Carry On
British Airlines To Charge Passengers As Much As $95 To Reserve Seats
A few weeks ago we reported on airlines cutting flights to match falling demand and save money. Another way the shrinking industry is offsetting losses is by introducing new fees.
It’s no secret that airlines, both here and abroad, have been sticking it to passengers, charging us for everything from checked baggage to blankets—even water. (A recent report from the Department of Transportation's Bureau of Transportation Statistics reveals airlines made an incredible 3.8 billion on such fees in the first six months of this year alone.)
Next week, however, the airline industry will hit a new low in its quest to separate travelers from their hard-earned dollars.
The latest creative revenue-generating idea? British Airways’ reserved seat surcharge. Starting Oct. 7, the UK carrier will start charging passengers between $16-$95 to reserve seats more than 24 hours ahead of departure [Chicago Tribune]. The real rub if you fly BA is this: you’ll have to pay extra if you want a seat next to your travel companion(s), and/or if you have a preference for a window, aisle or exit-row seat.
BA says the move would "give customers more control over their seating options". [The Guardian] It’s not yet clear if that explanation will fly with the public.
Do you have an opinion? Do extra fees affect which airlines you fly? Login and share your thoughts below!
Adrien Glover is the online deputy editor at Travel + Leisure.
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Um...hell no, British Airways
Paying extra for leg room, a pillow, a blanket, a meal, a snack, a drink, a pair of headphones...all of these relatively minor irritations have crept in to our lives and we've accepted them. But paying extra to sit next to my husband?! What, it isn't enough that we have to work our tails off just to have a vacation in the first place?
Before we all get charged for little extras like using the bathroom or access to a flotation device, let's take a stand. Hell no, British Airways...we... Read More
I won't fly on an airline that charges any extra fees. Bad PR, they change their pricing all the time and so, it seems to me, they can suck it up and include pricing for bags, or whatever, in the price of the fare. What I don't know won't hurt me, but what I know may hurt the airline.
Free companion ticket?!
BA is currently running a promotion where they offer a free companion ticket for the next time you fly when you buy a ticket before January 29. I guess the trick is that you may not be able to SIT with your companion...
...and bagage too
I wish I saw this post before booking with BA on Orbitz. There was not mention on there that I need to pay extra to get my seat selection in advance. What a surprise when I tried to get my seats - $60 for transatlantic ad $15 in EU. Plus they now apply steep charges for extra luggage - $60 for the 2nd bag and $125 for the 3rd. Hell, I should have booked my flights on Swiss. Would've been much cheaper overall and no British attitude.