Airlines add surcharge for flying on a "peak travel day"
Before you change your return flight – read this first
Forecasters say European airspace to be ash-free
No-show rental car fees loom
5 important connecting flight considerations
Oh my, I lost my ID. How am I going to get home?
New regulations make flying even safer
Four secrets for upgrading your next vacation
Ryanair confident EU will O.K. toilet fees
Boeing 787 Dreamliner
If airlines sold paint
Flight Fee Explorer

Airlines add surcharge for flying on a "peak travel day"
Airlines have added a $10 to $30 surcharge each way for domestic flights on peak travel days, according to an analysis by FareCompare.com. "The airlines are treating the entire summer season like a holiday," said Rick Seaney, CEO at FareCompare.com. The peak-day surcharge is on top of already inflated ticket prices.  (USA TODAY)  Read more

Before you change your return flight – read this first
Most airlines will allow passengers to change a return flight once they have departed for their flat change fee, assuming the class of service is available and the flight routing hasn't changed. If passengers need to change a flight before departure, however, that's a different story.  (Consumer Traveler)  Read more

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Forecasters say European airspace to be ash-free
For the first time in 40 days, the European skies will be free of ash from the Icelandic volcano that has been erupting and causing flight disruptions across Europe and beyond. "Volcanic activity declined significantly over the weekend and has now virtually ceased," said Dave Britton, a meteorologist at the U.K.'s Met Office's Volcanic Ash Advisory Center. "It has continued to emit a plume of steam that's rising to between 7,000 and 10,000 feet, but there doesn't appear to be any significant ash."  (Bloomberg)  Read more

And here are some amazing pictures of Eyjafjallajokull volcano

No-show rental car fees loom
While U.S. corporate car rental rates remain fairly stable, buyers are facing a tougher negotiating environment than they've seen in several years and soon may have to examine policies to brace for a new type of cost: the no-show fee. Read more

5 important connecting flight considerations
In an ideal travel world, all fights would be non-stop. But realistically, that isn’t going to happen. If anything, airline cost-cutting and cutbacks mean less and less of those non-stops. Especially as airlines reduce their presence at one-time hubs. St. Louis, Pittsburgh, Raleigh-Durham and Cincinnati all come to mind as airports with reduced non-stop options.  (Consumer Traveler)  Read more

Oh my, I lost my ID. How am I going to get home?
A lost or stolen driver's license or passport can be a disaster for a traveler trying to fly home. Ned Levi has suggestions to successfully handle these serious ID problems with a little pre-trip preparation, and a lot of common sense.  (Consumer Traveler)  Read more

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New regulations make flying even safer
Columnist Bill McGee explains how a new government regulation has come into effect that makes surviving an airline accident more likely. The rules require all newly manufactured aircraft to have seats that can withstand 16g forces. Airlines are achieving this by expanding the distance between seat rows and installing "three-point" shoulder harnesses or airbags.  (USA Today)  Read more

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Four secrets for upgrading your next vacation
Sure, the latest customer surveys suggest customer satisfaction scores have plummeted to their lowest levels in years. (How bad is it? In one notable case, the industry celebrated a customer-approval grade of C-.)  (Consumer Traveler)  Read more

Ryanair confident EU will O.K. toilet fees
What's next?  The airline has sparked outrage with a plan to charge short-haul passengers €1 to use the toilet, but CEO Michael O'Leary expects Brussels to approve the move.  (Bloomberg Businessweek)  Read more

Boeing 787 Dreamliner
Someday, maybe soon, you will be flying in a Boeing 787 Dreamliner.  One wonders--just what kinds of testing is done by the engineers on these new big birds?  Here's how Boeing tested the wings on the 787!  View video

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If airlines sold paint
This humorous look at airline ticket pricing is an oldie but goodie.  (Consumer Traveler)  Read more

Flight Fee Explorer
We have added a new link to a helpful travel resource on our website at www.travelnewhorizons.com.  Flight Fee Explorer lets you view the fees an airline now charges . . . just pick your airline, click the appropriate boxes and see your total. Visit our website and try this handy new tool.

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