Recommended Summer Essentials For Your Travel Adventures...

The reintroduction to the iconic Iconic Eddie Bauer brand and its lifetime warranty- One of our favorite outdoor brands has returned to its roots making high quality, well tailored products for men and women. 

The Atlas Stretch Hooded features: A lightweight, durable, all-world traveler, this jacket has two-way stretch for maximum mobility and comfort. Eight-pocket construction with exclusive TripZip pocket to secure travel essentials. Flexion nylon/spandex soft shell jacket provides excellent breathability and weather resistance.

• STORMREPEL DWR FINISHSheds moisture so it doesn't soak in
• INTERIOR DRAWCORD HEM WITH CORDLOCKAdjust the fit easily
• ADJUSTABLE VELCRO® TABS AT CUFFSSeal out cold and wet
• SUPERIOR STORAGE WITH 8 POCKETS2 chest, 4 lower torso, 1 exterior zip, 1 interior TripZip for travel docs

 Horizon Guide Chinos -Lightweight and easy packing, these chino pants deliver big on comfort and performance. The two-way stretch nylon/spandex has a StormRepel DWR finish that sheds moisture, and also features FreeShade UPF 50+ sun protection.

Eddie Bauer has partnered with bluesign® to ensure safe and sustainable textile production. By following their criteria, we are working to keep harmful chemicals out of the air and oceans — and out of our products.

• bluesign® certified fabric:Ensures safe and sustainable textile production
• Two-way stretch fabric for easy mobility
• Secure zip auto-lock pockets—one at right thigh, two in back
• 94% nylon/6% spandex
• Machine wash cold delicate with like colors. Do not bleach or use fabric softeners. Tumble dry low. Remove promptly. Cool iron as desired.
• Imported

• Classic: Sits below natural waist; straight through hip, thigh, and leg.

The Ventatrex Shirt - The FreeVent™ fabric with its FreeCool™ technology is actually a fine polyester mesh that looks solid, but has tiny, allover perforations for maximum airflow. FreeDry® moisture wicking adds to the superior comfort.

• 100% polyester
• Two button-through chest pockets at the yoke
• Machine wash cold, delicate, with like colors. Do not use fabric softeners. Tumble dry low. Remove promptly.
• Imported

• Classic: A universal fit. Not too slim, not too relaxed on body.

For more details about Eddie Bauer products please visit: https://www.eddiebauer.com/

Lolitas by A'RCOPEDICO,  perfect footwear for an active life

"This is a great product, good for everyone! It goes with any outfit, more casual or more sportive, for work or for leisure … very light, it fits very well in a woman purse or in a luggage to travel with. Extremely feminine, are much more comfortable than a standard ballerina and can replace the most sporty tennis shoes … they are available in different colors and can complete various outfits or simply to be used in the colors you like! EASY WALK EXPERIENCE it's an attitude to life. It means taking advantage of every moment to the maximum, feel free and never give up anything. lolitas are the best ally for an active life. https://easywalkexperience.com/en/en

Alchemi Labs' line of hats feature:

• Radiant barrier technology born from the space industry!
• Blocks 99.8% of skin damaging UV rays!
• Reflects up to 80% of the sun’s heat waves!
• Moisture-wicking sweatband and aggressive ventilation aids in cooling!
• Used by professional distance runners, beach lovers, gardeners, outdoor adventure seekers and more!
• Unisex and 5 styles to choose from- including the River Hat, Expedition Hat, Desert Hat, Sun Cap and the ALL NEW Bucket Hat.

Alchemi Labs hats provide UV protection as well as skin damaging ultra-violet ray protection. By reducing exposure to infra-rays, this line of radiant barrier hats keep you cool and can help prevent heat stroke.

As one Amazon reviewer put it: “I bought this for my wife. She loves it. Wore it all day today in the sun and was much cooler that usual in this nice Houston summer weather.”

With climate change here to stay, Alchemi Labs is proud to offer the ultimate protection from the sun.

