government travel flight costs

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Departing Flights

Return flights, mygovtrip flight search tool features, coverage – government contract schedules.

With our Flight Search Tool you can access all Government contracted domestic and international flights and fares including both direct flight and connection options for your specified dates of travel. This includes both flights operated by the eight airlines that have been awarded Government contracts under the GSA City Pair Program as well as flights where these eight airlines are the marketing airline (codeshare flight) and the flight is operated by another airline.

We highlight in the flight results displayed to you when a flight is a codeshare flight and indicate to you who the actual operating airline is.

The eight airlines with Government contracts are – , Alaska Airlines, American Airlines Delta Air Lines, Hawaiian Airlines, JetBlue, Silver Airways, Southwest Airlines and United Airlines.

Coverage – Commercial Flights

With our Flight Search Tool you can access all domestic flights of all airlines operating in the USA plus all flights worldwide between over 4000 airports operated by over 800 airlines . Therefore all all direct flights and connection options between any USA city to worldwide destinations can be searched for any specified travel dates, and all direct flights and connection options between any two cities worldwide outside the USA can be searched.

Flight searches can be made for flights operating up to one year ahead.

Description of Government contract fares awarded under the GSA City Pair Program

These are fares agreed with the eight appointed airlines for official government and military air travel at rates considerably lower than comparable commercial fares on thousands of domestic and international city pairs.

These fares are one-way and valid in either direction and with domestic fares all existing Federal, State, and local taxes and other fees and charges are included but exclude passenger facility charges, segment fees, and passenger security service fees.

For international fares estimated fuel surcharge fees are included but any applicable taxes and other fees are excluded.

The categories of contract fares are:

Business Fare ( _CB )

A three-character code used to identify capacity-controlled Government contract business class fares. The first letter of the three-character fare basis code will vary by airline. No administrative fee/penalty shall apply for rebooking, re-ticketing, or cancellation. Domestic and international _CB fares may be subject to auto-cancellation of all un-ticketed reservations seven (7) calendar days prior to departure time and date and applies only to reservations booked eight (8) calendar days or more before departure. Reservations made seven (7) calendar days or less prior to departure time may be exempt and may require ticketing six (6) hours before departure at the carrier’s discretion.

Premium Economy Fare ( _CP )

A three-character code used to identify capacity-controlled Government contract premium economy class fares. The first letter of the three-character fare basis code will vary by airline. No administrative fee/penalty shall apply for rebooking, re-ticketing, or cancellation. International _CP fares may be subject to auto-cancellation of all un-ticketed reservations seven (7) calendar days prior to departure time and date and applies only to reservations booked eight (8) calendar days or more before departure. Reservations made seven (7) calendar days or less prior to departure time may be exempt and may require ticketing six (6) hours before departure at the carrier’s discretion.

Capacity-Controlled Fare ( _CA )

A three-character code used to identify capacity-controlled coach class contract fares for Government contract carriers. _CA fares are lower in cost than the YCA Fare, with the same conditions (no administrative fee/penalty shall apply for rebooking, re-ticketing, or cancellation) except that _CA fares do not offer last seat (inventory) availability. The first letter of the three-character fare basis code will vary by airline, e.g., QCA, LCA, etc. Early booking increases the likelihood of reserving a _CA fare. Domestic, international, and fifth freedom of the air _CA fares may be subject to auto-cancellation of all un-ticketed reservations 48 hours prior to departure time and date.

Unrestricted Coach Class Fare (YCA)

A three-letter code used to designate unrestricted coach class contract fares for Government contract carriers. “CA” means “contract award.” YCA fares are higher in cost than _CA fares, and offer last seat (inventory) availability (unless a flight is already sold out). No administrative fee/penalty shall apply for rebooking, re-ticketing, or cancellation. Domestic, international, and fifth freedom of the air YCA fares may be subject to auto-cancellation of all un-ticketed reservations 48 hours prior to departure time and date.

Commercial Fares

These fares are available to the general public, may cost more or less than Government contract fares and may have advance purchase requirements, have certain restrictions applicable and may include cancellation fees.

We have partnered with BookingBuddy to provide you with commercial fares information.

Should you click on the Check Commercial Fares button on the flight results page , we will transfer your search query (city/airport pair plus dates of travel and number of travelers) to BookingBuddy and you will then be able to select from a range of OTAs (like Expedia) or meta-search engines (like Kayak) to see commercial fares and options.

Mygovtrip.com is a commercial and independent website not affiliated with the GSA

*Mygovtrip.com now incorporates Fedtravel.com

• CPP Search Tool
• Domestic Flights
• International Flights
• Contract Airlines
• City Pair Statistics
• Gov't Travel Card
• Data Source:
• U.S. General Services Administration | GSA.GOV

Fed Flights .com The Ultimate Federal City Pair Search Tool

Welcome to FedFlights.com! The ultimate Federal Flights City Pair Resource.

What is the City Pair Program?

The City Pair Program has been around since 2001 and was designed to ensure affordable airfare for federal employees traveling on official duty. Each year the U.S. Government negotiates flat-rate fares between major city pairs in the US and abroad where federal employees frequently travel. This helps keep costs low and predictable for the government.

Additional Resources

• Frequently Asked Questions
• Additional Airline Fees
• Government Travel Cards
• What is YCA, XCA, and _CA?
• City Pair Search Tool

City Pair Search

Use our powerful City Pair lookup tool to find the flights you are looking for quickly and easily.

Browse City Pairs

Find City Pairs easily with our interactive city pairs map and browse flights by state.

Analyze the Data

Learn about the City Pair Program and government travel spending with detailed statistical analysis.

Top 10 Cities in FY 2022

City Pair Flight information is sourced from the General Services Administration (GSA) . This site is not affiliated with the GSA in any capacity.

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We value your feedback! Do you have a comment or correction concerning this page? Let us know in a single click. We read every comment!

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Travel guide: Step 3

What to consider while traveling

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Now for the fun part! Here are a few things to keep in mind when traveling for TTS.

Use your travel card when possible

Use of the GSA travel card is mandatory for all expenses as per the Federal Travel Regulation , except expenses for which it "is impractical (e.g., vendor does not accept credit cards) or imposes unreasonable burdens or costs (e.g., fees are charged for using the card)."

Must I use the travel card for meals and incidental expenses?

Request tax exemption where available

Many jurisdictions exempt federal travelers from paying lodging tax. More information on each state's policy can be found here . Note that the GSA travel card is considered an "IBA".

Which receipts must I keep?

