Airlines - charging extra for EVERYTHING??

[DisFlan]

I saw a blurb yesterday on CNBC that said by the end of the year, most airlines will be charging extra not just for a beverage or food/snacks, but for seat choices (aisle vs, window), reserved seats, pillows, checked bags and possibly even for carry-ons. And this would be on top of the already more expensive tickets.

I don't care about the food stuff or the pillow, but CHECKED BAGS?? And the weren't talking about an overweight bag.

GACK!!



DisFlan

 

[Lewisc]

I don't the market place will let the airlines impose all of those charges. We might see some of those charges but I doubt we'll see very many of them by the end of this year.

Given the price of jet fuel the price of airline tickets is much too low, particularly the deeply discounted seats most of us book for our flights to WDW. Airlines are losing money, many are in bankruptcy.

I expect airlines will be looking for additional sources of revenue. A few years ago airlines generally let you check 3 70 lb bags now many airlines are down to 2 50 lb bags. It's conceivable that some airlines, at least on the low fares, might start charging for checked luggage and even for the larger carry on bags.

I saw a blurb yesterday on CNBC that said by the end of the year, most airlines will be charging extra not just for a beverage or food/snacks, but for seat choices (aisle vs, window), reserved seats, pillows, checked bags and possibly even for carry-ons. And this would be on top of the already more expensive tickets.

I don't care about the food stuff or the pillow, but CHECKED BAGS??

GACK!!



DisFlan

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Some airlines already charge for checking bags (Ryanair for one).

And they all now charge for overweight bags.

Other airlines no longer provide pillows or blankets at any price (American Airlines and Delta). Personally, I'd never use one of these anyway; you know they must be covered with germs.

I would love to see airlines charge for carry ons, at least those people who bring 3-4 items per person on board and hog all the overhead space.

 

[CarolA]

Several airlines are now charging for curbside check in.

As for seat selection, I think what you are going to see is that if you pay for the "cheap tickets" (ie under $200 roundtrip) then if you want a seat in the front, a preassigned seat etc then you are going to eventually be charged.

To a certain extent I think you are seeing some of this already. AirTran for example allows you to pick a seat when you buy for more expensive seats and forces you to wait until 24 hours prior to the flight for more cheap tickets meaning you may not get the window seat up front you wanted.

 

[Wish I lived in Fl]

I would love to see airlines charge for carry ons, at least those people who bring 3-4 items per person on board and hog all the overhead space.

Totally agree. Maybe it would enable them to deny oversize carryons also.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

As for seat selection, I think what you are going to see is that if you pay for the "cheap tickets" (ie under $200 roundtrip) then if you want a seat in the front, a preassigned seat etc then you are going to eventually be charged.

Airlines already are reserving seats in the front of the plane for elite FF members.

And I will take an aisle seat over a window seat any time.

 

[n2mm]

I too recently read some of this information, as it pertained to United Airlines. It was mentioned that they will start charging for "checking" bags. I thought this was strange, but nothing surprises me anymore. Will that mean more people will try to carryon--is that even possible?

 

[DisFlan]

I realize some of this is already happening, but I get the feeling the airlines will soon be trying to put coin slots on the restrooms.

If it's costing the airlines more to put planes in the air, I'd rather they price it into the tickets. And not nickle and dime us to death - or $10 and $20 dollar us to death. If it costs the airline $300 to get me and my regulation wt. bag + one carryon to my destination in the seat I want with a Coke in hand (with or without a pillow), I'd rather pay $300 upfront than $250 and have it all layered on later in hassled bits and pieces. Flying is already a PITA - all this other stuff makes it even more unpalatable.

DisFlan

 

[DisFlan]

I would love to see airlines charge for carry ons, at least those people who bring 3-4 items per person on board and hog all the overhead space.

They could/should have already been enforcing this - if they chose to. And without any extra charge.

LOL! I had to edit this to add the vision I just had of the future of domestic flights in the US, particularly the Express routes. It'll be something like riding a train in India - chickens in the overhead, attendants with hands out for tips, you bring your own seat cushion and private peddlers roam the aisle selling weak tea and bad food. The ticket gets your body onboard, but after that, you're on your own.


DisFlan

 

[yogibigdog]

Some airlines already charge for checking bags (Ryanair for one).

I would love to see airlines charge for carry ons, at least those people who bring 3-4 items per person on board and hog all the overhead space.

I also agree with you. Since they don't enforce the carry on limits any way I think charging for checked backs would make a bad situation worse. They would have to charge for all luggage regardless if it is check or carried on.

