Airlines must disclose 'code-sharing' carrier to ticket shoppers

Airlines don't want you to know how much your ticket will really end up costing. For over two years, American carriers have been battling Barack Obama's Department of Transportation (DOT), which is considering requiring airlines to disclose fee information to travel agent distribution systems and online ticketing agents like Orbitz.

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Porter Airlines Inc. has announced it will begin offering packaged vacations for its passengers with the launch of Porter Escapes Tuesday. The Toronto Island-based airline said it would be offering packages that include flights and hotels in each of the 19 markets it flies to. It will also offer a la carte items in certain markets, such as New York City, where it will offer things like a CityPASS, providing access to tourist attractions, and a concierge service that will book theatre tickets, sporting events or dinner reservations through a dedicated phone number.

Max Ward was eating a quiet lunch with his wife Marjorie at his Edmonton home when Robert Deluce stood at a podium in Toronto to unveil plans designed to transform upstart airline Porter Airlines Inc. into Canada’s third national airline. The 91-year-old former bush pilot, entrepreneur and founder of Wardair knew little of Porter’s plans to order 12 new longer-distance planes, widen runways or increase its travel routes. He’s put the Canadian airline business behind him — and with little regret.

When it comes to customer satisfaction among those who travel for leisure and business, the same domestic airlines top each list. A YouGov BrandIndex survey released this week asked travelers, "Are you a satisfied customer," and ranked the country's airlines by how many said yes.

AMERICAN airlines are showing up on time more often.