Airline fees: Who's the stingiest?
Curse you, JetBlue. That, at least, has been the flying public's response to news that the airline has found another long-taken-for-granted amenity and started charging for it. Passengers who want to curl up with a blanket and pillow on their cross-country JetBlue flight now have to pay $7.
But it's hardly a surprising move. All the airlines are struggling under soaring fuel costs (United alone says it will pay an extra $3.5 billion for gas this year) and looking for other places to make up the revenue, so they don't have to raise fares any higher. Free meals have largely become a relic of flying's more glamorous past; most of the airlines now charge for checked luggage; and many have, more quietly, raised the fees they charge for making a change to your nonrefundable ticket. USAirways, which just last Friday became the first airline to start charging for soft drinks, says such fees will bring in $400 million to $500 million a year. "Customers understand the cost of doing business with these fuel prices," says USAirways spokeswoman Michelle Mohr. "They don't expect a free hot dog at the ballpark."
But what can they expect? It's hard to say, since the fees vary from airline to airline, and are changing almost weekly. TIME.com has done a survey to see who is charging for what. With the caution that things could change even before your next trip to the airport, here's a run-down of the current status of passenger fees on nine major carriers, ranked from the friendliest to the stingiest:
1. Southwest
The one major airline that is bucking the trend of increasing fees, Southwest still doesn't charge for checked bags (up to two), non-alcoholic drinks, blankets or making a change in your flights. The discount airline has even launched an ad campaign to brag about that fact. Its new slogan: "Fees don't fly with us."
2. Virgin America
In these straitened times, a pretty good deal. Your first checked bag is free (the second is $25); drinks and pillows are too; and the fee for changing flights is a relatively nominal $75.
3. Delta
Among the major carriers, Delta has done the best job of holding the line on fees: no charge for the first checked bag ($25-$50 for the second), free drinks and blankets, and a change fee that hasn't increased from $100.
4. JetBlue
If they don't turn up the air conditioning and force you to buy that blanket and pillow, the airline is still relatively flyer-friendly: no charge for first checked bag, free soft drinks and unlimited snacks, and a $100 change fee.
5. Continental
No charge for the first checked bag ($25 for the second) and it's holding the line on the other freebies, like drinks and blankets, as well as still offering free meals like sandwiches, burgers and pizza. But they recently raised their change fee from $100 to $150.
6. Northwest
Recently increased the fee for making flight changes to $150, to go along with a $15 charge for the first checked bag ($25 for the second). Non-alcoholic drinks and blankets are still free.
7. American
Also hitting you up for $150 to make flight changes, and charging $15-$25 for the first and second checked bags, with soft drinks and bedding still gratis.
8. United
A similar package — $15- $25 checked-bag fees, $150 to make flight changes. Plus an extra wrinkle: the highest standby fee in the business: $75 if you want to fly stand-by on a different flight the same day, a service that for years was free and now commonly costs $50 on several airlines.
9. USAirways
Broke new ground last week by starting to charge for all beverages: $2 for a soft drinks (and even a bottle of water), $1 for coffee or tea. Checked bags cost $15 and $25, flight changes are $150.
Comments
Dear JR,
You don't have a choice - trying to bring a bottle of water through TSA security is
like telling them you have a bomb in your
carry on. Those shops inside the Terminals are making more money selling you the bottled water - about 25 cents (their cost) for $2.50(what it will cost you). Wish I can set up a stand
inside the Terminals and just sell water. Of course, I will ask for only $1.50 instead of $2.50.
The solution - just measure 3 oz of water in an empty bottle or buy the 3 oz size at
our local super market and bring a couple on board. You are permitted to bring liquid as a hand carry as long as they are not over 3 oz.
Airlines get away with a lot of rules and regulations and there is absolutely nothing you and I can do about it. So, if you are flying Economy - just take the last seat at the back of the aircraft - behave yourself and shut up. Saying anything negative to the flight attendants might result in you being deplaned without any compensation ! Well,
if you choose to fly First or Business,
the sky is the limit.
Bon Voyage
It won't be long before our domestic carriers install a coin slot on their toilet doors - a quarter to get in and further more, a quarter for the toilet paper (up to a certain length) and a quarter to flash the toilet.Oop, did I say something wrong ?
My advice, bring plenty of quarters with you the next time you fly !
Are those airlines Executives still getting their multi-million year-end bonuses even though their airlines are loosing Millions ????? I am sure they are ! Just like our dear President Bush telling FEMA chief what a good job he did right after Katrina.
Charging for water in flight may send a red flag to the AMA. On flights longer than 2 hours, the body dries up from being pressurized. I believe it is the healthy responsibility of an airline to keep the passenger hydrated. I can understand charging for soft drinks and coffee, but not water.
Post new comment