The same day United said it would charge for checked bags, US Airways has officially announced it will do the same. As on American and United, the new fee doesn't apply to every passenger, but the details are complex enough that it's easier to just assume a checked bag will cost you.
Of course, the airline doesn't see anything wrong with the new set up:
We're transforming our business by initiating a "pay-for-what-you-use" model for items like baggage and beverages. Combined with new
Dividend Miles policies, a headcount reduction and a reduction of flights, we expect these changes to help us return to sustained profitability.
US Air will also start charging for drinks ($2) and charging more for booze ($7). At least the carrier hasn't yet asked that passengers not bring food on board unless they brought enough for everyone.
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.
If you are use to watching VH1 reality marathons on JetBlue, or CNN election results on Virgin America, boarding a US Airways flight is a big-time let down. The planes look like they just got out of Dr. Brown's 1985 DeLorean, and the in-flight entertainment is, um, pretty much flight attendants reading advertisements. (No joke; be sure your iPod is charged and loaded.
But there's one thing that'll help. With oil prices going up by the day, airlines are forced to make their hay elsewhere. On most carriers, that means change fees--once a flat 50 bucks--are now a profit center. Nowadays, you'll pay maybe $100 and the difference in airfare.
When it comes to standby, many airlines will not only make you pay, but they'll keep you in the dark until there is no way for your bags and you to make it to your port of call at the same time.
A handful of carriers are getting tons of press for their upcoming in-flight WiFi options, but other airlines aren't skimping on the in-flight entertainment front. The way things are going, 2008 could be the year we finally stop carrying an armful of trashy celeb rags on board to pass the time. Maybe.
Southwest Airlines, it seems, is in the process of creating its own in-flight Internet access. The airline, which is making big plays to lure biz travelers, will test access on four planes next year. (As in 2008.) Details, including a partner company and potential costs, are still sketchy, but we're working on it.
Meanwhile, US Airways is skipping the Internet for now and beefing up its movie selection. The carrier is developing an expanded selection and seat-back touch screens in the hopes that more offerings will net more passengers. The new interface will debut in test runs this spring and will likely roll out fleet-wide soon after.
We fly a lot; you probably do, too. But like us, you've probably got a stack of frequent flyer numbers and can't remember which ones you've used recently. While you're tying up loose ends for this year, it's smart to double check that your miles won't expire come 2008.
Points you may have in your JetBlue account expire after just twelve months, so if you haven't flown with them this year, it's crunch time. Your best bet is to buy something with your JetBlue AmEx, if you've got it. Using a mileage-earning credit card is a great way to keep your points active on other airlines, too.
Under pressure from JetBlue, Spirit and US Airways, Delta isn't surrendering its lock on Colombia without a fight. The carrier hopes to add daily service from JFK to Bogota as well as service from Atlanta to both Cali and Medellin. It already serves those cities from Miami and New York, and can only expand with Department of Transportation approval.
Delta will be going head-to-head with American Airlines, which begins offering even more service to Colombia this Thursday. All of American's new flights are out of Miami, though the airline has lots of connections to New York City.
With all the new flight options opening up, we'd like to predict an increase in leisure travel to Bogota, Cali and Medellin. But we need to see a few more articles about sophistonauts before we declare Colombia the hottest destination of 2008.
Not content to let Heathrow's insufferable delays and baggage woes slow it down, US Airways has announced a new non-stop between Philadelphia and LHR, beginning in March. While the airline already flies to Gatwick--and those flights will continue--the new route gives US Air passengers a link to heaps of long-haul international routes through the UK's busiest airport.
Of course, this isn't the first carrier to take advantage of the new "Open Skies" agreement that broke the oligarchy of airlines holding court at Heathrow. Delta and Air France teamed up to offer flights. Will Northwest be next?
All the extra flights pouring in has British Airways CEO Willie Walsh worried. He's advocating for a third runway at LHR to help handle additional flights and get passengers to the airport. Whether that'll ever happen though is anyone's guess. (But we'd say it's a good thing those Gatwick flights are still going strong.)
