Revenue-hungry airline to charge for aisle seats

Reuters ^ | 03/14/06 | Kyle Peterson

[Flavius Josephus]

If the airlines want to treat us all like we are bus passengers in Bolivia,

Not until they let the campesinos ride on the wing.

[SICSEMPERTYRANNUS]

Has anyone here flown Virgin Atlantic? What did you think? I'm going to London in April and I was wondering. (have tickets) Thanks.

SIC

[Flavius Josephus]

Continental seems to be able to make it happen. And they sucked just as bad as the rest of them 20 years ago.

[Central Scrutiniser]

Your perception of Dino airlines is outdated. Continental, American and UsAirways have been doing great lately and have cut their costs down to the levels of the low cost airlines.

In fact, the USAirways merger is going so well, that a profit is forecast for this year, and they are staving Southwest off at Philadelphia. The larger airlines also are doing well off international flights, expect to see lots more Europe flights with smaller planes like 757's. Plus, Hawaii has taken off lately, lots of airlines are making profits flying there with 757's. Southwest can't do that, and they are missing out on revenue.

[Central Scrutiniser]

Virgin is a wonderful airline, love them! Flew them several times from LA. You will enjoy it.

[F.J. Mitchell]

"That's what buses are for."

LOL! Or personal vehicles, rent cars, thumbs, bicycles, inline skates and jogging shoes.

[Cobra64]

How much for a barf bag?

[conservative in nyc]

Somewhat off topic, how do the European airlines do it?

The so-called low-cost European carriers charge for everything from food to seat assignments. Some even have the gaul to charge for food, soda and water AND prohibit anyone from bringing their own food or drink on the plane.

Some network European carriers (KLM, for example) don't preassign seats until check in for intra-European flights. They also tend to have draconian fare policies for intra-European tickets - if you miss your flight, you're totally out of luck - you lose your money and need to buy a ticket at a walk-up price or find alternative transportation.

The European airlines ARE making money, but until recently were pretty much government sanctioned monopolies. Most still have a stranglehold on their home airports.

No, but you can fly JetBlue from JFK to Oakland or San Jose, not really a big diff there.

To a business traveler, there is a huge difference between San Francisco and Oakland or San Jose. SFO is much closer to downtown San Francisco than San Jose, and doesn't require fighting Bay Bridge traffic at rush hour, like going to Oakland would. Time is money.

[Flavius Josephus]

Wouldn't there have to be a premium for front strapping aas opposed to back strapping? But then, some would pay more for the back strap! Gaaack! What to do, it's so overwhelming.

[ketelone]

I like continental... its a good airline, good service, comfortable...

[Let's Roll]

"But then what happens when the window and middle seats are full? Then you're screwed."

This is where I see consumers filing equal protection (treatment) lawsuits. I only want aisle when I have a short connection to make - I'd rather have window and not be bothered by people climbing over me otherwise.

[SICSEMPERTYRANNUS]

Thanks CS. Appreciate it!

S/F

SIC

[surely_you_jest]

How much for a barf bag?

Front strapping, or regular?

[F.J. Mitchell]

Their logo should be: "Virgin is pregnant with profit"

[Calvin Locke]

My last flight, I had the aisle in the last row. The guy in the middle seat was "beefy", so I tried to hang over the
aisle, constantly bumped by the stews and bathroom users.

Some "amenity".

[surely_you_jest]

Wouldn't there have to be a premium for front strapping aas opposed to back strapping? But then, some would pay more for the back strap! Gaaack! What to do, it's so overwhelming.

Welcome to the wonderful world of premium load pricing. I liked it better before deregulation . . . .

[FlipWilson]

I read that Continental was going to cut routes. Delta certainly isn't doing well, nor is Northwest.

Ok, now putting aside the balance sheet, my perception of the dino airlines is based on my flying experience, or reality. Their healthy balance sheet has come at the expense of winning my or my companies, business. Crappy service is crappy service and nothing can change that. The last dino I will fly is Continental because I have to. Ok, they got the point of flying smaller, more efficient planes long distance. It is a shame that they didn't get the full point. I am crammed in the smaller planes because they have still not figured out to take first class out, add more seats overall, but increase leg room.

[aberaussie]

I would pay extra for three or four inches more width in the seat. (not my seat, the airplane seat)

[Cobra64]

I agree. Check this out:

http://inflationdata.com/Inflation/images/charts/Oil/Historical_Oil_Prices_Chart.htm

[F.J. Mitchell]

Just don't eat before your flight. They won't feed you enough to barf your shirt pocked full.