Northwest Airlines is considering charging for seat placement on the plane, based on whether it’s near a window, an aisle, avoiding small children or obese people. They may even charge to use the overhead storage space above your seat. It’s not that surprising. With rising fuel costs and bankruptcies, airlines are desperate to find ways to cut costs or increase revenue. America West and US Air charge for their food. Most charge for headphones and alcoholic drinks in economy class. Where will it end?
Consider the fact that air travel has become a standard for getting there from distant places, rather than a luxury. Although common and profitable, airlines have large investments in aircraft, equipment, maintenance, and personnel. They have to take steps to shore up the loss of revenue. This, despite the fact that Southwest annually sets profit records. This anomaly that offers low rates and easy service has challenged the industry. Although they do not have pre-assigned seats and provide peanuts for self-catering, they have a loyal following and specialize in short flights to less-used airports. Thus demonstrating that the general public cares little for the usual amenities and more for the cheapest rates.
Jet Blue, Virgin, Ted and others have tried this discount approach, but have never been as successful as SWA. The remaining carriers have struggled to use traditional methods and found themselves losing money every year for decades. So does Northwest have the right idea? By charging for virtually every ‘extra’, can they reverse a losing trend? Or will the public riot and make this new idea fail?
On the surface, there are simpler solutions. First class has always included luxuries at a high cost. Economy is what it says. Perhaps there should be a third class, sitting together with economics. Each seat is labeled as a passenger board, telling attendees which traveler receives which service. Or additional areas could be sectioned off, like in first class. Regardless of the system, passengers will no longer receive the same treatment.
But Northwest raises an interesting question: what can an airline charge? If they can demand extra money to sit a certain number of rows away from a five-year-old, the fun never stops. So why not consider these charges?
- $5 for a seat in their lounge at the gate.
- $5 to check each bag and $2 to retrieve it at the destination baggage area
- $25 if your seat converts to a flotation device, in an emergency
- $7.50 for an oxygen mask that will automatically lower
- $10 for a tray table in front of you
- $5 to use the bathroom the first time, $2 for each subsequent trip
- $2 to hear emergency procedures, $1 if not
- $1 for water and $2 if you’re drowning and really need it.
- $25 to be one of the first group to go down the slide, in case of an emergency
- $10 per minute for any service, from a flight attendant
I know what you’re thinking: I’m crazy, but not that fast. I remember a day when I could walk into a gas station, buy a single gallon of gas (for 25 cents) and check my oil, pump up my tires and wash all my windows for free! Today, I pay $2.50 a gallon and do all of that myself. Except for tire inflation, which is 50 cents for five minutes. I bet you could think of other services like free checking and other banking services that are now added.
So the trend is clear. There will be additional fees on the airlines whether you like it or not. I am afraid that, like the gas station, it will spread to other areas. It is part of the evolution of the industrial and technological age in which we live. By the way, I hope you enjoyed this article, because it wasn’t free. Use your credit card and send a dollar to the email at the end and have a nice day.