An article in the Wall Street Journal leads with this statement: You'll never look at, or reach into, an airline seat-back pocket the same after reading this.

The columnist goes on to describe a number of disgustingly horrific things passengers do on planes; things they would never do in most public settings. Let’s just say that after reading this, I’m operating under a strict BYOB policy. That is: Bring Your Own Blanket.

The truth is, there may not be much you can do to stop the bad behavior of other passengers, but there are some coping tactics that you can use to make the flight as enjoyable as possible. I talked to The Window Seat editors to get their tips on manufacturing some ambiance on your next flight, even if the guy next to you happens to be picking his nose.

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I like knowing what I'm getting into. Before I eat at a restaurant, I check out Yelp for reviews. Before I head to a new destination, I devour anything I can find about it on IgoUgo. And before I fly---or often before I even choose a carrier to fly with---I browse Skytrax.

The concept of Skytrax is pretty simple: it's like any other review site, but the subject matter is all air travel, all the time. Along with constantly updated reviews of pretty much airline you've ever heard of---and many, many you haven't---there are hundreds of reviews of airports (will you make that connection in Miami? is there anything decent to eat at JFK?) and even airport lounges, for those of us lucky (or swanky) enough to be invited into them.

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Today on Live at 9 in Memphis, I talked about what travelers can expect this summer and how to stay on budget amid rising fuel costs and added fees. Travelers can expect two things for sure: higher airfare and crowded planes. The high cost of fuel is one of the main factors driving up summer airfares, so to stay on budget, travelers are going to have to be smart and find other ways to save.

One way to find a great deal is to try booking at the last minute. Since last minute travel inventory is unpredictable, this option is ideal for people who know they want to get away for a long weekend, but who don’t have their hearts set on a particular destination.

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It started with US Airways, and quickly snowballed into an industry-wide trend. Beginning in May, no longer will you be able to check two pieces of luggage free of charge. Six major airlines – American Airlines, Continental, Delta, Northwest, United, and US Airways – will all charge $25 for passengers to check a second bag. Several smaller carriers – Air Canada, Alaska Air, Air Tran, and JetBlue among them – have enacted similar policies.

Travelocity’s FAQ page is constantly updated with the details of each policy.

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Yesterday while loading my upcoming trips into my calendar I realized a scary, scary trend: all of them involve red-eye flights. Living in California is brilliant most of the time, but it stinks for globetrotting. Sure, I probably could have avoided the red-eye to Atlanta, but the red-eyes to Paris and Thailand could not be helped. In fact, when I go to Paris, I will lose almost an entire day. Oh la la!

In short, I'm panicking. Growing up on the East Coast, I got spoiled by being so close to the rest of the world. The longest flight I've ever taken was a measly six hours, and even that was no walk in the park (skies?) thanks to my hyperactive tendencies and tiny bladder.

I've started researching red-eye flight survival guides, but so far none of them contains an "aha!" tip that seems like it will make all the difference. And some of the advice is just plain impractical. It might be nice to sleep leaning against the window, but there's no way I'm asking the person next to me to move every time I need to use the restroom or stretch my legs for fifteen hours straight.

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We’ve said it before and we’ve even said it again, but yet another one is biting the dust as Continental is now instituting a second-bag fee, making it the fourth airline to do so after United, US Airways, and Delta have all taken the plunge. But is it really so terrible?

Photo courtesy of IgoUgo member dinkime

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Get ready for higher prices. Again. Yep, that's right. If you've been reading here you know that baggage rules are changing and it's going to cost you more to have checked luggage than ever before, but now in the latest spate of policy changes by the airlines in an attempt to grow revenue, United is boosting its change fee from $100 to $150.

The real question is will this become the latest in a trend of ways for all the airlines to get more revenue? This one may not seem so bad...well not until you want to change your ticket. Then you'll cry ouch! The good news is -- this is protecting your ticket fee from going up higher than it already is. ( According to my most recent Travelocity data, summer airfares are looking at least 10% higher than last year.) The bad news is, even if fuel prices come down this fee isn't likely to.