Prices range $32 - $39 - alchemilabs.com

Moroccan Magic is our recommended choice for lip balms, USDA organic, and unique flavors including Coconut Almond and Lemon Thyme. Order gift selections and learn where to purchase at: https://www.moroccanmagicbeauty.com/ 

These Are The Best Frequent Flyer Programs for 2019

7.1 million ballots determine Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards and Marriott Bonvoy take top honors at this years Freddie Awards

FORT WORTH, Texas -- Recognizing the best of travel loyalty programs, Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards has been named frequent flyer Program of the Year for the fourth consecutive year. Marriott Bonvoy held the top spot, for the twelfth time, taking the highest honor among hotel programs in the Americas region at the 2019 Freddie Awards. The Freddie Awards were on Thursday, April 25th, hosted this year at the CR Smith Museum, Ft. Worth, Texas. 7.1 million ballots submitted by frequent travelers from around the globe were counted in this year's campaign.

Internationally among airline loyalty programs, Norwegian Reward is Program of the Year for the Europe/Africa region and Virgin Australia Velocity received the Program of the Year Freddie Award in the Middle East/Asia/Oceania region. Among hotel programs internationally, Le Club AccorHotels was named Program of the Year for the Europe/Africa region and IHG Rewards Club took top honors as Program of the Year in the Middle East/Asia/Oceania region.

In the popular credit card category, Chase Bank was a big winner by issuing the Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards Premier credit card. American Express Membership Rewards took top honors in the Middle East/Asia/Oceania region while Norwegian Reward won in the Europe/Africa region with their credit card issued by Bank Norwegian.

Also announced were the 210 Award for programs whose value vote rating was trending higher (up-and-comers). Winners in this category included Aeroplan, Caesars Rewards, TAP Miles&Go, NH Rewards, ANA Mileage Club and Club ITC.

The Freddie Awards represent excellence among travel loyalty programs around the globe and rate the best programs in six categories: Program of the Year, Best Promotion, Best Redemption Ability, Best Customer Service, Best Elite Program and Best Loyalty Credit Card. Voters had six weeks to vote and were permitted to vote for programs in one of three global regions: Americas, Europe/Africa and Middle East/Asia/Oceania. Voting also was available in fourteen different languages.

The awards were announced this evening during a gala event at the CR Smith Museum in Ft. Worth, Texas. More than 225 airline, hotel and credit card representatives attended the ceremony, along with frequent flyers who voted in this year's awards. "We are delighted to once again allow frequent flyers throughout the world the opportunity to select the travel loyalty programs that they believe have achieved excellence," said Randy Petersen, founder of the Freddie Awards. "This is not an elitist view of these programs nor a popular vote, but rather the 'best' are determined by the votes of those who spend a great deal of their life on the road and in turn are appreciative of the value they bring to their members."

The Freddie Awards were first introduced in 1988 and are named after the late Sir Freddie Laker, who attracted fame (and a knighthood in the United Kingdom) for pioneering low-cost air travel across the Atlantic in the 1970s. They are known as the "Voice of the Frequent Flyer".

The presenting sponsor this year was Barclays. Supporting sponsors included Ascenda, Collinson, Points and BoardingArea. The Freddie Awards trophy was custom designed by Society Awards.

AND THE WINNERS ARE: 
Americas 
Airline Category 
Program of the Year — Southwest Airlines - Rapid Rewards (4th consecutive year) 
Best Elite Program — American Airlines - AAdvantage (8th consecutive year) 
Best Promotion — Avianca - LifeMiles 
Best Customer Service — Southwest Airlines - Rapid Rewards 
Best Redemption Ability — Southwest Airlines - Rapid Rewards 
210 AWARD — Air Canada - Aeroplan (Trending)

Hotel Category 
Program of the Year — Marriott Hotels - Marriott Bonvoy (for the 12th time) 
Best Elite Program — Hyatt Hotels – World of Hyatt 
Best Promotion — Marriott Hotels - Marriott Bonvoy 
Best Customer Service — Caesars Entertainment - Caesars Rewards 
Best Redemption Ability — Marriott Hotels - Marriott Bonvoy 
210 AWARD — Caesars Entertainment - Caesars Rewards (Trending)

Credit Card 
Best Loyalty Credit Card — Southwest Airlines - Rapid Rewards from Chase Bank

