Website     News      Legislation     Help! I'm Stranded      Media     Contact

Trading Spaces FlyersRights checks out the largest trade fair for aircraft interiors, and reports on the fools of the trade. April  7, 2017 FlyersRights was at the Aircraft Interiors Expo 2017 in Hamburg this week, taking a look at the latest interiors of aviation. The products at the trade show were all about boosting airline revenue, via seat density, automating in-flight service (beware, cabin crew!) and keeping passengers entertained. But, we couldn't help but be impressed by all the groundbreaking work done on new ways to squeeze passengers physically and financially! We also heard frequently from vendors that a seat pitch of 28 inches actually "feels like 30 inches" due to the way the "seats are designed to conform to the human body" - presumably to normalize the airline industry's tightest and worst pitch.  Biggest Revelations:  (photo: Airbus) Are they going to pay people to take the middle seat? Airbus is turning the A380 into a massive people mover by squeezing posteriors in tighter. The aircraft manufacturer showcased a mockup of its new 11-across seating. High density was a big theme at the expo, where Airbus was pushing its 11-across economy-class configuration - previously it was 10 seats per row.  10-across was the density that met FAA evacuation standards for the A380. Now there will be 11-across for airlines that chose that layout. The robotic waiter and trash collector made by Altran Technologies operates at the AIX in Hamburg. Tired of losing the beverage-cart lottery? Paris-based Altran has invented a robotic waiter that takes your drink and snack order in advance and rolls it up to your row. The self-driving trolley also collects garbage at the end of the flight. which leaves more time for human attendants to focus on important issues like clothing violations. However, the robot lacks arms, so the job of passing hot coffee to window-seat passengers will be outsourced to the unlucky aisle-seat occupants. (Click image for video from Expo) The Side Slip economy seat is scheduled to be flying by the end of this year. The aisle seat slides across to speed up boarding. Space Maker Sliding seats are the way of the future -says the manufacturer, Molon Labe Designs. Its pitch for reconfiguring cabins includes an aisle seat that slides over the middle seat to widen the corridor during boarding. The Denver-based startup also says its middle seats are the industry's widest at 21 inches and they're positioned farther back and slightly lower than its neighbor seats on the aisle and window, creating fewer armrest battles. Molon Labe Designs  promotional video. . (FlyersRights proofreader, Dan P's interpretation below:) Speeds up boarding? Sure. Window seats board first, followed by the skinny aliens in the middle seats, then aisle seats last? The aviation industry has doubled-down on the search for in-cabin contraptions to lure passengers and increase revenue streams. Notice the contactless payment reader built into the seat. (photo: Kevin@EconomyBeyond) ' (Click image for video.) The GermFalcon sanitization is a robot with arms that rolls down the aisle zapping ultraviolet light across the cabin to sanitize armrests, tray tables and seats - presumably without the passengers board. The company says airplanes are notorious breeding grounds for bacteria and there are no regulations or cleanliness standards for passenger cabins. The device can destroy bacteria and viruses on 54 seats in 1 minute. There's already so much radiation at airports and in planes, who is going to be bothered by a few rays more? Window Shopping - You've got your window seat and nestled into your travel pillow. Now for a relaxing view of, um, stock prices and shopping websites. Vision Systems, based in Lyon, France, wants airlines to turn their windows into pane-shaped infotainment screens that passengers can swipe through to see flight details, order drinks and, of course - buy stuff. Airlines are looking for new ways to boost on-board advertising revenue, the manufacturer says. If you want to turn off, the screens can be 'dimmed' so you can see the clouds through tinted glass.  Behold, the "Flex Seat". It allows cabin crew to slide rows on a track and adjust the seat pitch by lifting a lever beneath the cushion. This offers changeability in seating layout so airlines can maximize bookings, and fees for more legroom.  Demo video here from the trade show.  Virtual reality by AIM Altitude. Remember when entertainment was a drop-down screen with a moving map display?  This overhead bin by ZodiacAerospace lights green when there is space for more bags. (Yep, plenty of room left here for a thin envelope, folks.)  The FlyersRights® Insider This week's travel-related information tips and suggestions for our readers and members. A must before traveling abroad:  http://www.cntraveler.com/stories/2016-07-26/step-why-the-smart-traveler-enrollment-program This airport launched a new room for autistic fliers:  http://www.cntraveler.com/stories/2016-04-21/this-airport-launched-a-new-room-for-autistic-fliers? How scientists are hacking the body to override jetlag http://www.cntraveler.com/stories/2016-02-09/how-scientists-are-hacking-the-body (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.)  Was this helpful? We're a non-profit! You can get more stories like this in our weekly ad-free newsletter! Click here to sign up.  Thank you for your support!    Getting on a Plane?  Put This Number in Your Phone: 1 (877) Flyers6 1 (877) 359-3776 The FlyersRights HOTLINE! Check out our Facebook  and Twitter page.