Lets see if the other major players match. That will be the telltale sign of whether or not this fee is here to stay.

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ATA filed Chapter 11 and ceased all operation on Wednesday, April 2. The airline has cancelled all current and future flights.

On its website, the airline states "ATA currently is unable to provide refunds to customers who purchased tickets directly from ATA with cash or a check. These customers may be able to obtain a full or partial refund for their unused tickets by submitting a claim in ATA’s Chapter 11 proceedings. Information about submitting a claim will be available at the following website: http://www.bmcgroup.com/ataairlines."

The airline has a codeshare agreement with Southwest Airlines and suggests customers who purchased tickets from Southwest Airlines for flights operated by ATA under the codeshare agreement should contact Southwest Airlines directly at (800) 308-5037.

Travelocity customers should view the FAQ page for more information on their options and information on how to contact an agent for assistance. Agents will work to minimize the impact of this disruption on your travel plans.

According to the Associated Press (via USA Today), "Prior to the shutdown, the airline had approximately 50 flights a day, mostly between Hawaii and four west coast cities — Oakland, Los Angeles, Phoenix and Las Vegas."

USA Today's Ben Mutzabaugh's reports "ATA's shutdown is another blow for air travelers in Hawaii, where Aloha –- formerly the state's No. 2 carrier -– ended passenger service earlier this week. ATA, which had briefly grown into one of the USA's 10 biggest carriers earlier this decade, had a heavy focus on Hawaii. In addition to its charter business, ATA offered regularly scheduled commercial service on several routes -– almost all to and from Hawaii. The Hawaii flights operated as part of a codesharing partnership with Southwest."

The airline cited the cancellation of a major military contract and the high cost of jet fuel as reasons for its decision to cease operations.

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Transportation Security Administration has released a pretty cool interactive multimedia explanation on their site. Checkpoint Evolution is an attempt to help us passengers wean ourselves off the old hurry-up-and-wait queue system and get us not only to move more easily, but also calmly, through security to help us help ourselves and also to help TSOs screen us more efficiently. The interactive map and related videos are a slow, steady barrage of euphemisms by a variety of personae including the chipper officer, suited administrator, and psychologist-type with whom you’re on a first name basis. It’s Catherine, by the way.

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Aloha indeed. It's time to wake up and smell the jet fuel. Regional carrier Aloha airlines announced their bankruptcy last week. Within days it moved from chapter 11, bankruptcy which is frequently used as the chance to get your financial house in order by numerous airlines, to chapter seven, liquidation. This signals the end for a small but significant carrier in Hawaii and the West and as of today it will suspend passenger service.

Just what does it mean for the rest of the industry?

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Aloha Airlines announced Sunday that it would cease operations effective March 31, 2008. According to a news release from the airline, Aloha will run a normal schedule on March 31 with the exception of flights from Hawaii to the West Coast and flights from Orange County to Reno and Sacramento, and Oakland to Las Vegas.

Travelocity customers with plans to travel on Aloha should visit the FAQ page for more information. Travelocity agents will assist you in rebooking your flight and making adjustments to your travel plans.

United Airlines, a code-share partner of Aloha, will assist affected passengers. Customers flying on an United ticket will be rebooked on an alternate flight where space is available, for no additional charge. For customers traveling on an Aloha Airlines ticket, United offers a discounted one-way fare through the end of April.

Hawaiian Airlines has added capacity on key routes to help accommodate stranded Aloha passengers and will allow them to fly standby for no charge on the day of original travel on some flights on March 31 and on all flights April 1-3, 2008. In addition, all inter-island seats are $49 through Monday, April 7, 2008 on Hawaiian Airlines.

