More airline fees for families

[NYDisneyKid]

Here we go again.

http://www.clickorlando.com/news/Ai...ing/-/1637132/14074372/-/cmnri2z/-/index.html

 

[Jestocost]

Here we go again.

http://www.clickorlando.com/news/Ai...ing/-/1637132/14074372/-/cmnri2z/-/index.html

Was there supposed to be actual news in there or just a catchy headline?

 

[Hannathy]

Don't see how it is more fees?
Airlines been charging for certain seats for quite a while now.

No pre-boarding isn't that big of news either cause that was never guaranteed, and often it didn't happen.

 

[NYDisneyKid]

the headline on the page said "Airlines add on more fees for families traveling"

 

[Hannathy]

the headline on the page said "Airlines add on more fees for families traveling"

yes but the article was about charging for window and aisle seats so it wasn't anything directly related to families or anything new. At least as far as I could discern.

 

[DebbieB]

What airline are they talking about? I know some airlines charge for window and aisle seats in the front of the plane but there are free seats in the back. That isn't new.

 

[bdoyledimou]

probably written by a reporter who had friends or family fly and discover the "new" cost of pre seat selection.

Or you can gamble and not pay on date of flight.

 

[soxfan11901]

I loved this statement in the article.

"If they're in it for the family business they better do what families want," said Jones.

Uh, Mr. Jones......Airlines are not in it for the family business. Families are empty seat fillers. Airlines are after the business traveler. That's where they make their money and that's why you can't have that window/aisle seat up front for free. Because the business traveler who is paying a fare that will actually allow the airline to make a profit is getting that seat for free.

Pony up the cash for a more expensive ticket and you too can have that seat for no extra charge.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

What airline are they talking about? I know some airlines charge for window and aisle seats in the front of the plane but there are free seats in the back. That isn't new.

American Airlines.

 

[Jestocost]

I saw basically the same story on one of the morning news shows, but it still wasn't news. Some group that objects to the airlines policies with regard to fees for more desirable seats--which are not new--obviously has packaged a pitch based around the impact on families and is selling the story to reporters.

 

[crashbb]

I saw basically the same story on one of the morning news shows, but it still wasn't news. Some group that objects to the airlines policies with regard to fees for more desirable seats--which are not new--obviously has packaged a pitch based around the impact on families and is selling the story to reporters.

And DISers.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

With everyone else, story is pointless, it's not new and flying is not a right.

The article mentions airlines are in the business for families (which is false) and then someone else pointed out that airlines cater more to business travelers (which is true), but airlines primary goal, is to make money. Airlines are not non-profit organizations, they have shareholders, debt holders, etc, they have people to pay in salaries, equipment to lease/buy and fuel costs that are volatile. Airlines primary goal is to sell enough seats and charge the right amount of fees to make a profit, which has been challenging in the past 15 years.

 

[goofy4tink]

This just isn't anything new...well, perhaps other than some families just finding out about these seat fees. Many airlines have been charging for specific seats for quite awhile now. Nothing new. The vast majority do not..other than some front of the plane and extra leg room seats. Some airlines do charge you to choose your seats when booking. Again, nothing new.
As far as preboarding goes..up to the individual airline. Some airlines still do it..wish they wouldn't. There is no need for most families to have to preboard. On airlines that have preselected seats, there is little need to board early with your 6, 8, and 11 y/o kids. Using a carseat? Then sure, board early. But this whole song and dance about having to take extra time to get situated??? Shouldn't be an issue. Stow your overhead bag, and sit down. Simple.
You want to sit with your kids? Then choose an airline that allows you to choose your seating when booking.
Nothing noteworthy here.

 

[Lewisc]

Some people want to go back to free assigned seats (even the seats near the front of the plan), no charge for checked bags, drinks and meals OK maybe not meals. The same people aren't willing to pay 30-50% more for their tickets. Airlines found passengers prefer lower fares and extra charges. The average Spirit passenger now pays over $100 in "extras".

