Airlines

US fines British Airways US$1.1million over delayed refunds

British Airways has been fined $1.1 million by the U.S. Transportation Department (USDOT) for failing to promptly refund passengers for flights to and from the United States during the Covid-19 outbreak, the USDOT announced on Thursday.

Since March 2020, USDOT has received more than 1,200 complaints claiming that British Airways failed to issue refunds in a timely manner. The accusations have been denied by IAG-owned British Airways.

What is American DOT policy? How it assists to protecting passengers rights.(Opens in a new browser tab)

British Airways issued almost $40 million in refunds to consumers with nonrefundable tickets in 2020 and 2021, according to USDOT, which said it will deduct $550,000 from the airline’s fine for this. According to USDOT, the fine “establishes a strong deterrent to future similar unlawful practices by British Airways and other carriers.”

In addition to giving consumers options to rebook travel or request refunds in the event of flight cancellations, British Airways claimed it always acted lawfully.

British Airways failed to maintain sufficient customer service phone lines, according to USDOT, which resulted in customers phoning the carrier for British Airways failed to maintain sufficient customer service phone lines, according to USDOT, which resulted in customers phoning the carrier for several months being unable to reach its customer service agents.

U.S. fines 6 airlines $7.5 million and force them to refund customers(Opens in a new browser tab)

The airline claimed on Thursday that consumers had to wait a little longer to speak with customer support teams “at the height of the unprecedented pandemic when we were regrettably forced to cancel thousands of flights and close some call centers due to government restrictions.” USDOT has been fining airlines it claims did not issue reimbursements in a timely manner.

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Airlines

Air India Rolls Out A350s for Delhi-New York JFK and Newark Routes

In a major development for North American travelers, Air India has announced the deployment of its state-of-the-art Airbus A350-900 aircraft on two key routes: Delhi to New York and Delhi to Newark.

The service on the Delhi-New York route will commence on November 1, 2024, while the Delhi-Newark route will see its inaugural flight on January 2, 2025.

The introduction of the air india a350 will bring significant enhancements to Air India’s offerings, particularly with the launch of its Premium Economy class. air india retrofit This new class will feature 24 wide seats arranged in a 2-4-2 configuration, providing passengers with extra legroom and a more comfortable flying experience.

Soon, Air India aircraft will feature onboard WiFi & all-new cabins: Click here

“We are encouraged by the positive guest feedback we have received from the domestic deployment of our air india a350 interior to offer our hero product on the Delhi-New York JFK and Delhi-Newark routes. This is a significant leap forward for our U.S. operations that also underscores our commitment to continuous improvement,” said Campbell Wilson, Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director of Air India.

The A350’s Business class will set new standards with 28 private suites, each equipped with full-flat beds, direct aisle access, and personal wardrobes. Economy class will be configured to accommodate 264 passengers in a 3-4-3 layout. Across all cabins, passengers will enjoy the latest Panasonic eX3 in-flight entertainment system, offering over 2,200 hours of content.

Air India’s First A350-900: Interior, Routes, &Inflight Features: Click here

This strategic deployment marks a notable enhancement in Air India’s U.S. operations, with 60% of its flights to the U.S. now featuring new or upgraded cabin interiors. The air india new international routes currently operates 51 weekly flights to five U.S. destinations: New York JFK, Newark, Washington DC, Chicago, and San Francisco.

The revamped cabins, advanced in-flight entertainment systems, and improved service standards represent air india wifi commitment to providing a superior travel experience. “We believe this enhanced offering will solidify Air India’s position as a leading carrier and attract travellers seeking a world-class flying experience between India and the United States,” the airline stated.

Seats on these flights are now available for booking on Air India’s website, mobile app, and through travel agents, ensuring that passengers can easily plan their journeys on these newly upgraded routes.