About Rick Seaney, CEO FareCompare

Rick Seaney

Rick Seaney, co-founder of FareCompare.com - is a world-class air travel expert.

FareCompare.com presides over a kingdom of sophisticated software that searches out fares and destinations at a billion combinations per query - while keeping track of 500 airlines serving more than 270,000 markets around the globe.

And all of Rick's data is updated continuously - in real-time.

No wonder he's the media's go-to guy for all things air travel. He's got the answers. And he loves to share his knowledge.

That's why Rick and the team created FareCompare.com - to help everyone become an air travel expert, and get the best deals first -- every time they fly.

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FAA Changes Policy, OK’s Depression Medication for Pilots

May 5, 2010 | Posted in: DOT, Pilots, doctors | 3 comments

faa depression pilots

Did you know something like 15 million Americans suffer from depression? And naturally, that would include some of the men and women in the cockpits of the planes you fly. Except of course, they’ve had to keep that a secret.

Until now.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is changing its rather anachronistic policy that banned pilots from taking depression medication. Which meant, in the past, pilots who wanted to fly either had to quit taking their medication – or hide it – or not take any at all.

Kind of scary, huh?

By the way, depression is considered a very treatable condition – although a substantial number of people don’t bother with treatment, presumably, in part, because of the stigma. Which is a shame.

Keep reading for the “rationale” behind the FAA’s change of heart: it’s all about – safety…

FAA Changes Policy, OK’s Depression Medication for Pilots

Foul Odor on Plane Prompts Pilots, Crew to Seek Treatment

March 16, 2010 | Posted in: Travel Safety, US Airways, doctors | 0 comments

odor plane passengers crew

Curious situation. It happen aboard a US Airways flight as it was about to leave the gate in Charlotte, NC for Montego Bay. There was some kind of unusual odor in the cabin, what some described as an “electrical smell”.

The FAA said nine people in total sought treatment including five flight attendants and two pilots. They complained of symptoms consistent with being exposed to toxic fumes.

The rest of the passengers eventually took off in another plane – with, understandably enough, a new crew.

How to Stay Healthy on Long Flights – Attention Lady Gaga

March 12, 2010 | Posted in: List, Tips and Tricks, Travel Safety, doctors | 0 comments

healthy flights lady gaga

Gadling’s always-entertaining Galley Gossip notes that popular singer Lady Gaga was on a recent transatlantic flight when her legs started to swell. She allegedly had to be coaxed into changing into a less restrictive outfit.

What was she wearing? Platform shoes – and black and yellow tape. Yes, tape.

Anyway, Gaga changed her “clothes” and a good thing, too, because swelling can be a sign of Deep Venous Thrombosis (DVT), which according to the Healthy Travel Blog, you don’t ever want to get. You can avoid it by exercise (and United’s website has some good ones, with pictures).

Keep reading for more easy “staying healthy on a long flight” tips (that means you, too, Gaga)…

How to Stay Healthy on Long Flights – Attention Lady Gaga

Men and Women Travelers get Different Illnesses – How to Cope

March 26, 2010 | Posted in: Educate Yourself, Passengers, Tips and Tricks, doctors | 0 comments

travelers illnesses

I don’t usually peruse the Clinical Infectious Diseases journal (I was tipped off to this by the Daily News) – but I’m glad I read the latest issue as it has some interesting research – with the bottom line being:

Male and female travelers get sick in different ways.

Okay, maybe not earth-shattering news – but – it could help you prepare for a big trip by bringing along some preventative medications.

Here’s what you might need, according to the study:

Women: More likely to suffer stomach problems, colds and urinary tract infections 

  • Pack: Anti-diarrhea medications, cold and flu symptom relievers

Men: More likely to suffer from infections and diseases transmitted by mosquitoes and ticks 

  • Pack: Insect repellent

Oh, and you guys out there? Dress warmly – you are much more likely to get frostbite.

