Your flight has been delayed for four hours. Or worse, the airline has canceled it altogether. What does the airline actually owe you? In the United States, the answer is more complicated than many travelers expect. You may have a clear legal right to a refund. You may also be entitled to a meal, hotel…
When an airline cancels your flight, the explanation can feel maddeningly vague. The app may say “weather” while the sky outside is perfectly clear. Or your aircraft may already be sitting at the gate and the flight still gets canceled. That is because your flight is only one piece of a much larger system. The…
Most travel gear lists are shopping lists pretending to be advice. You do not need forty-seven clever gadgets for a flight. You need a few things that solve the same boring problems over and over again: dead batteries, bad Wi-Fi, cramped workspaces, missing bags, tangled cables, and the slow realization that the one adapter you…
The Golden Age of Senior Discounts Once upon a time, airlines marketed themselves heavily to older travelers. Senior fares—special discounted tickets for passengers typically 60, 62, or 65 and up—were a way to fill empty seats while rewarding loyalty. Airlines like Delta, United, and American once promoted senior fares prominently, and AARP even had…
Updated August 2026 Flying with a baby creates an odd combination of airline rules. A child under two may be able to fly across the country on your lap without buying another seat. Put the same family on an international flight and the infant may need a ticket, taxes, fees or a percentage of the…
Skip the Shoe Shuffle: TSA Goes Touchless and Shoeless This August Major upgrades are reshaping the TSA’s airport screening process—making travel smoother and more efficient this summer. From facial recognition lanes to dropping the dreaded shoe removal rule, here’s everything you need to know for your next TSA experience. 1. TSA’s New Touchless PreCheck…
Labor Day Weekend is one of the busiest travel periods of the year. Airports fill up, flights are packed, and the stress of navigating crowds can test even the most seasoned traveler. With record levels of air travellers expected, 2025 is no exception. But with a little preparation and strategy, your trip can be smoother…
What Went Wrong—and How to Prevent It A routine call to United Airlines customer service after a flight cancellation turned into a nightmare for Denver passenger Dan Smoker—who ended up losing $17,000 to a scammer posing as a United-affiliated agent. What exactly went wrong, and how can airlines and call centers avoid similar catastrophes? The…
Updated: May 2026 When FlightWisdom first covered bereavement fares back in 2006, 2008, and 2010, they were already fading. Even when more airlines offered them, the value was questionable. Today, they’re almost gone — a quaint vestige of another era, not unlike the onboard lounges of the past. We even remember a call center agent…
In the complex world of air travel, passengers often seek creative ways to navigate the system and find cost-effective solutions to reach their destinations. One such strategy that has gained notoriety is “skiplagging.” In this article, we’ll delve into the concept of skiplagging, explore how it works, and unravel the reasons why airlines are keen…
Embarking on a family adventure by air can be a thrilling experience, but it often comes with unique challenges when traveling with young children. In this blog post, we’ll uncover valuable tips to help make your air travel with little ones not only manageable but an enjoyable journey filled with smiles and cherished memories. Early…
Jet lag is a common woe for travelers, disrupting sleep patterns and leaving you feeling groggy and disoriented. Jet lag can ruin your trip- or your return, Whether you’re a frequent flyer or embarking on a long-haul adventure, conquering jet lag is essential for making the most of your travels. In this guide, we’ll explore…
Air travel, with its intricate web of schedules and logistics, is susceptible to a variety of disruptions. While many disruptions fall under the umbrella of terms like force majeure, extraordinary circumstances, and controllable irregularities, understanding your rights is crucial for both passengers and airlines. We’ll delve into the complexities of these concepts and how they…
Throughout Asia, many cities are redeveloping their airport areas into vital centers for trade and commerce, while in the West airports are often viewed as noisy and polluting nuisances to be avoided. But as air travel becomes more central to the needs of individuals and businesses to stay competitive in the 21st century, is the West’s attitude towards airports due for a change?
Rule 240 was a Civil Aeronautics Board rule which was eliminated during deregulation in the late 70s. It did require rebooking on other carriers, something airlines do not wish to do. Why would you wish to give your money to your competitors? After deregulation ended, Rule 240 was still a term used, but it is…
In April of 2007, we wrote on the subject of Involuntary Reroute, in response to an article in the Consumerist. Now, popular advice site Lifehacker has picked up on the Rule 240. They reference our friend over at the Cranky Flier, Brett Snyder, and another short article on the subject. So, let’s revisit the…
We received another letter this week, with a not so pleasant story about Air France.
We don’t get much reader mail, but this came in this weekend and we wanted to open it up to the Internet for feedback
Today, while we are stuck in our homes in the snow, our thoughts are with those stuck at the airports. In preparation for this storm, airlines around the Northeast United States preemptively cancelled flights, airports were closed for hours, and some people are being told it might be days before they get home. At least 800 flights were cancelled in the New York Area alone. We don’t have the magic bullet that will solve all of these problems.
Overbooking is annoying. With the exception of Jetblue, which does not, airlines typically overbook by 33%. Find another industry where, with the approval of the government, a company is allowed to knowingly sell more of a product than they know they have. What reaction would this have if it were done at the theater, for…
As USAToday reminded us, new government regulations will take effect this week, requiring all individuals, including US citizens, to have a passport in order to enter the United States. Previously, a birth certificate or driver’s license was acceptable. Next year, passports will also be required at land and sea crossings, although for regular travellers of…
It has been a while since we checked in with the blogging community. Upgrade Travel’s mailbag features yet another reader question…The airline changed my schedule, what are my rights? Airlines waive themselves of liability in the event they change your schedule. That means they don’t consider themselves responsible for secondary fallout from their change…losses caused…
As we’ve mentioned before, Farecast is an intriguing product that uses statistics and historical data to predict trends in fares. Now, the company if offering to lock in ticket prices against an increase for one week for $1 during the initial release. It will eventually increase to $10. The product, Fare Guard, guarantees that if…