Preparing for the Airport

April 18, 2008— -- Delayed flights, grounded planes, high-fuel prices and shrinking staffs have painted a gloomy picture of today's airline industry. But what specifically does it mean for travelers? Here's what to expect if you're planning a spring or summer trip:

More Delays and Cancellations for Plane Inspections: A widespread FAA maintenance audit is expected to last through June 30 -- meaning the possibility of more flight delays and cancellations for all carriers.

After announcing it would fine Southwest $10.2 million for missed inspections, the FAA launched a sweeping airline audit to ensure others weren't doing the same. Those inspections resulted in American Airlines canceling more than 3,000 flights last week.

More Money If You're Bumped: Starting in May, passengers who are bumped from flights will receive double the current compensation -- up to $800 -- from airlines for their inconvenience, Transportation Secretary Mary Peters said Wednesday. That would apply to travelers on smaller, regional jets that seat 30 people or more as well as those flying on larger planes. If you're bumped, you could receive up to $400 if you're rescheduled to reach your destination within two hours of your original plans. The same goes if you're rerouted to arrive within four hours of your originally scheduled flight for international destinations. If it takes longer than that to get from point A to point B, you could receive up to $800.

Another Westbound Highway in the Sky: Hoping to alleviate westbound delays out of New York, the FAA is opening a second westbound route for planes, Peters also announced.

Flying Around Severe Weather:The government is also announcing measures it hopes will temper delays in severe weather. The transportation secretary announced April 16 that planes in and around New York City would be given more flexibility to use alternative routes in Canadian airspace to dodge summer storms and winds.

Extra Charges for Services That Used to Be Part of Your Ticket Price:Heftier prices across the board are the result of high-fuel prices. To offset their financial troubles, airlines are asking travelers to bear some of that burden.

"Carriers are struggling to stay alive, to make a profit, to have the money to reinvest and upgrade the services they provide their customers, and they're having a very difficult time doing it," David Castelveter, spokesman for the Air Transport Association, said Thursday.

"They want to serve their customers the best they can because they know that when they fail their customers, they lose their customers," he said.

Carrier by carrier, here's how that struggle is playing out:

United charges $25 to check a second bag. The carrier also announced higher ticket prices April 16, tacking on a higher fuel surcharge to travelers' final ticket prices. United Airlines said it would increase fuel surcharges by an additional $10-$20 per roundtrip, which prompted other carriers to follow its lead.

Many have also speculated that if Delta and Northwest merged, a union between United and Continental could be next. That's not happening at the moment.

"The industry has changed dramatically -– both globally and domestically -- and the old paradigms no longer apply," United said in a Tuesday statement. "As the industry evolves, we will take the actions we need to strengthen our global competitiveness, and we will participate in consolidation when and if it is the right choice and provides the right benefits for employees, customers and shareholders."