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Posted by
David Landsel on Saturday, June 21, 2008 at 11:47 AM to
Airline Industry News
So how's it going over at American Airlines in the post free checked bag era? Airfarewatchdog.com interviewed American spokesperson Tim Smith to get the inside scoop.
But first, some background. It was a time-honored tradition among many an experienced traveler -- never check luggage, even if you're over the carry on bag limit.
After all, crossing your fingers and heading for the gate usually paid off. Nine times out of ten, you'd get away with a bag (or two) that exceeded the airline’s carryon regulations. If you didn't, the worst was that you'd be forced to gate check your overage (mmm...forbidden overage). That is, if it didn't fit in the overhead compartment.
(Of course, if you’re old enough, you remember when there were no overhead bins on planes—just shallow and narrow racks to place your coat on, and passengers brought on board only a small airline-logo flight bag. But that’s another story.)
The benefit of gate checking bags can be substantial -- a decrease in the chance of loss or delay, delivery to the jet-way shortly after landing and no time-consuming waits in crowded claim areas.
Now passengers on American Airlines have yet another incentive to bend the rules -- the airline's new $15 one-way fee for the first checked bag.
Passengers, obviously, will need to beware American's newest employees: The Luggage Police.
Anticipating resistance to the surcharge, American has wisely laid on extra bodies. These employees are, essentially, enforcers. Their task will be to monitor strategic locations (security lines, for instance) to see that passengers aren't toting more than their share of Louis Vuitton. Customers with too many items or bags too large to bring on board, says the airline, "will be assisted in checking their luggage."
So many questions.
Such as, how will they "assist" passengers, exactly? (We can see it now -- "Sir, I'm going to have to ask you to come with me....")
American spokesman Tim Smith is confident that that those required to pay the fee won't have a prayer of getting around it.
Unless, of course, you manage to sneak your contraband roller board past "curbside check-in, ticket counter check-in, self-serve kiosk check-in, our people stationed before security, the TSA checkpoint itself....without anyone noticing," he says.
In which case, you'll most certainly be told at the gate that you will need to gate check your bag. And -- oh yes -- there will be a fee for that, and, yes, there are credit card machines at the gates, Smith tells Airfarewatchdog (we were wondering about that, and now we know).
Sure, maybe they run out of space in the cabin. Fine, then. For your properly-sized carryons that inadvertently end up flying cargo class, there will be no fee. Happy now?
LE DELUGE?
The airline says that the whole process has been relatively hassle free -- no rush for the overhead bins, no YouTube-worthy fights over space.
That could be largely due to the fact that there is a gigantic loophole in the policy. The vast majority of customers -- 75 to 80 percent, Smith says -- won't pay at all, ever, due to mileage status, fare type or itinerary (international travel is excluded).
However, as any frequent traveler knows, it's not the 80 percent you have to worry about -- it's the 20, or even 10 percent of people on a plane who have no idea what they are doing that have the potential to really gum up the works.
The airline says it is helping to smooth the process.
For example, its self-service check-in kiosks have been reprogrammed to accept payment for any checked bags; they have eliminated the $2 fee to check bags at the curb, while gate and cabin staff are ramping up announcements in the gate area and on the plane, reminding people that it's strictly wheel end first in the overhead compartment to fit bags more efficiently and to put as much as possible under the seat in front of them.
CHANGING NEEDS?
Luggage cops aside, it could be possible that airlines adding the fee (US Airways and United fire up the credit card machines August 9 and 18, respectively) could end up with the side benefit of needing fewer bodies to get planes on and off the ground. For example, if more passengers carry on, couldn't the airline do away with baggage and ground crew?
"We don't expect a reduction," says American's Smith. However, he admits that there could be tough times ahead, for reasons related to the announced capacity cuts and grounding of planes, not to mention the still-rising cost of fuel.
On the matter of a decrease in liability for lost or damaged luggage, Smith, pointing back to the fact that up to 80 percent of American passengers will not pay the fee, says he does not expect any thing to change, other than the fact that things will improve in that arena due to "better bag handling and practices."
