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Happy Old Year! January 5, 2017 Brace yourself, 2017 will be another busy year for passengers. metro.co.uk A new year is upon us. But a quick look back at the major airline events of 2016 seemed to be all about airline industry  hacking, lowered expectations for passengers and involving less legroom. Same Old, Same Old, But Hopeful Signs For 2017 If last year's airline passenger stories have you lowering your expectations -s ome good news is that getting across the Atlantic may be cheaper than ever.  Long-haul discount airlines  such as Norwegian Air, WOW Air and Condor are offering cut-rate fares, often landing in secondary cities that may never have had nonstop trans-Atlantic flights before.  So far, the biggest headliner for flyers this year is United Airlines' new basic economy, sans carry-on -  which all seems to be a clever reverse-psychology tactic to get customers to pay even more .  So if ' Basic Economy' is about pressuring flyers into spending more money for the same product, it's working out very well! When They Go Low, We Go High United Airlines explained that this is all for the benefit of passengers. (Of course it is!) These changes are noteworthy, because to maintain the current level of service that customers value: being able to put a bag in the overhead bin, choosing an aisle or window seat, making sure your family is sitting in the same row, and being able to change your flight - will cost about $25 more per ticket now. But the majors seem to be having an identity crisis - they can't seem to  decide whether they are full service airlines or low-cost carriers. (They can't be both!) On one hand they're trying to become Spirit Airlines,  experimenting with bargain basement fares - while promoting their luxurious business class. The Last Straw The idea of not being able to use the overhead bins may be the last straw. It's just too obvious that airlines are squeezing every last dollar out of flyers to maintain high profit margins. Customers hate being treated so poorly when they pay so much for a ticket. Which could bring up touchy topics, such as: Opening up US domestic air travel to foreign airlines, or Making ancillary fees subject to the government's 7.5% excise tax on tickets. The FlyersRights ® Insider This week's travel-related information tips and suggestions for our readers and members. How to get through Customs by taking a selfie: cntraveler.com/stories/2015-10-29/get-through-customs-by-taking-a-selfie Things you should not eat on a plane: cntraveler.com/stories/2016-03-17/5-things-you-should-never-eat-on-a-plane Why planes shouldn't have free Wi-Fi: cntraveler.com/story/why-planes-shouldnt-have-free-wi-fi? What Google's New Pixel and Home Devices Mean for Travel: cntraveler.com/story/what-googles-new-pixel-and-home-devices-mean-for-travel The above articles can be viewed by clicking on the link. For more in-depth and up-to-date information on these items, please refer to the source. FlyersRights' founder and spokesperson, Kate Hanni, is available for media interviews! To reach our airline expert Kate Hanni for interview requests, call +1 707-337-0328.   Flyers Rights Education Fund is a 501(c)(3) charity to which contributions are tax deductible. Also consider adding us to your employer's gift matching program. Getting on a Plane?  Put This Number in Your Phone: 1 (877) Flyers6   1 (877) 359-3776 The FlyersRights HOTLINE!   Get get our newsletter in your inbox! Follow us on Twitter ... and Facebook!