Comments on: Airline ancillary revenue: what’s next?

By: The Velvet Parade – celebrating 150 velvet escapes | velvet escape's blog

Tue, 16 Jun 2009 16:39:04 +0000

[...] Airline Ancillary Revenue: What’s Next? [...]

By: jen laceda

jen laceda — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 19:33:42 +0000

Hear, hear over here as well!

By: velvet

velvet — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 17:09:38 +0000

Another great point. The cost base for incumbent airlines is so different from low-cost airlines but they have to compete for the same passengers. I too doubt if the extra charges really can put the incumbent airlines on the same footing as low-cost airlines. I feel that all these extra charges will only alienate their existing client base, especially if they go overboard with the charges. Thanks for your comment.

By: Simply Wanderlust

Simply Wanderlust — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 12:15:57 +0000

I would love to see the numbers on this, whether or not it charging for headsets, meals, bathrooms, carry-on luggage, etc really puts the larger airlines (the airlines with union contracts) on the same footing with discount airlines (no union contracts). I cannot imagine that it does…and now some of the discount airlines (Southwest) are advertising themselves as “no hidden fee” airlines. It’s making JetBlue seem more luxurious — and cheaper.

In other baggage charging news, US Airways is expected to start charging an extra $5 per bag checked at the airport as a service fee.

By: velvet

velvet — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 10:54:07 +0000

Hear, hear!
That’s a good point about including the extra fees in the total cost of the ticket. I’m not sure what the regulations are in the US but in the European Union, airlines must publish the final ticket price in their advertisements. However, this doesn’t include ‘ancillary’ charges. If airlines do resort to charging for checked/carry-on luggage, these charges should be included in the ticket price I believe as, well, who doesn’t travel without a bag?! Thanks for the comment.

By: Gray

Gray — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 00:47:52 +0000

I’m with you, Keith. This is getting ridiculous. There was a time when we all joked about airlines charging for use of toilets or even oxygen, but both of those don’t seem so far-fetched any more. You can’t even ship your luggage to avoid the airlines’ baggage fees, because shipping is very expensive as well. So what are we travelers supposed to do? Buy clothing, toiletries, etc. once we get there and throw them away before we come home? No, of course not, we’re stuck. Like you said, everyone carries something aboard an airplane.

I also wish they would include these extra fees in the overall ticket price so that when we are pricing airfare, it’s obvious what the true cost of the ticket is.

I can’t help but wonder at what point the traveling public will finally rebel and say “Enough is enough, we just won’t fly any more”?