Boarding Pass

Dear Globetrotter:

Welcome to the 409th issue of your monthly overseas travel magazine. What travelers feel other world travelers would want to know about: that’s what we’ve been printing going on 35 years now. Plus news affecting travelers.

The US government compiled a list of 14 countries it considers state sponsors of terrorism or “other countries of interest” and, as of Jan. 4, anyone with a passport from one of those countries or anyone who is traveling from or has transited through one of those countries will automatically be subject to more intense security screening at the airport before flying to the USA.

The countries are Afghanistan, Algeria, Cuba, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Libya, Nigeria, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen, and those passengers will receive full body pat-downs at overseas airports, have their carry-on bags searched and be checked for explosives residue before boarding.

Most of the countries do not have direct flights to the US. Direct flights between Yemen and the US no longer will be allowed, period.

Among other security changes — full-body scanners are being installed in airports, luggage is being checked for traces of explosives and the “no-fly” list is being expanded.

The US Department of Transportation has improved its website, http://airconsumer.dot.gov, listing aviation rules and statutes, providing the latest stats on flight delays and mishandled baggage, not to mention newly deceased airlines, offering travel tips and making it easier to file complaints with the DOT about airline service (there’s a form you can fill out).

John Quin-Harkin of San Rafael, California, wrote, “Up till now, passengers traveling on transatlantic flights to Europe had been allowed two checked bags free of charge. This has now changed.”

Changed to what, you ask? That’s a tricky question because airlines’ baggage policies are constantly changing these days.

After getting John’s e-mail, ITN did a cursory sweep of the websites of 14 major international airlines (including the US airlines American, Delta and United) to see if, currently, there is any consensus among their policies. As of Jan. 25, here is what we found.

1. Regarding the CHECKED baggage of economy-class ticket holders going to Europe from anywhere, most airlines allow only one bag to be checked for free.

And many (but not all) airlines have standardized to the following limits: the first, free checked bag must weigh no more than 50 pounds (23kg) and measure no more than 62 linear inches (157 centimeters) in combined length, width and depth.

2. Now, regarding international air carriers and CARRY-ON baggage, the following applies for economy-class passengers on most flights anywhere.

a) Of course, as they have for years, some airlines around the globe have a one-bag-only carry-on restriction with very limited size and weight limits on that bag. On many Asian airlines, in fact, the weight limit of the one carry-on is very low.

b) But most airlines will allow one piece of carry-on luggage AND one small personal item: a handbag, camera bag, laptop bag, briefcase or diaper bag.

It seems that, with very few exceptions, airlines use a standard size for the carry-on luggage (not the small personal item): up to 45"/115cm total (including wheels and handle).

However, the carry-on luggage weight allowances vary widely, from 13 lbs/6kg (Virgin Atlantic) to 40 lbs/18kg (American Airlines), with the majority falling in the range of 22 to 26 pounds (10-12kg).

c) As of Dec. 25, when the in-flight security incident occurred on Northwest flight 253, at least one more airline announced more restrictive limits regarding carry-ons. On flights that end up in the US, American Airlines now limits what each passenger can carry on board to one bag only.

One practical concession — on all airlines, exceptions are made for medical equipment, mobility aids and some infant-care items.

3. Some of you have been holding your breath. Yes, all of the above relates to economy-class passengers only. Business-, premium- and first-class passengers and certain frequent-flyer-club members usually get more generous allowances, such as two bags checked for free and, for both checked and carry-on bags, increased weight allowances.

John Quin-Harkin correctly points out, “To ascertain whether your ‘club card’ status qualifies you for the increased allowance, you need to call the specific airline, as this varies from carrier to carrier.”

Just make it a general rule: before any flight, check with your airline about both its checked and carry-on baggage limits. In fact, plan for the worst-case scenario; you never know when you may have to switch to another airline with more stringent limits. Pack light.

By the way, Canada has been more vigorously enforcing a rule denying entry to anyone who has been convicted of a felony in his/her country of residence. This includes DUI convictions (and DUIs plea-bargained to a lesser charge). Border control has improved its access to criminal records.

Immigration officers have some discretion, but travelers should not count on leniency. Even if you fly into Canada to connect to another international flight, you must clear passport control, and if your record is not clear you may be sent to Immigration screening for a long wait and possibly miss your flight.

Travelers who have been “rehabilitated” and for whom at least five years have elapsed since the sentence was imposed may apply for an exception at the Canadian consulate.

Japan Airlines is going through bankruptcy reorganization, but it has secured funding to continue operating and, in a letter in January, reassured its customers that it will continue to operate and will honor all of its frequent-flyer programs and mileage credits.

In February 2009, the low-cost Irish airline Ryanair floated the idea of installing coin-operated toilets on its planes, then withdrew the notion. This January, it was decided to go ahead with it on flights of one hour or less in Europe. The charge proposed is £1 or €1 (about $1.50).

In addition, plans are being made to remove two of the three toilets in the back of each aircraft in order to put in six more seats.

Gwynneth Tigner of Chautauqua, New York, wrote, “My husband and I arrived at New York’s JFK Airport on Jan. 13 after a long overnight trip from Iguazú Falls, Argentina. We had booked a 12:10 p.m. flight to Buffalo on JetBlue but landed in time to make the earlier 9:20 flight.

“When we got to the check-in and inquired if we could get on the earlier flight, the clerk asked if we would like to go ‘standby’ or ‘confirmed.’ We asked what the difference was and she said standby was free and confirmed cost $40 each. We asked what the standby situation looked like and she said there were six available seats and eight people ahead of us on standby. We opted for the confirmed seats and paid $80.

“Imagine our surprise when we boarded the plane and discovered that at least half of the seats were empty. We were pleased to get home sooner but felt we had been lied to by the JetBlue clerk. Has anyone else had an experience like this with JetBlue?”

Or with any other airline recently, I would add. If so, write to Standby Versus Confirmed (see “Editorial Only” address on cover).

Phyllis Mueller of San Jose, California, wrote, “My husband, John, and I had a five-hour layover in Terminal 3 of Singapore’s Changi Airport in November and were dreading it. Wrong! This new terminal is so outstanding that a whole day would be needed to take it all in!

“First of all, it is huge and the Christmas decorations had just been put up — a show in itself. We went into the transit area after reading the map of activities offered there, most of which are free. They include massage chairs for your legs, a butterfly garden, a koi pond, computers to access the Internet, sit-down areas for people with laptops, cubicles for charging electronics (big enough for an iPod or Blackberry and including a key so you can wander), movies, a lounge sleeping area with a waterfall and soothing music, and a children’s play area.

“They charge for a hotel bed and for swimming and spa programs. The seating areas and chairs are varied and in various locations for quiet or noisy. Of course, there is duty-free shopping. We also were told about an outlet-store area in the basement but never had time for that, let alone one of the free two-hour tours. I can hardly wait to fly through Changi’s Terminal 3 again.”

Dorothy Burns of Vestal, New York, wrote, “I LOVE ITN and read every issue cover to cover. The coverage of travel shoes was so good.” (“Shoes” was in our May and December ’09 issues.)

Leslie Smith of San Marcos, Texas, wrote, “We love ITN. I gave a subscription to our local library, and every time I go in they tell me how much people enjoy it.”

Barbara McIntosh of Roseville, California, wrote, “Absolutely love ITN. Other travel magazines are worthless.”

Oh, Barbara, give them some credit for trying!

Keep those trip reports and travel tips coming, folks. — DT