See the complete study for more information.

Tips for Tired Travelers: Sleeping on Planes, in Hotels and More

March 25, 2010 | Posted in: Educate Yourself, Tips and Tricks, doctors | 4 comments

tips tired travelers sleep planes hotels

Did you know March 7 – 13 is National Sleep Awareness Week?

No, I didn’t either. But I do know traveling can be tiring – the hassles of security, the jet lag, and more.

So I’ve got some tips that may help – I haven’t tried them all, though; some are courtesy of the experts at the Cleveland Clinic Sleep Disorders Center and WebMD

Tips: Preventing Jet Lag

- Before traveling, try to move your sleep times and meals closer to your destination time zone

- On planes, noise-canceling headphones make sleeping easier

- If it’ll be morning when you arrive at your destination, try to sleep on the plane; if night, try to stay awake

- Once you arrive, if you must sleep, limit yourself to two hours

- Avoid social isolation – be around people

- Avoid too much caffeine and alcohol

Keep reading for tips on adjusting to new surroundings – plus a New York City hotel that wants you to get a very good rest…

Tips for Tired Travelers: Sleeping on Planes, in Hotels and More

Kids Screaming on Planes – And What You Can Do About It

December 4, 2009 | Posted in: Family, Tips and Tricks, doctors | 6 comments

Boy, do I get comments – anytime I blog about ill-behaved children on planes. Often these comments begin with the words, “I’d rather sit next to a dog…”

That’s cold.

But, face it, screaming kids can be incredibly annoying – so much so that Southwest recently ejected a mother and child from a plane because the child would not stop yelling (however, the airline later apologized and gave them a voucher).

What can you do? Unfortunately, not all that much if you’re a fellow passenger – but, if you’re the parent, that’s another story.

Keep reading for some tips that may help… Kids Screaming on Planes – And What You Can Do About It

Too Sick to Fly? You May be Out of Luck, Even with H1N1 Flu

December 24, 2009 | Posted in: Customer Service, Educate Yourself, Ticket Changes, doctors | 4 comments

I sure wish the airlines were a lot more transparent on their websites when it comes to flying with H1N1 – what we used to call, swine flu. More on this in just a bit.

First, here’s why “too sick to fly” folks may be out of luck:

Is your ticket non-refundable?

If you got a “good deal”, chances are it is – the cheapest tickets are almost always non-refundable. And non-refundable means just that – usually, you don’t get your money back and typically will only get back a portion of your purchase price in the form of a future purchase voucher.

So if you get sick, what can you do?

First, you must contact the airline in question before departure and let them know you aren’t going to make it, or you will lose all the residual value of your original ticket.

Or, you can change your ticket – and in both cases be charged a “change fee” of up to $150 will be removed from the purchase price.

What if you are sick with H1N1? I checked the websites of 10 popular airlines for an official policy statement regarding this well-publicized health threat and the results are posted below:

Too Sick to Fly? You May be Out of Luck, Even with H1N1 Flu

Holiday Travelers: Don’t Fly with Flu and Try Not to Look Sick

December 11, 2009 | Posted in: Customer Service, Passengers, United, doctors | 0 comments

Feeling ill? Or are you acting as though you’re ill? Then don’t fly. Or risk the humiliation – not to mention the expense and inconvenience – of getting kicked off your flight.

According to Gadling, it happened to a woman aboard a United flight, who was feely queasy and asked for an airsickness bag (she attributed her upset stomach to her “restless leg syndrome”) She’d already been sick in the lavatory.

The crew said, that’s it – you’re outta here! – or something to that effect.

According to the airline, the crew was entitled to make this call. They are responsible for the safety of all onboard, and may well be hyper-alert to signs of the N1H1 virus – which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says, is “widespread”.

However, flight crews don’t have medical degrees, so – is this right? Keep reading…

Holiday Travelers: Don’t Fly with Flu and Try Not to Look Sick

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