The struggling airline industry continues to distinguish itself by being incapable of producing an original idea: How to save/make money now that food is off the table? Slap on another baggage fee.
Except for JetBlue and Southwest, all major airlines have fees for checking bags. Most are in the $25-$30 range, with an additional fee for a second bag. Still, no fee guarantees that suitcase will arrive where you do, or when you do, but hey, that’s how the airlines roll.
So of course people bring more carry-ons, constipating the boarding process further. But that’s just a bonus.
Topping the charts is American Airlines, which will raise its fee for checking a first bag from $15 to $20 and a second bag from $25 to $30. American’s policy is different from other airlines, which also announced fee increases.
Delta, Northwest and Continental joined United and US Airways in raising fees for passengers who don’t prepay the fees online, the Seattle Times reported. Those who do pay online will continue to pay $15 for the first bag and $25 for the second on those airlines. American passengers, however, must pay bag fees at the airport — either at self-service check-in machines, curbsides or airport ticket counters.
Well, that’s clear as a thundercloud. As long it’s all for the convenience of the paying customer.
Meanwhile, as people find ways to travel without suitcases, the global competition is heating up. The Los Angeles Times reports that a Chinese airline is mulling plans that would allow passengers to stand during short flights and pay less than those who have seats.
Spring Airlines, a low-cost carrier based in Shanghai, said having passengers stand up in flight would enable it to cram 40 percent more travelers into its Airbus A320 planes while cutting operating costs 20 percent, the paper reported. The president of the airline, Wang Zhenghua, told a Chinese television station that the idea was getting some traction since it was also raised by Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Dejiang.
“He suggested that, for a lower price, passengers should be able to get on a plane like catching a bus, with no seat, no luggage consignment, no food, no water, but very convenient,” Wang said.
Passengers would be strapped to a bar-stool-like stand during takeoff and landing, a Spring Airlines spokesman said. Very convenient, yet creepy.
We’re still crunching the numbers, but it looks like it might be cheaper, and more comfortable and convenient, to buy the biggest crate available and book a flight on the new Pet Airways. No fees for checking bones and chewies.
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