Airlines, ticket firms battle over booking system

BEIJING (AP) -- A guaranteed aisle seat, special meals, access to the VIP lounge - and tickets to a musical?...

DOGFIGHT: Airlines want to raise more revenues by selling extras with tickets and are locked in a battle with three companies that dominate the bookings industry.

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.

We are protecting Canadian air travellers by helping them see, clearly and up front, the full cost of air tickets, so they can make informed travel choices The federal government implemented new rules Tuesday that will force airlines and other air service providers to advertise the all-in price of their airfares, including all taxes and fees, under threat of fines for failing to do so.

Your travels are far too important to leave for someone else to arrange

China's Sky 32 is one of the most elite casino lounges on the planet. Perched on the 32nd floor of the Galaxy Macau casino and resort, the VIP mecca has gorgeous views, diamond chandeliers, and six opulent rooms where high rollers must commit to betting at least 10 million yuan — that's $1.6 million — per visit, according to Bloomberg.

Former America Airlines exec Jeff Katz thinks that shopping in the future will be a lot like booking a plane ticket. 

Getting moved from coach to the front of the plane is one of the nicer things that can happen on a long flight. If you a lot (especially on full fare tickets), getting upgraded can be a routine occurrence. Of course, that raises the question of why airlines pretty much give upgrades away. Yes, it makes sense to take care of really good customers particularly when moving someone up to business class costs the airline very little. But there is no guarantee that high status frequent flyers necessarily want the upgrade more than some more lowly coach passengers.