If you are headed to the airport and hope to fly on United or Hawaiian, bring your original ticket with you. For passengers with a future reservation on Aloha who do not wish to travel, call your credit card company and request a refund.

Aloha Airlines filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on March 20, in part blaming what it called "predatory pricing" by competitor go! that forced Aloha to lower fares. The Associated Press (via USA Today) also cited high fuel costs as a factor in the airline's inability to generate revenue.

"This is an incredibly dark day for Hawaii," said David A. Banmiller, Aloha's president and chief executive officer. "Despite the groundswell of support from the community and our elected officials, we simply ran out of time to find a qualified buyer or secure continued financing for our passenger business. We had no choice but to take this action. "

The shutdown of operations will affect about 1,900 employees. Aloha Airlines has served the Hawaiian islands for 61 years.

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The moment they announce that the flight safety video is coming on, I think, “Ah…let the nap officially begin.” I know the information is important, but I've been flying for 30 years and could probably recite the rules in my sleep.

Finally, the industry has taken notice of this trend. In a bid to entice you to sit up and tune in, major airline carriers are updating their videos with humor, sultry backbeats that seem better suited to ultra-lounges, and easy-on-the-eyes instructors.

This week, when Delta Air Lines released their new safety video on their corporate blog, it caused such a stir that USA Today took notice. The video features a Delta flight attendant who bears a striking resemblance to Angelina Jolie, causing fans to dub her "Deltalina." Here, take a look, but promise me you won't stop until the part where she playfully wags her finger at the camera, insisting in a smoking-hot way that smoking is not allowed.

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New York State's new air passenger bill of rights law has been overturned by the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, according to the Associated Press (via CNNMoney.com). The appeals court ruled that the law " . . . interferes with federal law governing the price, route or service of an air carrier."

The law went into effect on January 1, 2008 and required, among other things, that airlines provide food, water, clean toilets and fresh air to passengers trapped in a plane delayed on the ground. The law had not yet been enforced, and was contested by the Air Transport Association of America, the industry trade group representing leading U.S. airlines. Several other states have modeled passenger's bill of rights plans after the New York State plan; no word on how this new ruling will impact those bills.

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Aloha Airlines filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Thursday, citing "predatory pricing" practices by its competitor go! , a Mesa Air Group subsidiary.

This is the second time the airline has filed for bankruptcy protection. According to the Associated Press (via The New York Times), Aloha emerged from previous bankruptcy protection in February 2006, 14 months after filing under Chapter 11.

The airline, according to its web site, has asked the Court for permission to continue flying as it operates under bankruptcy protection. As long as this request is granted, customers can expect all existing reservations to be honored and to be able to make new reservations. For now, frequent flier programs remain unaffected, and customers will continue to earn mileage credit.

For more information, Travelocity customers should visit the FAQ page.

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It seems to be the question on every travel journalist's mind: Will people stop traveling due to high costs and an uncertain economy? Here's the short answer: No. But we may see changes in the way people travel and may need to adjust our attitude on what constitutes a good "deal." For me personally, it's hard to imagine a price point that would make me stop traveling -- it's just that important to me, and I find ways to make it work. After all, I recently flew to Italy for just three days of skiing -- would have loved to have stayed longer, but the Euro is killing me. So, I had a shorter-than-usual trip -- but I still went. Shorter trips are just one way that people adjust their travels when they're trying to control their vacation costs.

Yesterday on the Fox News show "Studio B with Shepard Smith," I talked about a few other ways travelers can try to control costs this summer. You've all heard the advice to book early, but with service cutbacks by a few airlines, there's going to be stiff competition for the least-expensive seats and booking far in advance is as important as ever for those of you who have your heart set on a particular destination.

Watch the video, or read on for my three other tips:

St. John beach chair photo courtesy of IgoUgo member Jose Kevo.

