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112 Comments
- kd420, on 08/28/2008, -1/+39The checking bag fee makes sense to some degree since more fuel is used, but some of the other ***** they throw in is just ridiculous. Booking over the internet has a fee? Isn't that *why* you have a website, since you don't need to pay someone all the time to book tickets?!
- UtahApocalyse, on 08/28/2008, -4/+35Soutwest... always on top!
- q00u, on 08/28/2008, -2/+22Southwest is the greatest airline. Low fares and stellar safety record, and their often-hilarious seatbelt-etc speech at the beginning of each flight puts me at ease.
It's a shame I hate to fly. - AmyVernon, on 08/27/2008, -2/+20I've always hated USAir. Now I hate them more.
- Androfire, on 08/27/2008, -2/+19Seems that US Airways are going on a downward spiral... I mean, crashing down.
- inactive, on 08/27/2008, -3/+17I've always been a fan of Lufthansa (german airline).
- peacefrog249, on 08/28/2008, -1/+15Has anyone else ever flown Virgin America? Unfortunately they don't go to many airports but you can fly from New York City to San Fran or LA for under $150!! They don't charge for the first checked bag, pillows, blankets, snacks, and non-alcoholic drinks! They also had a really nifty in-flight entertainment system that included live satellite tv and games. Honestly, as I'm hearing so much about how ***** airlines are becoming, I was truly impressed by them.
- thelastcivilian, on 08/28/2008, -0/+13Somewhat related... Air Canada is getting rid of life vests on its regional jets to save fuel (so be sure to take your seat with you when you crash into the ocean). http://www.thestar.com/article/484113
- Cate320, on 08/28/2008, -0/+13In my experiences, Southwest tends to be the cheapest overall. Which is wonderful considering the are also have the lowest amount of fees.
Especially if you can book a few months ahead of time on the web, as they have special "web only " deals with super cheap fares.
I'm a big cheapskate, so every time I travel I tend to research all the options for the lowest possible price.
A few years ago, I flew from Buffalo to Baltimore for $39 each way and from Buffalo to LA for $99 one way. IIRC it was non-stop to Baltimore and 1 stop (Chicago) to LA, so even that was pretty decent when compared to other airlines. - bizzywho, on 08/28/2008, -3/+14Wasn't Southwest Airlines the only major American airline company to post a profit last year?
- inactive, on 08/27/2008, -5/+15airline fees are getting out of hand. I was so pissed the first time I had to pay extra for a seat in COACH just so I did not have to sit in a middle seat. Does it really cost the airline more if I sit in 17 A or 17 B?
- NathanielJ, on 08/28/2008, -1/+10Can we get a list of three most and least expensive airlines period? A list of which companies have the most fees is pretty meaningless with it doesn't state how much their flights cost in the first place. I'll pay $9 for a sandwich on board if my ticket is $100 cheaper.
- inactive, on 08/28/2008, -2/+10I can get some cuts, but come on, charging for water? A basic human need?
Either US Airways is either in really deep ***** or think their profits are more important than the passengers that provide them. - SnuKs, on 08/28/2008, -3/+10Love Southwest. Hopefully they dont go to the darkside and start hustling their customers.
- IAmTheGuy, on 08/28/2008, -1/+8There are only two fees I'm against. Everything else I'm fine with.
First is the charge for water. The air in the plane is extremely dry and since you aren't allowed to bring liquid of any significant size on board the airline allows for essentially an automatic water fee from everyone.
Second is the fee for getting a ticket online through the airline's website. I imagine that this is the easiest way for both the airline and the customer so it should be free. Although Ticketmaster has been charging more than $5 for buying a ticket regardless of how the ticket is obtained and people haven't had any alternative than to pay the fee for quite some time.
Now to validate the other fees.
All food related fees: You can eat prior to getting on the plane relatively easily or you can pack some food to take with you and eat while airborne. No problem there. If you don't have enough foresight to do one of these two things you can either go hungry or pay whatever the airline wants you to pay.
Picking your seat: Simple. Seats are a limited good. If some people are willing to pay extra to have those seats, more power to them and the airline. It's stupid to think that you should be entitled to the most comfortable seating for free because that excludes other people who also want that privilege. When money is involved it means that person who wants it most will be able to get it (an extra $5-30 for premium seating is always worth it for people who are around 6.5 feet tall).
Traveling with your pet in cabin: I didn't even know this was possible. Pets in the cabin shouldn't even be allowed if you ask me. There's the cargo hold you can put them in which they should be fine for the duration of the flight. While in the cabin the pet has the potential to disrupt the entire flight (please take a moment to think before you consider making the comparison of a pet to a baby), can pose problems for allergic people or people with phobias of such animals. And no, service animals are not classified as pets.
In-flight entertainment: Bring a book.
