All Zak Patten Content

• Reader Recommendations for Traveling With Kids
  October 3, 2008 10:57 am
  We recently ran a survey to find out what makes your family travels work best. The collective wisdom of our readers may just make your next family vacation more fun for everyone. read more
• Make Sure To Budget For 'Free' Infant-In-Lap Travel
  November 6, 2008 1:59 pm
  Babies under two years of age fly free on domestic flights, but U.S. airlines do charge for trips taken abroad. And the tickets can cost hundreds of dollars. read more
• Southwest to modify cattle-call boarding procedure
  June 26, 2008 5:09 pm
  Already in effect in San Antonio, Southwest is planning to add a new boarding system to the rest of its airports by early November. read more
• Are self-service airports in our future?
  June 26, 2008 5:09 pm
  According to a <em>Los Angeles Times</em> article, the unstaffed airport concept was "the big buzz among 300 airline and airport officials who gathered for a two-day conference" in Las Vegas. read more
• Luggage safety: A cautionary tale
  June 26, 2008 5:09 pm
  Those airport warnings about unattended luggage may help you feel safe from scary things in other people's bags, but what about protecting the nice things in your own? read more
• U.S. planes linked to China Airlines explosion
  June 26, 2008 5:09 pm
  All 165 people on the China Airlines 737 that exploded on Monday survived. But at least four previous incidents have been on U.S. airlines' 737's. read more
• The Best End-of-Summer Destinations
  August 20, 2007 10:41 am
  This gallery showcases readers' photos of sun-soaked canyons, icy glacial waters, a unique view of the Eiffel Tower, and much more. read more
• Lost luggage epidemic hits Europe's airports
  October 28, 2008 11:19 am
  Air carriers and airports on the Continent may be every bit as dysfunctional as our own, at least when it comes to handling your bags. read more
• TSA now screening large electronics separately
  June 26, 2008 5:09 pm
  The TSA has scaled back some of its stricter policies this summer, but because this rule is new and there are already enough people unfamiliar with the current requirements, slower lines may be the result. read more
• Europe may relax liquid carry-on restrictions
  June 26, 2008 5:09 pm
  The move looks like a positive development for anyone who plans to fly through Europe, though it may not feel so positive for EU customs officials, whose liquor supplies will surely dwindle. read more
• Oh snap! Get your travel photos published
  June 26, 2008 5:09 pm
  We want to capture images of your top end-of-summer destinations. We'll pick our favorites and publish them in a photo gallery. read more
• TSA rolls back bans on cigarette lighters, breast milk
  June 26, 2008 5:09 pm
  According to the TSA, repealing the prohibition is "a common sense, risk-based security decision," which will allow inspectors to find more dangerous items like explosives. read more
• American launches DealFinder desktop tool
  June 26, 2008 5:09 pm
  Essentially an add-on to American's site that allows you to personalize your experience, DealFinder is a useful application for AAdvantage members and those who fly American extensively. read more
• 'Revolutionary' 787 Dreamliner debuts
  June 26, 2008 5:09 pm
  If Boeing's 787 Dreamliner, which debuted this past Friday, lives up to its hype, the question "Did you have a nice flight?" can be once again asked without sarcasm. read more
• Another airline charging for better coach seats
  June 26, 2008 5:09 pm
  AirTran now allows passengers to choose their seats at the time of booking for a fee. Is this a convenience worth paying for or just another instance of industry nickel-and-diming? read more
• Railpass.com offers 30-day unlimited passes
  June 26, 2008 5:09 pm
  Those of us who have backpacked in Europe know the romantic image of train travel can be a reality, at least on the Continent. But are we ready to ride North America's rails? read more
• Photo Gallery: Top New England Beaches
  June 6, 2007 11:40 am
  New England, with its picturesque colonial villages and maritime history, is replete with countless beaches. And though water temperatures are chilly, the region's beach destinations present something for everyone. read more
• Nearly a third of all flights delayed in early 2007
  June 26, 2008 5:09 pm
  Only 72 percent of all domestic flights arrived on time in the first four months of 2007. Without any real pressure from dissatisfied passengers, the situation is unlikely to get better soon. read more
• Keeping baby safe while traveling
  June 26, 2008 5:09 pm
  Making sure that babies sleep safely is enough to keep any new parent up at night. And travel, which jolts families into unfamiliar surroundings, can add to those fears. Here are some safe-sleeping tips to put your mind at ease. read more