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Don’t start celebrating just yet; you still have to take your laptop out of its case, but, according to a story in USA Today, the Transportation Security Administration is “searching for a "checkpoint-friendly" case that would give screeners a clear view as it goes through an X-ray machine,” allowing travelers to leave their laptop in its case. Sold!

Personally, I’ve had excellent luck getting through security quickly when I travel; it rarely takes any longer than 10 minutes. However, I do loathe the process of taking off my shoes and coat; removing my laptop from its bag; and putting my Ziploc bag of liquid toiletries on the conveyor belt, only to repack and redress once I get through the checkpoint. A TSA-compliant laptop case would at least remove one of the hassles, but a faster security line is also a plus.

This comes on the heels of an earlier announcement that TSA plans to create special security lines for families and expert travelers, a program they are currently testing in Denver and Salt Lake City. A line for families…now this I’m stoked about.

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You may be thinking -- that's news? Aren't the airlines always posting poor on-time performance? If you were an air traveler in 2007, the second-worst year on record, it certainly may seem that way. After all, one-quarter of all flights were delayed last year. If you were hoping for an improvement in 2008, early indicators aren't encouraging.

According to the Associated Press (via USA Today), "Nearly one-third of commercial flights in the U.S. arrived late or were canceled in January, up slightly from the same month last year . . . " This was, however, an improvement over December stats, when nearly 40% of flights were delayed or canceled by the major US carriers.

United Airlines had the worst on-time performance, with just 62% of its flights arriving on schedule. However, if you are headed for Hawaii, there's good news -- Hawaiian Airlines had the best on-time arrival rate at 94.1%, followed by Aloha Airlines at 93.2%.

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Admittedly, I already liked Richard Branson. He's got the accent, long (but not too long) wavy locks, and that I-know-I'm-good swagger. His brand is him. And Virgin has to be the sexiest airline. Wouldn't we all want to fly Upper Class, their version of first class? Ah, the finer things in life, such as being picked up by private car and swept off to a private screening entry at the airport, mingling at a hip bar over the Atlantic, getting a massage from the on-board beauty therapist, a lie-flat bed... Ok, the price tag is more than my average paycheck, so I'm not likely to get to fly Upper Class any time soon. But I'll take even Virgin's Premium Economy with its sleek interiors, purple leather seats, individual entertainment, meals and more, as well as flight attendants who smile and wear uniforms with a fashionable bent. (Need I go on?) Yet last week when I heard about Branson's latest feat –flying a 747 airplane from London to Amsterdam on 20 percent bio-diesel fuel – I had to say "Hallelujah!"

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A winter storm expected to hit the Northeast over the weekend will likely cause flight disruptions throughout the region, according to reports issued Friday. Several states, including New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Vermont are likely to get hit.

Passengers with plans to travel to, from, or through destinations impacted by the storm are advised to check the status of their flight before leaving their home and to prepare for delays at the airport. Dress comfortably, bring a fully charged cell phone, and have access to the phone number of an airport hotel should you experience overnight delays. As always, Travelocity customers should visit the Customer Care page for information on receiving assitance with their travel plans.

Airlines have begun issuing waivers for customers who wish to postpone thier travel. See below for a list of airlines that have instituted flexible travel policies. Visit your carrier's web site for details and restrictions.
United Airlines
US Airways

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This past weekend, Virgin flew a 747 from Heathrow in London, to Schiphol in Amsterdam. Of course, this wouldn’t normally be such a big deal, except it was on time. No, I’m kidding. What was of note on this particular flight was that one of the four engines was powered by a mix of jet fuel and coconut and babassu palm oil. The idea, of course, was to test out using biofuel in the sky to try to cut back on what is an increasingly noted issue of air travel pollution. What is also noteworthy here is that, by using a biofuel that is not from a staple crop—like corn, we can avoid using both food supplies and some other crucial crops

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Have you heard about the latest reduction in Frequent Flier miles at USAirways? That's today's news. Yesterday's news was the fact that so many carriers were shortening the timeframe for using your miles. Note to self: Fly a lot or lose all those precious points I've been working hard to accrue!