A Leg To Stand On

Website     News      Legislation     Help! I'm Stranded      Media     Contact

A Leg To Stand On  March 29, 2017 What can you wear on a plane? Well, that depends on who's paying. Sunday, a United Airlines gate agent blocked two girls from boarding because they were wearing leggings while flying "non-revenue" on an employee's free pass. But the damage was done and outrage ensued online. (United's Twitter post above  - from last summer - highlighted the confusion and irony. Currently, the airline remains resolute and won't apologize nor change it's passenger dress rules re. "non-revenue" passengers. It was an issue that divided the country. On one side were the absolutists, "rules must be followed at all costs" crowd. On the other were the "airlines shouldn't police kids' clothing" crowd. In between were all shades of gray. Without rehashing the whole epic saga, here's the takeaway: -Gate agents shouldn't deny the boarding of kids and teens in public, it can o nly backfire. -In this era of social networks, using authority to create a public scene over what appears to be a questionable practice is likely to create a PR disaster. -The United Airlines social media team is terrible. -It's bad business to alienate a large portion of the population.   Delta's social media team swooped in to take advantage.  -The incident brought up the changing culture of air travel - involving high-density seating, deep vein thrombosis risk and the necessity of stretchy, travel clothing. -It's an American tradition to protest and question authority.  Back in 2011, Delta faced similar outrage when it billed US Army soldiers returning from Afghanistan almost $3,000 in bag fees. The servicemen spoke out about their experience on social media. And, although the Delta agent was following company policy regarding extra bag charges, we saw a much different response and outcome from Delta management.  This spectacle also exposed the shadowy underworld of non-revenue passengers. Who are these people? You may never know, because it's very secretive. When these "non-revs" travel, they never, ever disclose it to anyone. Only the gate agent at check-in will notice it in the system - that this person is flying standby for free. Who are the benefactors of free flight? Usually it's for the following people: The airline employee, their spouse or domestic partner, their parents, their dependent children up to age 22.  Additionally, there are flight buddy passes, up to 24 each calendar year, for use by anyone the employee wants. Was this helpful? We're a non-profit! You can get more stories like this in our weekly ad-free newsletter! Click here to sign up. Thank you for your support!   Getting on a Plane?  Put This Number in Your Phone: 1 (877) Flyers6 1 (877) 359-3776 The FlyersRights HOTLINE! Check out our Facebook  and Twitter page.

