Category Archives: Opinion

What You Need to Know About the New 2024 DOT Airline Refund Rules

[caption id="attachment_7588" align="alignright" width="300"] Sad (tired) woman sitting in the airport[/caption] On April 1, 2024 the Secretary Buttigieg signed the final version of the revised rule on airline refund policies. The new policy requires automatic refunds in certain circumstances. The biggest change in the rule is the standardization of definitions. This has been an issue…

American Airlines Will Handle Most Customer Service Calls Overseas

American Airlines is eliminating 335 customer service positions in Phoenix, and will be handling most simpler calls overseas. More complex calls and sensitive issues will continue to be handled by Customer Success teams based in the United States. While many companies, including airlines, have been offshoring for decades, we have continued to see lower quality…

Should You Purchase Travel Insurance?

Traveling offers a world of adventure, exploration, and the unexpected. While the thrill of the unknown is part of the allure, it also brings forth the importance of safeguarding your journey against unforeseen circumstances. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll delve into the question that often lingers in the minds of travelers: Should you purchase travel…

6 Air Travel Amenities of the Past We Long to See Again

Air travel has undergone significant changes over the decades, and while modern airports offer a plethora of conveniences, there are some charming amenities from the past that many travelers reminisce about. In this blog post, we’ll take a nostalgic journey through aviation history and explore seven airport amenities of yesteryear that evoke a sense of…

Carry-On Confidante: 11 Tips for Choosing the Best Carry-On Luggage

Embarking on a journey, whether for business or leisure, begins with a well-chosen piece of carry-on luggage. The right carry-on not only makes your travel experience seamless but also ensures your essentials are within arm’s reach. In this guide, we’ll explore eleven essential tips to help you make an informed decision when buying the best…

Sky’s the Limit: 6 Proven Tips for Finding Cheap Flights

For avid travelers and budget-conscious adventurers, the quest for affordable flights is an art form. The good news is that with a bit of savvy searching and strategic planning, you can soar to your dream destinations without breaking the bank. In this blog post, we’ll uncover six tried-and-true tips to help you navigate the world…

A Comprehensive Guide to American Airlines Hubs

As one of the leading carriers in the world, American Airlines boasts an extensive network of hubs strategically located across the United States. These hubs serve as key connecting points for travelers, facilitating seamless journeys to domestic and international destinations. Join us as we explore the vibrant tapestry of American Airlines hubs, each contributing uniquely…

Why have Canadian airports become transit hubs for US passengers?

Canadian airports have become transit hubs for US passengers due to the implementation of US Customs Preclearance. This process involves a partnership between Canadian Customs and Immigration, US immigration, and US Customs and Border Patrol to establish US border points within major Canadian airports. The main objective behind this collaboration is to allow travelers to…

AirAsia Flight from Indonesia to Singapore Missing

An AirAsia Flight, flight QZ8501 from Surabaya to Singapore has lost contact with Air Traffic Control. There were 162 people onboard. This year has been a year when we have asked the question too many times…how can a plane go missing in this day and age? We hope the end to this story is not…

Swine Flew – Emotions Run High

An emotional support pig was kicked off a US Airways flight for being disruptive. The large brown pig allegedly stank up the aircraft before defecating in the aisle. Emotional support animals have become an increasingly common thing, especially since the DOT ruled that emotional support animals qualify as service animals. There are legitimate emotional support…

Review: Delta’s “Upgraded” Boston-New York Shuttle Features Far Inferior Product

The Delta Shuttle has always been promoted and priced as a premium product. Even though the product has declined over the years, it still retains some vestiges of its heyday. Free newspapers. Free wine or beer(sometimes). A bagel in the morning. The recent changes to the Boston-New York shuttle service, promoted in signage as “upgraded”…

United Loses Children

In June of 2009, we reported on how Continental Airlines had lost a young girl who was travelling under its unaccompanied minor program. Another similar situation has arisen with United Airlines, which merged with Continental, to the point that there is a petition on change.org, asking United to either redesign or discontinue its Unaccompanied Minors…

Flight Wisdom is Now Flight Wisdom – Update Accordingly

As part of our six year anniversary…our first post was launched on July 29, 2006, we’re proud to announce another aspect of our six year revamp. Effective immediately, we are dropping blog.flightwisdom.com in favor of www.flightwisdom.com. Those of you who have linked to us over the years, Any links to pages on blog.flightwisdom.com will still…

Long Stranded Passengers Revolt – Is United at Fault?

A United Airlines flight was scheduled to leave Shanghai on Wednesday, but its passengers ended up stranded till Saturday. Maintenance problems ground airplanes all the time. To be realistic, what is the alternative? Would any passenger rather fly on an unsafe plane? But it took that many days for replacement parts to arrive, which is…