Europe & Africa 
Airline Category 
Program of the Year — Norwegian Air – Norwegian Reward 
Best Elite Program — Aeroflot – Aeroflot Bonus 
Best Promotion — AIR FRANCE/KLM – Flying Blue 
Best Customer Service — Aeroflot – Aeroflot Bonus 
Best Redemption Ability — AIR FRANCE/KLM – Flying Blue 
210 AWARD — TAP Air Portugal – Miles&Go (Trending)

Hotel Category 
Program of the Year — Accor Hotels – Le Club AccorHotels 
Best Elite Program — Marriott Hotels - Marriott Bonvoy 
Best Promotion — IHG – IHG Rewards Club 
Best Customer Service — Accor Hotels – Le Club AccorHotels 
Best Redemption Ability — IHG – IHG Rewards Club 
210 AWARD — NH Hotel Group – NH Rewards (Trending)

Credit Card 
Best Affinity Credit Card — Bank Norwegian – Norwegian Card

Asia/Middle East & Oceania 
Airline Category 
Program of the Year — Virgin Australia – Velocity 
Best Elite Program — Virgin Australia – Velocity 
Best Promotion — Virgin Australia – Velocity 
Best Customer Service — Virgin Australia – Velocity 
Best Redemption Ability — Virgin Australia – Velocity 
210 AWARD — ANA – ANA Mileage Club (Trending)

Hotel Category 
Program of the Year — IHG – IHG Rewards Club 
Best Elite Program — Hyatt Hotels – World of Hyatt 
Best Promotion — IHG – IHG Rewards Club 
Best Customer Service — Accor Hotels – Le Club AccorHotels 
Best Redemption Ability — IHG – IHG Rewards Club 
210 AWARD — ITC Hotels – Club ITC (Trending)

Credit Card 
Best Affinity Credit Card — American Express Membership Rewards

SOURCE Freddie Awards

Mexico Beach, Florida, to Welcome Internationally Acclaimed Artists for America’s Great Plein Air Paint-Out: May 3-12, 2019

The 14th Annual Event will Focus on Natural Beauty Post-Hurricane Michael: May 3-12, 2019

MEXICO BEACH, FL. – Almost six months after Hurricane Michael ravaged the Gulf of Mexico Coast, Mexico Beach is moving forward and gearing up to welcome more than 20 internationally acclaimed artists for its 14th annual America’s Great Plein Air Paint-Out, taking place May 3-12. Among the world's most respected plein air festivals, the Forgotten Coast en Plein Air, America's Great Paint-Out is dedicated to documenting the landscape and culture of this breathtaking slice of "Old Florida.” This year’s 10-day event will focus on the natural beauty of this coastal town as it continues to recover and rebuild.

“We could not be more excited to host an award-winning lineup of incredible artists to capture the indestructible beauty of our beaches,” shared Mexico Beach Community Development Council President Kimberly Shoaf. “This event serves as a symbol of the extraordinary resilience of our community, and we look forward to welcoming visitors with open arms.”

Art lovers from across the Florida panhandle and beyond who attend the event can expect expanded exhibits, daily demonstrations, distinguished guest speakers, informative discussions and painting stations to view art or learn how to paint themselves. Spreading across the city’s limits, artists will be seen painting a mix of subject matter and styles alongside the roads overlooking the Gulf from the western end of Mexico Beach to the east side of Alligator Point. The festival will also designate a day to showcasing a selection of student art produced by young talent, providing opportunities and entertainment for all ages. For a complete list of events, click here and for more information and tickets, click here.

The Mexico Beach Community Development Council is grateful to each and everyone who continues to keep the area in their hearts and will continue to provide updates as available. For the latest updates and to stay connected, please visit www.MexicoBeach.com,  on Instagram (@mexicobeachfla), Facebook (@MexicoBeachFL) and #lovemexicobeach. 

About Mexico Beach, Florida

Since 1946, the three miles that make up the city of Mexico Beach have been a tranquil and serene hideaway from the pressures of everyday life. With its close proximity to Panama City Beach and Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport, Mexico Beach has big-city accessibility and a small-town feel, making it The Unforgettable Coast® for a reason.

Morocco Is A Trove Of Jewish History If You Know Where To Go

This March 27, 2019 photo shows the Torah scrolls in the ark of Em Habonim

By LEANNE ITALIE

NEW YORK (AP) — With its mountains and desert, beach resorts and Berber villages, Morocco is a feast for travelers of all kinds, including those who want to explore the kingdom’s deep Jewish roots.