Spin The Throttle

Website    News     Legislation    Help! I'm Stranded     Media    Contact

Spin The Throttle The Spin Is On March 22, 2017 Big cuts could be coming to the US transportation system. President Trump's plan moves oversight of the air traffic control from the federal government to an independent group, according to budget documents released last Thursday. Trump, who has long complained about America's "third-world airports" and "obsolete" air traffic control system, is proposing $16.2 billion for the Department of Transportation's discretionary budget for fiscal year 2018, which is actually a reduction of 13 percent. Yet, Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.), ranking member on the Transportation Committee, hinted that Trump's pro-reform stance on air traffic control was merely "a political favor" thrown to Rep. Bill Shuster (R-Pa.), chairman of the House Transportation Infrastructure Committee, for backing him in the presidential primary race. The Trump administration also wants to increase the 9/11 Passenger Security Fee, now assessed to all airline tickets, which helps fund the Transportation Security Administration cover 75 percent of the TSA's costs. His budget outline does not specify the amount of the fee increase, but earlier media reports have said the current $5.60 fee would rise by $1 for each flight on a trip to $6.60.  FlyersRights maintains that privatizing the US air traffic control system is surrendering American airspace to the commercial airlines, while causing air travel to get more expensive, because more fees will be implemented. The current system is paid for by taxes on aviation fuel, levies paid by aircraft operators, and other sources. Paul Hudson, president of FlyersRights.org, told the Philadelphia Inquirer that he opposes handing over control of civilian air traffic control to an organization "that would be dominated by the airlines. It totally excludes passengers, who are paying for the whole thing. It gives away the entire infrastructure of air traffic control, which is worth tens of billions of dollars, to a private entity which looks, to me, a lot like Amtrak." Hudson said that 90 percent of the public in surveys have said the FAA is doing a good job. However, "only 20 percent of the public think the airlines are doing a good job, and we're going to turn this over to the airlines?" Trump's Draft Budget: - Cuts TSA budget for screeners while increasing passenger fees so revenue can be diverted to other Trump budget priorities. - Cuts budget for Coast Guard forces used to interdict contraband and illegal entry by sea. - Transfers command of Air Traffic Control - billions of dollars in FAA equipment plus unlimited power to tax passengers - over to a corporation controlled by major airlines with no passenger representation. - Repeals hundreds of DOT/FAA safety, health and consumer protection regulations. - Continues to allow airlines to shrunk seats, legroom, bathrooms and passenger space without limit. - Continues to refuse any and all passenger protection measures. - Allows deceptive ads and marketing to make price shopping difficult to impossible. - Continues to allow exorbitant or hidden fees without restriction. - Continues to exempt airlines from all state, local and most federal consumer protection, contract, tort and health laws, excepting only claims for death or physical injury. - Continues to allow passengers to bring dogs, cats and other animals they claim are for emotional support on airliners without restriction. - Continues, under the Patriot Act, to authorize flight crews to eject or have arrested any passenger for any reason. - Reduces or eliminates all fines against airlines and allowing airlines and aircraft makers conduct their own safety inspections and certifications. Letters! [First three are a series from JK] Dear FlyersRights: Something came up and Delta want[ed] to charge me $200 to take a flight I was going to take anyway. It's cheaper to buy a SpiritAirlines fare. (Delta cancelled the second segment of his journey when he didn't show for the first leg.) JK It's standard procedure for an airline to cancel the connection if the outbound flight was not taken. Sounds like they just want him to get a new ticket with a $200 change fee. No advice. Sorry.  Joel J Smiler DVM Hotline Director www.flyersrights.org I would file a complaint against Delta with the DOT: https://www.transportation.gov/airconsumer/file-consumer-complaint as it usually results in some benefit to you from the airline. Kendall Creighton FlyersRights Hey, I thought you might like to know that Delta unexpectedly called me this morning to tell me they were issuing me a full refund. I had put in a refund request asking for credit, given that it was a non-refundable ticket, and I didn't expect to hear back from then given that it had been a week already. I also wrote an email to the Vice President of Customer Service I found on http://elliott.org/. I don't know if that had anything to do with it. JK I got another message from Delta earlier and it turns out my email to the vice president did have an impact. JK [next two are a series from JS] Dear FlyersRights: I'm writing to let you know of a recent experience I had with United Airlines.  I also submitted this feedback to them directly and still waiting for a response. My husband and I recently booked a trip from SFO to Honolulu.   I did precheck in and our seat assignments were the same as when I booked the trip.  We got to the airport and checked in again and all was well until we were in our boarding line.  My husband happened to check our boarding passes on his mobile app and noticed they had changed my seat two rows up from where he was seated.  I immediately went to the agent and asked him to change me back and asked why this happened.  He ignored the question and immediately gave me back the seat I had originally which was next to my husband.  