THE FUTURE OF THE FEE
Believe it or not, this whole first-checked-bag business could have easily been a nonstarter. After announcing the policy on May 21, American was left to twiddle its thumbs until United and US Airways followed suit.
American CEO Gerard Arpey isn't concerned what people think. In fact, in a speech quoted in a June 19 article on TheStreet.com, Arpey's stance appears to be that it is high time the public starts thinking clearly about what it really costs to run an airline.
Arpey called fares "out of whack" with the actual cost of the flight, and stating that it would cost $250 to ship a typical bag from New York to Dallas overnight.
Something to think about when you ponder that that there are times when you can fly yourself to Dallas for less than that. Let alone your bag.
Editor's note:
Should airlines charge for carry on baggage rather than checked baggage? Sounds like a good idea to us. Share your comments with other blog readers, and vote in our poll.
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Posted by
George Hobica on Friday, June 20, 2008 at 3:46 PM to
Hot off the AP:
"United Airlines says it will start requiring minimum stays for nearly all domestic flights starting in October. It is also raising its cheapest fares by as much as $90 one-way.
The second-largest U.S. carrier says the moves are among a number of changes it is making to combat record high fuel prices.
Spokeswoman Robin Urbanski says the Chicago-based airline's new lowest available fares range from $69 to $199 one-way, based on length of the flight.
Starting October 6, most United fares will require a one- to three-night or weekend-night minimum stay."
I think what they mean to say is that most non-refundable fares will require a minimum stay. What this means, of course, is that business travelers hoping to do same day or 1-night stay business trips will not be able to use the cheapest fares.
However, we don't expect that "low cost" (what we used to call low cost) carriers such as Southwest, Jetblue, Airtran, and Allegiant will follow suit. These airlines sell all their seats one-way for half the lowest round-trip fare.
Please share your comments by clicking here.
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Posted by
George Hobica on Friday, June 20, 2008 at 1:37 PM to
Airline Industry News
Here's an idea: Instead of charging for checked baggage, why not charge for carry-ons instead? That's what Mark N. Katz suggests in this article. With passengers rethinking those bulky carry-ons to avoid such a fee, security lines and boarding times could be seriously reduced. So which one would you rather pay (and no, smarty pants, 'neither' isn't an option here)? Checked bag fees that passengers will probably try to avoid by feverishly stuffing as much as possible in a carry-on, which could lead to longer security lines? Or a carry-on bag fee that could potentially reduce wait times? But don't let us sway you. Tell us what you think in our latest reader poll.
And if you're old enough to remember, back in the good old days of flying, there was no such thing as carryons. Airlines just had basically hat racks to put your coat and hat on, and no bins that closed. You were only allowed to bring one of those cute little airline flight bags you see sold on eBay sometimes. And a little reading matter, and a camera. That was it. Maybe we should go back to the good ole days.
What do you think? Leave some comments below! I've copy pasted some of the emails we've already received on this topic, below.
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In response to your survey question about which I would prefer a fee for checked baggage, or a fee for carry-on. Checked baggage might be a viable option if the airlines had a better track record of making sure my baggage arrived when I did at my destination. At least with carryone (or my favorite plane side check-in) I know my belongings will be where I am and not sitting in the baggage area of another airport.
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I would much prefer that the airlines charge for carry on bags. If they did, maybe I wouldn't get hit in the face by overloaded backpacks as often!
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Concerning charges for checked baggage on airlines, I much prefer that travelers be charged for carryon baggage! Not the ladies' handbags or reasonably sized tote bags/computer cases, but suitcases! I don't know how many times I've waited forever in the aisle being unable to get to my seat awaiting someone trying to stuff their suitcase(s) into an overhead bin. Fully agree that charging for checked baggage will create even more of that type problem!
