Airlines Fail to Deliver at Baggage Claim

Or face more delays, lost baggage, and longer security lines

(NEWSER) - American Airlines’ plan to charge passengers $15 to check a bag is likely to cost the carrier more money than it generates, Joe Brancatelli argues in Portfolio. “Not only will it infuriate flyers—who are already annoyed with American’s lousy operating efficiency and its recent maintenance snafus—it’s likely to further erode American’s on-time and baggage-handling rates,” he writes. More»

Save money by packing wisely

(NEWSER) - With airlines charging more for extra bags, the trick is to fly light. A packing guru offers these tips for stuffing it all in one bag, NPR reports:

• Make a no-frills list, and stick to it (see onebag.com for ideas).
• Don't let any space go unused (stuff things into shoes, for example).

Everyone has their travel hell story, but which airlines are the true villains?

(NEWSER) - Lost luggage, canceled flights and appalling delays seem to be par for the course in air travel these days. But some airlines are worse than others. Forbes provides the hit list:

1. Atlantic Southeast Airlines
2. Comair (a division of Delta Air Lines)
3. American Eagle Airlines (a division of American Airlines)

'Unintended Consequence' fee intended to chide transportation department

(NEWSER) - Spirit Airlines is angry over a new Department of Transportation rule—and it's making sure customers know it, by slapping a $2 "Department of Transportation Unintended Consequence Fee" on all tickets. The new rule, which went into effect last week, requires airlines to give customers a full refund, without additional fees, if the customer requests one within 24 hours of booking a flight, USA Today explains. More»

Find tickets, new flights, even lounges

(NEWSER) - Every air traveler armed with a smartphone should load up on these five apps, says the Travel section of USA Today:

• SkyScanner (Free): This app will hunt down the best price for your ticket. It scans not only all of the airlines' websites but all of the online travel agencies (Expedia, Priceline) as well.
• Next Flight ($2.99): Yeah, it's relatively pricey, but worth the cost when needed. If your flight is canceled or delayed, or you just plain miss it, the app provides a list of all available flights from all carriers over the next two days. If none are there, it searches for hotels and car rentals.
• Priority Pass (Free): This app supplies a list of all the lounges at your airport. You can look through photos and amenities before deciding whether to shell out money for a pass.