When we were seated and people were flowing in there were others that didn't think to look at their boarding pass and found they were moved unbeknownst to them to a different seat away from their family. The same thing happened on our return flight.  I checked in on mobile app and found they moved me away from my husband so I called United to let them know of their error in separating us even though we were booked on the same itinerary and to change us back to our original seats.  They said they couldn't because they changed aircrafts but as soon as I asked to be transferred to a manager and explained that I needed to be next to my husband because of a medical condition I have she put me on hold, called the department to have me booked back to seats where we could be together.  She then told  me it was locked and wouldn't be changed again.  However, when we got to the airport they changed us again!  This time it was across the aisle from each other and because it was a full flight they couldn't change our seats.  So instead we had to play musical seats with people on our flight to see if they would change so we could be together.  Several other people had the same issue! WTH is going on with United that they are doing this with paying customers sometimes without notifying people in advance. Have you had other people complaining about this issue?  What is our recourse besides sending them feedback via their website? thank you for your advise/guidance. JS Hello, We have not had any recent calls or emails regarding this problem.  It does happen from time to time due to a change of aircraft or flight numbers, but nothing out of the ordinary lately.  You were right to write to United and we would be interested in what they have to say. In the future if you get to the airport and find it has happened to you and you have a medical reason to be together, if they won't accommodate you ask to speak to the Conflict Resolution Officer (CRO).  Each airline is supposed to have a designated employee at each station responsible for maintaining the rights of disabled passengers. Regards, Joel Joel J Smiler DVM Hotline Director www.flyersrights.org I just wanted to follow up with you to let you know that United customer service responded to my complaint and with a note of apology and 2 $150 vouchers to use for a future flight. They haven't shown this type of customer service in a while so I was very impressed. JS FlyersRights' response to: Gothamist   article: National Weather Service: Sorry, You're Too Stupid To Trust With The REAL Forecast: To: Ms. Blane Workie, Assistant General Counsel Aviation Enforcement and Proceedings. Department of Transportation  Cc: Jonathan Dols, deputy assistant general counsel in office of aviation enforcement, Department of Transportation  Blane, The National Weather Service now admits they intentionally withheld their revised snow forecast that Northeast coastal cities from D.C. To Boston would not be hit with more than a few inches! They intentionally decided Monday not to update their forecast so as "not to confuse the Public" with the true forecast! So all airlines cancelled all flights to and from the NE and mayors shut down cities Monday night. Instead of a delay of a few hours, hundreds of thousands of airline passengers lost their vacations or trips due to a knowingly false official weather forecast and have suffered delays of up to several days. The US economy took an unnecessary hit. This is a major transportation scandal and, in my opinion, the Secretary of Transportation and White House should issue a statement that fake forecasts by the National Weather Service will not be tolerated. Paul Hudson President, Flyersrights.org Member, FAA Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee In reply to "Oscar The Grouch" Dear FlyersRights: He is totally right! [Oscar Munoz, CEO of United Airlines]. How are US carriers supposed to compete with foreign carriers that are subsidized to the tune of 100s of millions??? KL Dear KL, because when United CEO Oscar Munoz bemoans the Middle East big three airlines, he's failing to acknowledge that government "subsidies" saved United Airlines after 9/11 and helped the carrier emerge from bankruptcy by taking over United's pension obligations.  We don't dismiss that Gulf governments help prop up their home carriers, both directly and indirectly. Bit we do dismiss cries of "us good, them bad" coming from the USA when they are just as guilty. Kendall Creighton FlyersRights Correction: In last week's newsletter, we credited AAA with the below tips - when we should have credited FlyersRights exclusively: If your flight is canceled you can obtain a refund and take alternate transportation -if you do not want the accept the airlines' rescheduled flight (which can take several days.)  You are entitled to cash compensation for EU flight delays if you are bumped from an overbooked flight. If you are on an international trip the airline is required to use all practical means to avoid or mitigate delay, or pay delay compensation -which can range up to $5,000- under the Montreal Convention Article 19. If other airlines are flying to your destination, you can ask that your excessively delayed or canceled flight ticket be endorsed to fly on another airline (this is voluntary now but  Flyersrights.org has petitioned to bring back this reciprocity rule).  Was this helpful? We're a non-profit! You can get more stories like this in our weekly ad-free newsletter! Click here to sign up. Thank you for your support!  Getting on a Plane?  Put This Number in Your Phone: 1 (877) Flyers6 1 (877) 359-3776 The FlyersRights HOTLINE! Check out our Facebook  and Twitter page.

FlyersRights.org, 4411 Bee Ridge Road, 274, Sarasota, FL 34233 SafeUnsubscribe™ paulcreighton44@gmail.com Forward this email | About our service provider Sent by kendallc@flyersrights.org in collaboration with