The presence of Jews in Morocco stretches back more than 2,000 years. Before the founding of Israel in 1948, estimates put their number as high as about 275,000, which was considered the largest Jewish community in the Muslim world, said Roy Mittelman, director of the Jewish studies program at The City College of New York.

Today, after vast waves of departures over the years, only about 2,000 Jews remain in Casablanca and about 500 elsewhere in Morocco, but the Jewish presence is still alive in a variety of sights. The Museum of Moroccan Judaism in suburban Casablanca, for instance, is the only museum on Judaism in the Arab world.

Jews of Moroccan descent, in Israel and around the globe, return to the North African kingdom often and some maintain second homes in familial regions. Jewish heritage tours to Morocco are abundant and easy to track down. Most cities have a mellah, which is an old Jewish quarter, along with Jewish cemeteries and synagogues.

Mittelman, who has spent 40 years absorbing the history, culture and religious practices of Jews in Morocco, leads groups of students on tours of Jewish sights as part of an advanced seminar. He said there’s plenty to read ahead of a visit.

He recommends Shlomo Deshen’s “The Mellah Society: Jewish Community Life in Sherifian Morocco” for more on pre-colonial Morocco, based on the writings of 18th- and 19th-century Judeo-Moroccan sages.

To learn more about the spiritual history of the Jewish quarter in Marrakech, he recommends the travelogue of Bulgarian Jewish writer Elias Canetti, “The Voices of Marrakesh: A Record of a Visit.”

Mittelman has honed his travel itineraries over the years. Here are some of his favorites and other sights:

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CASABLANCA

The last Moroccan Jewish day school, Neve Shalom, is in Casablanca, which is the economic and business center of the kingdom. Watch the children playing outside in the yard, enjoy them singing Jewish songs and learn more about the school’s Hebrew classes and Bible studies, Mittelman said.

Visit the Tahiti Beach Club, once a local Jewish hangout.

Among Mittelman’s walking tours of Jewish residential areas in Casablanca are stops at the Beth El and Eim Habanim synagogues. There’s also a newer synagogue, David HaMelech, in the tony, beachside Corniche quarter not far from the beach club

Casablanca has a traditional kosher bakery and kosher restaurants, as do other cities. The city is a good place to start for a grounding in Jewish heritage and history.

______

MARRAKECH

Just over 100 Jews remain in Marrakech, including a handful who live in the old Jewish quarter, Mittelman said, but the mellah is bustling.

Among the synagogues that remain is the tiny blue-and-white Lazama, along a narrow street. Ask a local how to find it. Visitors may enter for a small fee. There’s an inviting riad-style courtyard with a fruit tree and a few chairs for weary travelers.

The original synagogue dated to 1492 but it was later rebuilt.

The mellah isn’t the only place for synagogues. Head to the city’s newer section of Gueliz, with a heavy European influence, for shabbat services at Temple Beth El Synagogue. Any taxi driver should know how to get there.

For a day trip out of Marrakech visit the Jewish heritage sites at Essaouira, once a thriving Jewish center and a former Portuguese fishing town. It was also a stop for 1960s and ’70s rock stars who made pilgrimages to Marrakech. The town, dating to the 1700s, has a synagogue, cemetery and mellah, with plaques indicating buildings where ancient, long-gone synagogues once stood.

______

FES

The city had a large Jewish community in the 17th century and has a well-known Orthodox synagogue, Ibn Danan. Once crumbling, it was refurbished in the 1990s with help from the World Monuments Fund and American Express. King Mohammed VI has committed to reviving Jewish sites around Morocco.

The mellah here is a maze within walls. You WILL get lost and that’s half the fun. It was the first mellah in Morocco, dating to around 1438.

In addition to a Jewish cemetery, where a couple of eminent medieval rabbis are buried, there’s a site in Fes that is considered sacred among women, the Tomb of Solika. With a last name that varies, Solika — as one retelling goes — was a Jewish woman of great beauty who was beheaded in 1834 for refusing to convert to Islam.

Maimonides, one of the most prolific and influential Torah scholars in the Middle Ages, lived in Fes from 1159 to 1165. His stone home, with weathered engraving marking the location, is worth a stop.

