Next time you travel by plane, be sure to pack some extra cash in your carry-on. The airlines are starting to charge for services that used to be free on many carriers.
Sky-bus Airline that promises low fare will be charging extra for everything from soft drinks ($2) to bag checking ($5 a piece for the first two bags), early boarding privileges ($10 a person). Those with disabilities will not be charged for the early boarding privileges.
Spirit Airlines will begin charging for bag checking and onboard beverages from next month. For larger seats, a premium will be charged.
Earlier this year American airlines replaced its $4 snack boxes offered on domestic flights of three hours or longer with offerings like Lay’s Stax Potato Crisps ($3), M&Ms ($3) and bottled water ($2) and now sells them on domestic flights of two hours or longer.
Last year, Northwest Airlines began charging passengers $15 to reserve some of the better coach-class seats on domestic flights. United Airlines charges a premium to sit in the Economy Plus section, which gives passengers five extra inches of leg room. Allegiant Air charges for extras like snacks, checked bags and reservations by telephone.
All the airlines do not charge for the services. Continental and JetBlue are the exceptions. Continental still offers hot meals on domestic flights and continues to have blankets and pillows available for passengers. JetBlue offers complimentary Dunkin’ Donuts coffee and satellite television on all its flights, has no plans to begin charging for these extras.
The death of free in-flight meals is nothing more than a cost-cutting measure, with the major airlines.
Source: Gadling