• Airline profits up, customer service down
  June 26, 2008 5:09 pm
  With major U.S. airlines floating in and out of bankruptcy for years, travelers have had to downgrade their expectations accordingly. Now the airlines are back in the black, but the "friendly skies" are still nowhere in sight. read more
• American breaks pledge, holds passengers eight hours
  June 26, 2008 5:09 pm
  A bad storm led American to hold a plane twice what its stated time limit seemed to indicate. The experience has left bitter customers clamoring for a passenger bill of rights. read more
• Southwest hikes fares, others follow
  June 26, 2008 5:09 pm
  Southwest is at it again. The Dallas-based low-cost carrier skipped a recent round of fare increases, but is now adding a dollar or two to the cost of each ticket, depending on miles flown. read more
• New low-cost airline Skybus plans May launch and $10 fares
  June 26, 2008 5:09 pm
  Budget travelers in the U.S. will have a new option in less than a month, as Skybus has announced its intention to take to the skies on May 22. read more
• Check foreign airlines' safety ratings before booking
  September 28, 2009 10:30 am
  Sunday's New York Times addresses the safety issues surrounding airlines based in poorer countries and details three useful websites for researching which carriers have good safety records and which are best avoided. read more
• Threats of higher fares cloud passenger bill of rights
  June 26, 2008 5:09 pm
  It should be no surprise that opponents of the proposed airline passenger bill of rights are resorting to fear-mongering in their fight with travelers who are trying to get some protection in writing. But do the arguments against the bill have any merit? read more
• Climate-conscious travelers find new tools
  June 26, 2008 5:09 pm
  More and more travelers are thinking about the environmental effects of their globe-trotting and are buying carbon offsets to balance things out. read more
• Most airlines see ratings fall for 2006
  June 26, 2008 5:09 pm
  USA Today has reported a third straight year of decline in the Airline Quality Ratings. The ratings show that 16 of 18 U.S. carriers saw performance fall, and three of four categories showed worse industrywide numbers than in 2005. read more
• Fares up across the board
  June 26, 2008 5:09 pm
  It seems the usual reasons of "rising maintenance and labor costs, and jet fuel prices" led American, Continental, Delta, Northwest, and United to jack up their prices last week. read more
• JetBlue to test refundable business travel fares
  June 26, 2008 5:09 pm
  JetBlue, darling of the budget-minded leisure traveler, has taken another step toward the lucrative business travel market. The low-cost airline plans to test the sale of refundable tickets with the added benefit of a guaranteed aisle or window seat. read more
• Airbus seeks U.S. buyers for world's biggest airplane
  June 26, 2008 5:09 pm
  When it comes to airplanes, does size matter? Airbus apparently thinks so. The France-based aircraft manufacturer's 239-foot A380, the largest passenger plane in the world, is on display for potential buyers in the U.S. read more
• Will airline computer bugs infest your next trip?
  June 26, 2008 5:09 pm
  From JetBlue's software problems to US Airways' continuing reservation-system woes, the traveling public is suffering from airlines' inability to roll out functional systems. read more
• Travels in the 'secret' Switzerland
  March 7, 2007 2:31 pm
  Beyond Zurich, Geneva, and St. Moritz, there are many lesser-known, but equally rewarding Swiss destinations. read more
• Flying to Florida's best beaches
  January 24, 2007 12:32 pm
  Some of the hottest beaches are not far from airports served by low-cost carriers. read more
• High mountains with low lift prices
  January 10, 2007 2:19 pm
  Head to one of these resorts, where it still costs less than $50 to ski all day. read more
• Value-packed winter festivals
  January 3, 2007 5:54 pm
  Celebrate the cold with ice sculptures in Alaska, dog sledding in Quebec, and more. read more
• Our top bargain and off-peak destinations this winter
  December 27, 2006 3:47 pm
  You can find everything from ski slopes to sandy beaches in these 10 special places. read more
• Holiday celebrations from coast to coast
  December 21, 2006 12:43 am
  These images capture the range and diversity of seasonal festivities. read more
• Experience Park City, the ideal American ski town
  June 26, 2008 5:09 pm
  With an outdoor-friendly atmosphere, three huge resorts, and great snow conditions, Park City is a place where skiers and riders of all abilities and interests will thrive. read more

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