Some of the extra charges may be necessary for some, maybe most, passengers. Families, even couples, may want to pay so they can be assured of seats next to each other. Most people going on a 7-14 day vacation need to check a bag. We have to do our homework. Find out what services we need and include those costs when comparing fares.

 

[Anjelica]

With everyone else, story is pointless, it's not new and flying is not a right.

The article mentions airlines are in the business for families (which is false) and then someone else pointed out that airlines cater more to business travelers (which is true), but airlines primary goal, is to make money. Airlines are not non-profit organizations, they have shareholders, debt holders, etc, they have people to pay in salaries, equipment to lease/buy and fuel costs that are volatile. Airlines primary goal is to sell enough seats and charge the right amount of fees to make a profit, which has been challenging in the past 15 years.

- Flying is not a right??? I thought it was one of those things guaranteed in the Constitution???

 

[Lisa71]

My friend did not want to pay extra fees when flying from Boston to CA to see her family...so she let the airline pick her seats and each kid had a bag of goodies just in case...of course they changed so they could all sit together but she was hoping the 13 year old would have been by someone else the whole flight. She told the airline "It's my vacation too then right ??"...Airlines will milk a monkey for money.

 

[Lewisc]

My friend did not want to pay extra fees when flying from Boston to CA to see her family...so she let the airline pick her seats and each kid had a bag of goodies just in case...of course they changed so they could all sit together but she was hoping the 13 year old would have been by someone else the whole flight. She told the airline "It's my vacation too then right ??"...Airlines will milk a monkey for money.

Do a search. Many examples of cases where parents who didn't pay for assigned seats, and in doing so said they don't care if they sit near their family members, got to sit in the seats assigned by the airline. Flights to Orlando are filled with families who'd like to sit together. Not every family who declines to pay will get accommodated. A 13 year old is old enough to sit by him (or her) self. Frequent fliers have noise cancelling headphones.

Airlines haven't been profitable for several years. Not a matter of milking a monkey for money. It's a matter of offering the lowest possible fares to passengers who don't care if they get middle seats scatterd throughout the plane and getting extra revenue from passengers who want to purchase services which used to be bundled in the price of the ticket.

 

[NotUrsula]

Some people want to go back to free assigned seats (even the seats near the front of the plan), no charge for checked bags, drinks and meals OK maybe not meals. The same people aren't willing to pay 30-50% more for their tickets. Airlines found passengers prefer lower fares and extra charges. The average Spirit passenger now pays over $100 in "extras".

Some of the extra charges may be necessary for some, maybe most, passengers. Families, even couples, may want to pay so they can be assured of seats next to each other. Most people going on a 7-14 day vacation need to check a bag. We have to do our homework. Find out what services we need and include those costs when comparing fares.

True enough, but sometimes there are somewhat underhanded tactics afoot. Lately there have been a lot of reports of passengers attempting to choose seats online and having the seat selection chart show only "premium" seats available. So people assume that the flight is near capacity and pay that premium to secure a seat selection, only to discover at boarding that the plane is half-empty. USAToday has recently run several stories on the topic: http://travel.usatoday.com/flights/...=feed&utm_campaign=Feed28Travel+-+Top+Stories)

Many consumer advocates feel that this is a bait-and-switch tactic, and some members of Congress are looking into it. It would be one thing if the seats were marked differently based on whether or not they were premium, or even marked as "held for late release", but that's not how it shows up; they show as already filled, particularly on AA, which is apparently the worst offender.

 

[momof3ds]

I'm not paying extra.

Let someone else sit next to my 6 year old, they will pay me to switch seats when he starts talking to them and doesn't stop.

 

[safetymom]

If asked nicely I will move as long as it isn't for a middle seat. If you just plop your kid down I can get hard of hearing real quick. It isn't my job to babysit your kids.

If you want to sit next to your child pay the extra money.

Yes I had kids when I travelled. I just figured it into the cost of the trip and determined if I could afford it.