You can now add United to the list of airlines that charge passengers to check a single piece of baggage on domestic flights. The carrier announced that they'll begin hitting travelers with a $15 fee to bring even one piece of checked luggage on board. The fee matches American Airlines' controversial baggage charge, which was the first of it's kind when it debuted three weeks ago.
United is already well-established as a pioneer when it comes to finding new fees. According to Reuters, they were the "first legacy carrier to implement a $25 fee to check a second bag." Airlines have been going fee crazy of late because, they say, it's the only way they can survive rising fuel costs.
The $15 first bag fee isn't the only charge that United cooked up for their customers. The airline also raised the fees charged for overweight bags and luggage requiring special handling by $25-50 depending on the item. It undoubtedly won't be long before other major carriers follow suit.
So the rumors are true. United, which can't find a merger partner to save its life, will cut domestic capacity by up to 18 percent by the end of 2009, laying off more than 1,000 people in the process.
The carrier will also get rid of 100 aircraft and fold its Ted service back into the mainline brand. (About time!)
We can assume that Delta and Northwest will trim some flights when they finally get together, despite public statements to the contrary. American has already announced its plans. That leaves Continental and US Airways as the only legacies yet to announce capacity cuts. We're waiting...
Tacky advertiser and low cost carrier Spirit Airlines may be laying off about half its in-flight staff. The airline notified union leaders this weekend, saying cuts are planned for August 1, though a final decision hasn't yet been made. Any accompanying route cuts haven't been announced either, but you've got to expect them.
A new survey has found that travelers in the US are pissed off: For the first quarter of 2008, the US airlines collectively earned a 62 percent approval rating, their lowest since the September 11 attacks shook up the airline industry back in 2001.
The results of this latest survey reflect widespread dissatisfaction among frequent fliers. The lead expert behind the numbers told Reuters that air travel in America is "getting worse" because a lack of flight options allows poor service. Some airlines received survey scores in the low 50s, which makes them less popular than the IRS. Then again, as Chris Elliott says, "you need a survey to tell you that?"
Forgive us if we haven't been breathlessly reporting all the latest merger gossip: All these rumors and anonymous sources have us more than skeptical. But since everyone seems to be involved in something these days, here's a cheat sheet for all the merger mania swirling in the industry:
Delta and Northwest: These two are getting together, pending approval from the US government. You can keep up on both carrier's plans at the pompously named newglobalairline.com. Oh, and before you believe the hype that nothing will change when they get together, Northwest CEO Doug Steenland just announced that, yes, they probably will be cutting some service.
Josh Hartnett got to fly coach when his United flight left LAX after the Oscars. The "30 Days of Night" actor ended up at number 55 (!) on the upgrade list, and had to roll in steerage with his adoring fans. Or whoever.
At least the flight wasn't overbooked. Airlines are at an 11-year high when it comes to bumping folks. And you're at the greatest risk of getting denied a seat on smaller, regional airlines. These tips should help out if you get left behind.
As for that trouble-making rule 240, you know our advice. Don't act like some industry insider unless you are one. Just ask nice and smile, and you'll get where you're going--even if you're not a movie star.
One of our favorite things about United is tuning in to channel 9, the direct-from-the-flight deck audio feed. For airline nerds, it makes a cross-country flight pass in no time, as you hear your plane passed from one control center to another and laugh along with pilot in-jokes. For flyers who don't obsess over airlines, it offers a fun way to learn more about how commercial aviation works.
Sadly, anecdotal evidence has it that United pilots are muting the channel, possibly due to fears about litigation and privacy. And we can understand that. As a pilot you probably don't wanna hear some uninformed passenger criticizing your chops and you don't want any flubs ending up on YouTube.
But we have to question the strategy of taking away the one thing that makes a United flight unique. Imagine flying JetBlue without live TV; would it still be the same? And who would fly Southwest if it wasn't dirt cheap but still fun? Maybe it's just us, but it seems like a legacy carrier should do whatever it can to keep customers not disappoint them.
When United announced it would start charging $25 to check two bags instead of one, we didn't really see the big deal. Seriously, why are you checking two bags? Carry-on only, people, unless you're schlepping skis or a surfboard.
But we can't give Spirit a pass on its new announcement that fees for checked baggage are going up, simply because of the ridiculous way the airline's spinning it. Here's what the chief marketing officer had to say:
Instead of raising every fare across our entire network in response to ever increasing fuel prices ... [this] gives our passengers the opportunity to control their cost of travel by packing lighter. We are all about giving our passengers options.
Um... thanks? Given that this is Spirit, we're waiting for the "We Ain't Got No Baggage" fare sale, which should be announced directly.