Receipts are required for lodging, rental cars, gas purchases when using a rental car, and any other expenses over $75. If no receipt(s) can be provided, an acceptable reason must be given explaining why you are unable to furnish the necessary receipt(s).

Meals and Incidental Expenses (M&IE)

In addition to receiving round trip tickets to your destination and lodging for the nights that you need to stay there, you also get a flat-rate per diem for Meals and Incidental Expenses (M&IE) . A few things to remember:

M&IE is given to you to cover the additional expenses you might incur while traveling that you might not normally have at home, like dining out instead of eating home-cooked meals, forgetting toothpaste, tipping hotel porters, etc.

This allowance is at your discretion to spend and you don’t need to provide receipts for it.

The amount that is given is based on your location, not your actual expenses. If you spent less than the allowance, you get to keep the difference, and if you spend more, you must pay the difference.

M&IE is given at a reduced rate on “travel days”-- i.e. days where part of the normal work day was spent traveling. This reduced rate is always 75% of normal M&IE, regardless of how much of the day was actually spent traveling.

Note that if your travel extends past midnight, you get the full meal allowance for the long day of travel plus the 75% of the meal allowance for the following day (even if you arrived just after midnight local time). If you anticipate traveling past midnight, ensure your authorization reflects this in advance, otherwise, you will need to create an amended authorization upon your return.

M&IE is given as a reimbursement after submitting a voucher, which is done after you return from a trip. How this reimbursement is disbursed depends on how much you used the GSA travel card.

You may use your travel card to get a TTS-only, cash advance from an ATM , but only if your authorization to travel has been approved, and only for expenses you wouldn't expect to be able to pay for using the travel card.

M&IE and use of the GSA travel card

While use of the GSA travel card is required for all travel expenses when practicable, using the GSA travel card to pay for M&IE requires some additional administrative work when submitting a voucher after returning from your trip. Here's what you should be aware of when completing your voucher-- should you use the GSA travel card for meals and incidental expenses, keeping receipts for your personal use may be helpful. Feel free to book , external, travel office hours for a walkthrough on what to keep in mind when paying for meals while traveling.

Other necessary expenses

Follow the guidance above for keeping receipts, and also be mindful of budget-- do not exceed the overall amount budgeted for your travel in your authorization email (SF-182 or Salesforce event request for trainings/conferences) by more than 20%.

Taxis, public transit, and other forms of local transportation

Reasonable local transit costs may be authorized in the following situations:

• From the airport or train station to the residence or office
• Between a place of lodging and a place of business, or between two or more places of business
• To obtain meals only when the nature and location of the work is such that meals cannot be obtained within reasonable walking distance. Expenses claimed to obtain a meal for personal convenience or preference, however, will not be reimbursed.

Baggage fees

• Baggage fees for one bag may reimbursed per leg without further justification. Fees for 2 or more bags requires additional justification.

Mileage, Parking, and Tolls

• Reimbursement for privately-owned (not rented) vehicle mileage at the POV mileage rates can be approved if considered advantageous to the Government. POV mileage is advantageous when it is the least costly method (taking into account the cost of additional travel time) of all options including a government car, public transportation, ride-share, taxi, rental car.

For example, it is typically advantageous to use a POV to go to the airport for instance, where reasonable public transit is not available, and the costs of the mileage reimbursement and parking are less than round trip taxi fare from home to the airport.

Parking at the airport is only reimbursable when the conditions in the above example are met. However, when use of a government car, rental car, or privately owned car is authorized, parking charges and tolls as they relate to the mission are reimbursable.

Internet service

• May be expensed when government-provided internet service (i.e. the data plan and hotspot on your government phone) is not available. Wifi on an airplane is generally reimbursable, but wifi charges at a hotel or other areas where cell signal is generally available require justification specifying why you weren't able to use your government phone connection.

Laundry expenses

• May only be reimbursable if travel involves at least 4 consecutive nights.

Remote working guidance

When working from somewhere that isn't your usual duty location, consider these tips to help coworkers and partners plan around your trip.

Don't forget about vouchers!

Have a good trip, get reimbursement -- filling out a voucher-- within 5 business days of getting back.

Why the rush? Filling out a voucher correctly allows you to:

Get reimbursed for your M&IE and for any hotels, airplane tickets, or other expenses you paid for personally.

Have the government automatically pay off the balance on your Travel Card. If you do your voucher correctly and on time, you will never have to worry about paying one of those bills yourself.

On the other side, when travel expenses are submitted late, it’s a major drain on resources for the finance and agreements teams, which sometimes have to reopen billing and even modify agreements in order to recover our costs for the trip, which the Economy Act requires us to do. So, future travel may not be approved for anyone with travel expenses that are more than 5 business days outstanding.

Back from your trip? Head on over to get reimbursed!

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Get reimbursement rates for the use of your own vehicle while on official government travel. 

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The City Pair Program procures and manages discounted air passenger transportation services for federal government travelers.

Get discounted fares on rail travel within Amtrak's Northeast Corridor.

PER DIEM LOOK-UP

1 choose a location.

Error, The Per Diem API is not responding. Please try again later.

No results could be found for the location you've entered.

Rates for Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. Territories and Possessions are set by the Department of Defense .

Rates for foreign countries are set by the State Department .

2 Choose a date

Rates are available between 10/1/2021 and 09/30/2024.

The End Date of your trip can not occur before the Start Date.

Traveler reimbursement is based on the location of the work activities and not the accommodations, unless lodging is not available at the work activity, then the agency may authorize the rate where lodging is obtained.

Unless otherwise specified, the per diem locality is defined as "all locations within, or entirely surrounded by, the corporate limits of the key city, including independent entities located within those boundaries."

Per diem localities with county definitions shall include "all locations within, or entirely surrounded by, the corporate limits of the key city as well as the boundaries of the listed counties, including independent entities located within the boundaries of the key city and the listed counties (unless otherwise listed separately)."

When a military installation or Government - related facility(whether or not specifically named) is located partially within more than one city or county boundary, the applicable per diem rate for the entire installation or facility is the higher of the rates which apply to the cities and / or counties, even though part(s) of such activities may be located outside the defined per diem locality.

Federal Government Restricting Opportunities for Low-Cost Consumer Flights

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As summer approaches and Americans start planning their trips, they are once again faced with the harsh reality of the high cost of travel. This burden is particularly heavy for working-class families, who often find themselves priced out of the market. The lack of competition in the airline industry has led to the exclusion of smaller carriers that would offer more affordable travel options to these families, especially those residing in smaller cities who are seeking a brief weekend escape.

