U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood has announced plans to bump up the cost to airlines for bumping passengers on overbooked flights. The proposals also include greater transparency in pricing and fees as well as tweaks to the recently-enacted tarmac delay limits. The actions are encouraging for airline passengers, so how are the airlines reacting?

A survey conducted by the U.S. consumer publication Consumer Reports reveals the 12 top grievances among flyers in the U.S. Topping the list is checked baggage charges, fees, and rude staff. Do you agree with the rest?

One of the most frustrating parts of flying may be phased out in three years. The restrictions on the amount of liquids European passengers can carry with them in their hand luggage will be a thing of the past come April of 2013 as the EU overhauls its aviation security policies.

Airlines in the U.S. are facing government rules that will limit ground delays to 3 hours before passengers must be given the option to de-plane. Some airlines are already prepared for what they warn will be unintended consequences. Others are asking for an exemption from the rule or a delay in its implementation.

The volcanic ash cloud over much of northern Europe last week left hundreds of thousands of passengers stranded around the world as flights to and from the continent were cancelled for the better part of six days. Now that the ash has temporarily cleared, the dust hasn't quite settled on the issue of passenger compensation. The volcanic ash cloud was not of the airlines' making, so who should pay for your inconvenience?

The nearly week-long air traffic jam is showing signs of movement as European airspace is slowly opening. EUROCONTROL reports that nearly half of the 28,000 flights it normally handles will be back in the air as of Tuesday, the 20th. It's a break in the ash cloud that gives stranded passengers hope, however reports out of Iceland indicate that there could be more ash-related disruptions in the days to come.

Airline executives make it a point to stress that business decisions such as add-on fees are made with the passenger's benefit in mind. If you ever had any doubt whether such fees would last, the smiles of some executives at an aviation conference in March seemed to give the answer.

The idea of paying to use the lavatory in an airplane has been the punch line of many jokes about airline fees. "What are they going to do, start charging to use the toilet?" Why, yes.

The overhead compartment has been a place to stow your "normal" carry-on items and, space permitting, an additional laptop case or jacket or duty free items. With airlines fees for checked baggage causing a surge in the sizes and numbers of carry-on items, some flyers have grumbled that airlines instead should charge for the bags on board, not the ones in the cargo hold. Be careful what you wish for.

A global survey of members of the International Airline Passengers Association (IAPA) reveals that airline fees on items and services once considered part of the fare are the least popular charges, while fees for added amenities such as Internet access are looked upon more favorably.