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Revenue-hungry airline to charge for aisle seats
Reuters ^ | 03/14/06 | Kyle Peterson

Posted on 03/14/2006 2:04:00 PM PST by MikeA

By CHICAGO (Reuters) - Struggling U.S. airlines, looking for new ways to generate revenue, are getting bolder about charging for pretty much anything that makes air travel a little more comfortable -- including aisle seats.

First came charging passengers for in-flight meals. Then, reservations done by phone cost extra. And now, one major airline, Northwest Airlines Corp. (NWACQ.PK: Quote, Profile, Research), is trying to charge passengers for the right to sit in aisle seats and emergency-exit rows.

The day is coming when carriers will require special fees even to check a bag, experts say.

Analysts told Reuters that travelers should brace for more nickel and diming as airlines seek to recoup losses from soaring fuel costs and competitive pressures. Airlines are likely to test passengers' willingness to pay for an ever wider array of services.

"We're just scratching the surface. I think 2006 is going to bring a tremendous amount of changes," said Terry Trippler, an analyst with travel Web site Cheapseats.com.

"I think it's going to be the difference between a black bottom line and a red one," he said.

Bankrupt Northwest this week unveiled a program called Coach Choice in which the carrier will save some preferred coach seating on the aisle or emergency-exit rows until check-in. Passengers can pay $15 per flight to sit in those seats, which may offer more room.

Airlines has been weakened by rising fuel prices and low-fare competition that keeps ticket prices low. In recent years, carriers have been trying to cut costs by eliminating expendable services and perks. AMR Corp's (AMR.N: Quote, Profile, Research) American Airlines and Delta Air Lines (DALRQ.PK: Quote, Profile, Research) last year eliminated pillows on domestic flights.

"It's certainly a trend. I expect to see more of it," said Morningstar equity analyst Chris Lozier. "I had never even considered the possibility of charging for aisle seats. It's definitely being taken to extremes at this point."

Lozier said airlines must be careful when implementing programs like Northwest's. Carriers run the risk of alienating customers if they charge for services or seats that do not have special fees attached at other airlines.

Most carriers have cut meal service on shorter flights in the coach section. Many have begun charging for food, drinks and entertainment that used to be free. Continued ...

© Reuters 2006. All Rights Reserved.


TOPICS: Business/Economy; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: airlines; airtravel; nwa; travel
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To: MikeA

Northwest deserves to go out of business. When my wife and I were looking for good fares for a vacation, NW even on the Internet travel bargain sites, was almost 3 times the cost of other carriers to the same destination. I could almost have flown the Concorde to Europe for what NW was offering for the same trip in a cattle car with wings.


21 posted on 03/14/2006 2:33:55 PM PST by The Great RJ ("Mir wölle bleiwen wat mir sin" or "We want to remain what we are." ..Luxembourg motto)
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To: rawhide

Heck, how much just to stand strapped to a bulkhead? That's probably what's next.


22 posted on 03/14/2006 2:37:52 PM PST by MikeA (Rigged polls are what the news media uses to measure impact of their falsified anti-Bush reporting)
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To: MikeA

Ah, airline customer care. Why don't they just make most seats 6 inches wide and charge extra for the 8 inch seats? Or charge extra for clean air on long distance flights? Airplane travel is so exquisitely annoying these days that I drive from the Bay Area down to LA, Las Vegas, or San Diego just to avoid the aggravation.


23 posted on 03/14/2006 2:38:41 PM PST by AnotherUnixGeek
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To: MikeA
I never knew aisle seats were free. Here I could be flying all over the place for free if I just want to sit on the floor of a plane.

I used to sit in the aisle at concerts all the time back in the 70's. Until the ushers would make me move or carry me out.

Spicoli, out!
24 posted on 03/14/2006 2:38:42 PM PST by BallyBill (Serial Hit-N-Run poster)
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To: MikeA

This is why I avoid flying the Dinosaur Airlines as much as possible. Meanwhile, other airlines are finding success by going the opposite route, i.e. eliminating first class and making the coach class seats just a bit more spacious and comfortable.


25 posted on 03/14/2006 2:38:52 PM PST by FlipWilson
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To: MikeA
Heck, how much just to stand strapped to a bulkhead? That's probably what's next.

How many deep? And will they want premium pricing for the more desirable locations?

26 posted on 03/14/2006 2:40:21 PM PST by surely_you_jest
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To: MikeA

If the airlines want to treat us all like we are bus passengers in Bolivia, they should not expect us to pay a fare higher than a Bolivian bus co. charges - 150 worthless pesos or whatever currency they use down there.


27 posted on 03/14/2006 2:40:42 PM PST by RicocheT
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To: conservative in nyc

Quote: "Neither Southwest nor JetBlue are full network carriers. They cherrypick flying the most profitable routes, and generally avoid flying to small cities or more congested airports. You can't fly Southwest from New York City (Islip is too far out for most of us) or Fargo. And you can't fly JetBlue from JFK to the more congested San Francisco or LAX."

