Dawn Gilbertson, USA TODAY

Dawn Gilbertson

USA TODAY

Phoenix, AZ, United States

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Past:
  • USA TODAY
  • Indianapolis Star
  • Tallahassee Democrat
  • Enquirer
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  • The Shreveport Times
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Past articles by Dawn:

Flight delayed or canceled? What you need to know and what airlines owe travelers.

Cancellation and delay compensation policies for air travel vary depending on the circumstances. → Read More

Summer travel woes: What airlines owe you when flights are canceled, delayed

Airline travelers are only owed refunds, hotel and meal vouchers in certain cancellation circumstances due to a patchwork of regulations and policies. → Read More

Budget airline Avelo is growing again, with new flights to Orlando, Wilmington, North Carolina

Avelo and fellow newcomer Breeze Airways have been growing rapidly, offering nonstop flights on routes mostly ignored by major airlines. → Read More

Airlines are ditching face mask rules for the first time in two years. Here's what travelers need to know.

Southwest, Delta, American, United and other airlines rushed to lift their mask rules in the wake of a federal judge's ruling on the government's mask mandate. → Read More

Heading to a Las Vegas pool party? Don't make these rookie dayclub mistakes

If Las Vegas pool parties are on your next Vegas vacation agenda, these do's and don'ts will help set your expectations and save time and money. → Read More

$50 cocktails, long lines for Snoop Dogg and twerking in thongs: One weekend, 10 Vegas pool parties

Las Vegas resorts have perfected the art of the dayclub, pool parties where tourists shell out for cushy cabanas, champagne showers and big-name DJs. → Read More

No selfie sticks, eye drops or socks with sandals: 8 crazy entry restrictions at Las Vegas' pool parties

Las Vegas pool parties' list of prohibited items for entry includes many items that are often floating around in a purse or pocket. → Read More

Another weekend, another travel mess: JetBlue, Spirit cancel hundreds of flights

JetBlue's president said April will 'continue to be challenging' and fliers face summer flight cuts as airline staffing issues persist. → Read More

Spring break travel mess: Airlines cancel, delay 12,000 weekend flights

Southwest, Spirit, JetBlue and American airlines suffer heavy weekend flight cancellations and delays. → Read More

Southwest is about to add a new fare class. Here's why and what perks it might include (for more money)

Southwest Airlines executives insist the the new fare category won't turn its cheapest tickets into basic economy-like tickets. → Read More

A match made in airline (fee) heaven: Budget airlines Frontier and Spirit to merge

The two rapidly growing budget airlines are known for bargain fares and fees for everything from soft drinks to carry-on bags. → Read More

Southwest Airlines bringing booze back to flights after nearly 2-year absence due to COVID-19

Southwest Airlines suspended inflight drink service in March 2020 amid COVID-19 but gradually added back soda and coffee but delayed alcohol sales. → Read More

Airlines now offer free changes on many plane tickets. Except these. And these. And these.

Travelers buying basic economy tickets on major airlines and no frills tickets on budget airlines still face fees and restrictions when changing them. → Read More

Too nervous to buy a plane ticket? Delta Air Lines just sweetened the pot amid COVID surge

The airline said it wants to give travelers peace of mind as the coronavirus pandemic continues. → Read More

What airlines owe you when flights are canceled, delayed

Airline travelers are only owed refunds, hotel and meal vouchers in certain cancellation circumstances due to a patchwork of regulations and policies. → Read More

More than 7,000 flights canceled or delayed Monday as winter storm slams East Coast

A winter storm is further snarling air travel across the country after more than two weeks of heavy flight cancellations and delays. → Read More

Check your flight status: Airlines have already canceled more than 2,100 Sunday flights

The holiday travel season has racked up nearly 15,000 flight cancellations with airlines pointing to weather, staffing woes amid the COVID surge. → Read More

Cheap tickets, tiny airports, and no TSA PreCheck: What it's like to fly new budget airline Avelo

The budget carrier started flights from California in April and recently expanded to the busy Connecticut-Florida corridor. → Read More

'Current hold time is 2 hour and 43 minutes': Christmas flight cancellations send travelers scrambling

More than 500 Christmas Eve, Christmas Day flights have been canceled. Delta Air Lines said it expects the cancellations to continue through Sunday. → Read More

COVID on a cruise: How a breakthrough case sent one couple from an ocean view balcony to the 'dungeon'

A vaccinated Connecticut couple tested positive for coronavirus during a Royal Caribbean cruise last week and spent three nights in isolation. → Read More