The New York Times Travel section maintains a strict policy against accepting complimentary travel packages or press trips. Reporters pay their own way, or rather the newspaper does, to ensure unbiased coverage and authentic experiences for readers.
This approach means journalists like Sarah Lyall cover every expense themselves when reviewing services such as Air France’s ultra-premium trans-Atlantic flights. In one recent case she received a chauffeured ride to the airport and a private four-window compartment yet still submitted an $11,000 bill that the paper settled in full.