Walk a few steps and you’re bound to find somebody willing to guide you in Fes and elsewhere, but one who knows “Jewish Morocco” is harder to come by, Mittelman said. Do some research beforehand to find just the right drivers and guides if you’re traveling independently.

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OFF THE BEATEN PATH

If you favor this style of traveling, Mittelman said you should have no trouble in small towns and villages tracking Jewish influences and history.

“Find yourself the first 80-year-old and say, ‘Do you remember Jews here?’ Chances are they’ll say, ‘Yeah and here are their names and that crumbling house over there is where they used to live.’”

Spring And Summer 2019 At The Philadelphia Museum Of Art

Don't Miss The Impressionist’s Eye Through August 18 Peer over the shoulder of Claude Monet, Mary Cassatt, Vincent van Gogh, and others as they make their indelible mark on canvas, paper, and bronze. Get a sneak peek of the exhibition by watching this behind-the-scenes video.  Watch Video Photography Long Light: Photographs by David Lebe Through May 5 This survey examines Lebe’s remarkable artistic range, including his powerful representations of gay experience and living with AIDS. Prints Yoshitoshi: Spirit and Spectacle Through August 18 Discover the brilliant colors and spirited lines of Tsukioka Yoshitoshi, the last great master of the traditional Japanese woodcut print. Sculpture Antony Gormley: STAND Through June 16 Perched high on the museum's Rocky steps, ten cast-iron sculptures by British artist Antony Gormley bring art outside, releasing it into the city's shared space. See all current exhibitions. Final Fridays Takeover Def Poetry Reunion Livestream April 26, 7:15 p.m. An epic evening of artistry featuring Bonafide Rojas and other special guests. Tickets to the event are sold out. In partnership with Visit Philadelphia, we'll be streaming the performance live on our Facebook page starting at 7:15 p.m. Please note: On Friday, April 26, the museum will close at 5:00 p.m., reopening at 6:00 p.m. for Def Poetry Reunion ticket holders only. Cedar Grove Historic House Spring Celebration April 20, 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. Celebrate the season at Cedar Grove. Check out our early American kitchen garden with herbal medicine demonstrations and plant sales. The 57th Annual Philadelphia Antiques and Art Show April 26–28 | The Navy Yard Browse a collector’s wonderland, where sixty top-notch exhibitors offer a vast selection of decorative and fine art. Wednesday Nights Drink & Draw May 1, 6:00–8:00 p.m. Sip while you sketch with artist Lale Westvind, whose brilliant colors, spirited lines, and heroic themes parallel the illustrative work of Yoshitoshi. Chef Demo Local Spring Produce May 8, 6:00–8:00 p.m. Learn about the artistry of food at our next Chef Demo. Taste the best offerings from several local farms with Stir's Executive Chef Mark Tropea. In the Artist’s Voice Jennifer Crandall May 11, 2:00–3:30 p.m. Who is America? The filmmaker of Whitman, Alabama explores this question and more in a conversation with WHYY Executive Producer of Audio Content Elisabeth Perez-Luna. Limited-Time Offer Spring Sale Main Museum Store Only Stop by our main store for huge savings. 25% off kids books and activities, 50% off select posters and card sets, up to 50% off select jewelry and more. Plus Members receive an additional 20% off. Pay What You Wish Playful Prints May 5, 10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. Discover Yoshitoshi and the world of printmaking at this month's Family Festival. Experiment with the Japanese printmaking technique mokuhanga with special guest artist Jennifer Mack-Watkins at our Balcony Studio and explore images of childhood in honor of Japanese Children’s Day on our Mini-Tours.  See a full calendar of What's On this season. 2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway Philadelphia, PA 19130philamuseum.org

Sofitel Rome Villa Borghese Opens July 1st Following Extensive Renovations by Jean Philippe Nuel

The redesign will transform the property into an elegant Roman retreat, fusing La Dolce Vita heritage with modern French art de vivre

  

Rome (April 17, 2019) – Situated in the heart of Rome, Sofitel Rome Villa Borghese will reopen on July 1st, unveiling extensive renovations by contemporary architect and interior designer, Jean-Philippe Nuel. Modern luxury travelers are invited to eat, sleep, enjoy, travel, stay, celebrate and live the French way at Sofitel Rome Villa Borghese.

