Sky Talk

Baggage by the numbers

After this week's American Airlines baggage problems at JFK Airport in New York, we took a look at how the major airlines stack up in regards to baggage handling. According to the DOT, American had the worst record in May, the most recent month available, with 5.82 bags delayed, lost or damaged for every 1,000 passengers. AirTran had the best record for the month, with 2.78 bags mishandled.

We included the numbers with a story in this morning's Star-Telegram on how new baggage check fees may be increasing customer expectations when it comes to how well airlines handle luggage. (Keep reading this post for the full story.)

It is worth noting that overall, the numbers are quite low. Even on American, more than 99 percent of bags were transported with no problems in May.

Still, it's a major headache if you're among the unlucky ones who finds themselves far from home without their suitcase.

- Trebor Banstetter

American's JFK baggage-handling system back up

American Airlines’ baggage handling system at a Kennedy Airport terminal is up and running again, a day after a software glitch caused dozens of delays, cancellations and luggage pileup at ticket counters, The Associated Press reports.

Andrea Huguely, an American spokeswoman, told The AP that the system was back up by 6 a.m. Thursday. American cancelled six flights scheduled to depart from JFK on Thursday morning.

The malfunction on Wednesday led to five cancellations and delays on 48 flights out of Terminal 8, one of the newer buildings at JFK. Huguely told The AP that technicians had diagnosed the problem by Wednesday evening and were testing it through early morning Thursday. She told The AP that crews are working to get luggage onto flights and back to their owners.

The airline is working to get hundreds of stranded bags back to travellers, Bloomberg News quoted airline spokesman John Hotard as saying Thursday. “We’re clearing the backlog of baggage,” Hotard said. “It’s in the hundreds of bags.”

Hotard told Bloomberg that the airline's 67 JFK departures were delayed 30 minutes to two hours Wednesday. A few delays have occurred Thursday, Bloomberg reported.

The airline waived its $15 fee to check a bag and $25 fee to check a second bag for flights affected by the baggage-system problem, Bloomberg reported. Most of its departures from Kennedy are international flights, which are exempt from the fees. American also waived charges to change a reservation for flights into and out of Kennedy yesterday and today.

Here's WNBC video from JFK Wednesday and again this morning.

-- Scott Nishimura

United will charge $25 to check second bag

United Airlines said Monday it will start charging some passengers $25 to check a second piece of luggage, Bloomberg News reported. United said it will apply the charge to customer who buy nonrefundable domestic economy tickets and aren't members of United's frequent flier program or similiar plan at a United partner carrier, Bloomberg said. The policy takes effect May 5 on flights within the United States, Canada and parts of the Caribbean.

-- Scott

Trying to not lose your bag

The Airport Authority of Hong Kong began using those electronic bag tags in hopes of losing less luggage, Bloomberg News is reporting.

It's something that airlines in the U.S. are slow to adopt. But, if the RFID tags were implemented throughout the industry, airports and airlines could save $760 million a year, the airport authority told Bloomberg, citing a study from the International Air Transport Association, which represents airlines around the world.

About 90 percent of the luggage going out of Hong Kong's airport, the 3rd-busiest in Asia, are being tracked by the electronic tags, which send out a radio signal that allows them to be tracked. Most bags are still tracked with bar codes, which are read at various points as they wind their way through the maze of airport baggage chutes.

The only problem with bar codes on bags is the bags can't be easily found if they fall out of the chute system for some reason.

-David

Airlines might have to disclose data on complaints

US airlines would be required to disclose data on passenger complaints and how often flights are late, under proposed rules aimed at curbing delays and improving service, Bloomberg News reports.

-- Scott

AA implements holiday restrictions on Latin bags

American Airlines and American Eagle are implementing their annual baggage restrictions for travel to and from certain cities in Latin America, Mexico, and Caribbean. Baggage will be limited to two checked items and one carry-on, and checked boxes are prohibited. The restictions will be in place Dec. 1-Jan. 10.

"American and American Eagle's intent is to provide the best customer service possible and to consider the needs of all passengers," said Peter Dolara, senior vice president-Miami, the Caribbean and Latin America. "There are limits on the amount of baggage that can be carried in the cabin and cargo areas based on the size of the aircraft."

The rules apply to: Barranquilla, Cali, and Medellin, Colombia; Maracaibo, Venezuela; La Paz and Santa Cruz, Bolivia; Quito, Ecuador; San Salvador; San Pedro Sula and Tegucigalpa, Honduras; Kingston, Jamaica; Port-au-Prince, Haiti; Puerto Plata, Santiago, and Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic; and Guadalajara and Mexico City, Mexico. The rules also apply to American Eagle flights to and from San Juan, Puerto Rico.

"Excess, oversize, and overweight baggage will not be accepted for flights to the destinations covered by the bag embargo," American said.

Checked bags will be limited to 50 pounds apiece, and 62 linear inches (add the length, width, and height). The carry-on is limited to 40 pounds and 45 linear inches. "In addition, one personal item such as a purse or briefcase is allowed. Sports equipment, such as golf bags, bikes and surfboards, may be checked as part of the total checked-bag allowance, although additional charges may apply."

-- Scott

'Can I get your bags?'

Southwest Airlines announced this morning it's offering a new baggage service to cruise-goers in Florida who are using the discount carrier to get back home.

You can now check your airline bags and get a boarding pass at the seaport as you get off the cruise ship. The bags are taken by a company called Bags to Go Enterprises in a secured vehicle that was pre-screened by the TSA.

The service costs $20 per person and will allow for up to three checked bags.

But there are some small restrictions:

• Only good for flights departing after 12 p.m.
• Bags must be presented at least three hours before departure.
• Available only at the Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood Airport for cruise travelers arriving at the Port of Miami and Port Everglades.

Southwest said it also offers the Bags to Go service in Las Vegas at the Venetian and Luxor hotels, the Las Vegas Convention Center and the airport's rental-car center.

"Off-site check-in is a growing trend in the airline industry," said Laura Adams, the airline's director of central baggage services.

-David

AA launches international curbside check-in in Miami

American is beginning curbside check-in for international travelers at Miami International Airport. That's a big deal for many overseas passengers, given the extra-large suitcases that are often lugged to faraway destinations.

American officials said that if the Miami initiative is successful, it will probably be replicated at other airports, including D/FW, but there are no concrete plans at the moment.

- Trebor

Flying to Europe? Check your bags and go light

The Association of European Airlines is advising passengers to avoid checking bags if possible, and go with carry-ons instead, due to high traffic and baggage snafus at airports, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

-- Scott

Share your travel disruption story!

Have a great story to tell about a disruption to your travel plans this summer? Share it! The Star-Telegram invites its readers to vent, or tell us about the great job your travel provider -- airline, hotel, etc. -- did in handling your stressed-out self. Post your comments in this file and read what everybody else said!

-- Scott, Trebor and David