A solution to this issue exists; that being ultra-low-cost carriers (ULCC) which provide reduced fares and more nonstop travel options.

Unfortunately, these benefits of ULCCs have been overshadowed by an overlying issue: the Department of Transportation's opposition to proposed joint ventures between these budget-friendly airlines. Such collaborations among affordable carriers would revolutionize the industry by fostering competition and enhancing cultural ties between the United States and other countries, through an increase in nonstop routes, particularly to Mexico— one of the most popular international destinations for American travelers.

Most importantly, these joint ventures would expand access to reasonably priced flights and provide more options for working-class Americans in underserved cities.

Smaller airports are facing significant losses in service and frequency due to the absence of direct flights, which directly affects residents in surrounding areas. This is felt across small-to-mid-sized cities throughout the United States, in states like Illinois, West Virginia, Nebraska, Pennsylvania, and more. As a consequence, local economies are suffering, and Americans are being penalized with limited options for affordable direct travel.

As I recently wrote about in the Morning Call , these airlines aim to provide some of the lowest fares possible, focusing specifically on increasing nonstop flights. ULCCs, which include companies like Allegiant Air, Avelo, and others, cater to small-to-mid-sized city markets by offering conveniently-scheduled and low-priced flight options for travelers. Approving joint ventures offers clear benefits for American consumers and businesses, a straightforward and bipartisan decision that the Biden administration should readily support, yet is refusing to.

Rather than acknowledging the advantages of these joint ventures, the Biden administration has opted to halt the evaluation of such proposals, citing geopolitical apprehensions. In doing so, the administration is discounting the importance of American voters, those who ultimately determine the outcome of U.S. elections.

Considering the significance of this election year, it would be wise for the Biden administration to set aside these political considerations and recognize that joint venture solutions offer tangible benefits to everyday Americans, who are eagerly seeking policies that can provide financial relief after two years of steep inflation. Joint ventures, like the one suggested by Allegiant Air and Viva Aerobus, would greatly benefit these demographics nationwide. Such collaborations would establish connections between cities across the U.S. and Mexican resort destinations, allowing hard working parents and their children to enjoy summer vacation just like other American families.

The tourism industry would not be the only beneficiary of joint ventures. Bilateral relationships between the U.S. and other nations would be strengthened as well by fostering greater cultural connectivity, and streamlining air travel options for border-divided families.

In a tight election year, if Biden’s Administration chooses to ignore this issue, it could cost him severely at the ballot box. The President and his team need to recognize that they are essentially “shooting themselves in the foot” by not approving such joint ventures. They can and should do better.

Joint ventures, such as those put forward by airlines like Delta or Allegiant Air, represent a significant step towards making air travel more affordable and accessible for working-class Americans. This aligns perfectly with the Biden administration's key values of encouraging competition, lowering costs, and aiding underserved communities.

By stopping these joint ventures, the administration harms those that it claims to help, while simultaneously missing a chance to bolster bilateral relationships on a global scale. The time has come for the Biden administration and the Department of Transportation to set politics aside and prioritize basic things that everyday Americans can greatly benefit from.

Granting approval to these joint ventures presents a mutually beneficial outcome that would advantage working-class Americans in small and medium-sized cities across the country while concurrently promoting international collaboration.

Ryan Costello is a former U.S. representative from Pennsylvania.He served on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and was vice chair of the Aviation Subcommittee .

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Airlines will now be required to give automatic cash refunds for canceled and delayed flights

FILE - Passenger drop off their baggage at United Airlines in C Terminal at George Bush Intercontinental Airport, Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023, in Houston. The Biden administration issued final rules Wednesday, April 24, 2024, to require airlines to automatically issue cash refunds for things like delayed flights and to better disclose fees for baggage or canceling a reservation. (Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle via AP, File)

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The Biden administration issued final rules Wednesday to require airlines to automatically issue cash refunds for things like delayed flights and to better disclose fees for baggage or canceling a reservation.

The Transportation Department said airlines will be required to provide automatic cash refunds within a few days for canceled flights and “significant” delays.

Under current regulations, airlines decide how long a delay must last before triggering refunds. The administration is removing that wiggle room by defining a significant delay as lasting at least three hours for domestic flights and six hours for international ones.

Airlines still will be allowed to offer another flight or a travel credit instead, but consumers can reject the offer.

The rule will also apply to refunds of checked-bag fees if the bag isn’t delivered within 12 hours for domestic flights or 15 to 30 hours for international flights. And it will apply to fees for things such as seat selection or an internet connection if the airline fails to provide the service.

Complaints about refunds skyrocketed during the COVID-19 pandemic, as airlines canceled flights and, even when they didn’t, many people didn’t feel safe sharing a plane cabin with other passengers.

Airlines for America, a trade group for large U.S. carriers, noted that refund complaints to the Transportation Department have fallen sharply since mid-2020. A spokesperson for the group said airlines “offer a range of options — including fully refundable fares — to increase accessibility to air travel and to help customers make ticket selections that best fit their needs.”

The group said the 11 largest U.S. airlines issued $43 billion in customer refunds from 2020 through 2023.

The Transportation Department issued a separate rule requiring airlines and ticket agents to disclose upfront what they charge for checked and carry-on bags and canceling or changing a reservation. On airline websites, the fees must be shown the first time customers see a price and schedule.

The rule will also oblige airlines to tell passengers they have a guaranteed seat they are not required to pay extra for, although it does not bar airlines from charging people to choose specific seats. Many airlines now charge extra for certain spots, including exit-row seats and those near the front of the cabin.

The agency said the rule will save consumers more than $500 million a year.

Airlines for America said its members “offer transparency and vast choice to consumers” from their first search.

The new rules will take effect over the next two years. They are part of a broad administration attack on what President Joe Biden calls “junk fees.” Last week, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg announced that his department will let state officials in 15 states help enforce federal airline consumer protection laws .

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Airlines must cough up cancellation cash and can no longer hide fees under new federal rule

A federal rule announced Wednesday will require airlines to quickly give cash refunds — without lengthy arguments — to passengers whose flights have been canceled or seriously delayed, the Biden administration said.

“Passengers deserve to get their money back when an airline owes them — without headaches or haggling,” Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said in a statement.

The rule from the Transportation Department says passengers who decline other reimbursement like travel credits are to get cash refunds.

It applies when a flight is canceled or has a “significant change,” the administration said.A “significant change” includes when departure or arrival times are three or more hours different from the scheduled times for domestic flights or six hours for international flights, and when the airport is changed or connections are added, it said.

