clarkhoward.com: clarkhoward

Save more, spend less and avoid rip-offs

Clarkhoward Home

Listen Live:

Mon-Fri 1-4pm ET
Stations near you | help

Clark On Demand:

Video Minute Archives
Daily Audio Archives
Rip-off Alerts
Call of the Week

Clark's Advice:

Today's Show Notes
Previous Show Notes
Clark's Greatest Hits
Free and Cheap

Consumer Action Center:

Ask Team Clark
Call 10am-7pm ET
(404) 892-8227

Quick Links:

Member Center
Blogs
Newsletters
Message boards
Meet the Team

Clark Media:

Appearances
Books
Photos
TV

Call The Show:

Talk to Clark 1-4pm ET:
(877) 87-CLARK or
(404) 872-0750


	Looking for something on the site? Search for it here! Also see Clark's Greatest Hits
	search help \| sitemap

help

Jul 23, 2008 -- Website offers new perspective on air travel

It's no secret that gripes about air travel are very common. But what if you could know fares and the quality of a flight before you booked?

That's the premise of a new website called InsideTrip.com. You can shop fares and learn about the load factor on flights, leg room, the age of the fleet, the rate of baggage loss and much more.

InsideTrip.com offers Consumer Reports-type rankings with a system of little circles and a numerical ranking. The consistent No. 1 airline seems to be Milwaukee-based Midwest Airlines. On the flip side, United Airlines is usually the worst. Little surprise there!

Unfortunately, Clark won't be able to answer any questions submitted via commenting. If you have a question, please try posting it to our message boards.

Add your comment

What others are saying

Austrian Airlines

I recently traveled economy class to Vienna on Austrian Airlines. The seating was cramped, the seating area was hot and I could not sleep on this night flight. However, on the return trip, there was a delay in boarding. When I heard someone mention he had a ticket, but no seat, I went to the desk and asked if the flight was overbooked. The answer was, "Yes." When I asked for an upgrade, I was given one at no charge! I could hardly believe it. What an enormous difference. Plenty of leg room, seats that reclined to an almost horizontal position, a bag of free travel goodies, meals that one would find in a five star restuarant, etc. All at no charge! So keep your eyes and ears open, and ask about an upgrade, if it looks as if the flight has been overbooked. The upgrade may not be free, but it will probably be at a reduced price.

By Judy @ 08/10/08 11:39:00 PMreport abuse
midwest

In the listing this site did not mention Midwest Connect. We recently used Midwest from Nashville to Milwaukee and the service was GREAT!!!Both ends of the trip went well.

By pam @ 07/30/08 09:06:44 PMreport abuse
Midwest Airlines

I have had good and bad experiences with many airlines and fortunately most have been good, but I must say I believe Midwest Airlines is exceptional in all areas. I just really wish they went to Chicago!

By Michelle Nauris @ 07/30/08 03:25:14 PMreport abuse
BEST & WORST AIRLINES

HAVE USED UNITED AIRLINES FOR THE PAST 12 YEARS AND NEVER HAD A BAD EXPERIENCE.

By DAN LAJCIN @ 07/29/08 10:08:59 PMreport abuse
Best Airline

We just finished a trip to NY and By Far Jet Blue has all the airlines beat hands down

By Coni Bordeau @ 07/29/08 04:50:47 PMreport abuse
continental airlines

By far the worst! It seems like all the employees (at least in Atlanta) are DMV rejects.

By Mitch in Atlanta @ 07/29/08 12:14:16 PMreport abuse
Like layout of site!

Retired software designer.
Layout of response is great, best I have seen so far.

By David Cain @ 07/29/08 08:57:53 AMreport abuse
airline

same old suspects.
i go from ft myers fl/ontario ca.
southwest does it chespest and they weren't encluded.

