FAA Shutdown Impact on Travelers

Due to inaction by the U.S. Congress, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reauthorization bill was not passed. As a result, the FAA began experiencing a partial shutdown at midnight on Friday, July 22, 2011.

However, it's important to note that only non-essential FAA employees are impacted. The FAA has indicated that this will not have any impact on flights or flight safety. Air traffic controllers will remain on the job (TSA employees, who are not part of the FAA, also remain on duty).

The biggest "impact" on consumers is that with no reauthorization, there is no authority to collect taxes on airfares except for airport fees. As of midnight Friday, airlines are no longer collecting taxes on airfares, and most believe that the FAA will not be able to retroactively collect those taxes. (Most airlines are using this as an opportunity to raise airfares without many consumers noticing the difference.)

Both ASTA and the Business Travel Coalition are raising the specter that some consumers may be due a refund if they are traveling during this non-tax period using tickets on which the taxes were already paid. The Air Transport Association estimates that the taxes on a $300 ticket would typically amount to $61.00.

Air New Zealand: Skycouch Economy

Comfort as unique as the country we call home.

The new Skycouch™, or ‘Cuddle Class’, is a specially-designed row of three seats that creates a lie-flat surface. Whether travelling with a loved one or with kids, you can stretch out, relax, play and sleep in this flexible space

• You are invited to experience our new planes on flights from London Heathrow to Auckland (via Los Angeles) starting April 2011.

Effects of Gov't Shutdown on Travel

Travelers may soon feel the effects of the government shutdown, especially in Washington D.C. The two main effects on travel will be the possibility of hundreds of thousands of people being turned away from national parks and government-run museums such as the Grand Canyon, Statue of Liberty, Smithsonian, National Zoo, as well as 400 other museums, monuments, and parks. Click here to view a full list of of the National Park Services facilities. The other issue regards passport and visa processing, which may halt should the government shutdown.

Travelers should be aware that all "essential" services will continue to operate, such as the Air Traffic Control, Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Customs and Border Protection. All travel to, from, and within the United States should continue to operate smoothly.

What Will Stay Open? What Will Close? via @HuffPost

Will I get paid? What will be open? What can I expect? via @WashingtonPost

Norwegian Cruise Line's New Air/Sea policy

Important Information Effective April 1, 2011

Norwegian Cruise Line announces an important change to our Air/Sea program. Effective April 1, 2011, roundtrip airport transfers will now be an optional add-on to the Air/Sea program and will no longer be included in Air/Sea rates. All other aspects of the program remain the same. Norwegian Cruise Line's Air/Sea packages, with flights on major carriers from more than 100 departure cities nationwide, allow guests to plan their entire cruise vacation with convenience and peace of mind. Guest benefits include: No advance purchase requirements. Payment for air tickets is not due until 75 days prior to sailing. Flexible terms. Changes can be made to the air reservations without penalty any time prior to final payment. Elite meet and greet service. A friendly Norwegian Cruise Line representative will meet guests outside of customs or in the baggage claim area, welcome them to town and direct guests to the transfer pickup area. Enroute flight monitoring service. Norwegian Cruise Line will monitor operating times for all Air/Sea flights and notify the ship and ground operator if delays occur. Should a situation arise requiring air to be deviated, the team at Norwegian Cruise Line will arrange it. For more information, please contact our Air/Sea department at premiumair@ncl.com.

The Best Flights Around

Tired of the hassle looking for an airline flight? Never know which travel site might provide the best data & even better deals? Irritated with all the windows that pop-up leading you through a maze of websites? Here's a two great resources we love!

Hipmunk
This newer site is quick, easy, & a fast favorite. It displays the flight information in a different format than other flight aggregating sites altogether & we're certainly not complaining! Simply enter where you're planning to take off from, arrive at, and when you want to leave and this handy website will show you all your options in an easy to read layout. Plus, click on a flight for detailed information or you can choose to sort the flight info by agony, price, stops, departure time, arrival time, & duration. Bonus! One of my favorite sites just posted an article on Hipmunk-- check it out!

Skyscanner
Similar (but no cigar!) to other flight search engines, this website is an alternative to Hipmunk. While it tends to display flight information similarly to the rest, it is quick, easy, and much less of a hassle. It also provides links to related information such as airlines that fly to a particular destination & airport locations.

Here's another great site-- the FAA Flight Delay Map. This map allows you to see where in the USA (or by region or airport) if there are delays or cancellations. The page is refreshed often & also provides the ability to check in with your airline to see if you're flight is affected or to check out the wait times at security checkpoints.

Great tips-- Helpful Phrases to Try at the Airport When Your Flight Has Been Canceled from Real Simple

To And From The Airport- Information on how to get there, estimated travel time, public transportation, private transfers, etc

Luggage Limits- With over 100 airlines, you're sure to find all the flight specific luggage information you'll ever need