Passengers are also to get refunds when their baggage is 12 hours late in delivery for domestic flights.

The new rule comes after promises to hold airlines accountable after major disruptions that made travel hell for passengers, including the 2022 Southwest Airlines meltdown , which resulted in almost 17,000 significantly delayed or canceled flights and a missing baggage nightmare.

The Transportation Department said that the new rule means refunds are automatic and that "airlines must automatically issue refunds without passengers having to explicitly request them or jump through hoops."

Also announced Wednesday was a rule requiring airlines to more clearly disclose so-called junk fees upfront, such as surprise baggage or other fees, the department said.

It said that rule is expected to save fliers around $500 million a year.

The surprise fees are used so tickets look cheaper than they really are, and then fliers get the unwelcome surprise of fees on checked bags, carry-on bags or reservation changes — or even discounts that are advertised but apply to only part of the ticket price, officials said.

Airlines will also have to tell fliers clearly that their seats are guaranteed and that they don't have to pay extra to ensure they have seats for flights, according to the Transportation Department.

Airlines for America, an industry trade group, said that its member airlines “offer transparency and vast choice to consumers from first search to touchdown” and that they do offer cash refunds.

The 11 largest U.S. airlines returned $10.9 billion in cash refunds last year, an increase over $7.5 billion in 2019 but slightly down from $11.2 billion in 2022, the group said.

“U.S. airlines are providing more options and better services while ticket prices, including ancillary revenues, are at historic lows,” Airlines for America said.

Left out of the federal changes announced Wednesday are those involving "family seating fees," but the Transportation Department said in a statement that "DOT is planning to propose a separate rule that bans airlines from charging these junk fees."

Travelers have complained to the Transportation Department that children weren’t seated next to accompanying adults, including in some cases young children, department officials said last year.

Fees on bags specifically have made up an increasing amount of airline revenues, the Transportation Department said Wednesday in announcing the new rules.

A Transportation Department analysis found that airline revenue from baggage fees increased 30% from 2018 to 2022, while operating revenue — which is from the flights themselves — increased by only half that amount, the department said.

Jay Blackman is an NBC News producer covering such areas as transportation, space, medical and consumer issues.

Phil Helsel is a reporter for NBC News.

Enough with airline hidden fees: DOT rules take aim at 'corporate rip-offs'

The Department of Transportation announced new rules on Wednesday to better protect airline passengers against “costly surprise airline fees,” the agency said.

As part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s efforts to crack down on “corporate rip-offs,” two new air travel rules were finalized. The rules mandate airlines to pay full refunds in a timely and straightforward manner and ensure transparency regarding fees associated with air travel.

The new regulations are expected to save consumers over half a billion dollars each year in hidden junk fees, the DOT said. 

“Passengers deserve to know upfront what costs they are facing and should get their money back when an airline owes them – without having to ask,” Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg said in a statement. 

“Today’s announcements will require airlines to both provide passengers better information about costs before ticket purchase, and promptly provide cash refunds to passengers when they are owed – not only saving passengers time and money, but also preventing headaches.”

Learn more: Best travel insurance

What to know about the newly finalized rules for airline passengers:

What are the new rules from the DOT and how do they impact passengers?

The first new regulation will simplify the process for airline passengers to get what they’re owed by requiring airlines to give automatic cash refunds. Passengers can get these refunds when their flights are “cancelled or significantly changed, their checked bags are significantly delayed, or the ancillary services, like Wi-Fi, they purchased are not provided,” the announcement said. 

The second will require airlines and ticket agents to be upfront about any hidden fees, such as checking a bag or changing a flight, to help “consumers avoid unneeded or unexpected charges that can quickly increase and add significant cost to what may, at first, look like a cheap ticket.” Airline fees, increasingly common for airlines to boost their profit, have grown “confusing” for passengers.

Both rules will go into effect in about six months, or around the end of October, the agency said.

Making the skies more accessible: This proposal would help the DOT 'more easily penalize airlines' that damage wheelchairs

How will the new rules make getting refunds from airlines easier? 

Getting a refund from airlines is a long-winded and often complicated process. Sometimes, passengers end up getting a travel credit or voucher instead of an actual reimbursement or just a partial refund. Under the new regulation, refunds will be much more straightforward. 

Airlines must promptly provide automatic refunds without passengers explicitly requesting them, and the refunds must be issued in the original payment method used to make the purchase.  

How fast will the refund get to me?

Airlines will have seven business days to make full refunds for credit card purchases and 20 calendar days for other payment methods. 

How else is the DOT cracking down on hidden airline junk fees? 

It can be tricky to know exactly how much your final airline ticket will cost due to hidden fees. What may look like a low price at first can quickly add up. Airlines will now have to disclose any baggage, change and cancellation fees and policies before purchases are made – and it has to be clear and upfront, not hidden behind a hyperlink. Airlines will also need to be transparent about weight and dimension limitations. Third-party websites such as Expedia or Booking.com will also be required to display this information. 

These days, it’s common for people to pay for seat selection, especially for the lowest price fares, but carriers will now need to inform consumers that seats are guaranteed and it’s unnecessary to pay for one.

The DOT is also banning airlines from using bait-and-switch tactics, in which an airline advertises a discounted fare that doesn’t include mandatory fees that drive the ticket price up. 

Kathleen Wong is a travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Hawaii. You can reach her at [email protected] .

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Automatic Refunds and No More Hidden Fees: D.O.T. Sets New Rules for Airlines

The Transportation Department issued new requirements on refunds when flights are canceled or delayed and on revealing “junk” fees before booking. Here’s what passengers can expect.

By Christine Chung

The Transportation Department on Wednesday announced new rules taking aim at two of the most difficult and annoying issues in air travel: obtaining refunds and encountering surprise fees late in the booking process.

“Passengers deserve to know upfront what costs they are facing and should get their money back when an airline owes them — without having to ask,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg in a statement, adding that the changes would not only save passengers “time and money,” but also prevent headaches.

The department’s new rules, Mr. Buttigieg said, will hold airlines to clear and consistent standards when they cancel, delay or substantially change flights, and require automatic refunds to be issued within weeks. They will also require them to reveal all fees before a ticket is purchased.

Airlines for America , a trade group representing the country’s largest air carriers, said in a statement that its airlines “abide by and frequently exceed” D.O.T. consumer protection regulations.

Passenger advocates welcomed the new steps.

