Posted on 06/12/2008 4:07:11 PM PDT by SilvieWaldorfMD
US Airways is imposing new passenger fees in the face of rising jet fuel prices, but it's going even further than some other airlines have recently.
The Tempe, Ariz.-based carrier (NYSE: LCC), which has a large presence at Reagan National Airport, will start charging $2 for nonalcoholic beverages in coach class on all domestic flights. The fee covers sodas, juices, bottled water and coffee. The charge for alcoholic beverages in coach will increase to $7.
Following the lead of several other airlines, US Airways also will charge $15 for the first checked bag for tickets purchased beginning July 9 for all flights within the U.S. and to and from Canada, Latin America and the Caribbean. US Airways will waive the fee for its most frequent customers.
"Our industry is profoundly challenged by the dramatic increase in fuel prices, and we must write a new playbook for running a profitable airline in this new and challenging environment, " US Airways Chairman and CEO Doug Parker said in statement.
The carrier also will close the US Airways Clubs at BWI/Marshall Airport and the Raleigh-Durham International Airport effective Aug. 6.
The airline also is imposing a $25 service fee for domestic tickets and a $35 service fee for international tickets purchased through its call center reservations line.
There will be a new fee to redeem frequent flier awards under its Dividend Miles program on all tickets issued beginning Aug. 6. The fee will be based on destination ($25 for domestic and Canada tickets, $35 for Mexico and the Caribbean, and $50 for Hawaii and international flights). US Airways is also eliminating its bonus miles program for preferred status Dividend Miles members.
Effective Sept. 3, the airline will close it Las Vegas night operation, except for limited night service to the East Coast, and it will reduce its fourth quarter domestic mainline capacity by 6 to 8 percent on a year-over-year basis. The airline had previously planned a 2 to 4 percent decrease in domestic mainline capacity in its fourth quarter. The reduced flying will require about 1,700 fewer positions across the airline's system, including roughly 300 pilots, 400 flight attendants, 800 airport employees and 200 staff and management.
“In the unlikely event that the cabin should lose air pressure, an oxygen mask will deploy from the panel above your head. If you’d like to purchase oxygen, you may do so for $20 using any major bank credit or debit card.”
I like “suing” better! ;-P
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