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.
Good One, I was thinging they were going to charge for the small bags of peanuts....
I'd gladly pay $15 extra for an exit row seat or a seat at the front of coach where you get extra legroom (not with a hard bulkhead), as I'm tall.
The problem I have with this business model is that it doesn't improve my odds of getting a coveted exit row seat. So now I have the choice of flying Northwest, and waiting until the last moment and hoping that I can pay $15 for a seat, or I can fly Delta or American (etc) and wait until the last moment hoping that I can get a seat free. I now have an extra incentive to avoid Northwest.
If they let me pay the extra $15 when I make the reservation, then I'd have an incentive to fly Northwest. Unfortunately the airline that used to give me an exit row seat for free every time I booked a flight (at the time of booking, despite being an infrequent flyer) is no longer in business....
Well, only one blonde would count. Assuming face to face strapping, of course. But heck yeah! I'd pay extra for that. How many straps would be holding me back, anyway? One strap - $20. Two straps - $10. Three straps - $1. More than three straps - forget it - they's have to pay me a frustration premium. And, oh, I assume that Happy Hour rules would apply - hot, busty blondes fly free?
On really long flights you may need to clean yourself up.
Their=There
I am already paying $60 extra each way to United to get decent seats on long-distance flighs. The last time I sat in regular cattle-car seating on a flight from Baltimore to Portland, OR, my legs were ached for twp days.
On the trip back, I upgraded into United's Economy Plus, which has about 5 inches more leg room. Made all the difference. Now I look for the cheapest flight on United I can get, regardless of time-of-day, and upgrade into Economy Plus.
I stick with United because they are the only major airline to offer regular service into my hometown, Eugene, Or. Also, United's on-line ticket service gives real-time price quotes as I play around with flights and schedules.
Surprisingly, I've found that the cheapest flights give me a schedule that is very near to what I want to fly, anyway. I like to fly mid-week, with a mid-morning departure.
"From someone who has obviously never flown first class"
Hahah... you called it.
How much would they charge you not to be strapped to the "Brokeback Bulkhead?" That's where they strap you front to back.
Heavy government subsidy, unlike our airlines where the government subsidy is a little lighter.
Remember, it's all about the cat pictures.
Jet Blue is realizing the costs of all those formerly new A320's going to C checks. Plus, they are getting challenged quite well, they are not doing well out of Boston, and they just took on a different plane type.
The bloom is off Jet Blue's rose, they gotta come up with some strategy.
"I might change my tagline soon, though."
LOL, you should leave it. For those of us who know what it refers to, it gave a good belly laugh recalling that ridiculous thread. Too funny.
Dang! If I had known that aisle seats were free up til now, I wouldn't have always insisted on getting a window seat.
Must be a flight out of CA or MA . . . .
And, to answer your question, double.
Well, sooner or later the airline industry drags all companies down into the pits of despair. But, I disagree that the bloom is off of JetBlue's rose for one significant reason. They don't have the labor problems of the other airlines. As for their being challenged, yes, but not by the dino airlines. They are getting challenged at their own game which is great for the industry.
They should be deregulated and desubsidized, and let the fittest survive. Northwest sucks. They all suck, I won't fly them. I have to believe people's desire to travel has decreased with the nazis in the airports, the terrisn, the incessant America bashing, and the basic problem of being stuffed like a sausage into a thin skinned metal tube.
If routes to small cities don't pay, they shouldn't fly there. That's what busses are for.
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