Tomasz Pawliszyn, the chief executive of AirHelp, a Berlin-based company that assists passengers with airline claims, called it a “massive step forward and huge improvement in consumer rights and protection” that brings the United States closer to global standards in passenger rights.

Here’s what we know about the D.O.T.’s new rules, which will begin to go into effect in October.

There’s now one definition for a “significant” delay.

Until now, airlines have been allowed to set their own definition for a “significant” delay and compensation has varied by carrier . Now, according to the D.O.T., there will be one standard: when departure or arrival is delayed by three hours for domestic flights and six hours for international flights.

Passengers will get prompt refunds for cancellations or significant changes for flights and delayed bags, for any reason.

When things go wrong, getting compensation from an airline has often required establishing a cumbersome paper trail or spending untold hours on the phone. Under the new rules, refunds will be automatic, without passengers having to request them. Refunds will be made in full, excepting the value of any transportation already used. Airlines and ticket agents must provide refunds in the original form of payment, whether by cash, credit card or airline miles. Refunds are due within seven days for credit card purchases and within 20 days for other payments.

Passengers with other flight disruptions, such as being downgraded to a lower service class, are also entitled to refunds.

The list of significant changes for which passengers can get their money back also includes: departure or arrival from an airport different from the one booked; connections at different airports or flights on planes that are less accessible to a person with a disability; an increase in the number of scheduled connections. Also, passengers who pay for services like Wi-Fi or seat selection that are then unavailable will be refunded any fees.

Airlines must give travel vouchers or credits to ticketed passengers unable to fly because of government restrictions or a doctor’s orders.

The vouchers or credits will be transferable and can be used for at least five years after the date they were issued.

Fees for checked baggage and modifying a reservation must be disclosed upfront.

Airlines and ticket agents are now required to display any extra fees for things like checking bags or seat selection clearly and individually before a ticket purchase. They will also need to outline the airline’s policies on baggage, cancellations and changing flights before a customer purchases a ticket.

The rules, which apply to all flights on domestic airlines and flights to and from the United States operated by foreign airlines, have varying start dates.

For example, automatic refunds must be instituted by the airlines within six months. But carriers have a year before they’re required to issue travel vouchers and credits for passengers advised by a medical professional not to fly.

Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram and sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to get expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation. Dreaming up a future getaway or just armchair traveling? Check out our 52 Places to Go in 2024 .

Christine Chung is a Times reporter covering airlines and consumer travel. More about Christine Chung

Open Up Your World

Considering a trip, or just some armchair traveling here are some ideas..

52 Places:  Why do we travel? For food, culture, adventure, natural beauty? Our 2024 list has all those elements, and more .

Mumbai:  Spend 36 hours in this fast-changing Indian city  by exploring ancient caves, catching a concert in a former textile mill and feasting on mangoes.

Kyoto:  The Japanese city’s dry gardens offer spots for quiet contemplation  in an increasingly overtouristed destination.

Iceland:  The country markets itself as a destination to see the northern lights. But they can be elusive, as one writer recently found .

Texas:  Canoeing the Rio Grande near Big Bend National Park can be magical. But as the river dries, it’s getting harder to find where a boat will actually float .

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Airlines are ordered to give full refunds instead of vouchers and to stop hiding fees

Travelers and their luggage in a terminal at Los Angeles International Airport in August 2023. Mario Tama/Getty Images hide caption

Travelers and their luggage in a terminal at Los Angeles International Airport in August 2023.

WASHINGTON — In an effort to crack down on airlines that charge passengers steep fees to check bags and change flights, the U.S. Department of Transportation has announced new regulations aimed at expanding consumer protections .

One of the final rules announced Wednesday requires airlines to show the full price of travel before passengers pay for their tickets. The other will force airlines to provide prompt cash refunds when flights are canceled or significantly changed.

"Passengers deserve to know upfront what costs they are facing and should get their money back when an airline owes them - without having to ask," said Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg in a statement announcing the new rules.

Taking on junk fees is popular. But can it win Biden more voters?

Surprise junk fees have become a large and growing source of revenue for airlines in recent years, according to the DOT.

"Today's announcements will require airlines to both provide passengers better information about costs before ticket purchase, and promptly provide cash refunds to passengers when they are owed — not only saving passengers time and money, but also preventing headaches," Buttigieg said.

The airline industry is unlikely to welcome the new rules. At a hearing on the proposed fee rule in March 2023, an industry lobbying group representing American, Delta and United said it would be too difficult for airlines to disclose their charges more clearly.

"The amount of unwanted and unneeded information forced upon passengers" by the new policy would only cause "confusion and frustration," warned Doug Mullen, the deputy general counsel at Airlines for America . "Very few, if any, need or want this information, and especially when they are initially trying to understand schedule and fare options."

But the DOT insists its new rule will give consumers the information they need to better understand the true costs of air travel.

Transportation Department cracks down on airline 'junk fees'

"I believe this is to the benefit of the sector as a whole," Buttigieg said in an interview with NPR's Morning Edition , because passengers will have "more confidence in the aviation sector."

The new rules require airlines to disclose all baggage, change, and cancellation fees, and to share that information with third-party booking sites and travel agents.

The regulation also prohibits bait-and-switch tactics, the DOT says, that disguise the true cost of flights by advertising a low base fare that does not include all mandatory fees.

"This is really about making sure that we create a better experience for passengers, and a stronger aviation sector in the United States," Buttigieg said in the NPR interview.

Trans-Siberian Railway Prices

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Home » Prices and Trans-Siberian Tickets » Trans-Siberian Railway Prices

Ticket prices for the Trans-Siberian Railway also depend on the current ruble exchange rate.

Is the Trans-Siberian Railway expensive?

Before starting on your Trans-Siberian Railway adventure you naturally want to know what the entire trip will cost. Although this sounds like a simple question, it is pretty difficult to answer. The Trans-Siberian Railway price of travel depends on the following factors:

• Which travel class do I want to use? The price for a first class ticket is about three times the price of a 3rd class ticket
• Am I willing to buy the tickets myself and assume responsibility for the organisation of the trip?
• How many stopovers do I want to make? The more breaks, the higher the total price.
• What sort of accommodation do I want? Will it be a luxury hotel or will a hostel dormitory be sufficient?
• What tours and excursions would I like to go on?
• What is the current exchange rate for rubles?

