No more free water on US Air
#11
The Middle Seat Terminal : Starting Today, No More Free Water on US Air
Starting Today, No More Free Water on US Air
Posted By Nikki Waller On August 1, 2008
Journal reporter Stephanie Chen on changes coming to US Air’s domestic flights today.
Charging for checked luggage and legroom isn’t enough for some carriers — starting today, coach passengers flying aboard US Airways Inc. must pay for a drink of water.
This morning, US Airways began charging fliers $2 for bottled water and sodas and $1 for teas and coffees. First class members, trans-Atlantic passengers and a select group of others are exempt from the extra fees.
“This is another clever way to masquerade airfare increases without increasing airfares,” says Randy Petersen, editor of Inside Flyer Magazine. “Everything has been passed along to the consumer.”
The Tempe, Ariz.-based airline is among many other carriers scrambling to cut costs and boost revenues amid skyrocketing fuel prices. For now, other major airlines including AMR Corp.’s American Airlines, Delta Air Lines Inc., and Northwest Airlines Corp. say they won’t resort to the a la carte beverage system yet but will continue researching all possible ways to save money. Discount carriers AirTran Holdings Inc., JetBlue Airways Corp. and Southwest Airlines Co say they will also continue serving complimentary beverages.
Continental Airlines Inc. — one of the few airlines left that serves free meals on certain domestic flights — says it is unlikely to abandon its free beverage service. Continental says charging for a soda would detract from passenger comfort. “That’s always been our philosophy, and it’s one that works well with us,” says spokeswoman Julie King.
Several other low-cost carriers like Spirit Airlines Inc and Allegiant Air, LLC began charging for beverages a few years ago. These low-budget airlines say their business model offers “unbundled” deals, which strip away extra costs and charge only for the flight. Spirit and Allegiant officials say customers like this plan, which allows flyers to add on extra drinks and snacks only if they desire.
US Airways says it will provide water and drinks for passengers in cases of medical emergency and during extensive delays. If a desperately thirsty passenger does forget a few extra dollars, US Airways spokesman Morgan Durrant says flight attendants will likely “err on the side of the customer” and give him or her water. After all, the airline wouldn’t want its customers drinking tap water from the aircraft bathroom. That water is safe to drink, just not very palatable, according to Durrant.
“Frankly, that’s just not classy,” he says.
Starting Today, No More Free Water on US Air
Posted By Nikki Waller On August 1, 2008
Journal reporter Stephanie Chen on changes coming to US Air’s domestic flights today.
Charging for checked luggage and legroom isn’t enough for some carriers — starting today, coach passengers flying aboard US Airways Inc. must pay for a drink of water.
This morning, US Airways began charging fliers $2 for bottled water and sodas and $1 for teas and coffees. First class members, trans-Atlantic passengers and a select group of others are exempt from the extra fees.
“This is another clever way to masquerade airfare increases without increasing airfares,” says Randy Petersen, editor of Inside Flyer Magazine. “Everything has been passed along to the consumer.”
The Tempe, Ariz.-based airline is among many other carriers scrambling to cut costs and boost revenues amid skyrocketing fuel prices. For now, other major airlines including AMR Corp.’s American Airlines, Delta Air Lines Inc., and Northwest Airlines Corp. say they won’t resort to the a la carte beverage system yet but will continue researching all possible ways to save money. Discount carriers AirTran Holdings Inc., JetBlue Airways Corp. and Southwest Airlines Co say they will also continue serving complimentary beverages.
Continental Airlines Inc. — one of the few airlines left that serves free meals on certain domestic flights — says it is unlikely to abandon its free beverage service. Continental says charging for a soda would detract from passenger comfort. “That’s always been our philosophy, and it’s one that works well with us,” says spokeswoman Julie King.
Several other low-cost carriers like Spirit Airlines Inc and Allegiant Air, LLC began charging for beverages a few years ago. These low-budget airlines say their business model offers “unbundled” deals, which strip away extra costs and charge only for the flight. Spirit and Allegiant officials say customers like this plan, which allows flyers to add on extra drinks and snacks only if they desire.
US Airways says it will provide water and drinks for passengers in cases of medical emergency and during extensive delays. If a desperately thirsty passenger does forget a few extra dollars, US Airways spokesman Morgan Durrant says flight attendants will likely “err on the side of the customer” and give him or her water. After all, the airline wouldn’t want its customers drinking tap water from the aircraft bathroom. That water is safe to drink, just not very palatable, according to Durrant.
“Frankly, that’s just not classy,” he says.
#12
#13
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: May 2007
Posts: 172
Maybe USAir and the TSA are in on this together! TSA needs to drop the liquid on plane ban BS.
Save an empty bottled water bottle and refill it after clearing the security checkpoint. It's got a label on it so you bought it in a store.
Save an empty bottled water bottle and refill it after clearing the security checkpoint. It's got a label on it so you bought it in a store.
#14
How dare we pass our expenses off to the consumer!!!
#15
#17
#18
I believe the time has come for drastic measures to be taken:
The Beerbelly: Home
I wonder if you could get that past TSA?
(Disclaimer: I do not, nor have I ever worked for or been associated with the Beer Belly)
The Beerbelly: Home
I wonder if you could get that past TSA?
(Disclaimer: I do not, nor have I ever worked for or been associated with the Beer Belly)
#19
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jan 2008
Position: R U Serious?
Posts: 260
Found out Wednesday that according to Republic (USAir Express) working, and dhing crews wont have to pay for drinks....but commuters will....well so the company thinks
I would not give USAir any ideas about paying for the lav, I could see it now, coin operated lav service. $0.50 to enter, $0.50 for air freshener spray, $0.50 to do number 1, $1.50 for number 2, $2.25 for poo poo paper, $1.50 to wash your hands, and $3.50 for paper towels to dry your hands($2.25 for rolling cloth hand dryer)
I would not give USAir any ideas about paying for the lav, I could see it now, coin operated lav service. $0.50 to enter, $0.50 for air freshener spray, $0.50 to do number 1, $1.50 for number 2, $2.25 for poo poo paper, $1.50 to wash your hands, and $3.50 for paper towels to dry your hands($2.25 for rolling cloth hand dryer)
#20
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jan 2008
Position: R U Serious?
Posts: 260
I would not give USAir any ideas about paying for the lav, I could see it now, coin operated lav service. $0.50 to enter, $0.50 for air freshener spray, $0.50 to do number 1, $1.50 for number 2, $2.25 for poo poo paper, $1.50 to wash your hands, and $3.50 for paper towels to dry your hands($2.25 for rolling cloth hand dryer)
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