceremony marking the fourth re-authorization of the Ryan White CARE Act, legislation that provides treatment for low-income HIV/AIDS victims. The legislation was named after the Indiana teenager who contracted HIV from a blood transfusion in 1984.

The San Mateo County Times reports that San Francisco police, who patrol San Francisco International Airport, say they allow card-holding medical marijuana patients to carry up to 8 ounces of dried cannabis when traveling. The SFO policy follows the guidelines police use within the city of San Francisco.

“Then-San Francisco police Chief Heather Fong enacted the policy in November 2008 through a three-page bulletin to officers. It instructs officers to leave medical marijuana patients and their drugs alone if they are using the marijuana for medical purposes and not for criminal activity.

And when it comes to air travel, local police — not airport officials or federal authorities — determine which passengers can fly with medical pot.”

Of course, just because passengers are allowed to take their marijuana out of the Bay Area does not give them full immunity from prosecution, as more than 30 states ban medical marijuana.  If a Bay Area traveler lands in a place where the drug is illegal, they could be prosecuted by state authorities.

Alameda County deputies notify passengers flying out of Oakland that they could be violating the law if they land in one of the many states that ban medical marijuana.  But they have never called ahead to notify police on the other end.

Here’s some more travel news you can use:

• Pilots of a Northwest Airlines flight to Minneapolis from San Diego were being investigated today for allegedly falling asleep and overshooting their destination by about 100 miles. No one was injured during the incident, which occurred Wednesday night, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing unnamed government and industry officials. Pilots on the Airbus A320 briefly lost radio contact with air-traffic controllers before turning the plane around and landing, the newspaper said. The incident comes as the Federal Aviation Administration is reviewing its decades-old rules on how long commercial pilots can fly and remain on duty, the Journal said. Northwest is a unit of Delta Air Lines

• The Seattle Times reports that Seattle will gain new nonstop air service to Beijing and Osaka, Japan, next year as well as additional summer flights to Amsterdam as part of a plan by Delta Air Lines to expand its international service in the Pacific Northwest.  Delta will add daily nonstops between Osaka and Seattle starting June 7 and fly 5 times a week to Beijing beginning June 4.  The airline will add 3 additional nonstops a week to Amsterdam between June 1 and September. It currently has one nonstop a day.

• Southwest announced today that it would add 13 more daily flights in Denver, its fastest-growing location.  Beginning in March it will add nonstop service from Denver to Detroit, Hartford, CT; Boise, ID; Ontario, CA, and Dulles International Airport outside Washington, D.C.

• Delta is now conducting a promotion where you can turn Membership Rewards® points from American Express into 25% more miles. Transfer points into miles now through October 31, 2009, and you’ll receive an additional 25% mileage bonus every time.  With the extra 25% mileage bonus, you may be eligible for Award Travel, just in time for an upcoming vacation.

• Condé Nast Traveler magazine  is teaming up with the Gilt Groupe, an online marketing firm known for making bargain hunting an entertaining pursuit for the rich, to launch a new Website called  Jetsetter (jetsetter.com).  The site will offer members discounts on high-end travel trappings like hotels, cruises and resorts — with one catch: Cinderella-style expiration dates.

Google announced on their blog today that they’re partnering with Virgin America to provide free WiFi on every Virgin America flight between November 10, 2009 and January 15, 2010.

“Whether it’s using Gmail to confirm an airport pick up time with your brother, doing some last minute gift shopping for your niece on Google Product Search or searching Google.com for a good sweet potato pie recipe before touchdown — we hope this makes it a bit easier to stay connected with family and friends while you’re up in the air.

You can find out more about our partnership, where Virgin America flies and how the in-flight WiFi service works at www.freeholidaywifi.com.”

Virgin America currently serves 10 major markets, including San Francisco (SFO), Boston (BOS), Ft. Lauderdale (FLL), Las Vegas (LAS), Los Angeles (LAX), New York (JFK), Orange County (SNA), San Diego (SAN), Seattle (SEA), Washington-Dulles (IAD).

Here’s some more travel news you can use:

• The Detroit Free Press reports that Northwest Airlines is changing nearly all of its current flight numbers this week – so be sure to confirm your Northwest Airlines flight number before heading to the airport.  The changes are due to the takeover by Delta Air Lines and go into effect Saturday (10/26) for international flights and Sunday, Nov. 1st for domestic flights.

• AirTran Airways is expanding its mobile device options for customers to help manage their air travel. The expanded mobile Web services will allow flyers to book flights and change or cancel travel plans using their mobile devices, according to an AirTran release. The new services complement existing ones offered by AirTran, including being able to view flight status and check in for flights.

• JetBlue said today that its expanding its service at Boston’s Logan International Airport.  The New York-based carrier said that five daily nonstop flights from Boston to Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport will begin on March 1, 2010.

• There was an interesting debate carried out in a recent edition of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution in which Kate Hanni, the Executive Director of FlyersRights.org, and James May, President and CEO of the ATA, offered their perpsective on the proposed legislation for a  “Passenger Bill of Rights”.   Give it a read and comment here to let us know which side of the debate you fall on.

• If you’re interested in capturing information on hotels in nearly any city or town in the United States , visit Yapta’s new hotel browse pages.  You’ll find background on hotels from Abbeville, AL to Worland, WY.

Earlier today the FAA proposed levying multimillion-dollar fines against United Airlines and US Airways for safety violations, including flying a plane after mechanics stuffed shop towels into an engine.

The agency is proposing to slap US Airways with a $5.4 million fine for operating 8 planes that conducted 1,647 flights from October 2008 to January 2009 that were in violation of safety or maintenance rules.  United may get hit with a $3.8 million fine for operating a Boeing 737 on more than 200 flights with shop towels covering openings near where oil collects in the bottom of the engine instead of using protective caps required by the carrier’s maintenance procedures.

According to FAA rules, the airlines have 30 days to plead their case before the agency can impose the fines.  Perhaps United should it explain that it wasn’t actually a towel, but a Sham-wow.  I think they’ll see the genius in that.

Here’s some more travel news you can use:

• Reuters is reporting that there’s been an industry-wide increase of domestic air fares.  The fare increase, initiated on Tuesday by American Airlines, represents a boost in round-trip ticket prices by as much as $16 for a large number of U.S. city pairs.  The increase saw matches from Continental Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines and US Airways.

• The L.A. Times’ Daily Travel & Deal Blog notes that Southwest Airlines, Virgin America and JetBlue are all offering $44 fares on flights within California and to Las Vegas (from California).  Check out their blog for details on each of these sales.

• The New York Times blog In Transit notes that, “When shopping for airfare, it’s easy to overlook smaller, unfamiliar carriers. But those so-called B airlines may offer the best deal.”  One such “B airline” is a new one from Richard Branson’s Virgin Blue Group called, V Australia.  They’re now competing with United and Qantas by offering non-stop flights to destinations down under.

• Nashville International Airport Police had to shackle an unruly passenger by the wrists and ankles to get him off a Delta airliner after it made an unscheduled landing there on Tuesday.  According to witnesses, the man would not allow the person sitting next to him to leave her seat to use the restroom.  So, the next time you’re torn between choosing a window seat and an isle seat, think of this dude’s mug-shot and choose the isle.  I’d gladly take the beverage cart in the elbow a 1000 times  before asking this guy for permission to go to the john.