The Year of the Fees continues
As I type this, I'm still having a hard time believing it, but American Airlines will become the first airline to charge for ALL checked baggage. Travelers have only just started getting used to the new fees for a second checked bag (that new rule went into effect earlier this month for many airlines). Now American will charge $15 for the first checked bag. Will the other airlines follow suit, as they did with the second-bag fee? How much do you want to bet?
I've already started calling this the Year of the Fees, but clearly it's much more than that. We're witnessing a sea change in the airline industry, and history will mark 2008 as a radical turning point in how airlines do business—and how travelers fly. It ain't gonna be pretty.
I've already started calling this the Year of the Fees, but clearly it's much more than that. We're witnessing a sea change in the airline industry, and history will mark 2008 as a radical turning point in how airlines do business—and how travelers fly. It ain't gonna be pretty.
Labels: airlines, frequent flyer, news
posted by Michael Strickland | permalink
3 Comments:
Cannot wait to see all the carry-on bags for American. Not going to be a pretty sight in the cabin....
Yeah, and as someone observed on the Fodors.com forum, it now costs you $15 to bring a tube of toothpaste or bottle of shampoo on an American flight -- you can't carry it on (unless it's smaller than 3 oz.), so you've gotta check it (for $15).
And we are with you on betting the other airlines follow suit. We shocked a Brit about this $15 fee. She just could not believe it. They have discount airlines over here that charge for any baggage, but the flights might cost £29 for a round trip. Flights in the States are hardly ever that cheap!
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