American Airlines's newest fee

[Donut23]

I guess they do not have enough fees or just want to join the club with other airlines charging for this. Looks like they decided to add another.

From the orlando paper....



American Airlines has found another fee. The Fort Worth, Texas, airline said Wednesday it's now charging between $19 and $39 for "Express Seats" — those spots in the first few rows of coach that include bulkhead seats.

The carrier, which is operated by parent AMR Corp., is following in the footsteps of several other airlines who already charge for special seats. UAL Corp.'s United Airlines, Continental Airlines, US Airways, JetBlue, Frontier, Spirit and AirTran all have some seats that cost extra.

American said the price of the seats includes getting on the plane in the first "general boarding" group of passengers. The seats that will cost extra are in the first two or three rows of the coach cabin, depending on the size of the plane.

The seats can only be bought at airport kiosks between 24 hours to 50 minutes before the flight for travel within the U.S.

 

[dudspizza]

I guess they do not have enough fees or just want to join the club with other airlines charging for this. Looks like they decided to add another.

From the orlando paper....



American Airlines has found another fee. The Fort Worth, Texas, airline said Wednesday it's now charging between $19 and $39 for "Express Seats" — those spots in the first few rows of coach that include bulkhead seats.

The carrier, which is operated by parent AMR Corp., is following in the footsteps of several other airlines who already charge for special seats. UAL Corp.'s United Airlines, Continental Airlines, US Airways, JetBlue, Frontier, Spirit and AirTran all have some seats that cost extra.

American said the price of the seats includes getting on the plane in the first "general boarding" group of passengers. The seats that will cost extra are in the first two or three rows of the coach cabin, depending on the size of the plane.

The seats can only be bought at airport kiosks between 24 hours to 50 minutes before the flight for travel within the U.S.

But, AA does not charge for advance seat assignment, to my knowledge. So, the only way you pay is if you want to sit in the very front.

Duds

 

[msmayor]

And there are probably plenty of people out there willing to pay it, or they wouldn't have started it.

I personally would not blame AA for this fee. They're only charging it to those who CHOOSE to pay it.

Its no different than paying a lot more money for first class seats.

 

[skelooch]

And there are probably plenty of people out there willing to pay it, or they wouldn't have started it.

I personally would not blame AA for this fee. They're only charging it to those who CHOOSE to pay it.

Its no different than paying a lot more money for first class seats.

If the flight is completely booked or over sold as most are these days, and no one opts to purchases the "Express Seats" (maybe they get you there faster) between 24 hrs and 50 min of the flight,what will they do, leave them empty, and have to bump 12 or so people off the flight because no one paid for them. Or would they just let all the people with confirmed reservations sit in them without charge.
Also allowing those who pay for those seats to board with the "first general" boarding is just going to slow down the boarding process, they will be blocking the aisle not allowing people to get to the rear of the plane. (most airlines board rear to front)

How about coin operated restrooms, sorry no cash on board you'll have to use your credit card.
It won't be long before you will be charged for coffee, soda, juice, water and snacks.
I'm certain the airlines have meetings to come up with new ideas for what they can possibly charge for.

just my $.02

 

[msmayor]

If the flight is completely booked or over sold as most are these days, and no one opts to purchases the "Express Seats" (maybe they get you there faster) between 24 hrs and 50 min of the flight,what will they do, leave them empty, and have to bump 12 or so people off the flight because no one paid for them. Or would they just let all the people with confirmed reservations sit in them without charge.
Also allowing those who pay for those seats to board with the "first general" boarding is just going to slow down the boarding process, they will be blocking the aisle not allowing people to get to the rear of the plane. (most airlines board rear to front)

How about coin operated restrooms, sorry no cash on board you'll have to use your credit card.
It won't be long before you will be charged for coffee, soda, juice, water and snacks.
I'm certain the airlines have meetings to come up with new ideas for what they can possibly charge for.

just my $.02

Of course they wouldn't leave them empty...someone would get to sit there without paying. Just like folks are upgraded for free to First Class.

The point of the fee is to allow folks to pre-reserve those specific seats. If no one pre-reserves them, then anyone gets to sit there.

I'm sorry, but if enough people are clamoring for front-row seats then there's nothing wrong with the airline charging for the privilege of sitting their...for a GUARANTEED spot in the front of the plane.

If enough people DON'T pay, then perhaps it will go away. But as long as there is a demand....

 

[kaytieeldr]

How about coin operated restrooms,

Big sigh... no, no airline - not even super-low-fare European RyanAir, the only airline to ever even float the idea, and only on flights of an hour or less - is going to charge for restroom use on flights. Could we PLEASE put the hyperbole to rest??????????

 

[MAH4546]

This isn't a fee. It is offering a previously elite-exclusive benefit to the public at large.

 

[bleeps]

We gladly pay for the *more legroom seats* offered by JetBlue and really appreciate their availability. It is MUCH cheaper than flying first class (although on JB it doesn't impact when you are allowed to board) but it does give you much more legroom. We're tall, and DS doesn't like the claustrophobic feeling of airplanes, so the benefit makes a big difference to us.

Also, since JB doesn't charge for the first checked bag, the cost becomes basically a wash for us over flying AA.

I think all industries are realizing that if there's some kind of premium service/offering that they can provide, there are people willing to pay for it. That helps increase their profits while keeping their overall pricing as low as possible. And, yes, when that premium offering doesn't get sold, it gets offered *for free!* to customers who haven't paid the premium which also has good business effects (fills up all available seats and makes those customers feel that they got something extra).

Hmmm. Kinda sounds like WDW and the various fees for hotel rooms based on views, and CMs handing out *upgrades* when those rooms aren't sold....

 

[DebbieB]

USAirways has had "choice seats" for some time. United also has their "economy plus" for an extra charge. I don't see where it's any different.