Basically, everything from a luxury to a budget holiday is available. If you buy yourself a 3rd Class nonstop ticket at the counter, a few hundred Euros will cover the price. All you will experience is a week on the Trans-Siberian train and will see nothing of the cities on the way. There is, however, any amount of room for upward expansion. Everyone makes different choices about which aspects they are willing to spend money on. I personally prefer to save money on accommodation and railcar class, visit as many cities and do as many trips as possible. To enable better classification of your travel expenses I have contrasted two typical traveler types. In the third column you can calculate the total cost of your own journey on the Trans-Siberian Railway. Please keep in mind that these are only rough estimations and not exact prices.

The all-in costs seem fairly high at first. However, they cover everything and it is quite a long journey taking four weeks. Many people forget to consider that when looking at the list. We should also deduct the running costs for food and leisure at home. I think most visitors to this page will classify themselves somewhere between the two categories, that is around the € 2,000 – € 2,500 range. When comparing these prices with other travel packages, you get the impression that it is hardly worthwhile travelling individually on the Trans-Siberian Railway. Please keep in mind that most packages last no more than 14 days and you are herded like cattle through the most beautiful locations.

If you spend less time on the Trans-Siberian Railway you will, of course, pay less. I chose this particular travel length because I prefer not to do things by halves. If you fulfill your dream of travelling on the Trans-Siberian Railway, enjoy it and don’t rush things. But it’s up to you, of course. Try playing around with the form a bit to find the appropriate price for your trip.

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Prices were available within the past 7 days and start at $834 for one-way flights and $373 for round trip, for the period specified. Prices and availability are subject to change. Additional terms apply.

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Cheap flights to Elektrostal ( VKO)

Get started finding a cheap flight to Elektrostal on Expedia by either choosing a deal on this page or entering into the search bar your travel dates, origin airport, and whether you want roundtrip or one-way airfare. You can filter for flexibility, number of stops, airline, and departure/arrival times to find the best flight for you.

We recommend using the ‘Flexible Dates’ calendar at the top of the page to see the price of plane tickets on the surrounding dates. This allows you to pick the cheapest days to fly if your trip allows flexibility and score cheap flight deals to Elektrostal.

Roundtrip prices range from $373 - $3,370, and one-ways to Elektrostal start as low as $834.

Be aware that choosing a non-stop flight can sometimes be more expensive while saving you time. And routes with connections may be available at a cheaper rate.

Airlines that fly to Elektrostal ( VKO)

You have several options for which airline you choose to travel with to Elektrostal. There are 10 airlines flying into VKO: Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways, Egyptair, Oman Air, Gulf Air. 

Cheap plane tickets may be available from different airlines at different times and with unique terms. It’s best to understand the details of each airline’s offer before judging its value.

For example, if you plan to check a bag or bring a carry-on, check whether the cheap airfare deal includes a baggage allowance. If not, verify whether the baggage fee is higher than the difference of other airline plane ticket deals offering free checked/carry-on baggage in exchange for a slightly higher airfare. 

Additionally, your preferred frequent flyer membership programs may influence your choice of cheap airline. Expedia allows you to enter your membership numbers during checkout to earn points from your airline and Expedia Rewards—all while getting a great deal and planning all your travel in one online platform.

Find the best deals

At Expedia, we source many flight deals from multiple providers, so you can easily find the best deals that are right for you. A great strategy for getting the best deals can be to make sure you book and travel at the optimal times. Airfare to Elektrostal (VKO) varies throughout the year based on seasonal demand. You’ll see the lowest rates for roundtrips to VKO in May and in May for one-ways.

Cancellation & flexibility

To change or cancel eligible flights, go to ‘My Trips’ and navigate to your itinerary. If you booked within the last 24-hours, you might be able to cancel your flight for free. Learn more about flight changes or cancellations from our customer service portal . Some plane tickets are available with no change fees, which you can filter for during your search.

Frequently asked questions

• The trick to having an amazing flight experience is to pack ahead. So, let’s start with the essentials: passport, official ID, cash and daily medications. Next, bring items that’ll help keep you entertained, like your laptop or a good book. It’s also smart to bring your chargers, a comfy neck pillow and a pair of earphones. And of course, be sure to toss in toiletries like a toothbrush, cleansing wipes and a clean T-shirt.
• While the list of banned items can differ between airlines, the general rule to follow is avoid carrying anything sharp, flammable or explosive. This includes things like screwdrivers, pocket knives, spray paint and flares. Sporting equipment like hockey sticks, and objects that could harm passengers, such as pepper spray and firearms, aren’t allowed in the cabin either.
• The answer to a comfortable flight can be as simple as your choice of clothing. Prepare for changes in temperature by bringing layers. This will keep you nice and warm if the cabin starts to cool down. Shoes like stilettos, flip flops and lace-up boots are best left in your suitcase. Even though they may be your favorites, go for flat, closed-toed footwear like slip-ons. Your feet will thank you for it.
• A condition by the name of DVT (deep vein thrombosis) is a potential risk on long-haul flights. It results from blood clotting due to inactivity and poor circulation. Walking up and down the aisle and doing leg and foot exercises in your seat is a great way to prevent this from happening. Wearing a good pair of compression tights or socks can also help.
• Your travel documents and ID will need to be presented to security personnel. Have them close by to avoid fumbling around for them.
• Your coat, belt, keys and other items in your pocket, like your earphones, will need to go on a tray through the X-ray machine. Make your life easier by removing them before your turn.
• For just a few minutes, you’ll have to unplug from the digital world. Your phone, laptop and any other electronic devices also need to be sent through the scanner.
• Remove liquids and gels from your hand luggage. They often need to be sent through the X-ray machine separately. Each product should be no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) and everything must fit inside a single quart-size (one liter), clear zip-lock bag.
• There’s a possibility that you’ll be required to take your shoes off for scanning, so wearing slip-on sneakers is always a clever idea.
• Airlines won’t allow any sharp objects in the cabin. If you need to bring these kinds of items, pack them safely in your checked luggage.

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Bonza has entered voluntary administration. What's happening with the flight cancellations across Australia?

Many Australians have been left stranded at airports across the country after budget airline Bonza "temporarily" suspended all flights on Tuesday.

The company entered voluntary administration within hours of the cancellations, and the administrators have since confirmed the fleet will remain grounded until Thursday, May 2.

Here's what we know so far.

First up, what is Bonza?

Bonza Aviation was set up as a budget regional airline and its first flight took off in January 2023.

The airline aimed to target the regional routes that weren't serviced by the larger carriers like Virgin , Qantas or, more recently,  Rex Airlines . 

For example, with Bonza you were able to fly from the Sunshine Coast to Mildura without having to stop in a capital city.

