US AIR Seat Charge?

[JerseyTink]

Does US Air charge for seats like Spirit? I have always flown on Southwest but their flight times are horrible. I know US Air has a charge for luggage and I am trying real hard to accept that concept. I just want to know what I will be facing if I decide to book with US Air.

Thanks for any help!!!!

 

[helenk]

I booked with USairways for my December trip there was not an extra charge for selecting seats. Maybe there is a fee if you want an exit row seat, or other "popular" seats.

edited to add, here is a link to the information on the USairways site https://membership.usairways.com/en-US/traveltools/intheair/choiceseats.html

 

[MissManda]

I booked US Air tickets earlier today and was not charged for my seat assignment.

I did notice that on the seat map, they had what I believe they called "choice" seats (or something to that affect). I didn't look at those, but figured those would have a charge. They were mostly near the front of the plane.

 

[dogsmom]

Me too. Flying US Air out of Phila. in Dec. Great ticket price and no charge to pick our seats.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

I'm finding these days that SWA isn't really a bargain airline like they used to be. We flew USAirways RT for our Easter cruise. Pricewise, they were right in there with everyone else. I can deal with the luggage fee, it's the change fee that I can't stand. We are spoiled with SWA being able to change, which we have done many times.
USAirways also gave us the full can of soda with our cup. Not a big deal really, but I'm always so thirsty when flying so I appreciate it.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

I know US Air has a charge for luggage and I am trying real hard to accept that concept.

You were paying for your baggage, it was just built into the fare SWA is charging, which is why in a lot of cases, SWA is no longer the cheapest carrier from a pure price perspective, although they are on par when factoring in other variables, like the included baggagage.

From a historical perspective, SWA made a smart move when it comes to the baggage but it was only because they hedged their fuel wisely and beat out a lot of other carriers when oil approached $140. They used this to their advantage and were able to offer things like "free" baggage, but their hedging has not been nearly as effective as of late, and they are under pressure just like other carriers. They still have some advantages when it comes to cost structure, they don't have a massive legacy airline employee base with lucrative contracts, they don't have 20 versions of aircrafts, etc, but the definately are in an uphill battle at the moment.

 

[Jestocost]

USAir does not charge for advance seat assignments, but as a PP noted there are certain seats that can be reserved in advance only if you pay an extra charge or are an elite-level frequent flyer. What can happen, however, is that all of the seats available for advance assignment to everyone can be filled and even though you eventually will have a seat (and possibly even one of the preferred seats) there won't be any seats that you can select in advance without paying the extra fee. This generally will happen only on very full flights or when you book relatively late, but it does happen.

 

[mb187143]

we also flew US Air in December 2011, paid for choice seats, and had to fight with the gate attendant to keep them. She wanted to bump us out of our seats for two passengers who wanted to sit closer to the front, and wanted us to take their seats 22 rows back. When we refused to change our seats, she threatened to deny us boarding, and then the other gate agent told her she couldn't do that. She then told us if the flight was oversold, she'd come on board personally and make sure we were the ones bumped. it was really awful.

I don't care if US Air is 100 bucks cheaper per person, i will never, ever, ever, fly them again out of Philly. I've never had a particularly good experience with them, but i don't want to have to fight to keep the seats i paid extra for because someone is sweet talking the gate agent (which they were, and DF and I overheard them as we were sitting right next to the podium).

 

[jlewisinsyr]

I don't care if US Air is 100 bucks cheaper per person, i will never, ever, ever, fly them again out of Philly. I've never had a particularly good experience with them, but i don't want to have to fight to keep the seats i paid extra for because someone is sweet talking the gate agent (which they were, and DF and I overheard them as we were sitting right next to the podium).

I bolded the key part. Philly seems to have some of the worst customer service experiences, be it airlines or car rentals, only second the EWR.

 

[helenk]

I bolded the key part. Philly seems to have some of the worst customer service experiences, be it airlines or car rentals, only second the EWR.

I have flown USairways out of Philly numerous times for business, and I have always had good experiences with them. I had used SW when I travel for pleasure but lately the high prices and lack of non stop flights have me heading back to USairways. Hopefully the good experiences I've had will continue.

 

[JerseyTink]

Thanks for all the replies. Well, I bit the bullet and booked with US Air. Now, does anyone know if you can do curbside checkin with US Air in Philly? I love the curbside guys at SWA. They are so nice and it is sooo easy.

 

[helenk]

Thanks for all the replies. Well, I bit the bullet and booked with US Air. Now, does anyone know if you can do curbside checkin with US Air in Philly? I love the curbside guys at SWA. They are so nice and it is sooo easy.

I usually just do carry on with USairways it seems to me though they do have the curbside but in Philly there was a $2 fee to check luggage through the curbside. that was a while ago, it could have changed

 

[MuchLovedMama]

Thanks for all the replies. Well, I bit the bullet and booked with US Air. Now, does anyone know if you can do curbside checkin with US Air in Philly? I love the curbside guys at SWA. They are so nice and it is sooo easy.

I just booked with US Air yesterday too and I was reading a bunch of info and came across info that said $2 for curbside check-in. I'm used to SW too so this is a change for us. They had too good of a deal yesterday and I got sick of waiting for SW prices to come down.

 

[JerseyTink]

I just booked with US Air yesterday too and I was reading a bunch of info and came across info that said $2 for curbside check-in. I'm used to SW too so this is a change for us. They had too good of a deal yesterday and I got sick of waiting for SW prices to come down.

Thanks, same with me. Plus, the first direct flight for SWA did not leave until after 2pm. That wastes an entire day. I kept checking Airtran also but their direct flights are astronomically expensive!!

 

[MuchLovedMama]

Thanks, same with me. Plus, the first direct flight for SWA did not leave until after 2pm. That wastes an entire day. I kept checking Airtran also but their direct flights are astronomically expensive!!

I hear ya! We had 1 non-stop option with SW and we really liked the times It left at 10:30 am and got there at 12:50 but it never went below $143. Airtran had 2 non-stop options I believe but they were quite pricey too once you add in the bags. I got US Airways yesterday for $168 round trip per person and my family of 4 can manage with just 2 or 3 checked bags so we jumped on that. Today that flight is $315 so I'm glad we jumped on it right when I saw it.

Other than the SW and AT non-stops there were no other non-stop options out there for us but with the US Air flights our layovers are just over an hour so I don't think that's too bad and we'll get there just after noon. I can handle that.