Posted on 06/12/2008 4:07:11 PM PDT by SilvieWaldorfMD
US Airways is imposing new passenger fees in the face of rising jet fuel prices, but it's going even further than some other airlines have recently.
The Tempe, Ariz.-based carrier (NYSE: LCC), which has a large presence at Reagan National Airport, will start charging $2 for nonalcoholic beverages in coach class on all domestic flights. The fee covers sodas, juices, bottled water and coffee. The charge for alcoholic beverages in coach will increase to $7.
Following the lead of several other airlines, US Airways also will charge $15 for the first checked bag for tickets purchased beginning July 9 for all flights within the U.S. and to and from Canada, Latin America and the Caribbean. US Airways will waive the fee for its most frequent customers.
"Our industry is profoundly challenged by the dramatic increase in fuel prices, and we must write a new playbook for running a profitable airline in this new and challenging environment, " US Airways Chairman and CEO Doug Parker said in statement.
The carrier also will close the US Airways Clubs at BWI/Marshall Airport and the Raleigh-Durham International Airport effective Aug. 6.
The airline also is imposing a $25 service fee for domestic tickets and a $35 service fee for international tickets purchased through its call center reservations line.
There will be a new fee to redeem frequent flier awards under its Dividend Miles program on all tickets issued beginning Aug. 6. The fee will be based on destination ($25 for domestic and Canada tickets, $35 for Mexico and the Caribbean, and $50 for Hawaii and international flights). US Airways is also eliminating its bonus miles program for preferred status Dividend Miles members.
Effective Sept. 3, the airline will close it Las Vegas night operation, except for limited night service to the East Coast, and it will reduce its fourth quarter domestic mainline capacity by 6 to 8 percent on a year-over-year basis. The airline had previously planned a 2 to 4 percent decrease in domestic mainline capacity in its fourth quarter. The reduced flying will require about 1,700 fewer positions across the airline's system, including roughly 300 pilots, 400 flight attendants, 800 airport employees and 200 staff and management.
Will they charge for bathroom use too?
Not their style. They have already stated that they are for free bags up to two. and yes they do charge for the 3rd. But they always have.
They will win the battle for passengers while the others kiss them off.
Maybe the Demrat’s will re-regulate the airlines and the trucking industry. After all Jimmy Crickets deregulated them with his best bud Alfred (neuman) Kahn.
As William Blake put it:
“To see a World in a Grain of Sand
And a Heaven in a Wild Flower,
Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand
And Eternity in an hour.”
I guess there’s really no pressing need to travel. Just get me a grain of sand and a wild flower.
Is it the same water confiscated from passengers at the security screening? What else will they offer for sale - nail files, scissors... knitting needles?
Don't know, we'll have to wait for Congress to stick their noses into this fiasco again.
The Airline industry is the most heavily regulated industry on this planet thanks to congress...........
Yep. Pretty damn short-sighted, isn’t it? And, as usual, USeless Air leads the way. I’ve had to use them a few times because they are the key airline in Pittsburgh, but they are my last choice.
More like “USScareways”....
You'd think people ought to be able to sue over this, it's in essence a change of the contract terms on the mileage program.
On a certain level I prefer the nickel and diming, although the problem here is that they don't enforce the carry-on size limits so people are going to be bringing all sorts of junk into the cabin.
Not to mention, a slap in the face to their most loyal customers. Not exactly the brightest move.
Wonder if a person has to take their pills to stop a heart attack or something crucial. That will be $2 to take your your pills with water.
It still cheaper than Disneyland and the like.
$15 for the first barf bag?
My god, how much do they charge for the second one?
$25 for the second one....
1. Because they can collect these fees on those who have already bought tickets.
2. If they were to raise ticket costs, they would lose seats and business to airlines such as Southwest. With this policy they can match Southwest fares on flights like Philadelphia to Chicago but collect their extra fees on the unsuspecting or uncaring traveler. This is important since many leisure travelers and many businesses simply chose the cheapest flight on the internet regardless of loyalty ect.
But our elected theives won’t let that happen, they will waste the tax payers money to bail them out AGAIN over their stupid policies and bloat saliers.
There is an extra retroactive fee to lose your luggage now too.
“In the unlikely event that the cabin should lose air pressure, an oxygen mask will deploy from the panel above your head. If you’d like to purchase oxygen, you may do so for $20 suing any major bank credit or debit card.”
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