The business people say the airlines are doing this because airlines miles are bad for their books. But c'mon. What's a flier to do in order to keep their miles in this day and age?

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You know how some people just like being naked? It's the people who take their shirts off at sporting events for no apparent reason, that friend who is always suggesting skinny dipping, the guy or gal who tries to strike up a conversation with you in the gym locker room when they're NOT WEARING PANTS. You know what I mean. And if you don't, let me know, because I am going to have to find a new crowd to hang with.

Well I have good news for you exhibitionist (sorry, naturalist) travelers. Today, a German travel agency began taking reservations for the very first nudist flight, scheduled for July 5. The route is from the eastern German town of Erfurt to the popular Baltic Sea resort of Usedom and costs $735. Expensive, but a small price to pay to fly in all your glory. According to USA Today "The 55 passengers will have to remain clothed until they board, and dress before disembarking, said Hess. The crew will remain clothed throughout the flight for safety reasons."

This is even more scandalous than Kyla Ebbert!

photo courtesy of Hidden Beach Resort

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Tree hugger or not, we’re all aware by now of the undeniable global warming crisis. While there are many causes for the climate change, many are quick to point fingers at the airline industry (even though, according to an NPR report I heard earlier this week, travel accounts for less than 4 percent of the world’s carbon emissions.)

With so much focus on climate change in today’s world, a recent Consumer Reports analysis grabbed my attention: what is the “greenest” way to travel? To determine this, they went to Web sites that help consumers calculate carbon output, and the results varied dramatically.

Bill McGee of USA Today conducted much of the research for this study, which he outlined in his On the Road column. The bottom line, he writes, is that “if you're using carbon calculators to determine what your offsetting tab should be, you'd better cross-check your math.”

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I always hate it when they issue reports saying how it has been a record year for air travel saftey. I just think, do we really want to tempt fate? 2007 was one such year. In fact reports say it was the safest year for air transit since 1963. Certainly something to be proud of. Absolutely. But do we want to boast?

Because here we are in 2008 and we're already off to a rocky start with a British AIrways plane landing short of the runway at Heathrow airport last week. Fortunately British Airways reported that all 136 passengers and crew members were evacuated safely from the plane and those who were injured were taken to the hospital.

I say lets be grateful for all our technology, emergency response teams, and safety records. But lets also remain humble and completely focused on making 2008 an even safer year for flight.

Photo by IgoUgo member Kimbis

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At a dinner party last night, I was thrilled to find out that one of my fellow guests was a pilot who'd once worked for a major commercial airline. Naturally, I couldn't resist grilling her (career day style!), and the insider info she had on airline travel was pretty fascinating. Ever wonder what the pilot knows that you don't? Read on.

1. The plane isn't going to crash-land if you accidentally leave your cell phone on.
So why do flight attendants tell you to turn all electronic devices off? Well, the cell phone signals could, in theory, interfere with the plane's satellite navigation instruments---but the truth is they're so well insulated that it won't actually happen. (That's not to say you shouldn't make a habit of doing it anyway---just to be safe.)

2. Pilots can't take bathroom breaks.
You might never have considered it,. but what happens if the captain has to pee? Well, it's an arduous process. A pilot who needs to make a visit to the, uh, facilities must first alert the flight attendant, who has to block the galley with her cart. While the pilot is out of the cockpit, the flight attendant must take his place, waiting until he comes back to switch out. Warning for future pilots everywhere? Don't overdose on the iced tea. "When you have to go, it can be kind of a pain," admits my pilot. "The flight attendants might be busy serving dinner or the drink service, and then you have to wait and wait."

Photo courtesy of IgoUgo member John Spreitz

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It took 48 hours and a side trip to Portugal, but I’ve finally made it back from Brazil.

