Skybus had less than a handful of planes…

Skybus Airlines Ceases Operations, JetBlue and US Airways Offer Standby FaresColumbus, Ohio-based Skybus Airlines has ceased operations effective April 5, 2008. Ticket holders who paid by credit card should contact their credit card company. Future bankruptcy updates will be provided at www.skybus.com. JetBlue will offer affected Skybus customers a special $50 one-way standby fare. This fare will be honored for any JetBlue destination within 100 miles of the original Skybus destination. Skybus customers must call JetBlue Reservations at 800-JETBLUE (800-538-2583) to list as standby customers and must show proof of Skybus purchase at the airport upon check in. All travel must be completed by April 13, 2008. Details can be found on JetBlue's Web site. US Airways will also offer a $50 standby fare for travelers who were scheduled to fly on Skybus to/from Columbus, Ohio and Greensboro, NC. The $50 fee applies per non-stop leg and does not include applicable taxes and fees. See USAirways.com for more information.

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US Airways said it will accept tickets for standby travel from Skybus passengers for $50 per person per nonstop segment, plus any applicable taxes and fees.

Southwest Airlines offered to fly stranded Skybus passengers at no charge to Jacksonville, Fla.; Manchester, N.H.; Norfolk, Va.; Providence, R.I.; Fort Myers, Fla.; or Raleigh-Durham, N.C., spokesman Chris Mainz said. Other markets might be accommodated on an individual basis, he said.

Passengers have to present their Skybus itinerary. He expects the offer to last through the weekend.

“We haven’t done it exactly like this in the past. But we do look at things on a case by case basis,” Mainz said.
Sunday, April 6, 2008 3:59 AM - COLUMBUS DISPATCH

AIG TravelGuard, the insurer, said it will offer free rebooking — normally a $25 cost — for any Skybus customer, even those without insurance. That’s the extent of the help TravelGuard can provide, said Becky Edwards, assistant manager of its call center.

Skybus insurance policies covered flights missed because of problems such as an illness, inclement weather and, later, airline-caused delays and cancellations, she said. But Skybus did not include “default” — going out of business — as one of the circumstances covered by the insurance, she said.

Skybus ticket holders who paid for travel insurance and had not started their trip when the airline folded can apply for a refund of their insurance premium. Information on how to do that can be found at www.travelguard.com/skybus. The company’s toll-free number is 1-800-826-4919.
Sunday, April 6, 2008 3:59 AM - COLUMBUS DISPATCH

Expect to receive provisional credit to your account for the disputed amount in seven to 10 business days, one U.S. Bank branch co-manager said. During a 30- to 45-day period after the initial contact, the bank will research the problem on behalf of the customer. The co-manager noted that it’s important that customers complete the paperwork that will be sent to them. Customers risk having the provisional credit withdrawn if the dispute documentation isn’t completed.
Sunday, April 6, 2008 3:59 AM - COLUMBUS DISPATCH

Most new startup airlines seem to have problems. I say fly the established airlines like Continental, American, Lufthansa, etc. Stay the hell away from bargain airlines like Southwest.

I guess you can't expect much when you get the ticket for $20. Oh well…