Checked bags: Carry-on. If it's too large to carry on, then you are most likely going to be gone a while and the extra $15 ($30 round-trip obviously) doesn't come out to much per day. If it's for pleasure you should be able to get by for 2 days with a carry-on bag. If it's longer than that, it comes down to at most $10 a day. When considering how much you will spend on over-priced tourist goods, the extra money won't be a problem. If it's for business, the $30 to ensure you have clothes that aren't wrinkled is insignificant because you are probably getting payed pretty well anyway.
By charging specific fees, it enables people to pay more reasonably for their own needs. If you are an extremely stingy person, you will be fine traveling light to avoid luggage fees, sitting in a cramped area, packing your own lunch and reading a book. This keeps the price of the minimum ticket down for everyone and people that want extra perks can pay extra for that. - jsdratm, on 08/28/2008, -3/+10next up: bathroom fees. Gotta unload that Nathan's Chili Dog like a ***** volcano waiting to erupt? Pay up!
- inactive, on 08/27/2008, -1/+7Swissair is one of the greatest among all , KLM aswell.
- andymadigan, on 08/28/2008, -0/+6I don't know who your pilot friends are, but they are clearly confused.
There is no regulation of airfare in the U.S.
It comes down to marketing, most people look at the ticket price first and everything else later. Look at expedia or any other airline comparison site, the most important thing is the ticket price. Most companies paying for tickets will go for lowest price, even if the ticket is with Elbonian Airlines. - AlaskaLoneWolf, on 08/28/2008, -0/+6Pretty soon they'll make you step onto a scale and charge your ass by the pound.
- EtherGnat, on 08/28/2008, -0/+6Southwest always covers all the safety information. People are a lot more likely to pay attention if it's entertaining. What's the problem?
- thetanman, on 08/28/2008, -2/+8Most Fee Crazy:
1) U.S. Airways
2) United Airlines
3) Delta Airlines & American Airlines (tie)
Least Fee Crazy:
1) Southwest
2) AirTran (formerly Valuejet?)
3) JetBlue - secrity, on 08/28/2008, -0/+5If you don't fly over oceans you don't need life vests. Most/all US airlines don't put life vests in planes that only fly domestic flights.
- Fubeman, on 08/28/2008, -0/+5Hell Ya!!! Love Virgin America! I fly out from the East Coast twice a year to San Francisco and Virgin America is the ONLY airline I will ever use to fly out there. Every seat has a 12 inch LCD screen in front of it where you can watch TV, Movies, play video games and even order your meals. You can even plug in your cell phone, iPod, etc. right from your seat and recharge it while you fly! The seats are way more comfortable than anything out there. Plus the planes themselves are less than 5 years old. And to make it even better, the people are soooo nice. Wouldn't touch any of the other airlines with a 10 foot pole compared to these guys. Love those guys. In fact, I'm flying with them in 2 weeks.
- quaxon, on 08/28/2008, -2/+7Travel Tip: Always fly with an international airline when flying out of the country, even to Mexico or Canada, hell Aeromexico and Mexicana are both absolutely fabulous and a hell of a lot better than any US airliner.
- NathanielJ, on 08/28/2008, -3/+8Well *someone* has to sit in the middle seat, so why shouldn't you pay more for being in the more luxurious seat? It doesn't cost them more to let you sit up front in First Class (assuming they don't let you have any of the free amenities or whatever they get up there), so should you be able to change your seat to be up there for free?
- xxpor, on 08/28/2008, -0/+4I want to see someones pool that can fit a ***** plane in it.
- MrGiblets, on 08/28/2008, -0/+4Yeah, kinda like a boat or a car off a cliff.
- GorfTron, on 08/28/2008, -1/+5I'm not much for American. I have gotten more rude flight attendants from them than any other.
- BradHAWK, on 08/28/2008, -0/+4It takes a special kind of incompetence to drive a boat off a cliff.
- wrathoftheafe, on 08/28/2008, -0/+4used to be ValuJet.
- jclin, on 08/28/2008, -1/+5What is that coming out of your butt? Oh, it looks like a stick....
- TheSpook, on 08/28/2008, -0/+4Really, people... How many oceans do you think you'll encounter on REGIONAL flights?
- NathanielJ, on 08/28/2008, -2/+6Delta is one of the most fee crazy? Really, I think people are getting a bit whiny here. I flew down to Houston from Buffalo, and I have a return ticket as well with Delta, and that round-trip cost me $380 (including all "hidden" fees and whatnot).
Seriously, has no one here traveled by train or bus before? A round trip train ticket in Canada from Toronto to Montreal (about half the distance of Buffalo to Houston) costs almost $300 and takes about twice as long. And *nothing* on board is free. No complementary snacks, no movie to watch, etc. - inactive, on 08/28/2008, -0/+3United isn't THAT bad. You still get free drinks and pretzels as well as getting to check a bag for free if you have status. Not to mention they are pretty liberal with their carry on policy, unlike other airlines.
Economy Plus is pretty sweet and it only costs $40 to upgrade or it's free if you have status.
