So It's Come To This: American Charging $8 For Blankets
Earlier this morning, American Airlines announced that they're going to start charging $8 per blanket on any domestic flight over two hours. Ditto for any flight to Hawaii, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central America. On domestic flights lasting two hours or less, blankets will be totally eliminated. Under the new policy passengers on those flights will be warmed by sunbeams, glitter, and the glowing thoughts of puppy kisses. Awww, puppy kisses!
Actually we kind of appreciate this change. It was only a matter of time before the very idea of mere comfort became just another opaque airline fee. In the past that's only been an implicit part of civilian aviation. The conceit has always been that coach provides a basic and decent level of comfort, and that higher booking classes are extra luxury. Now that we're tacking on $8 fees for rolls of lint that do little except provide opportunities for gross in-flight behavior—well, at least they're being honest.
As part of the new payment scheme, passengers who purchase this wispy bit of comfort will receive a $10 Bed Bath & Beyond coupon. So that got us thinking. If you're going to a wedding and you rent like 7 of these things then—bam—you've just paid for the wedding gift. It's like free money. Unless you can only use one coupon at a time. Then you just paid $56 for something that used to come for free.
Anyway, there's a new airline fee and now you know. USA Today's expert also wants you to know he doesn't "think it's an unreasonable fee" and that "the airlines aren't to blame." Said expert further explains that the new fee is actually a pro-consumer option that "gives the passenger some control," since American will now lower ticket prices and make paying for blankets a choice. Most of which is borderline delusional, but whatever.
[Photo: USFG / Wiki Commons]
Related Stories:
· American Airlines to charge $8 for blankets, when available [USA Today]
· American Airlines [Jaunted]
· Onboard Services [Jaunted]
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