Holiday air travel

Holiday air travel

Air travel traffic over the Labor Day holiday is expected to rise 3 percent compared with last year, to 14.2 million passengers, as airlines in the U.S. continue to add seats and upgrade aircraft during an era of industry prosperity and increased scrutiny.

During the seven-day Labor Day travel period, Sept. 2-8, the industry expects 2 million air travelers per day, about 59,000 more daily compared with last year. Friday, Sept. 4, is expected to be the busiest day for flying.

The group previously predicted an all-time high for summer air travel, and numbers so far show the industry is on pace to see that, said John Heimlich, chief economist for Airlines for America, the primary airline industry trade group in the U.S.

Geography quiz

Q. Which state would you travel to to visit Chimney Rock, an important landmark for pioneers?

A. Nebraska. Located near Bayard in the southwest part of the state, it was one of the most recognizable landmarks for those traveling the Oregon, California and Mormon trails.

Frontier replaces toll-free help line

Denver-based Frontier Airlines has replaced its toll-free customer service phone number with a regular toll-charge line.

The move mimics a 2013 decision by the ultra-low-cost carrier Spirit Airlines to save money by passing on to customers the cost of the phone calls.

Frontier’s move is no surprise considering that the same investors who for years financed Spirit bought Frontier Airlines in 2013 with plans to make it into the mirror image of Spirit.

Florida-based Spirit is known for super-low fares with a long menu of passenger fees, including a $10 charge to have an airport agent print out your boarding pass.

Why would Frontier want to follow Spirit’s example?

It’s probably because Spirit reported a profit margin of 21 percent in the most recent quarterly earnings, more than twice the average margin for the entire industry last year.

More airlines upselling ‘extras’

Upselling has become a major strategy for the airline industry.

Carriers grab your attention with a low fare but then try to sell you a roomier seat, early boarding privileges or a refundable ticket, among other extras.

A passenger rights group says Delta Air Lines has pushed the tactic to new levels by shaming travelers into buying expensive upgrades.

When you choose a basic economy fare on Delta’s website, the final page before you confirm the purchase now lists several restrictions you face if you buy the cheap ticket. It warns that you will be last to board and last to access overhead bin space. It says you will get no seat assignment, no refunds, no ticket changes, no early boarding and no stand-by travel changes.

Combined dispatches