Armchair Pilot: change your travel dates without fees

by Nancy Hogland

AirTrans Airways will be encouraging travelers to get out of the snow and into the fun this winter by offering special one-day deals on flights from Branson to several Florida destinations. The tickets can be used thru March 3 but must be purchased on the day of the sale. To be notified when those “special deals” are offered, sign up at flybranson.com.

U.S. airline passengers won a major victory last month when the Transportation Department announced a rule to allow passengers stuck inside stranded planes to disembark after three hours. The rule takes effect in late April and applies only to domestic flight and contains exceptions for safety or security or when air-traffic controllers notify a pilot in command that returning to a terminal would disrupt airport operations. However, the regulation comes with enforcement teeth. Airlines could be fined up to $27,500 per passenger for each violation of the three-hour limit. Currently, the Transportation Department issues fines for tarmac delays on a case-by-case basis.

Stuck in the snow? Some airlines have adopted new policies that allow air travelers to change travel dates without fees when flights are cancelled or delayed by winter weather. Some airlines have additional criteria that must be met. The site suggests checking online with the individual carrier for more information.

Southwest Airlines has added 65 roundtrip flights and eliminated 24 for its summer 2010 schedule which runs May 9 to Aug. 13. Many of the new flights will depart from St. Louis. Some include service to Panama City, Florida’s new airport scheduled to open this year and Nashville, Houston Hobby, Baltimore-Washington and Orlando.
Frequent flyers on Southwest Airlines can now take advantage of a special application for iPhones. The app provides access to the airline’s limited-time only air fare deals. Visit southwest.com for details.