Extra Charges

St. Germain - I have read this too. Guess it's better to say (and do) this than talking about fuel costs .. most especially since Air France is making a big big profit.

Today, France announced that it will charge a surcharge on all flights taking off or landing in France. The amount will depend on the cabin class and where you are going to or coming from. The additional charge will be used to aid the poor.

Most of my flying is either American or Southwest out of San Jose, but the buzz is at my company to avoid Northwest and US Air. At least with Southwest, there are no illusions about what you get or don't get. It has always been a bit of wonder how long the European airlines can continue to provide all the services they do without a sea of red ink. I don't know if there is any viable airline like Southwest in Europe, but it would surely have a place in all the short hops that go on.

Soon the airlines will be charging for pretzels and soft drinks. Are our readers considering MaxJet that flies all business class between DC/NY and London?

Has anyone taken it?

Lord knows, their prices are right.

This is and excerpt from an article in this morning's IHT:

Northwest Airlines, for example, has launched "Coach Choice" on its American network, by which passengers can book certain aisle and exit-row seats for $15 extra per flight segment. Coach Choice seats are offered to all passengers 24 hours before departure, to WorldPerks and SkyTeam Elite members 36 hours before departure. The program, which covers 5 percent of seats, is expected to bring in around $15 million extra revenue a year. It will be introduced on transborder and Caribbean flights this summer.

I have to admit that I took the bait on a recent cross-country trip. It was worth it, but on 4 segments times two people, it somewhat negates the effort to get the least expensive fares. Plus, Northwest cancelled our last flight and rebooked us at the last minute, and I didn't ask for a refund for the $30 for that segment.

There's an article in this morning's paper by Leslie Miller of the Associated Press about airlines adding extra charges. Some examples:

Air Canada sells inflatable pillows and a light blanket for $2.

American Eagle experimented earlier this year with charging $1 for soft drinks. A poll indicated passangers didn't like it (duh) and they stopped charging.

The article says talking to a reservation agent instead of booking on the internet will soon cost $5 - $10 per ticket (Expedia already charges a $5 processing fee). A paper ticket will cost $20 - $30 for a domestic flight.

And it also talks about airlines charging for seats with extra leg room as we've been discussing here. (I have to admit, I may succumb to that when I travel NW this weekend )

It's a pretty sad state of affairs.

Karen, knowing me, you even have to ask? They do not particularly liked it!

BP Chuck

I do hope you let NW know!

Karen, NW is starting to be a joke. Last week I had to go to Orlando FL, to an Analytical Chemistry meeting to give a paper. NW offered a ticket for $ 800.- + RT. I ened up paying considerably less than half with Spirit.

BP Chuck

Rumor has it that NW might rescind the "preferred" seating to coach class. Isn't that an oxymoron? They're receiving too much bad press.

Have you heard or read anything?

LOL! certainly when it comes to a plane. However, I ALWAYS take my pillow with me when traveling.
When we were in Asia (and slept in 19 hotels) it was a TRUE comfort.

Karen.......I have a couple of friends who never go anywhere without their blanket.

Re the blankets and such. I don't think it - I know it! A steward told me I was VERY smart! I consider that rare as I'm a captive. And FYI - this was in business class -- burning miles upgrading.

Oooooh, Karen, do you think they do that? I hope not!

Northwest started charging $15 for the exit row and aisle seats this week (they call it Coach Choice ). Traveling coach is more and more like a cattle car. We flew from Newark to SFO a couple weeks ago. Because we left at "rush hour" and had to wait in line, plus 110 knot headwinds, we were on the plane for 7 hours. Not fun!

I bring an inflatable neck pillow; when I'm not using it, it fits easily into my purse. I also wear shoes that slip on and off easily, especially for long flights.

Raising the fares would take the marketing incentive out of booking. Expect to bring not only your food but your blankets on transatlantic flights. I expect NOTHING when flying coach.

And FYI -- I do take my blanket with me as well as a pillow. I have a suspicion they are rarely cleaned between flights and simply repackaged.

Do you have any tips?

I have a nasty feeling that it's just the latest in what will be an ever-increasing attempt by the airlines to recoup higher fuel costs by adding charges for everything possible. Why not just increase the airfares to a realistic amount? I suppose that would take the fun out of it!

Reuters carried an article yesterday saying that some airlines are considering charging extra for booking aisle seats -- or a bulkhead ones since they're at a premium.

Just wondering when they'll get up the nerve to charge to use the toilets. JUST kidding - I hope.

Is this going too far?