16 May 2008

Airlines charging extra for window seats

BlkAv8tor2003 Checkin' In!!!

Hello all!!!

Here we go, as the airlines are charging for almost anything and everything windows seats and leg room are at a premium. The trick will be are you able to get your money back if the flight is not full? If there are enough seats for you to sit anywhere or the seat next to you is open and you paid a premium for the extra legroom and you end up having enough room will you be refunded? It's just a thought and how much grief are you going to catch or hoops you will have to jump through to get that refund. Also don't forget cancellations and changes in your reservations they may not carry across if you miss a flight because the next flight might be sold out of window seats by the time you get to it. Paying extra to talk to a human...that's a new one....I think but then again what are the odds that the person you’re talking to is actually in the US.
I'll revisit this one later but here is the article from UPI.

*note* Supposedly Jet Blue doesn't charge for window seat or legroom.

Published: May 4, 2008 at 3:01 PM

BOSTON, May 4 (UPI) -- The practice of charging travelers extra for such premiums as window seats and extra leg room is gaining a hold among U.S. airlines, analysts note.US Airways, Jet Blue Airways Corp. and Air Canada recently began charging $5 more for a window seat, $10 for extra stretching room and $25 for passengers who want to be able to connect with a reservations agent if s flight is delayed or canceled, The Boston Globe reported Sunday.US Airways additionally plans to charge most passengers at least $5 extra to reserve an aisle or window seat in the first several rows of coach class, beginning Wednesday.The charges are a way for the airlines to offset rising fuel costs in an economic climate that has been the worst for the airlines since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.Although some passengers are sure to grumble over the increased costs associated with air travel, others may welcome the charges as a way to give them more control over what they pay for to fly."Ultimately, they will be more satisfied because they will be in control of their travel experience," said Henry Harteveldt, principal airline analyst for Forrester Research Inc.

© 2008 United Press International. All Rights Reserved.

Monday, May 5, 2008 at 01:02 PM

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