Pack Lightly, Board Early

American Airlines rolled out a new boarding policy Thursday that allows passengers with one carry-on item that fits under the seats to board planes earlier than others who require overhead bins.

It’s all about being able to get to and from destinations on time, the airline says.

“Our tests indicate that this new boarding process will improve our dependability and on-time performance, while being easier and more enjoyable for our customers,” Carol Wright, the airline’s vice president of customer planning, said in a statement.

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Free Things On Planes

From shrinking seats to ever-dwindling in-flight amenities, the airline industry really earns its tightfisted reputation. But if you know what to ask for, you’ll find that in-flight offerings are not quite as stingy as they seem. We asked author and former flight attendant Beth Blair for her tips on the free extras and services only available to those who know to ask.

So next time you’re hit with a headache onboard or have a thirst that’s going to take more than a glorified Dixie cup of soda to quench, know you can ask for—and most likely receive—a little onboard assistance.

Find out what other free things on planes you can get!

Saving on Summer Airfare

Chaotic schedules often lead to fantasies of summer vacation. The same schedules typically result in putting off planning said getaways. Now that summer’s upon us, the question arises – is it too late to book a vacation? It’s a reasonable concern, seeing as many airlines have few seats left during the summer months, particularly for prime vacation destinations. Another daunting consideration – prices for the seats that do exist.

The good news – it’s possible to take a summer break without breaking the bank.

When compiling its summer travel research, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics focused on the period of time beginning the Thursday before Memorial Day and ending the Wednesday after Labor Day. Based on its own research, the online metasearch siteKayak has found August to be the least expensive month for summer travels.

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