Week in Review

According to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the Department of Transportation (DOT) issued a new proposed rule that would require airlines to disclose baggage fees alongside fares in an effort to provide travelers with more transparency. The DOT is currently seeking comment on whether other ancillary fees should also be disclosed with airfare information.

LCT Magazine reports chauffeured car service iCARS and booking service Limos.com recently completed their merger. The two companies will combine their complementary services and are expected to generate at least $65 million in revenue in 2017.

According to Fortune, Hyatt will acquire wellness hospitality company Miraval in a $215 million deal. Skift notes aircraft-engine maker Safran is set to purchase plane-seat supplier Zodiac in a $10.5 billion all-French deal.

Skift shares business travel startup Upside raised $50 million at a $200 million valuation. The startup aims to find business travelers discounts by offering alternate travel routes and accommodation, in addition to flight-hotel bundles.

According to Skift, a new DOT report reveals U.S. flight cancellations and lost bags hit a historic low in over two decades. In November, the country’s 12 largest airlines cancelled 0.29 percent of flights (lowest rate since the government began tracking monthly cancellations in 1995) and mishandled 2.02 bags per 1,000 passengers (fewest since 1987, when the government began monitoring baggage).

According to TravelDailyNews, Expedia’s latest Airplane Etiquette Study reveals the “Rear Seat Kicker” as the most aggravating passenger, followed by inattentive parents and “aromatic” passengers.

According to Reuters, British Airways cabin crew commenced a three-day pay strike on Thursday, shortly after carrying out a two-day strike earlier this month. The airline claims it will fly all passengers throughout the strike.

Business Traveller shares findings from an Ookla study that claims Denver International Airport offers the fastest Wi-Fi among the top 20 busiest U.S. airports.

According to The Daily News, a report by the DOT’s inspector general finds the Federal Aviation Administration isn’t prepared to handle major air traffic control outages.

Atlanta Business Chronicle reports Delta is ending its only service to Taiwan, with the route scheduled throughout the end of May.

According to Skift, JetBlue now offers free Wi-Fi on all of its flights across 225 aircraft. The service was previously limited to certain flights.

Travel Weekly reports average travel industry pay fell by nearly 3 percent in December to £21,190.

According to Travel Daily Asia, a new study suggests Airbnb and hotels complement, not compete with, each other. The study also found occupancy and rates at Airbnb properties are lower than similar hotel accommodations.