Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Skybus Becomes #1 Airline at Port Columbus

Passenger figures are out for December 2007, and the Columbus Dispatch reports this evening that Skybus overtook Southwest as this City's #1 carrier in terms of passengers.

Congratulations Skybus, here is to continued growth.

Tom

Thursday, February 21, 2008

Skybus Prepares for Tomorrow's Bad Weather

The Columbus Dispatch reports this evening that Skybus will waive their usual $40 change fee in anticipation of snowy and icy weather predicted at Port Columbus over the next 12 hours. If your travel plans are flexible, it may be worth a roll of the dice to get a different flight, especially if the price difference is negligible.

If your Skybus flight is canceled, each passenger gets a refund or booking on a future Skybus flight.

As of 8:48 Thursday evening, no flights have been scrubbed.

Monday, February 18, 2008

Delta, Midwest Drop Flights From Port Columbus

Although Skybus has increased Port Columbus' flying options, there have been casualties. As the Columbus Dispatch points out, Jet Blue left the airport after less than a year, and Delta dropped its non-stop flight from CMH to LAX. Now, Delta is dropping its non-stop to Ft. Lauderdale, and Midwest will stop direct service to Kansas City. Skybus serves both cities.

A few things about this move. I love Skybus. When I'm on vacation. If I'm traveling on business, I'd much rather take Midwest or Delta, especially since they have agreements with other airlines in case of cancellations or major screw ups. Skybus, unfortunately, does not offer such services.

Port Columbus has certainly gained a great deal from Skybus. It is unfortunate, however, that travelers here in town are losing choices, and in the long term, that is a losing situation for passengers.

Sunday, February 17, 2008

Will Portsmouth be the Next Skybus Focus City?

I'd put my money on it. Megan and I frequently fly to Portsmouth, New Hampshire from Columbus and our flights are well booked.

USA Today in the sky
has great insight about the Portsmouth Airport.

A planned $5 million expansion at the airport leads me to believe that Skybus will be flying in and out of Portland much more often come 2009.

Skybus Raises Baggage Fees from $5 to $12 Per Pag

Well, every new airline is an experiment, and Skybus is certainly no exception. I must tell you, Megan and have not minded paying the $5 per bag per flight charge, but now, the airline is increasing this cost to $12.00, according to the The Florida-Times Union. Checking the bag online will set you back only $10.00

The cost of priority boarding, which gets you onto the plane before everyone else, is also increasing, going from $10 to $12.50.

The airline cites rising fuel costs for the increased charges. Look for the new fee structure beginning in early March.

Will these changes affect your use of Skybus?

Tom