Situated on a quiet street in the epicenter of Rome, this former 19th century Roman palazzo lies within walking distance of some of the city’s best-known cultural landmarks and parks, including the Trevi Fountain, Villa Medici and Spanish Steps. Evoking the feel of a Roman home, guests will appreciate the hotel’s relaxed and laid-back atmosphere and the sense of being truly immersed in the essence of this picturesque Italian city.

The hotel will offer 78 rooms and suites, with the unveiling of larger suites, a new fitness center and wellness program, and three large event rooms. Sofitel Rome Villa Borghese will also be home to Settimo, an elegant rooftop lounge and restaurant, offering panoramic views overlooking the picturesque Villa Borghese gardens and St. Peter’s Basilica. Adorned with eclectic furnishings and lush green interiors, Settimo will provide a garden escape on the 7th floor and serve contemporary Roman cuisine using locally-sourced ingredients. Paying respect to local mastery and heritage, while highlighting the personality of the hotel’s Executive Chef, Giuseppe D’Alessio, signature dishes will incorporate traditional Roman culinary styles such as ‘cucina povera’ and ‘Tripolina.’

Jean Philippe Nuel’s chic redesigns will combine the heritage and classicism of ‘La Dolce Vita’, with the modernism and design of French ‘art de vivre.’ The hotel entrance will feature an iconic display of chromatic counterpoints and vibrant colors, creating a modern lounge with a classical feel. Guest rooms will also exhibit an iridescent ceiling masterpiece, creating the illusion of the bright sky above.

At Sofitel Rome Villa Borghese, guests will feel instantly at home, with dedicated and personalized attention through thoughtful gestures and delightful surprises. The hotel will feature a dedicated candle ritual, inspired by the lighting of the streets of Paris during the reign of Louis XIV, which provided citizens with a sense of welcoming and safety. At sunset, the hotel will light giant candles outside the entrance to welcome guests back from their evenings out touring the city, accompanied by atmospheric music.

The ‘home away from home’ atmosphere with personalized wellness and fitness therapies with the SofitelFIT Wellness Programme, and the Sofitel MyBed Sleep Menu, a signature in-room service, transform the bathroom into a private sanctuary with luxurious options for relaxation. Guests can choose between two complimentary baths – a therapeutic Soothing Bath that invites a lazy soak with calming essential oils, or a Bubble Bath that injects fun into the bath time experience. Sofitel Rome Villa Borghese also provides guests with personalized bathrobes to enhance the bespoke nature of the experiences.

The French joie de vivre and the Roman carpe diem of the renovated hotel will create a uniquely sophisticated, yet simple and contemporary experience where desires are magnified after a day of exploring the historical Roman streets.

Sofitel Rome Villa Borghese is now accepting reservations for stays from July 1st. Rooms start from $390 per night (excluding breakfast). For more information, visit:sofitel.accorhotels.com/gb/hotel-1312-sofitel-roma-reopens-renovated-in-summer/index.shtml

Sofitel Rome Villa Borghese joins more than 120 Sofitel Hotels & Resorts strategically positioned in key destinations around the world. Sofitel will also introduce stunning new properties including Sofitel Mexico City Reforma, Sofitel Legend Panama Casco Viejo, Sofitel Dubai Wafi, and Sofitel Adelaide. Sofitel is a global ambassador of modern French luxury, where passionate travellers can indulge in chic experiences that artfully blend the essence of each destination with the brand’s French art de vivre spirit.

About Sofitel

Sofitel Hotels & Resorts is an ambassador of modern French style, culture and art-de-vivre around the world. Established in 1964, Sofitel is the first international luxury hotel brand to originate from France with over 120 chic and remarkable hotels in the world’s most sought-after destinations. Sofitel exudes a refined and understated sense of modern luxury, always blending a touch of French decadence with the very best of the locale. The Sofitel collection includes such notable hotels as Sofitel Paris Le Faubourg, Sofitel London St James, Sofitel Munich Bayerpost, Sofitel Rio de Janeiro Ipanema, Sofitel Washington DC Lafayette Square, Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour and Sofitel Bali Nusa Dua Beach Resort. Sofitel is part of Accor, a world-leading augmented hospitality group offering unique and meaningful experiences in 4,800 hotels, resorts, and residences across 100 countries. 

sofitel.com | group.accor.com

AirHelp Finds United States Airlines Wrongfully Reject More Than 25% Of Their Passengers' Compensation Claims

AirHelp, the world's leading air passenger rights company, released the results of a new study¹ showing that United States airlines wrongfully reject more than 25% of compensation claims, indicating that more than one in five travelers are being denied up to $700 they are owed by Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, and American Airlines following flight disruptions.

