| Delta flight returns to Atlanta after 'engine issue' and A skeptic finds inner peace in Sedona |
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(CNN) -- A Delta Air Lines plane returned to Atlanta's main airport after the crew experienced an "engine issue," the airline said early Tuesday morning.Airline spokeswoman Chris Kelly Singley could not elaborate on what the problem was, saying she had heard varying reports."A few moments after the plane took off, there was somewhat a loss of power and some passengers noticed a noise," said passenger Eric Psalmond. "We turned around and the flight crew announced that everything was fine and that we were just turning around and going back to the airport -- back for landing."Flight 1323 took off from Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport and was headed to Los Angeles. Shortly after, the Boeing 757 returned to the airport, Singley said."She stepped on the brakes very hard," Bert Rudman told CNN affiliate WSB. Once the plane came to a stop, Rudman said, the order to evacuate was given. [Read the full article] (CNN) -- The extensive menu of airline fees is growing again -- at least at one low-cost carrier.Florida-based Spirit Airlines has announced it will charge a $5 fee for passengers who ask an agent to print their boarding pass at the airport.You can bypass the fee by checking in online and printing your own boarding pass, or by checking in at an airport kiosk -- for now. (Starting next summer, boarding passes at airport kiosks will cost $1.)The new policy applies to all domestic and international flights booked on or after Tuesday for travel on November 1, 2011, and beyond. At the same time, Spirit says it is lowering fares on all nonstop flights by $5 each way.It's the first U.S. carrier to charge a boarding pass fee. In Europe, Irish-based low-cost airline Ryanair has a similar, though more expensive, policy.Spirit is just listening to its customers, it said. In a survey, most told the carrier that they preferred lower fares in exchange for checking in online. [Read the full article] (CNN) -- Airlines score lowest among 47 industries evaluated by the American Customer Satisfaction Index, according to a report released by the national index Tuesday.Not surprisingly, bag fees play a big role in airline passenger disgruntlement. Those who pay for bags are much less satisfied than those who avoid the fees -- a score of 58 compared to 68. Poor service, other fees and higher fuel prices are also contributors.Overall, airline passenger satisfaction is down 1.5% from last year with an industry score of 65. Southwest leads in passenger satisfaction among the major carriers evaluated, with a score of 81 -- up 3% from last year. Satisfaction with Delta Air Lines dropped by 10%, for a score of 56.ACSI notes that mergers often have a negative impact on customer satisfaction. Delta merged with Northwest Airlines last year. The United-Continental merger seems to have dealt a blow to Continental, with satisfaction plunging 10% to a score of 64. [Read the full article] |








