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Air France Offers a Class Between Economy and Business
by Ed Perkins
Air France's Premium Voyager offers 40 percent more room, but you pay 100 percent more for your seat. Ed Perkins explains why shelling out the cash may be better than the alternative.
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United's Baggage Subscription Could Save You Money
by Ed Perkins
While you may scoff at United's $249 yearly baggage subscription, seniors, families, and frequent flyers should take a closer look. Ed Perkins explains how this fee can work for you.
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Airline Fees: The Ultimate Guide
by SmarterTravel.com Staff
Two dollars for a soda? Ten bucks for an aisle seat? If you're confused about which airlines are charging for which "perks," our Ultimate Guide to Airline Fees can help. We've put every major fee from every major airline in one place.
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Airline Fees: The Ultimate Guide (Europe Edition)
by Jaclyn Liechti, SmarterTravel.com Staff
In response to reader requests, we decided to put together a chart detailing fees for trips to and around Europe.
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United's 'Premier' Packages Aim to Increase Coach Comforts
by Ed Perkins
Do United's mini-upgrade deals offer coach passengers a better flight? Ed Perkins weighs the pros and cons of packages that feature special seats and check-in, among other perks.
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United's New Credit Cards Offer Unique Benefits
by Ed Perkins
United has three new credit cards that offer extra mileage and extra benefits for frequent travelers. But are the high annual fees worth the bonuses?
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Ten Rules for Hassle-Free Flying
by Ed Perkins
Top 10 rules for an easier flying experience: Number one, should you be flying if travel can be accomplished by other means? What lies in the other nine rules?
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Oversized on United? Buy a Second Ticket
by Ed Perkins
If you're too big for a regular coach seat, you'll need two seats. Ed Perkins explains United's definition of "too big," and which other airlines have similar policies.
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United to Discount Its Luxury 'Travel Options'
by Tim Winship
For a limited time, United customers can sample Economy Plus, Door-to-Door Baggage service, and Red Carpet Lounge visits at discounted rates.
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Can the Airline Take Away My Assigned Aisle Seat?
by Ed Perkins
How much of a guarantee is your confirmed seat assignment? Ed Perkins explains that seats are lost when planes change. Luckily for us, our columnist also offers some solutions.
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Most Readers Favor Making Obese Flyers Buy Two Seats
by Molly Feltner, SmarterTravel.com Staff
Last week, SmarterTravel.com asked readers to voice their opinions on an incendiary topic: whether or not obese airline passengers should be required to pay extra to fly.
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Some Airlines Make Obese Passengers Buy Two Seats
by David Landsel, Airfarewatchdog.com
Every pound counts as more carriers charge for all checked luggage. Some also have policies to charge obese passengers extra. Find out which carriers have customers-of-size policies.
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Is premium economy worth the price?
by Ed Perkins
Premium-economy air service is a good idea for the minority of travelers willing to pay a bit more for an improvement over today's main cabin.
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How to score the best seats in economy
by Jessica Labrencis, SmarterTravel.com Staff
Not all seats are created equal. Here are some tips from SeatGuru to help you snag those with extra legroom.
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Delta to unveil roomier coach seats
by Molly Feltner, SmarterTravel.com Staff
It's not all mergers with Delta these days, at least not according to the numerous bloggers who've been reporting that the airline plans to debut comfy new seats in coach.
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Coming soon to a plane near you: The Big Squeeze
by Tim Winship
Empty seats, and the elbow room they provide, are in scarce supply. And flights, already full, will be even more so.
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Enjoy 'near premium' seating in coach
by Ed Perkins
A few airlines offer optional extra-room coach seats—notably United, with its Economy Plus option—but JetBlue is unique in that its extra-roomy seats cost just an extra $10 to $20.
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JetBlue to start charging for legroom
by Sarah Pascarella, SmarterTravel.com Staff
The new tagline for the extra-charge seats is "even more legroom," but the end result is that many passengers will find they actually have less legroom.
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The Golden Age of Travel? Let's hope not!
by Tim Winship
If this is the Golden Age of Travel, as one New York Times blogger suggests, then I'll take the bad old days.
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'Hell on Wings': Readers tell us about flying in 2007
by Molly Feltner, SmarterTravel.com Staff
Overall, your ratings presented a gloomy impression of the current state of air travel, but your comments painted a more distressing picture, a collective feeling of helplessness and anger.
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For airlines (but not for flyers), 2007 was a very good year
by Tim Winship
After a five-year slump, the airlines are on the verge of a rebound. But their customers see no light at the end of the tarmac.
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Welcome to coach, 'the ninth circle of hell'
by Tim Winship
Flying in coach is an exercise in frustration and discomfort. Given the airlines' perception of their customers' priorities, there's no improvement in sight.
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Will Virgin America Trump JetBlue and Southwest?
by Tim Winship
Frequent flyers are wondering whether Virgin America will change the travel landscape. Tim Winship gives his take on how this new airline measures up to its competitors.
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Roomier seats coming to the U.K.
by Tim Winship
While there's been little movement by the airline industry toward a more comfortable coach class seat, one U.K. carrier could jump-start progress.
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Why 'airline comfort' is an oxymoron, and is likely to remain so
by Tim Winship
As airlines reported sky-high third quarter profits, their customers endured long lines and cramped flights. Travelers can expect more of the same.
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AirTran offers its best seats for a price
by Erica Silverstein, SmarterTravel.com Staff
Ever spend hours in a cramped middle seat and think, "I would pay anything for more comfort on this airplane?" With AirTran, you could pay as little as $7.50 to $140 for a better seat.
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Navigating the ever-changing airline landscape
by Ed Perkins
Skybus continues to expand its travel map, Virgin America promises to start flying by "mid-summer," and Midwest gets rid of all-premium seating.
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Another airline charging for better coach seats
by Zak Patten, SmarterTravel.com Staff
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?
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Overseas low-fare airline options: What's available?
by Ed Perkins
Low-fare services on overseas long-haul routes have been lacking, but that situation is changing. Here's a rundown of the airlines bringing low-fare competition to intercontinental routes.
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Finding the 'least worst' coach seats
by Ed Perkins
Clearly, fare and schedule often drive your airline choice. But where you have options, selecting a less-cramped seat can make a big difference, especially on a long flight.