The Transport Workers' Union said there were roughly 150 Bonza workers between the Sunshine Coast and Melbourne.

Who owns Bonza?

The airline was the brainchild of  Tim Jordan, who held senior commercial roles with Virgin Australia . He was the chief executive of Bonza.

Back in 2023, Mr Jordan he said the airline would lead to cheaper  ticket prices  due to greater competition.

"I think in any industry anywhere in the world, additional competition is positive for downward pressure," he said at the time.

The airline has the backing of a US investment firm called 777 Partners .

Based in Miami, the firm describes itself as "investment platform that helps bold entrepreneurs transform visions into enduring value".

Among other things the firm owns an "ultra-low cost" airline in Canada called Flair Airlines and a minority stake in the Melbourne Victory A-League team.

What's happening with the Bonza flight cancellations? 

Customers arrived at airports across Australia to learn their flights had been cancelled. 

Mr Jordan released a two-line statement just after 8am saying all services would be temporarily halted:

"Bonza has temporarily suspended services due to be operated today (Tuesday 30th April), as discussions are currently underway regarding the ongoing viability of the business. "We apologise to our customers who are impacted by this and we’re working as quickly as possible to determine a way forward that ensures there is ongoing competition in the Australian domestic aviation market."

Basically, Mr Jordan said he was in talks about whether the business can continue.

But within hours a notice was filed to the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) stating that the company had entered voluntary administration.

This means there is an opportunity for the director or a third party to rescue Bonza, or for the company to be restructured.

The airline is yet to provide any update, but administrators Hall Chadwick released a statement late on Tuesday afternoon saying that it is : "currently considering the continued trading of the company's operations during the course of the administration period including the continuation of employment of all employees of the company".

"The company's fleet is currently grounded pending discussions with relevant parties and key stakeholders," the statement reads.

"The grounding of the fleet is currently up to and including Thursday 2 May 2024, and customers with bookings during this period are advised not to travel to the airport."

Have the cancellations come out of nowhere?

It's not the first time the airline has cancelled flights. Roughly 1,600 customers were left in the lurch when its Darwin-Gold Coast flights were cancelled in December .

That cancellation was extended to March this year , flights were cancelled out of  Mount Isa  and the airline has been facing ongoing questions about  the timeliness of its arrivals .

Aviation expert Keith Tonkin said analysts felt it was difficult for the airline to make a profit.

He says that's because routes it took "had relatively thin margins" — but he says it's not impossible to break into a market dominated by Qantas and Virgin Airlines.

"Where there's a will there is a way," Mr Tonkin says.

"But Bonza's model has seemingly proven to be difficult to sustain."

Aviation analyst Geoffrey Thomas, the editor-in-chief of the website Airline Ratings, said he understood the airline's backers, 777 partners, had made changes to the leasing and financing of its aircraft.

He said the budget carrier may have been caught off guard.

777 Partners has been contacted for comment.

"I think that the problem of Bonza is overseas, with leasing companies, and not the local management, not the business model," Mr Thomas said.

Has the government said anything?

Federal Transport Minister Catherine King says she's looking into it. She says she's spoken to the chief executives of Qantas and Virgin.

"Both airlines stand ready to assist stranded passengers needing to get home," Ms King says.

The Transport Department has established a hotline for stranded passengers –  1800 069 244 – that will be operating until 10pm on Monday. 

Ms King says she expects Bonza to deal with its customers in a transparent fashion.

"My department has reached out to Bonza and our expectation is that they keep passengers informed of their options and their consumer rights," she says.

Can I get a refund from Bonza?

Affected customers received text messages on Tuesday directing them to fill in an online form, which states:

"We will be issuing you a refund for this flight and, if you no longer wish to travel on them, any other flights on the same booking reference as this cancelled flight. "To allow us to process your refund as quickly as we can, please fill in the details below within the next 24 hours and note the form may close for responses after that time. "Once you have completed the form, you can expect the refund to appear in your account within 21 days. The refund will be paid to the payment method you used at the time of making the booking. "Sorry again for the inconvenience and we hope to welcome you onboard a Bonza flight in the future."

Customers whose flights have been cancelled in the past say they have had difficulty getting refunds from Bonza.

But the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has protections in place for airline customers.

According to the ACCC, a travel service provider  must give the option of a refund if it can't provide a replacement service for a cancelled flight in a reasonable amount of time.

If you booked a now-cancelled Bonza flight using a credit or debit card online, you may be able to have that transaction reversed through your bank or financial institution, but it's unlikely to be a speedy process.

The Transport Department's hotline is focusing on helping stranded Bonza customers book Qantas, Virgin, or Jetstar flights.

The airlines have offered passengers stranded mid-journey on Tuesday complimentary seats, where available, on flights to the airport nearest to their final planned Bonza destination.

Bonza has not responded to requests for comment.

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PMQs live: Sunak refuses to rule out deploying UK forces to Middle East - and shrugs off Tory defection

Rishi Sunak faces Keir Starmer at the final PMQs before this week's pivotal local elections. It comes as a Tory mayor seeking re-election shuns the prime minister in his campaign literature - instead relying on the endorsement of Boris Johnson.

Wednesday 1 May 2024 12:52, UK

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• Starmer at PMQs: Defection shows Sunak has 'utterly failed'
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PMQs has come to a close - and even enthusiasts like our deputy political editor Sam Coates struggled a bit with this week's session.

Despite it being the final Sunak-Starmer face-off before tomorrow's critical local elections, it was a PMQs lacking for "passion" and any "razzmatazz".

"It was very pedestrian," admits Sam.

"The only thing that made me laugh was the Speaker at the beginning going, 'who's banging on the furniture?! They'll have to pay for the damage!'

"That's the closest we got to wit."

Sam notes one moment where, under questioning from Sir Keir, the prime minister refused to rule out scrapping the winter fuel allowance.

But the best exchange for Sam involved Stephen Flynn, the Westminster leader of this week's "most troubled party of all" - the SNP.

He asked about the deployment of UK forces to the Middle East to help US forces distribute aid in Gaza - and Mr Sunak didn't rule it out.

Stephen Crabb, the Tory MP for Pembrokeshire, is up next.

"Thousands of my constituents have lived with foul polluted air," he says, pointing to a local landfill site operated by a business.

"[That] company is owned by somebody with previous convictions for environmental crimes and who a few months ago gave £200,000 to help Vaughan Gething become first minister of Wales."

