Can the airline industry really do anything more to shock us?
And I don’t really need to given US Airways latest announcement. One travel analyst referred to it as the “ultimate cost-cutting move,” yet somehow I am not at all surprised that US Airways has decided to eliminate free snacks in coach class on all its domestic flights.
The new rule went into effect on Sunday the same day the carrier matched last week’s fare hikes by United Airlines, American Airlines and Delta Air Lines. The increases are from $10 to $60 per round trip and vary based on the length of the flight. (More on that non-shocker in a bit.)
As far the free snacks go US Airways reps say the move to cut the complimentary pretzels was initiated as an attempt to save money in a time of extremely high fuel costs. The good news, according to the airline, passengers on most US Airways flights will still receive free soft drinks.
Oh joy.
No word on when the airline plans to yank that privilege too.
Getting back to the airfare hike. Yes, just in time for the start of the busy summer travel season, the nation’s biggest carriers boosted a swath of domestic fares by up to $60 roundtrip, while budget airline AirTran Airways raised its leisure fares by $30 roundtrip. (It is rare for a discount carrier to raise fares that much.)
The reason? You guessed it… to offset the skyrocketing cost of fuel.
If you are flying United you will pay the biggest increase on routes of 750 miles or more (basically the air distance between New York and Chicago). The increases came just days after American said it would begin charging customers $15 to check a single piece of luggage. Representatives from a number of other carriers, many of which are already charging $25 for a second checked bag, have not ruled out following suit.
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