Airlines to start charging for seat location?

[eliza61]

I thought I heard on the news this morning Continental Airlines will begin charging a fee if you have an exit seat. Evidentently you get more leg room. Is this true? I was flying out the door so maybe I misheard the story.

You know once one airline gets a new fee, the others generally follow suit.

 

[Ted in Halifax]

here is their e-mail that went out ...

On March 17, 2010, we’ll be introducing a new option allowing you to purchase seat assignments for unreserved, Economy Class seats that feature extra legroom. Depending on the type of aircraft and row, seats with extra legroom offer a minimum of seven additional inches of legroom.

You will have the ability to purchase seat assignments when checking in at continental.com or at an airport kiosk during the normal check-in period, beginning 24 hours prior to flight departure. The price of these extra legroom seats will vary depending on a number of factors, including the length of the flight and market.

Consider this choice when you want extra legroom for more comfort on your flight.

We appreciate your business and thank you for choosing Continental.

- - - --

 

[eliza61]

Don'tcha love it when they make it sound as if they are offering a wonderful new item.

What happens if there are no other seats available?

 

[Traveliz]

Airtran all ready charges extra for the extra row seating and not the close to the front seating too.

It cracks me up about the seat charge for exit row though. After all you have to pay and then agree to open the door, get things in order and assist people out of the plane in the event of an emergency??? LOL

Liz

 

[bevgray]

At almost 6 ft with very long legs, Airtran's charge for Exit row seating is worth every dollar. It's very nice not to have my knees bumping the seat in front.

 

[snowbunny]

This is already standard on many airlines, exit row is considered "extra leg room" or preferred seating.

 

[n2mm]

Jetblue does this too, but there are plenty of seats that are free to choose from, so it's not a big deal. Now if they started charging for every seat, then that would be a reason to get upset -- sort of like Airtran and Alliegant does.

 

[eliza61]

This is already standard on many airlines, exit row is considered "extra leg room" or preferred seating.

Next, they will charge you for the window seat and call it a premium seat with a view.

 

[cm8]

Next, they will charge you for the window seat and call it a premium seat with a view.

, I know that's right!!! Guess they will start billing us for having to show us what to do in case of emergency.

 

[Tara]

"Attention ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain speaking. We are now flying over Lake Michigan. Please give $20 to the flight attendant to cover your upgrade to water view seats."



(Lots of airlines...most even?...charge for preferred seating in coach, so I don't think it's anything new. I'm surprised Continental wasn't already doing this, or maybe they didn't previously include the exit row in the preferred zone, or possibly it was for elite passengers only, but now it's for either elites or those willing to pay.)

 

[seashoreCM]

For most airlines, there has always been a price for preferred seats. Often the "price" was infinite to some passengers, namely they could not reserve those seats no matter what they did in the short timeframe leading up to their flight.

 

[uva185]

The exit row has always been considered "preferred seating". Before only elites could reserve the exit row in advance. Leisure flyers could request the exit row at the airport.

Why do people complain when they are offered a perk?? Continental is allowing people who previously could not pre-select an exit row seat to do so for a modest fee. If anything this is great for leisure flyers and bad for elites!!

 

[Thumper_Man]

Next, they will charge you for the window seat and call it a premium seat with a view.

Shh! Don't give them any more ideas than what they already have.

 

[uva185]

For most airlines, there has always been a price for preferred seats. Often the "price" was infinite to some passengers, namely they could not reserve those seats no matter what they did in the short timeframe leading up to their flight.

So true, for while before I had frequent flyer status I was flying on Y and B fares from CAE-IAD on United. The aircraft was a regional jet with no first class. I would have killed for an exit row, but even when buying the most expensive fare offered on that route I could not have access to the exit row until I got to the airport.

 

[DebbieB]

So true, for while before I had frequent flyer status I was flying on Y and B fares from CAE-IAD on United. The aircraft was a regional jet with no first class. I would have killed for an exit row, but even when buying the most expensive fare offered on that route I could not have access to the exit row until I got to the airport.

I've found the exit row on regional jets not to be that great. If anything, it's uncomfortable because they make the seat cushion length smaller so that there's more room to get out the window and there's no armrest on the window seat.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

Was it necessary to post this in two different forums?

 

[Tara]

I thought I heard on the news this morning Continental Airlines will begin charging a fee if you have an exit seat. Evidentently you get more leg room. Is this true? I was flying out the door so maybe I misheard the story.

You know once one airline gets a new fee, the others generally follow suit.

To answer your question directly, though...

Yes, you typically get more legroom in an exit row. As for other airlines falling suit, as I and others said already, this is nothing new and the only change Continental is making is that these preferred seats will now be available to elite status passengers (as they were before) OR to passengers without status who are willing to pay extra for the seat.

 

[eliza61]

Was it necessary to post this in two different forums?

Yep, It's an option I get to enjoy with no charge.
I've been known to post the same question in a number of forums that are my favorite?
didn't think any thing about it.
Is it a problem?

 

[jlewisinsyr]

Yep, It's an option I get to enjoy with no charge.
I've been known to post the same question in a number of forums that are my favorite?
didn't think any thing about it.
Is it a problem?

This is most often consider spamming a forum.

 

[eliza61]

This is most often consider spamming a forum.