By mary scofic @ 07/29/08 12:24:15 AMreport abuse
United Airlines did a good job

I flew United in coach this week to Paris and back and they did a wonderful job; the flights were on time, no lost luggage, and the meals were served in a timely manner and were delicious, and they give you the entire can to drink, not just the little cup. I did upgrade to their Economy Plus on return and it was worth the 65 euros they charged. United was much better in so many ways than was my flight to Itay on American in coach last year.

By Marilyn @ 07/28/08 09:28:18 PMreport abuse
spirit airlines

as for prices, the email prices on spirit airlines can't be beat if the travel dates and destinations are in your schedule. A great bargain to many locations.

By l johnson @ 07/28/08 09:22:07 PMreport abuse
no deals

I put in a search between the 2 cities that I go to 3 times a year (coast to coast) and unless I wanted a layover of over 3 hours, it came back with nothing.

By Judy @ 07/28/08 03:43:27 PMreport abuse
Inside Trip

This web site sucks. You can't even get on to find a flight.Without jumping though hoops

By Jug @ 07/28/08 03:21:21 PMreport abuse
Inside Trip

Used it for the first time today and it really shoed me what flights to book for a new trip to Columbus OH. I got the $217 trip (they use Orbitz) for $211 by going to the airline website (NWA). Thanks Clark!!

By Jo @ 07/28/08 03:13:24 PMreport abuse
International Travel

I had a small tool box confiscated in Italy. It was the small computer/clock type screwdrivers. It was ok to take in the U.S.A.;but Italy thought it was a threat. We need REAL Travel Standards throughout the world. One country says it's ok another country takes it away.
And by the way in Italy, you do not have to take off your shoes. I think that is a mistake. The problems came from Europe.

By Sally B @ 07/28/08 02:42:49 PMreport abuse
Airline omission.

Southwest does not show up on the referenced site even tho it has the only non-stop service between IND and JAX

By David Bond @ 07/28/08 02:23:29 PMreport abuse
United is Best?

The comment posted here recently stating that United Airlines is the �Best in the West� and that Atlanta is an enigma is very surprising. I lived on the west coast for many years before moving to the Atlanta area and was forced to fly United frequently because they have a virtual monopoly on north-south flights along the Pacific coast. Over the years of suffering lost luggage, canceled flights late departures and arrivals and the general disregard that United showed for its customers, I came to have a lower opinion of United than I ever have for any other company. I count the fact that I seldom have to fly United anymore as one of the greatest pluses to moving back East.

By Ron @ 07/28/08 02:03:49 PMreport abuse
dont believe all u read

As a former airline emp, you cannot expect accurate info from any website, especially baggage loss. How can anyone predict the PHL ramp agts to pull another stunt like they did in Dec. 2004 causing millions of passenger's bags to misconx. I experienced so much grief fr irate paxs that I quit my job of 20 yrs. No need to look at a web site, here is all u nd to know--full flts, no leg rm in cheap seats, planes are old, no food and most importantly---there are only 2 typs of bags: LOST and CARRY ON.

By former airline emp @ 07/25/08 10:12:04 AMreport abuse
united

you are dead wrong, that link is an AA airline schill, often united is the best, at least in the west
atlanta has always been an enigma

By optimystk @ 07/24/08 10:06:00 PMreport abuse
1st NYC Trip

My fiance & I are going to NYC 8/23-8/26. We would like to have a good time - go to a play, nice dinner, tourist stuff, etc. How can we get best price play tickets & other touristy-type deals? Thanks..... Chip

By Chip @ 07/24/08 07:03:55 PMreport abuse
Air Travel

Like format with ratings

By Gary Thomas @ 07/24/08 05:50:58 PMreport abuse
Love that site! Lots of info in one place...

Thanks for the link! This is the perfect site to check out all the nitty gritty on flights you plan to take. It's very easy to use.

By Kristy @ 07/24/08 03:12:38 PMreport abuse

email this to a friend get a printer-friendly version RSS feeds

This week's poll

see previous polls