Why You Should Expect More Delays On American Airlines

On Monday, the U.S. Department of Transportation released a report, Aviation Industry Performance: A Review of the Aviation Industry, 2008-2011, that outlines some of the major trends in the airline business over the past few years, including challenges and successes, and concludes that as a result of less competition and high fuel costs, travelers are facing fewer flight options, higher fares, and an increase in fees for services that were once included in the price of a ticket. Some of the report’s findings include: FUEL COSTS REMAIN VOLATILE Fuel costs have risen sharply over the past decade and remain volatile. While fuel accounted for about 10 percent of airline operating costs in 2002, it reached 40 percent in 2008, a high point. Over the past year, fuel prices have been extremely volatile, reaching 35 percent of operating costs in 2011, when U.S. airlines spent $31 billion for fuel, three times the amount spent in 2000. 51 AIRLINES FILED FOR BANKRUPTCY SINCE 2000 Both major airlines and regional airlines have faced financial strain, with a decline in air travel due to the recession. Since 2000, 51 passenger and cargo airlines have filed for bankruptcy, but the pace has slowed in recent years. AIRLINE MERGERS SPELL FEWER FLIGHTS FOR SMALLER MARKETS Airline mergers and consolidations have had a significant impact on the industry. In 2000, 10 airlines accounted for about 90 percent of U.S. airline capacity. By 2012, five airlines controlled about 85 percent. If U.S. Airways successfully merges with American Airlines, the number would drop to four. This has helped increase profitability by cutting costs. The report sites the example of the merger of Delta and Northwest, which reduced hub operations in Cincinnati by 63 percent and in Memphis by 36 percent. As a result, Americans who live in smaller markets and rural areas have less access to commercial flights than they once did. AIRLINES HAVE INCREASED REVENUE BY INCREASING FARES Airlines have increased revenue by increasing fares. Fares have increased in part because the number of available flights have decreased, but it’s interesting to note that the report refers to the airlines’ “attempts” to increase fares: A fare increase is considered successful only if competitor airlines also adopt the higher fare. In 2012, for instance, airlines have attempted eight fare increases and four of them have been successful. AIRLINES ARE CHARGING FOR SERVICES THAT USED TO BE FREE Airlines have also increased revenue by introducing new fees. We’ve all been talking about this one, of course—some services like checking baggage, selecting seats, food, and blankets, which used to be included in the price of a ticket, now come with a fee attached. Baggage fees alone contributed $2.7 billion in revenue to the airlines in 2011. How have you been affected by fewer flights, higher fares, and increasing fees? Do you think that airline travelers require new consumer protection? —Robert Firpo–Cappiello MORE FROM BUDGET TRAVEL 11 Surprisingly Lovable Airlines 4 Most Common Reasons Airlines Lose Luggage What's Your Biggest Pet Peeve When You Fly?

When you are setting your vacation budget, it's easy to overlook taxes as you calculate airfare and hotel rates and even reasonably priced restaurants. But a recent report may have you adding them to the budget. The Global Business Travel Association published a report exposing the average amount of taxes travelers pay per day in 50 popular cities by factoring in local sales tax as well as taxes on car rentals, hotel stays, and meals. The most expensive cities for taxes are not a huge surprise—Chicago ($40.31 per day), New York ($37.98 per day), and Boston ($34.83 per day). Other cities in the top 10 include Minneapolis, Seattle, and Cleveland (not cities you would think of as pricy), where travelers also pay around $34 per day in taxes. The good news, especially if you are planning a beach vacation, is that the three least expensive locations were the coastal Florida towns of Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, and West Palm Beach, where taxes were calculated at $22.21 per day (Orlando was the other Florida city on the low–end, with taxes of $24.50 per day). Portland, Oregon, was also in the lowest bracket with taxes around $22 a day, $12 cheaper than its Pacific Northwest buddy Seattle. Would high local taxes make you change your mind about a destination? Let us know! MORE FROM BUDGET TRAVEL: 6 Simple Questions that Will Save You Money on Travel 7 Common Expenses that Take Travelers By Surprise How to Pay for Your Vacation

