Frontier Airlines, one of the most well-known budget carriers in the United States, has announced that it will no longer offer phone service to customers who want to speak with a live agent. Most major airlines still offer customer service lines for their passengers. In recent years, low-cost carriers such as Frontier Airlines have become increasingly popular, offering passengers more affordable flight options than traditional airlines at the expense of certain services that are considered non-essential.

This move by Frontier Airlines will make it harder for customers who prefer speaking directly with an agent when making arrangements or having inquiries answered. As part of this new model, customers will now be required to utilize their web-based self-service platform or contact customer support via email instead.

It’s worth noting that even though many major airlines still maintain a customer service line for its passengers, these call centers are becoming less effective and efficient due to rising call volumes and limited resources. The average wait time on airline customer service lines can range anywhere from five minutes up to two hours depending on the time of day and how busy the call center is at any given moment.

For future flights booked through Frontier Airlines, customers must therefore adjust their expectations accordingly, using other available means like email or web self-help portals in order to resolve their issues as quickly as possible.

Overall, while cutting out phone service may lead some people feeling frustrated or overwhelmed, Frontier indicates this move will ultimately benefit its passengers by allowing them quicker access to answers about their journeys without having to wait on hold for long periods of time.

Countering an earlier rejection by Spirit Airlines of an offer to buy Spirit, JetBlue has launched a hostile takeover bid to motivate shareholders of the low-cost airline to reject a proposed acquisition by Frontier Airlines which has offered $2.9 billion. Read the rest of this entry »

Six out of every 1,000 checked bags in US airlines were reportedly lost, stolen, or mangled in the second half of 2021, according to the report conducted by LuggageHero.

The travel industry is back on track again and as the world slowly adapts and transitions to the “new normal,” more people across the globe are looking to travel this year.

But for all of the wonderful things travel’s return means for travelers, it also sages a return of mishandled luggage as a side effect of the surge. 

LuggageHero, a luggage storage service locator, annually produces a report highlighting the number of bags the airline lost and mishandled last year. According to the report, a total of 1,251,209 out of 220 million checked bags, or about 6 out of every 1,000 pieces of luggage pass through the airline’s hands. These figures, according to LuggageHero are 80.6% worse than the first half of 2021.

The report also indicates the best and the worst airlines in terms of travel baggage management. Envoy Air ranked worst followed by American Airlines. From July to December last year, the two airlines have reportedly lost and mishandled 9.04 and 8.62 bags per 1,000 luggage, respectively. 

Allegiant Air scores the highest in terms of safe baggage handling. For the past four years, the airline lost 1.85 bags only out of 1,000 in the second half of 2021. Allegiant Air is followed by Frontier Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines. 

December appears to be the worst month for your luggage’s chances of arriving at your destination with you, while September is the safest.

JetBlue (NASDAQ: JBLU) today confirmed it has submitted a proposal to the Board of Directors of Spirit (NYSE: SAVE) to acquire Spirit for $33 per share in cash, implying a fully diluted equity value of $3.6 billion. The proposal represents a premium of 52% to Spirit’s closing share price on April 4, 2022.

Frontier Airlines and Spirit Airlines announced plans to merge in February of this year. The competing offer by JetBlue would position the airline as the national low-fare challenger to the four large dominant U.S. carriers.

“Customers shouldn’t have to choose between a low fare and a great experience, and JetBlue has shown it’s possible to have both,” said Robin Hayes, JetBlue CEO. “When we grow and introduce our unique value proposition onto new routes, legacy carriers lower their fares and customers win with more choice. The combination of JetBlue and Spirit – coupled with the incredible benefits of our Northeast Alliance with American Airlines – would be a game-changer in our ability to deliver superior value on a national scale to customers, crewmembers, communities, and shareholders. The transaction would accelerate our strategic growth and create sustained, long-term value for the stakeholders in both companies.”

JetBlue Airways is the seventh-largest airline in North America by the number of passengers carried. JetBlue is headquartered in the New York City borough of Queens; and also maintains corporate operations in Florida and Utah.