Each year, more and more travelers flying out of the U.S. are eligible to claim compensation under European law EC 261 which covers travelers on European flights. AirHelp found more than 25% of valid claims filed against U.S. airlines for disrupted flights in 2016, 2017 and 2018 were turned away on wrongful grounds by airlines trying to avoid their obligation to travelers.

The travel experience is continuously getting worse due to overtourism. In the U.S., 407,000 travelers are eligible to claim compensation under EC 261 following flight delays and cancellations experienced last year, up from 370,000 the previous year. During the first three months of 2019, more than 75,000 passengers experienced disruptions due to the fault of the airlines that have made them eligible for compensation.

This trend is a small part of the larger issue of airlines mistreating passengers. In a survey of travelers, AirHelp found 75% of U.S. travelers feel uninformed about their air passenger rights, and less than 25% of travelers who were on a disrupted flight actually file a claim, despite airlines being required by law to inform passengers of their rights.

How the U.S. Airlines Stack Up

Of the U.S. airlines, Delta Air Lines wrongfully rejects the most claims at a rate of one in three. United Airlines wrongfully rejects nearly one in four claims, and American Airlines rejects one in every five. According to AirHelp Score, an annual ranking of global airlines and airports, U.S. airlines' unsurprisingly perform poorly, with each major carrier earning less than seven out of 10 for quality of service.

The most popular U.S. airlines ranked on wrongfully rejected claims rate

United States ranking	Global ranking for wrongfully rejected claims rate	Airline	Wrongfully rejected claim rate
1	32	Delta Air Lines	32%
2	42	United Airlines	23%
3	44	American Airlines	22%

Data from January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2018

"The bleak picture in the U.S. is just the tip of the iceberg. The volume of legitimate passenger claims being wrongfully rejected by airlines is appalling. Flight delays and cancellations are increasingly heaping chaos on passengers, and travelers are forced to fight airlines for compensation they're rightfully owed," says Henrik Zillmer, CEO of AirHelp. "It's all very well for airlines to say they will compensate passengers who make their claim directly. The reality is that thousands of passengers are continuing to face an impossible struggle to claim the money they're entitled to. If they are embroiled in a legal battle with an airline, passengers may face costs to hire a lawyer to push through their claim, which can make fighting for compensation virtually impossible."

U.S. Passenger Rights

U.S. passengers are protected under EC 261 for flights to the EU on an EU airline, and any flight departing from the EU. Cancelled flights, delays of more than three hours, and incidents of denied boarding are covered under EC 261, as long as the disruption was not caused by extraordinary circumstances such as weather, sabotage or political unrest. Eligible passengers may be entitled to financial compensation of up to $700 per person, and can file claims up to three years after the incident occurs.

Travelers have fewer protections on domestic U.S. flights, but can claim up to $1,350 in compensation for denied boarding due to overbooking, depending on the value of the ticket fare and ultimate delay in arrival to their final destination

Passengers can check their eligibility at the airport or on-the-go, and make a claim in a matter of minutes on www.airhelp.com/en.

About AirHelp

AirHelp is the world's largest organization specializing in air passenger rights, helping travellers get compensation for delayed or cancelled flights and in instances of denied boarding. The company also takes legal and political action to support the growth and enforcement of air passenger rights worldwide. AirHelp has aided more than 10 million people, is available in 30 countries and has more than 600 employees.

¹AirHelp analysed hundreds of thousands of its own claims submitted to the 46 biggest airlines globally from 1 January 2016 to 31 December 2018.

*Unless otherwise stated, all data is provided by SurveyMonkey. 2,062 respondents participated in this survey, which took place in February 2018. The results are representative of air travelers (ages 18 and older) in the United States.