It’s time to face a sad but true fact: Summer’s over! Hurricane season is in full swing, temperatures are dropping, and we’re desperate for some great bad weather tips. So where better to look than our most trusted tip advisers: our readers! Here are seven of your favorite ways to handle autumn’s cold, wind, and rain: •Even if you don't wear shower caps while bathing, it's a good idea to save the disposable ones that come free in your hotel room. They're great for covering your camera during rain showers.—Joseph Chan, Davis, Calif. •When carrying around my small umbrella, I put it in a Ziploc bag. After using it, I can put the umbrella back in the Ziploc and into my shoulder bag without getting everything else wet.—Sandy Sussman, Princeton, N.J. •Ever wonder what to do with a soaking wet umbrella when you're shopping or going to the theater? Slide it into one of those clear plastic bags that your newspaper is delivered in. I keep a stash of the bags in my purse for precisely this purpose.—Jerilyn Zust, Lakewood, Ohio •Safety pins are perfect for keeping a tear from being obvious, holding a broken zipper shut, or fastening a scarf in high wind. I attach them to the underside of suit–jacket lapels, and that way I can access them anytime. (It's a good idea to wait until after you arrive, so you don't get stuck in airport security.)—Michael McCaffery, Marshfield, Wis. •My girlfriend and I went to Jamaica during hurricane season, figuring the cheap tickets would be worth the risk. Sure enough, a hurricane hit. Luckily, our resort had a generator, which supplied power throughout the storm, so we still had a wonderful vacation. Now when we plan a trip to a hurricane–prone area, we always ask the hotel if there's a generator on the premises.—Christopher Schubert, Staten Island, N.Y. •I thought Keen all–terrain shoes were a little funny–looking, what with the rubber strip extending over the toe, but I wanted a shoe with lots of ventilation for a recent trip to Europe. There was nothing funny about them when we were tromping through Rome in a thunderstorm and I was the only one with dry feet. I couldn't have been happier, and everyone on the trip was envious.—Kathy Reilly, Sacramento, Calif. •I went camping recently, and the weather was unexpectedly freezing. To stay warm at night, my friends and I placed rocks around the campfire for a few hours, and when it was time for bed, we wrapped the hot rocks in towels and each put one at the bottom of our sleeping bags. The rocks kept us toasty warm until the next morning!—Lea Bishop, San Diego, Calif. Did we miss any of your favorites? Share your favorite bad weather tips in the comments below! MORE FROM BUDGET TRAVEL Prepping For Hurricane Season Hurricane Safety Tips Storm–Free Caribbean Islands During Hurricane Season

A few weeks ago, I asked you what your favorite plane snacks were and 24 of you responded with some smart suggestions than ran the gambit from the type of snacks that are best in transit to savvy tips for keeping those edibles fresh. Can I just say how impressed I was by how healthy your suggestions were? Not a single person recommended potato chips (kale chips did come up a couple of times, though). Here were my favorites suggestions—plus, some handy ideas for how to package your goodies for the road. The snack: Cheese (Brie, pecorino romano, gouda), dried fruit like cranberries and apricots, and nuts, grapes, and crackers. Why I love this: First of all, who doesn't love cheese? It's savory, satisfying, and unless you're bringing one of those super-smelly varieties on the plane, it's not so odiferous as to upset your neighbors. Nuts and dried fruits also last, package, and travel very well, not to mention provide a sustaining snack. The snack: Cream cheese on a bagel with some fruit of choice. Why I love this: Bagels are high in fiber and carbohydrates, which means that they will keep you feeling full for a long time. And because carbohydrates stimulate serotonin production, they can help lessen anxiety and promote sleep. Make it an even healthier snack by choosing a whole wheat bagel, which has more fiber than its white counterpart. The snack: Oranges. They are protected by the peel, and are instantly refreshing. Put a few (unpeeled) in a ziplock bag with a paper towel and you have a place to put the peels and wipe your hands (or your kids) if it is juicy! Why I love this: Not only is it a refreshing snack, but it's jam-packed with Vitamin C which provides a nice boost to the immune system at a time when you need it most (yes, airplanes are a breeding ground for germs, but a strong immune system will keep you healthy). The snack: Sturdy, raw vegetables like celery, carrots, broccoli, asparagus and cauliflower with a nut butter, hummus or salsa dip. Why I love this: They're low in calories, almost completely odor-free, and bursting with vitamins. Eating these veggies regularly will keep you super-healthy in the long term, but in the short term they'll help with digestion and keep your immune system healthy, which, as we discussed above, is a desired trait in any snack that's designed for air travel. Just make sure that your dip conforms to the TSA's 3-1-1 rules for liquids (or that you buy it once you're past security) or it'll be confiscated at the gate. The snack: Instant oatmeal packets, just ask for cup of hot water from flight attendant. Why I love this: It's a hot snack that you don't have to pay through the nose for, it's incredibly transportable, and it's high in fiber and protein that will keep your tummy feeling full for hours. Mix in some trail mix to make it more interesting. The snack: Kale chips Why I love this: Kale is bursting with vitamins A, C, K, and antioxidants. Yes, it's also full of the oil that was used to cook it, but it's a way healthier snack than a big bag of potato chips. Plus: 4 Savvy Tips for Keeping Snacks Fresh: Cut sandwiches in half and wrap separately to keep them fresh in case you decide you don't want the whole thing at once. Make sandwiches with a kind of bread that won't get soggy easily. Jason recommends sprouted grain bread. I also like baguettes for that reason. If you bring a sandwich, pack frozen grapes as well to keep cool and to provide a refreshing snack. You should buy wipes that fit in your handbag, as well as extra zip lock bag (or two) to put all of your trash in. SEE MORE FROM BUDGET TRAVEL: 30 Irresistible Photos of Fall at Its Best 10 Coolest Small Towns in America 2012 Nonstop Flights Increasingly Make Unplanned Stops