He also mentions a £400,000 loan given to another of the businessperson's companies by the Bank of Wales, which he says was overseen by Mr Gething as economy minister at the time. 

"Does the prime minister agree with me that this serious matter demands an independent investigation?"

Rishi Sunak says the case is "an incredibly important issue".

"I know that people in Wales are concerned about the relationship that he mentions and I also agree with him on the need for transparency and an investigation regarding the Welsh Labour leader, because it's very clear that the situation is not at all transparent and answers are needed."

The UK has "no legal obligation to accept returns of illegal migrants from Ireland", Rishi Sunak declares after a question from the DUP politician Carla Lockhart.

Referring to the Safety of Rwanda Act, which became law last week, he says "it's no surprise that our robust approach to illegal migration is providing a deterrent".

Ireland's prime minister has insisted the UK must respect an existing arrangement between the two countries to take back asylum seekers.

Simon Harris told Sky News yesterday that the UK must honour the deal, in place since 2020, as the row escalated over the Irish government's new plans to return to the UK asylum seekers who cross the border from Northern Ireland.

His comments came after Ireland's deputy prime minister and foreign secretary Micheal Martin said the threat of deportation to Rwanda was causing "fearful" migrants to head for Ireland instead of the UK.

You can read more on that row here:

By Gurpreet Narwan, political correspondent

With Israel determined to launch an offensive in Rafah, Gaza's southernmost city, the prime minister was pushed on the UK's position on a plan that has raised global alarm.

Against the backdrop of increasingly tense protests and counterprotests on US campuses, Mr Sunak was pushed on levels of humanitarian aid going into Gaza and the UK's ongoing arms exports to Israel. 

The prime minister held firm, pointing out that Israel has "a right to defend itself" and talked up UK efforts to get aid into Gaza.

It's a tense issue for Labour too, and the party could pay the price at the ballot box tomorrow, especially in constituencies with large Muslim populations.

"Our coast has taken a battering," the prime minister is told by Tory MP Peter Aldous as he asks about funding for infrastructure to protect coastal communities. 

Mr Sunak says almost £1bn of levelling up funding has been allocated to the east of England, including £75m for "coastal places".

He says he will secure a meeting between Mr Aldous, the MP for Waveney in Suffolk, and the relevant minister to discuss how his region can be further supported.

SNP MP Deidre Brock asks the prime minister about "shady" groups behind what she describes as "gutter politics". 

She raises a Greenpeace report that alleges 36 "supposed grassroots campaign groups" were "actually administered by Conservative staff and activists". 

The groups acted as "global forums for vile racism, antisemitism and Islamophobic attacks on Sadiq Khan", she says.

"Can the prime minister shed some light on the shady groups spreading abuse, their funding, their links to his party and whether he is aware of similar operations existing elsewhere in the UK?"

The prime minister stands and says he is unaware of the reports. 

He is unapologetic, however, for any Conservatives pointing out the "record" of other parties. 

Next to speak is Caroline Lucas, who brings up a potential Israeli invasion of the southern Gazan city of Rafah.

More than a million displaced Palestinians are sheltering in the city, which Israel claims is the last bastion of Hamas.

Charities, governments and humanitarian organisations on the ground have warned an attack would lead to thousands more Palestinians killed and injured. 

"All the signs are that Netanyahu is about to defy the international community," Ms Lucas says. 

"If that attack begins, will that be the moment when the prime minister finds the moral backbone to ban arms exports to Israel?

"And if not, how much more suffering has to happen before he acts to prevent further UK complicity and crimes against humanity?"

The UK provides a small amount of arms to Israel. 

The prime minister responds: "I've been crystal clear, we want to see humanitarian law respected and adhered to by all parties.

"Too many civilians have been killed and we do want to see Israel take greater care to avoid harming civilians.

"I've made these points repeatedly to Prime Minister Netanyahu specifically about the impacts of any military incursion into Rafah, and we continue to say to the Israelis at all levels that we want to see more aid going in and... a hostage deal so we can move towards a sustainable ceasefire."

Stephen Flynn, the SNP leader in Westminster, asks the prime minister whether he is giving "active consideration to the deployment of UK forces in the Middle East".

He says the answer is "yes or no", saying the public needs "clarity".

Mr Sunak skirts the issue, saying he can't get into any operational planning details. 

But, he says, "we are absolutely committed to supporting international efforts to get more humanitarian aid into Gaza ...  by land, sea and air".

Mr Flynn follows up by asking whether all members will be given a vote before he makes a decision on any UK deployment. 

"I'm not going to apologise for our armed forces playing a leading role in supporting international efforts to get more aid in," Mr Sunak says.

"And indeed we are sending Royal Navy support ship RFA Cardigan Bay to the region to support that effort."

He adds the fastest way to end the Israel-Hamas conflict is to ensure there is a "hostage deal that gets hostages out, aid in and for there to be a sustainable pause in the fighting".

He says it is clear there is now a "workable offer on the table" and asks Mr Flynn to join him in urging all parties, including Hamas, to accept the deal.

Sir Keir Starmer began the session by revelling in the defection of Dan Poulter, who moved from the Tory benches to the Labour side last weekend. 

The Labour leader said it was symbolic of the wider exodus of Tory voters to Labour. 

He then made a series of attacks about unfunded tax cuts and pushed the prime minister on whether he would raid pensioners to shore up the public finances. 

The Labour leader was unrelenting, repeatedly trying to undermine the government's offer to pensioners.

It was a considered choice. Pensioners are a core voting base for the Conservatives. 

Labour had a clear message for them: "Vote Tory, risk your pension."

Next up is pensions - a divisive issue that allows the political rivals a bit of back-and-forth. 

Sir Keir Starmer goes after Rishi Sunak over the "£46bn black hole" his pledge to scrap national insurance would leave (see previous post). 

Labour said previously that "Rishi Sunak's unfunded £46bn spending commitment is a threat to the state pension, which could delay retirement for nearly four million over 60s".

Sir Keir puts that to Mr Sunak. 

The prime minister comes back: "It's thanks to the triple lock that we've increased pensions by £3,700 since 2010 and they will rise in each and every year of the next parliament.

"It's Labour that always hits pensioners hard."

Sir Keir has a pithy reply: "Vote Tory, risk your pension."

Mr Sunak jumps on the change of topic, making a pitch to voters in the local elections.

"Tomorrow voters will have a choice, and it will be a choice. 

"It will be a choice between mayors like Andy Street and Ben Houchen, who are delivering, [against] mayors like Sadiq Khan, who just simply virtue signal."

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