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Regarding the article about charging for carry on's - No Way! I carry one bag and a laptop bag and I do not want to trust my stuff to the checked baggage nightmare. My bag fits on the regional jets like CRJ50's so I defnitely don't overstuff it nor hold up the crazy security lines... I travel too much for that kind of headache!
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Charging for carry-on instead of checked baggage - I THINK IT'S A GREAT IDEA. Pass it on ....
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I would prefer first checked bag be free and first carry on be free. Charges would only for second bags, checked and carry on
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Since we only use one carry on bag per person and do not check any bags this would not be a good solution for us. To make it equal for everyone, have all passengers put all their luggage on a scale and have it weighed along with the passangers weight.
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Yes, why the heck didn't the airlines determine charging for carry-on luggage would be a better option than charging to check luggage? Mark N. Katz couldn't of spelled it out any clearer! Now the airport security lines (searches) will taken even MORE time to get through. Charging passengers to check their carry-on luggage is only the beginning of yet more airline travel nightmares!
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I like the idea of charging for carry-ons and allowing the first checked bag free! I am usually traveling with both a computer bag and a clothing bag that would fit overhead. But, I don't travel enough anymore to warrant preferred boarding, so that means a race to find a place for ANY carryon! Why not charge those who travel for business on a regular basis and prefer to carry on? They're usually on expense accounts and can charge the fees back to their companies. Besides, even if I can find a space for a carry-on, I'm short and not as strong as I was when I traveled on business. The baggage charge is also a real deterrent to any traveler who is less than perfect or physically fit. That's discrimination! Maybe AARP should take up this cause for older travelers.
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I think charging a fee for carry-ons is great idea. Let everyone bring on a briefcase and/or purse no charge, but check everything else.
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Posted by
Bo Borre on Wednesday, June 18, 2008 at 10:05 PM to
Caribbean/Mexico/Latin America Airfares
Amazing dirt cheap deals on nonstop flights on new routes from Austin, Texas, to Monterrey and Cancun, Mexico
Actually, it's a bit of all of the above: basic bus service on wings that hopefully won't start flapping too much. It's VivaAerobus, so it is alive in some way, maybe even airy and vivacious, but most importantly—drumroll, please—it's free! Before taxes, that is, as you rightly guessed (hey, we know you're not that easily fooled). Including everything except checked luggage, the total fare on the new nonstop Austin to Monterrey route comes to $160. Not exactly free, but definitely cheap, and since it's all taxes at least you know it's for a really good cause and will be wisely spent.
Bringing more than a carry-on will add $20 to the cost of the trip, which means you'll essentially be traveling as a free companion to your fancy fake Louis Vuitton steamer trunk that may be big enough for a stowaway but luckily doesn't have to be used for that purpose anymore. All told, it's almost $300 less than competing connecting service for summer travel and it sure beats trying to outrun the border patrol. Similar deals with similar savings are available to Cancun for just under $200 and connections are possible through the Monterrey hub to 20 other Mexican destinations, many of those also free before taxes.
VivaAerobus is the aviation venture of Mexco's biggest bus company, IAMSA. While it may be a relative latecomer to the new breed of booming bottom-feeding, bargain-basement, bare-bones airlines south of the border, it has first-mover advantage in the American market and comes with serious backing from notoriously cheap-thrills, no-frills Ryanair. Additional free routes are planned from Austin to Guadalajara, Leon, Puebla, and Queretaro, while another hub in Gary, Indiana, is rumored to be in the works. Go, cowboys! Go, hoosiers! Go free, everybody!
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Posted by
Bo Borre on Monday, June 16, 2008 at 11:26 AM to
Europe/Africa/Middle East Airfares
Unadvertised airfare sales with cheap codeshare flights and great deals to London Heathrow and Gatwick.
This is not where we tell you about a sudden shortage of healthy sprouts in the English diet, because depending on who you ask this predicament is either famously chronic, spanning centuries of bad cooking, or an equally famous myth that no longer holds true, thanks to the likes of Jamie Oliver, Gordon Ramsey and other Brit champions of naturally naked, nearly raw vegetables.
