Free Republic

Like other “sanctuary cities,” New York has learned that being a refuge for illegal immigrants is a bad thing if they actually show up. So New York is buying them airplane tickets to go elsewhere. My colleague Bill Glahn reports: The Minneapolis Star Tribune had a headline yesterday noting that Minnesota is among the top states to which New York City is redirecting its excess illegal immigrant arrivals. The Star Tribune writes, Minnesota has emerged as a top destination for migrants accepting free plane tickets to leave New York City, as homeless shelters there strain to house a record surge...

President Joe Biden bragged about the prices of turkey, gas, and air travel during a speech on Monday after the cost of the items actually increased under his leadership. Biden’s decision to highlight the increased prices under his leadership — even as they dropped from last year — shows his administration’s concern that inflation is hurting his reelection chances.

A combination of pandemic fatigue, being overworked, lengthy training time, and early retirements, is leading to a pilot shortage in the country. Now, airlines are upping the ante to fill the positions. In turn, several experts say that customers need to brace themselves for higher prices. United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby said that in the U.S., airlines aim to add 13,000 pilots this year, but the country only produces between 5,000 and 7,000 pilots annually, according to an April 21, 2022, earnings call transcript. Fewer pilots mean less supply, which translates to higher prices, he added. Kirby added on the...

U.S. airlines are saving tens of millions of dollars every week because of lower prices for jet fuel, their largest expense. So why don't they share some of the savings with passengers? Simply put: Airlines have no compelling reason to offer any breaks. Planes are full. Investors want a payout. And new planes are on order. In fact, fares are going higher. And those bag fees that airlines instituted in 2008 when fuel prices spiked aren’t going away either. …

Hawaii is hoping to take the burden off its welfare system by saying aloha to its 17,000 homeless residents. The state will offer one-way tickets home to any eligible homeless person to anywhere in the continental United States. Hawaii has allotted $100,000 for a three year trial run of the so-called 'return-to-home' program, which could also even offer participants beds on cruise ships bound for their homes.

Spirit Airlines Warns Consumers of USDOT's New Mandate to HIDE Taxes in Airfares: MIRAMAR, Fla., Jan 24, 2012 (GlobeNewswire via COMTEX) -- Spirit Airlines has a launched a campaign to warn consumers about the U.S. Department of Transportation's latest fare rules that go into effect this week. Spirit and other airlines are now mandated to HIDE the government's taxes and fees in fares. "We believe that the better form of transparency is to break out costs so customers know exactly what they are buying," says Spirit's President and CEO Ben Baldanza. "Spirit believes customers have a right to know how...

(snip) Consider these ticket prices and taxpayer subsidies: -- Cape Girardeau, Mo., to St. Louis: ticket price $189, taxpayer subsidy $1,939. -- Glendive Mont., to Billings: ticket price $233, taxpayer subsidy $2,526. -- Alamogordo, N.M., to Albuquerque: ticket price $192, taxpayer subsidy $2,270 -- Harve, Mont., to Billings: ticket price $233, taxpayer subsidy, $2887 -- Ely, Nev., to Denver: ticket price $300, taxpayer subsidy $4,504.

Yes. I know how to use the internet and am doing so. I also know that FReepers have seemingly unlimited knowledge about just about everything. My Marine (see tagline) will have ten days leave the second week of September. I'd like to help him find his best buy. Any tips and suggestions are appreciated.

AIR passengers will be charged up to £40 extra for a return ticket within Europe to pay for the environmental impact of their journeys, under plans approved by the European Parliament yesterday. MEPs voted in favour of the “immediate introduction” of a tax on jet fuel for flights within the 25 member states of the EU. The charge would double the cost of millions of budget airline flights. They also accepted a recommendation for a special emissions trading scheme for the aviation industry, which would see airlines buying permits to cover their output of carbon dioxide.

The dogfight is occurring at such a rarefied policy altitude that you can't hear it from the ground. But the dispute over how to pay for the federal air traffic control system, essentially a fight between two aviation business sectors, figures to come down to cloud level before Congress acts on a 10-year reauthorization of the Federal Aviation Administration in mid-2007. The resolution in the end could mean slightly lower airline ticket prices — though maybe not — and greater expenses for private jets. It could also lead to a more powerful, satellite-based air traffic control system that could make...

EW HAVEN - Of the many ethical questions raised by Justice Antonin Scalia's duck-hunting trip with Vice President Dick Cheney, one has actually been prompted by the justice himself: how is a law-abiding public servant supposed to get back to Washington from Louisiana? Justice Scalia had flown to Louisiana in January on the vice president's plane. But Mr. Cheney left before Justice Scalia did, so the justice and his relatives bought their own tickets home. In a 21-page memo explaining his decision not to recuse himself from a case involving the vice president, Justice Scalia wrote, "We purchased (because they...

Delta Air Lines Supports United States Military's Rest and Relaxation Program with Discount Fares ATLANTA, Sept. 26, 2003 – Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) will support the United States military's Operation Iraqi Freedom Rest and Relaxation (R&R) program with special discount fares for soldiers returning home for two weeks of R&R. The special fares are available for travel on Delta, Delta Connection and Delta Shuttle flights. "Delta is proud to help the men and women of our military return home to their friends and family," said Harlan Bennett, Delta's vice president-Revenue Management. From Sept. 27, 2003, until Sept. 15, 2004,...

Travel FeatureTake A Coalition Vacation!Christina Valhouli The news these days is full of the Iraq war and the impact it is having on travel. The airlines have just been awarded a $3 billion rescue package by Congress to stave off bankruptcy, and hotels around the world are watching advance reservations evaporate like water in the Iraqi desert. But for intrepid--and patriotic--Americans who are still looking to go on holiday overseas in coming months, this might be the year to take a pass on countries like France or Germany. Click here for slide show To be sure, Paris is always...