After spending New Year’s week in South America, three friends and I arrived at the Rio de Janeiro airport to discover that our flight home had been canceled—and that the first available flight out of Rio on any airline would be on January 21. It was January 6.

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Effective January 1, 2008, passengers carrying lithium batteries on airplanes -- in both checked on carry-on luggage -- must adhere to new regulations, according to Travel Weekly.

Loose lithium batteries can no longer be placed in checked baggage. Passengers may have up to two loose lithium batteries in their carry-on baggage, but the batteries must be in their original packaging OR in two separate, resalable plastic bags.

Items that commonly use lithium batteries, such as cell phones and cameras, can still be carried on or checked as long as the lithium battery is inside them.

Loose lithium batteries are considered hazardous because they can overheat and ignite, causing fires. Read the news release in its entirety from the Department of Transportation here.

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Everywhere I go these days, people are asking me if I've finished my holiday shopping. The answer? A resounding no. I'm not doing all that badly though---as of this morning, I've only got one more present to buy. But since I've scoured every shop in San Francisco to find something suitable---and my Friday night flight home looms ever near---I'm gradually realizing that my only other option may just be to buy something at the airport.

Don't laugh! It's not what you're thinking, I promise. In fact, airport shopping has come a long way since the days of old, when you'd be lucky if you could scrounge up a tacky souvenir keyring and the latest issue of People magazine as an impromptu present. These days, you can actually find a remarkably nice holiday gift if you've got a half hour between check-in and boarding. Read on for the top five ideas.

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In the Beatles hit, a young Paul McCartney wondered, “will you still need me… when I’m 64.” The answer is increasingly, yes. The over-60 crowd is sharper and fitter than ever before, and they’re not about to fly into greener pastures with a golden watch on the wings of a forced early retirement.

This played itself out last week as congress, the senate, and then our commander-in-chief approved fast-tracked legislation to raise the mandatory retirement age for pilots from 60 to 65. The ease with which this legislation passed undermines a fierce debate about airline pilot age that’s been going on for decades.

Photo courtesy of IgoUgo member John Spreitz.

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This week an Associated Press article highlighted the global race among airlines to add more lie-flat seats to airplane cabins. From United Airlines being the first U.S.-based carrier to offer sleeper seats to talk of Singapore Airlines's new mini-suites with double beds, it seems that snoozing at cruising altitudes may soon be easier.

Sleeping on an airplane is often my number one priority, but achieving REM can be difficult or even downright embarrassing. Everyone has their own airplane sleep technique but none really work. Here are a few I've noticed:

Photo courtesy of IgoUgo member quinius

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A winter ice storm affecting the Midwest may be the first glimpse of what's in store for the busy weeks ahead. Officials in Missouri, Kansas and Oklahoma have declared states of emergency, according to the Associated Press. Travelers to Denver and the Colorado Rockies may also be affected. In response to today's storm, the following airlines have waived change fees to re-accommodate passengers; please check individual airline websites for more details.
American Airlines
Continental Airlines
Delta
Frontier Airlines
Midwest Airlines
United Airlines
US Airways

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What do you wear on the plane? No, seriously, it's not a rhetorical question: what do you wear on the plane?

I ask only because there was a man on my most recent flight---and we're talking a grown man, one who likely pays taxes, has his driver's license, and is capable of growing a beard---wearing plaid flannel PJ bottoms. Granted, it was a long-ish flight, but really? Plaid pajamas on the plane? Oh, I'm sure they're comfy, but so are corduroys.

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The travel industry may have found a way to improve security and go green at the same time. Continental Airlines and the Transportation Security Administration at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston are testing a new check-in procedure using cell phones instead of a paper boarding pass.

The technology involves using encrypted bar codes on mobile device screens, eliminating the chance of a traveler presenting a fraudulent boarding pass. During the three-month pilot program, Continental passengers can receive boarding passes electronically and a TSA officer will then scan the bar codes when the passenger goes through the security checkpoint.