What we do have for you is a whole batch of freshly picked, crisp London fares for late summer and early fall travel, a mostly motley medley of curious codeshare deals on virtual airlines, and that's quite a mouthful!
The low price leader is Brussels Airlines offering 2-stop connections through — you guessed it — Brussels, but don't let the fact that this newly invigorated European carrier doesn't ever cross the Atlantic throw you, because in most cases you won't set foot on even one of their aircraft during the 6 legs of the trip, but will instead be carried on a combination of American Airlines and British Airways flights.
From some cities a few bucks extra buys you a better connection, sometimes even non-stop service, on BMI British Midland, which again doesn't actually ply any of these routes, but simply lends its rather unfamiliar name to United Airlines and partners.
Why these deals are served up this way we can't really tell you, but you should do fine as long as you ignore the brand names and marketing ploys and just focus on the cost and total travel time when shopping around, keeping in mind that once you add the dressing they all taste more or less the same.
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Posted by
Bo Borre on Monday, June 16, 2008 at 2:10 AM to
Caribbean/Mexico/Latin America Airfares
Unadvertised United summer and fall airfare sale with cheap flights and great deals to Buenos Aires, Argentina.
We can't guarantee that Santa Claus comes early in the Southern Hemisphere, but it's definitely coming on winter down there in the big EZE. Still, the mild climate and "good airs" of Buenos Aires should be as easy on your wardrobe as the exchange rate could be on your wallet, and that's a gift in itself during these diminished-dollar days, not to mention a great opportunity to get a very early start on your Christmas shopping.
So if you're sick of summer already and need to cool off a bit, or if you blinked and missed out on the 30 seconds of spring we had this year, here's your chance to crank up that spring fever again for a little "May in September" romance with a cheap Springtime in Paris of the South twist. Fares start at a low $640 round-trip with taxes and, with some notable exceptions, jump around the middle of August. You can see the whole long wish list here, but just bring us back something nice.
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Posted by
Bo Borre on Saturday, June 14, 2008 at 8:04 AM to
Europe/Africa/Middle East Airfares
Catch Continental's unadvertised summer airfare sale with cheap flights and great deals to Cologne, Germany.
Updated June 17 (see below)
No, no, we're not asking you to stop using cologne. Or deodorant, after-shave, toilet water, eau de somesuch and whatever other fancy tricks you've got in your toilet bag and hide up your sleeves to get you through the dog days of summer without smelling like a... well, like a wet dog. Your cover-up may strike some as a bit heavy-handed and a French shower really is no substitute for one that actually involves water, but it sure beats the alternative and is much appreciated, truly.
Rather than lecture you on personal hygiene, we're actually here to tell you a breaking "good news, bad news" kind of story, and in true New York tabloid style, we'll insult you first, then sock you with the bad news and finally pick you up with a teaser at the end. All right, let's get to the point already!
Continental's recent announcement that they will stop flying to Cologne, Germany, by Labor Day after little over 2 years of service marks the end of what was consistently one of the least expensive—and probably least profitable—routes to continental Europe. Remember those $230 roundtrip fares with taxes back in the winter of 2007 when the route was young and oil was cheap? Well, you just hold on to that memory because it'll be something to tell your grandkids about.
It also proves yet again that when it comes to air travel these days, what's good for the goose (that would be you, the flying public, freshly showered and nicely perfumed) often isn't so good for the gander (in this case a chastened Continental), even though in this sorry story the lucky golden goose still gets cooked in the end, because we'll all probably be paying more to get to Germany soon.
The closure of this route adds at least another couple of nails in the coffin of transatlantic competition and at this rate, the whole hard-won Open Skies caboodle that after years of negotiation was meant to herald a surge in traffic and bargains galore seems headed for an early funeral, a fast victim of OPEC and circumstance.
