Tuesday, March 14, 2006

Leg Room Fee

Just in case you're still not sure about the advisability of one-price fare quoting, here's a new fee looming on the horizon:  Leg-Room Fee.
 
That's right, Northwest Airlines is testing the waters to see if passengers would be willing to pay $15 more per ticket for a seat with additional leg room.  My first thought was why not charge $15 more and give everyone more leg room, but I realize that there are those travelers who would miss cramped accommodations.
 
These hidden fees are becoming more and more ridiculous.  What's next?  A fresh air fee?
 
It's long past time to resolve the dilemma of ticket pricing.
 
 
 
 

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

Good grief I'm going to have to show this one to my hubby, who likes his extra leg room. But you know what he does to get his extra leg room? He asks to be seated in the emergency exit row...more leg room there. Guess that means people will have to pay to sit in the emergency exit row now.

Fly Girl said...

Yes, that's exactly what it means -- NW is testing to see if people will pay more to sit in the exit row, and bulkhead aisle seats.

Anonymous said...

I expect that from Northwest. I don't know why, but it just makes perfect sense.

Anonymous said...

Michelle: what CAN you expect from an airline in such shape?

IMHO, that shows a lack of originality. It shows the degrading state of this once magnificent industry. It keep declining until pretty soon we'll be paying an EXTRA fee just to get through the jet bridge.

It also shows how desperate NW is to survive... I'm "bracing" (more like celebrating) the fact that NWA has a what... 0% chance of survival. Poor employees. I could give a crap about the management, however. Its all THEIR fault.

Yuhu: JetBlue's been pulling off profits with 33-34" seat pitch (legroom), versus AA's 31"...

The only reason jetBlue is releasing low numbers is because of the recent jetstream problems across the US that requires a fuel/maint. stop in a few cities. Landing fees + fuel costs is bad. But they've been - and they will - turn high profits, with that.

Nortwest doesnt get the overall picture.

It's passengers want a NEW AIRLINE - with a NEWER ethics system and a brand new start. They are just so... getting old.

-Joey

Anonymous said...

Do you suppose that they'll start to impose a surcharge to land at the destination? How about a toll for the jetway? Hmm. I better not give them ideas.

Anonymous said...

astroprof: actually, they already do.

Look for "Federal Takeoff/Landing Fee" on your next ticket!

-Joey

Anonymous said...

The airlines are going to make your phone bill look easy to understand if they keep this up.

T

PS Thanks for the link!

Anonymous said...

Joey,
I thought that the takeoff/landing fee was for using the runway.

Anonymous said...

Yeah - landing at your destination.

You know - I just realized I might have misread your post. I thought you were refering to this, when I now realize that you meant land at the CORRECT destination? Is that it?

-Joey

Anonymous said...

Ha. Charging for legroom will go over like a fart in church.

Good luck Northwest.

Anonymous said...

Joeyc,
Yes, I meant a charge for the correct destination rather than wherever seems most convenient.

Anonymous said...

Sorry astroprof!

-Joey