Found link to CNBC story:
http://moneycentral.msn.com/content/Savinganddebt/Travelforless/P142365.asp

 

[Tigger_Magic]

The legacy airlines will roll-out any number of extra charges to avoid adding onto the ticket prices so they can attempt to compete with no frills airlines. Some may be accepted; some may not. Either way I expect them to at least try any and all of the OP's suggestions at some point -- then step back to see what the reaction is. I didn't think the $5 - $10 snack boxes offered on some flights would be accepted, but they were. Nothing surprises me with airlines anymore -- maybe except for the fluctuating ticket prices.

 

[mlwear]

I saw a news story on this too. It was mostly about the carry on bags. Sometimes can be a real hassle to check it and the increase in lost luggage/stolen items is causing people to carry more on. It mentioned the other charges to come: snack, drink, overweight luggage (I thought most already did this one.)
I guess if I had to pick, I would prefer to keep the overall ticket price low and bring my own soda on the plane.

 

[Disneyhappy]

I guess if I had to pick, I would prefer to keep the overall ticket price low and bring my own soda on the plane.

I agree! I travel quite a bit with my job and I usually never accept a beverage in flight beacuse I carry on a bottle of water I brought along or purchased at the airport. I never know how long security is going to take at PHL so I am usually at the airport 2 hours ahead of time which can mean a long wait until my plane is ready to board. I use that time to grab a bite to eat and drink. By the time I get on the plane, I just want to be left alone to relax, sleep or read! (However, I do like the little snacks!)

 

[dvc guy]

Some Airlines charge for checked bags at Curbside ( AA) . AA also tried to charge for drinks on American Eagle, and just decided that it does not work.
Most people look for the lowest price, so charging 10.00 more per seat and giveing you extra baggage will not wok for the airlines. If they charge per bag and you bring 1 less bag that make the plane lighter and gives them more room for mail and freight. the truth is leisure tickets are chaper then they were 10 years ago. No one likes to pay more, but It looks like this is the way of the future.

Some charges however do not make sense. Last week AA charged me 2 per bag to check in curbside. The skycaps work for the airport and not an individual airline. If I choose to drag my bags inside, an American employee needs to assist me in tagging my bags. Longer lines inside and more employees needed. BTW I gladly paid to check my families bags rather then dragthem inside and then to the TSA check point

 

[MICOL]

$5 for movies, food $5- $12

 

[4formickey]

lets all start back to driving. They(airlines) will only charge what the market will bear. If we stop using the fly for a fee packages, than they will change it. We need to start bringing our own meals aboard and take our own soda if they want us to pay for it. Pack our own headphones and look at their movie for free. We can change things by how we spend our money.

 

[DisFlan]

lets all start back to driving. They(airlines) will only charge what the market will bear. If we stop using the fly for a fee packages, than they will change it. We need to start bringing our own meals aboard and take our own soda if they want us to pay for it. Pack our own headphones and look at their movie for free. We can change things by how we spend our money.

Well, okay, this might work for vacations, but many people HAVE to fly, especially for business resons.

And I don't relish sitting in a car for two days on the way to WDW. I get TBS (Tired Butt Syndrome). I'd rather spend the time with Mickey.

DisFlan

 

[mom2alix]

DisFlan - I see you're in the Ozarks. I have family there who are joining us for our May trip and the new airline out of Springfield (Allegient) actually has fees to get seat assignments! I couldn't believe it. They even mention on their website that it's a good idea to go ahead and pay if you're travelling with someone and want to make sure you get to sit together.

 

[DisFlan]

DisFlan - I see you're in the Ozarks. I have family there who are joining us for our May trip and the new airline out of Springfield (Allegient) actually has fees to get seat assignments! I couldn't believe it. They even mention on their website that it's a good idea to go ahead and pay if you're travelling with someone and want to make sure you get to sit together.

Yup, we know about Allegiant. It's the only airline that flies direct from Springfield to Orlando (Sanford). It started out with super cheap fares, but they aren't so cheap now. We'll probably fly them for our next trip just because they ARE direct. We don't have kids at home now, so we don't care where we sit. My DH will sleep, so it doesn't matter if I'm next to him or not.

For our next trip, I'm taking my own water, a snack, my purse and cramming everything into a regulation size carry-on. And that's it. (I can wash clothes in our DVC villa.) I'll wear the same stuff all week if I have to. I WON'T pay to check a bag - if comes to that. Oh - and I'll take a book for my own entertainment.

I'm ready for 'em!

DisFlan

 

[kaytieeldr]

$5 for movies, food $5- $12

That's fine for now - but what do you do in June, after Song has been reencompassed into Delta?