Until that doleful day, one little piece of good news is that Continental is doing what few dare to do these days and having an old-fashioned fire sale to fill seats for the remainder of the season. For peak summer travel, non-stop fares from Newark are just over $800, although unfortunately the even better August fares that we've been showing you for over a month seem to have suddenly disappeared overnight and gone the way of most good deals, that is into the eternal night.
| Good News: The great August deals are back after a short, inexplicable absence, once again making Cologne the cheapest European destination for summer travel from many cities, with round-trip fares including taxes starting at $640 non-stop from Newark and $780 from Houston. Be sure to check out all the fares. |
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Posted by
Tracy Stewart on Thursday, June 12, 2008 at 7:27 PM to
Do balled-up socks fit best in your underarms, or should you just do the whole swallow-it-in-a-balloon trick like you saw on Cops? Well, you may soon be inclined to find out, gentle traveler. Both United and US Airways have announced plans to charge $15 for first checked bags. And really, the only thing shocking here is that it took them so long to catch up with American Airlines, who set the trend for $15 1st-bag charges last month.
We imagine this will have nightmarish affects on TSA checkpoints (where liquids and gels were never fully mastered), as passengers attempt to dodge new fees with stuffed-to-capacity carry-ons. Then there's the little matter of collecting payment for checking bags, which --even with the option to pay online-- is bound to make checking-in a tad longer.
For United passengers, the new rule applies to all tickets purchased (starting today) for travel on or after August 18, and for US Airways tickets on or after July 9.
Also on the climb, United's fee for 3 or more checked bags has increased from $100 to $125, and oversized/heavy items from $200 to $250.
However, the rules are different if you're an elite level frequent flyer, or flying in first class.
No more free soda
US Airways will start charging $2 for non-alcoholic beverages, such as soda and juice, in August. Probably the days of free drinks in economy class are numbered.
*Update: Budget Travel has posted an interview with American Airlines VP Mark DuPont in which he tackles the $15 bag fee, and what passengers can expect when checking in from here on out.
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Posted by
Jacob Kasnett on Thursday, June 12, 2008 at 4:23 PM to
Summer is practically upon us! Ahh... nice warm (or downright hot) weather, summer BBQ's , family get-togethers, vacations...
Speaking of vacations, we thought we might give you a little fair warning.
During our extensive daily searches of 1000's of airline fares, we discovered that in a high percentage of cases, flights were sold out from the beginning of July (usually after The 4th of July Holiday weekend ) through most of August.
Airfarewatchdog does usually indicate in the fare rules whether this is the case, however we thought we'd just give you an extra heads up. We found this with many US domestic flights across the board and some international flights as well... Apparently some people do make their summer travel plans in advance.
While you might still be able to get that awesome $99 roundtrip fare to Florida that you can brag to all of your family about at the annual family cookout, during the brunt of the summer travel season you may have to hunt around for it.For example we found nonstop flights from Baltimore (BWI) to Fort Lauderdale (FLL) leaving July 8 and returning the 15th for only $151 r/t ! So fear not, with a nice amount of determination you can see Mickey in the middle of July.
Bon voyage!
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Posted by
Bo Borre on Thursday, June 12, 2008 at 2:38 AM to
Europe/Africa/Middle East Airfares, Asia/Australasia Airfares
Last call for unadvertised Air India summer and autumn airfare sales with cheap flights and great deals to London, England; Paris, France; Delhi, India; and Mumbai (Bombay), India.
If you've been snoozing past the great Air India summer fares from New York to London and Paris, better sit up right now and take notice because there are still a few seats left. At several hundred dollars off the going rate, they're going fast and so should you! These are some of the best bargains to Europe this side of the Atlantic, so even if you're nowhere near New York, don't just sit there, get yourself over here to make your connection! Be aware that a cheap Paris date can be tricky to find at this point, but gets easier as fares fall into fall (see London and Paris fall fares).
On a different, but somewhat related, note, Air India also has some good deals for late summer travel to India, nonstop to Delhi and Mumbai for under $1,000. Check them out!
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