Jet Blue is great is you are flying to the East Coast or on the East coast. If you are on the West Coast or in the Midwest, Southwest ftw.
On that note, AA sucks my balls. - hitokiri808, on 08/28/2008, -0/+3You would die in the crash anyway.
- BBrains, on 08/28/2008, -0/+3I stopped flying United and US Air when I discovered that Southwest:
a) Nearly always departs on time.
b) Cares about their customers.
c) Doesn't charge stupid extra fees.
d) Makes it easy to change flights.
e) Is much cheaper than United or US Air.
United is the worst airline for short business trips (their "Ted" line). Prices are insane on short notice, and you're almost guaranteed to miss your meeting unless you leave the night before. - Llan, on 08/28/2008, -0/+2Is this for international flights, is this for US national flights? I hate it when an article doesn't even bother to mention if it even addresses the 95% non-US inhabitants of this planet...
- inactive, on 08/28/2008, -0/+2This is pretty common on International flights, even if they are American Carriers. I flew to Australia on United Airlines and they were great, everything you mentioned above (except the games and individual screens), including the bump up to business for free.
- iridesce, on 08/28/2008, -0/+2I pay less to travel from Seattle to Boise on Southwest than checking that third bag on most airlines ....
- Llan, on 08/28/2008, -0/+2Take your own water? Eh...
- Murdats, on 08/28/2008, -0/+2actually the first class seats do cost more, if they took away all the perks of first class they would be spending less money.
- bioncinola, on 08/28/2008, -0/+2well this is why all US airlines should be pt into bankruptcy and the skies be ruled by Asian airlines.
Singapore Airlines, Cathay PAcific and Emirates do not charge ANY EXTRA FEES FOR ANYTHING.
so next time just refuse to fly until your regulator gets off their ass and fixes things. - hurdboy, on 08/28/2008, -0/+2I flew US Air a few months ago. My seat in the very last row (so the seat doesn't recline) had a nice gift for me at boarding time.....
...a full airsickness bag that they didn't grab when cleaning up the plane from the previous flight.
Though after my experience with Delta last month (bumped on an overbook on the flight out, so I had to go to a different destination city, then two flights cancelled on the way home.....instead of being back at just after 6p, I didn't get in until almost 3am), I think I'd choose to fly US Air first. - supernuke, on 08/28/2008, -0/+2Where's Continental? They don't charge for much if I remember correctly.
- jaysont34, on 08/28/2008, -0/+2Miami - Paris with Air France:
Two free meals, no charge for two bags, free drinks (including beer, wine), free snacks, free pillows and blankets, 2 movies and some TV shows during the flight, games on individual screens, I mean, I don't know what else to say. My bags were overweight also like 8 pounds, didn't say anything. Once, they upgraded me to business for free. When you go check in, if you ask for a certain seat like an isle or window seat, if there are any available, they will gladly give you one. - neilk85, on 08/28/2008, -0/+2they should create a list of the cheapest and most expensive airlines overall with fees and air fare rolled together. Fees are fees and either way you're getting charged for them, either due to a higher fare or individually when you want something (more checked bags, snacks, etc).
I'd much rather just pay an extra $15-20 to get a snack box, sandwich and beverages once on the plane and save $100 by flying with a cheaper air fare.
oh and southwest has no in-flight entertainment whatsoever so at least the fact that other airlines offer you the opportunity to purchase headphones etc. is better than no opportunity at all. - kevinwiz, on 08/28/2008, -1/+3Who says that?
- Aero347, on 08/28/2008, -0/+2How did you enjoy ebay making 10% off of every sale you made? They think you're retarded too.
As to your post- disrespect your customers and they'll be sure you suck their ***** one day.
For example: Joe works at EB Games and is totally sick of dealing with parents trying to pick out games as gifts for their kids. He's speaking with Tom and totally rushes him, makes him feel stupid for not knowing what he's doing and just wants him out of the store.
One year down the road Joe needs another vehicle since his broke down. He's off to a dealership when look who comes out to say hello, it's Tom. Tom makes Joe a Great deal, being the nice guy he is even though Joe is at his mercy, Tom offers Joe a non-negotiable price on a used Kia. $8,000 for a Kia Rio. Joe just got shafted for being a complete dick. - inactive, on 08/28/2008, -0/+2Their fueling hedge savings runs out in a year - they will be right there with the rest of the airlines when that happens.
- inactive, on 08/28/2008, -0/+2I love Southwest. I flew from Florida to Indiana a couple months back and had the nerdiest captain. Just as we turn the corner on the runway, he comes over the intercom and says "Ladies gentlemen, please remain seated as I make the calculations for the jump to lightspeed." Then he laid on the thrusters.
And, on the way back, we had the funniest flight attendant. When going through the safety features of the plane she said, "In the unlikely event that the airliner becomes a cruiseliner, your seat cushion can he used as a flotation device, which is yours to keep once you reach shore courtesy of Southwest Airlines." -
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