No, but you can fly JetBlue from JFK to Oakland or San Jose, not really a big diff there. Starting in June you can fly JetBlue from Newark to the same places. Yes, JetBlue cherry picks, but it does it in a very clever way.


28 posted on 03/14/2006 2:41:15 PM PST by FlipWilson
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To: MikeA
I avoid the big airlines. I am tired of their BS. If they can't adequately adjust to current market conditions they should go away. Their are plenty of low cost carriers theat would probably love to pick up the slack. My .02

SIC
29 posted on 03/14/2006 2:41:18 PM PST by SICSEMPERTYRANNUS ("Our responses to terrorist acts should make the world gasp." - When Devils Walk the Earth)
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To: MikeA

Just another ludicrous reason why I don't fly. Don't want to deal with the crap at the airport and now this crap. If I cannot drive there, then I ain't going.


30 posted on 03/14/2006 2:42:36 PM PST by RetiredArmy (Democrats: The communist, socialist, and Al Qaeda loving party of America.)
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To: MikeA

Big mistake, lots of issues to be figured out.

If flight is half full and someone moves into an aisle seat, do you charge them? What if the person across from you paid more? Do they get a discount back?

Lots of NW employees are laughing about how lame this is on the airline employee boards.

Not to mention that some other airline is going to have a field day with them.

BTW, if you want to see what its like when one airline makes fun of another, go here: http://www.psa-history.org/awa/video/index.html and click on the Mosh Pit ad, its a great dig at Southwest.


31 posted on 03/14/2006 2:43:10 PM PST by Central Scrutiniser (In your heart, you know I'm right.)
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To: surely_you_jest

"And will they want premium pricing for the more desirable locations?"


You mean like those where you'd have 3 hot, busty, blondes strapped in front of you?


32 posted on 03/14/2006 2:44:53 PM PST by MikeA (Rigged polls are what the news media uses to measure impact of their falsified anti-Bush reporting)
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To: FlipWilson

Jet Blue is in trouble these days, losing money and too many planes coming in that they have nowhere to put.

Expect them to defer deliveries soon. The legacy carriers have cut back their expenses like crazy, and most of them are on track to do quite well this year, at the expense of Jet Blue and Southwest.


33 posted on 03/14/2006 2:45:06 PM PST by Central Scrutiniser (In your heart, you know I'm right.)
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To: MikeA
Oh PLEASE, Northwest airlines?? I have a picture of my knee in relation to the seat in front of me, in an aisle seat, on a Northwest flight. There was maybe 1.5" of seperation, which shrunk when the person in front of me put her seat back. I LOATHE Northwest, and will only fly them if it's a major emergency (which it was, had to fly home for a funeral around Christmas time.)
34 posted on 03/14/2006 2:45:24 PM PST by arizonarachel (wear our the cats? 2-24-06)
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To: MikeA
What next, charge for use of the bathrooms?

Don't give them any ideas...


35 posted on 03/14/2006 2:46:59 PM PST by COBOL2Java (Freedom isn't free, but the men and women of the military will pay most of your share)
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To: FlipWilson
"Yes, JetBlue cherry picks, but it does it in a very clever way."

"Cherry picking" profitable routes would seem to be the only selection process that makes any sense for an airline. What business does any airline have in flying unprofitable routess, since profits for the owners are the only justifications for their existence?

36 posted on 03/14/2006 2:47:54 PM PST by Sam Cree (absolute reality) - ("Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one." Albert Einstein)
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To: The Old Hoosier

Southwest makes money because they have their fuel hedged better than anyone else, without the hedge they are losing money. And their hedge will be over soon, and they know it, which is why they just raised all their fares this week. Jet Blue ain't making money. Air Tran is much better run than Jet Blue.


37 posted on 03/14/2006 2:48:03 PM PST by Central Scrutiniser (In your heart, you know I'm right.)
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To: arizonarachel

LOL, I loved your tag about "Wear are the Cats?" That thread was pretty funny. I can't believe how long it lasted. Was it ever ZOTed?


38 posted on 03/14/2006 2:48:03 PM PST by MikeA (Rigged polls are what the news media uses to measure impact of their falsified anti-Bush reporting)
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To: Central Scrutiniser

JetBlue mis-calculated on Fuel Costs. They do have places to put the bigger planes. A real problem for them is that they abandoned (to a small extent) their original business model of flying one, and only one, plane. They are adding a smaller jet. This will cost them and was a dumb move. Unlike the dino airlines, JetBlue's problems are not being caused by a lack of customers. Regardless, I would fly them over the dinosaurs anyday.


39 posted on 03/14/2006 2:48:12 PM PST by FlipWilson
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To: goldstategop
...they can elect to skip the aisle seats.

Not with my inseam :) But I've had it with the airlines. I'll just drive.

40 posted on 03/14/2006 2:48:40 PM PST by mewzilla (Property must be secured or liberty cannot exist. John Adams)
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