Consumer Traveler Today: April 9

Consumer Traveler Today: Cruise couple is bagless in Barcelona
 
 
Cruise couple is bagless in Barcelona
Are airline mergers good for you?
What we’re reading: Transatlantic green flights, BA-Iberia done deal, new narrowbody planes
The positive side of Spirit Air’s carry-on fees
iPad and the business traveler
Cruise couple is bagless in Barcelona
Posted: 09 Apr 2010 04:01 AM PDT
Erin and Sean Spital last saw their luggage after checking in at New York’s JFK airport, shortly before they boarded their flight to Barcelona on Iberia Airlines. The couple waited until the last bags made their rounds on the luggage carousel, their bags never arrived. Left with only the clothes on their backs, and with their 7-day Norwegian Cruise Line cruise about to depart, the Spitals did the only thing they could do: They filed a claim with Iberia and went out to buy new clothes.
       

Are airline mergers good for you?
Posted: 09 Apr 2010 03:10 AM PDT
“Less options” translates easily into “less choice.” And depending on how the merger, if approved, were to go down, consumers might see gates shrink and airlines disappear from certain ‘less popular’ airports.
       

What we’re reading: Transatlantic green flights, BA-Iberia done deal, new narrowbody planes
Posted: 09 Apr 2010 03:00 AM PDT
AA, Air France operate green flights, BA-Iberia inks deal for merger, Boeing, Airbus to redesign narrowbodies
       

The positive side of Spirit Air’s carry-on fees
Posted: 08 Apr 2010 08:30 AM PDT
Indeed the transformation of airline pricing will sting a few travelers. However, those stung, offer little if any value to an airline. Those most likely to be affected by these fees are the same travelers that scour the web for the lowest fare without regard to the concept of reciprocity.
       

iPad and the business traveler
Posted: 08 Apr 2010 07:30 AM PDT
How does this iPad help me a as a business traveler? I’m working on it. I honestly cannot come up with one good business reason to buy an iPad today. With the promise of more apps every day, I am sure a few killer business apps will find their way to the app store.