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Like all airlines, Southwest does charge for certain types of luggage. But of course, they have their own allowances and restrictions. If you are going to be flying Southwest in the near future, you will want to know what you can check free of charge and what you will have to pay for. This will allow you to better plan the way that you pack for your trip.

Southwest allows each passenger to check two bags free of charge. Most airlines only allow one bag for free, so as you can see, Southwest is definitely going above and beyond.

If you need to check a third bag you will be charged a fee of $25. For bags four through nine, a fee of $50 will be charged. Anything over this limit is assessed a fee of $110 per piece.

Additionally, there are both weight and size allowances that you need to be aware of. For instance, a bag that weighs less than 50 pounds and is smaller than 62 inches will not be charged a fee. But a bag between 51 and 70 pounds will only be accepted for a charge of $25.

The more you know about Southwest’s luggage policies and fees the better off you will be when flying this airline.

 photo credit: Ack Ook

If you are flying United Airlines and need to check heavy baggage, there is a good chance that you are going to be charged an overweight fee. Of course, this depends mainly on the weight of the luggage you are checking and your flying status.

Generally speaking, if you are flying as a normal passenger you can check one bag, up to 50 pounds, free of charge. If you belong to one of United’s frequent flying programs, such as Star Alliance Gold or Premier Associate, you will be able to check a heavier bag, up to 100 pounds, without being charged an additional fee.

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Do you want to catch a nap on the plane? It will cost you!

It was announced on Monday that JetBlue Airways customers will now be charged for pillows and blankets. The company will offer an eco-friendly travel blanket and pillow for $7 on flights two hours or longer.

The blanket and pillow sets are just another of JetBlue’s recently charges to try to offset the rising cost of jet fuel. Customers can also purchase seats with extra leg room, which are expect to generate $50 million to the carrier in 2008. Additionally, there is a $15 fee for a second checked bag, translating into $20 million in revenue, plus a $100 ticket change fee, which should produce another $50 million in revenue this year.

Who knows how long the nickel and diming of airline customers will continue. But as long as fuel prices continue to rise airlines will try to find ways to recoup some of their costs. People are already cutting back on air travel. If prices continue to skyrocket, eventually many vacationers may turn away from air travel altogether, choosing to stay closer to home instead.

One plus is that JetBlue says the blanket and pillow kit will also come with a $5 coupon to Bed Bath & Beyond.

As airlines try to squeeze more profits out of flights, and gas prices continue to rise, and consumers use internet price comparison services, things are going to get a lot tougher on the airlines with a new DOT Rule. According to the DOT consumers who are bumped because of overbooking are now entitled to a compensation:
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In a ruling that overthrows previous airline policies, Canada-based carriers are required to eliminate their “one person, one fare” policies.

From now on, if clinically obese or disabled travelers require transportation attendants or more than one airline seat, Canadian airlines are no longer allowed to charge them extra, says the Canadian Transportation Authority. Within the next calendar year, Air Canada, Air Canada Jazz, and WestJet will be required to enact this new policy.

The reason for the ruling is simple: after The Council of Canadians with Disabilities and two individuals filed a complain in 2002, it was ruled that it is discriminatory for a carrier to charge double fares. But this new policy will affect the airlines: Air Canada is estimated to lose $6.93 million per year and WestJet $1.48 million.

However, it was decided that these losses are far easier for the airline to absorb than the travel-limiting double-fare policy that has previously been placed on disabled or obese individuals. Says Jadrino Hout, spokesman for The Council of Canadians with Disabilities, “It’s not a personal preference (of the traveler). It’s not a matter of discomfort. It’s a matter of need.”

With this ruling, things could change in other industries as well. Buses, trains and ferries have long had a “one person, one fare” policy in place.

Stay on their good side, or you may find yourself:

• Getting additional security screening. Some ticket agents can highlight certain tickets for secondary security screening. This means you go through one-on-one screening with a security guard. This is rare, but apparently it happens.
• Paying higher fees, Often, if your bag is a little heavier or larger than it should be, a ticket agent will let it slide. Annoy her and she’s going to enforce those fees.
• Looking for your luggage. The ticket agent tags your bag with the information about where you’re going. A mistagged bag can get lost in transit.
• Missing your flight. Airline ticket agents can delay you at their line.
• Losing your chosen seats. On most airlines these days, you can choose your seats. However, the ticket agent can change your seat at his/her discretion. If you don’t want a seat in the evacuation lane or next to the airplane bathroom, you might not want to annoy your agent.

More here.

(Photo via flickr cc

It’s not always the baggage handlers’ fault. Sometimes your bags are lost because of

• Technology problems: Sometimes those conveyor belts taking your luggage from the terminal to the plane jam.
• Flight problems I: Sometimes a flight is too full to hold everybody’s bags and yours get put on a later plane.
• Flight problems II: Missed connections. When the time between your flights is brief, your bags might not make it on to the second plan–even if you do. Leaving yourself more time between flights.
• Human error: And it’s not just the handlers, who may be at fault. A fellow passenger might mistake your bag for his and carry it off before you even get to the carousel.

(Photo via flickr cc)

Google has added a feature to its search engine that allows you to track flights and check arrival times. You’ll need to know what airline the flight is on and what the actual flight number is. Then you just input that information into your normal Google search. The first result to come up will be a status report on the flight. You can easily tell before you leave your home or office whether you need to be rushing or you can take your time in getting to the airport.

Of course, you’ve been able to check flight status online for some time. In fact, Google’s information comes directly from FlightStats, a site that has been available for awhile now. But being able to pop the information directly into Google should save you a little bit of time. Who couldn’t use a little bit more time for other things?

Following our story on finding romance at the airport earlier this week comes a story about in flight speed dating. Sky Europe will enable you and other relationship challenged passengers to mingle for 5 minutes speed dating style while flying to your destination. Results of any potential matches will be mailed to you a few days after your dating session. They also offer extended packages which allow you go on guided tours with people from your speed dating sessions. Good if you find someone interesting, awkward if you meet Mr Psycho Creepy Stalker.

Trips do have to be booked in advance and currently are only offered to Italy, Portugal, Belgium and the Netherlands.

http://www.skydate.eu/v1.0/uk/home/home.php

The much-anticipated Airbus A380 lifted up on her first commercial flight last month, when Singapore Airlines flight 380 departed Singapore’s Changi Airport bound for Sydney, Australia. Read the full story