Fliers stung by charges for window and aisle seats

[dineshb316]

CNN) -- The airline industry's latest tactic to increase revenue -- charging premiums for window and aisle seats -- is making it hard for groups to fly together, say passenger advocates.
George Hobica, founder of travel site AirfareWatchdog, said his organization had received a spate of complaints from Americans who had struck problems being seated together on flights. Complainants included a woman who had been unable to sit next to her husband, who had a medical condition.
He said the problems were arising as airlines set aside more desirable window and aisle seats for passengers who pay a premium, leaving those who do not pay with center-row seats, separated from other members of their party unless they have paid the surcharge.
"The airlines are basically trying to squeeze out more fees in the face of higher costs, and it is inconveniencing a lot of passengers," said Hobica.
The charges for window or aisle seats in the front half of the plane, costing as much as $29 each way on U.S. domestic flights and $59 on international flights, are the latest of a raft of passenger fees introduced in recent years as the airline industry looks to generate new streams of revenue.
The issue has arisen in the United States, where Delta, American Airlines, and low-cost carriers US Airways, Frontier, Spirit and Allegiant have implemented charges for "preferred seating." Delta spokeswoman Katie Hulme said the move reflected the fact that some seats were more desirable than others, and that it gave passengers greater choice and flexibility in where they were seated.
"Offering preferred seats for sale to all Delta passengers means that we are offering different seat selection options to enable more passengers to travel in their seat of choice," she said.
The notion of paying extra to reserve more desirable seating is catching on more widely across the industry. Across the Atlantic, low-cost Ryanair rolled out reservations for certain seats across all its routes in January, while its rival Easyjet has also been experimenting with the practice.
The implementation of end-of-row seat fees is part of a broader airline trend to charge for amenities previously included in the standard fare, such as movies, water, pillows and blankets.
In response to soaring fuel prices four years ago, airlines also began introducing charges for checked baggage, generating huge sums. But last year the revenue from checked bags for U.S. airlines fell for the first time, suggesting passengers were trying to avoid fees by packing light when they traveled.
Two U.S. airlines, Spirit and Allegiant, also charge passengers for carry-on baggage.
Hobica said part of the airlines' rationale was "to cater to the people that have paid the most for their seats."
Kate Hanni, of passenger rights organization FlyersRights, said the aisle and window surcharges made air travel an even more daunting prospect for families.
"Families have already been having a hard time, so this is the icing on the cake," she said. "Can you imagine getting on a plane and not being seated next to your three-year-old?"

While gate staff would typically try to seat families together, removing aisle and window seats as options was making this impossible, said Hanni.
"The predictability of air travel has really gone away. This is one more layer where people can't predict what's going to happen -- it's a crap shoot," she said.
"They're holding the aisle and window seats out for higher prices -- and trust me, this is just a revenue grab."
Hobica said while the new price structure was causing problems, he could understand the logic behind it. "When you buy a ticket to a Broadway show, you do pay more for better seating," he said. "If passengers were willing to pay higher fares at the beginning," he said, the problems could be avoided.
Hulme said that the number of rows in which window and aisle seats were set aside as "preferred seating" varied from aircraft to aircraft, but did not extend through the entire plane. Many of those who traveled in groups were leisure travelers who tended to book their fares in advance, and should encounter few difficulties being seated together, she said.

http://edition.cnn.com/2012/06/07/trave ... hpt=hp_mid

[Jonathan]

Hide this article from CA, please...

[X2]

At some airports, they are now charging extra at check in to be allowed to enter the plane in the first of the groups.

Money grubbing shame... travelling today is no longer a pleasure... it is downright stressful and now you gotta pay at every turn.

[DTAC]

Just now you'll be put to sit on the floor and be charged extra for a seat! lol

[dineshb316]

Travelled with United Airlines last month and you have to pay for your luggage. It is not included in your ticket price.

25 USD + Taxes for the first piece of luggage

40 USD + Taxes for any additional pieces

[equipped2ripp]

^ that's been so for quite awhile now.

[ismithx]

forking nonsense. British Airways FTW, none of this crap

/thread

[carmelo]

blame the 9/11 incident for the stress and frustration that people face with airlines now and all these travel restrictions ...... all for something that dont exisit and to widen the gap of the one percent !!!

[Soul Collector]

Hide this article from CA, please...

[geodude]

COPA airlines bess yo, they still sharing getting jonnie and vodka like water in economy class , been using them for 3 years now, every month i fly with them and i have never had a delayed flight with them.

[V2NR 3.0]

COPA airlines bess yo, they still sharing getting jonnie and vodka like water in economy class , been using them for 3 years now, every month i fly with them and i have never had a delayed flight with them.

I traveled with Copa on 13th September. So let me be first to say that before I fly I usually go researching the airline. Copa, being a Spanish airline had me naturally concerned if any one of you know about Spanish airlines in Venezuela
, you'd understand what I was saying. I flew with them to Peru meaning I had to connect in Panama.

Copa is one hell of a beautiful airline. The customer service, the hot breakfast, the hot lunch, the snacks, metal cutlery, comfortable seats, smooth handling of the aircraft and most important they fly on time. I highly endorse this airline and would definitely be using them again in the near future. Now I'm comparing against the same likes - united, cal etc.

Metal cutlery

[zoom rader]

Not effected, have both silver cards for BA and CAL, fast check in line, entry to board first, free upgrades, free tickets, bonus air miles and free use of lounges.

[r3iXmann]

Not effected, have both silver cards for BA and CAL, fast check in line, entry to board first, free upgrades, free tickets, bonus air miles and free use of lounges.

and free VIP tickets to BoastFest 2013, apparently

[Monk BANzai]

Not effected, have both silver cards for BA and CAL, fast check in line, entry to board first, free upgrades, free tickets, bonus air miles and free use of lounges.

and? thats as common as a Hilton Premium Card now.....we all have them......I travelled yesterday using mine.....want me to boast too?

mh...

[zoom rader]

Not effected, have both silver cards for BA and CAL, fast check in line, entry to board first, free upgrades, free tickets, bonus air miles and free use of lounges.

and? thats as common as a Hilton Premium Card now.....we all have them......I travelled yesterday using mine.....want me to boast too?

mh...

It beats cattle class

[cinco]

Not effected, have both silver cards for BA and CAL, fast check in line, entry to board first, free upgrades, free tickets, bonus air miles and free use of lounges.

you does reach d destination before everyone else?

[Ignorant Ignis]

Not effected, have both silver cards for BA and CAL, fast check in line, entry to board first, free upgrades, free tickets, bonus air miles and free use of lounges.

and? thats as common as a Hilton Premium Card now.....we all have them......I travelled yesterday using mine.....want me to boast too?

mh...

was wondering too

[zoom rader]

Not effected, have both silver cards for BA and CAL, fast check in line, entry to board first, free upgrades, free tickets, bonus air miles and free use of lounges.

you does reach d destination before everyone else?

Yep, I travel with a rucksack only and on touch down I wizz through immigration and customs both in Uk n TT. So first out the door.
Trinis still amaze me two large luggage and two on board luggage, no wonder why customs give then problems.

[Victory_Specification]

Not Affected, have both silver cards for BA and CAL, fast check in line, entry to board first, free upgrades, free tickets, bonus air miles and free use of lounges.

fixed

[pugboy]

yeah, long ago everybody used to boast about AA cards and free upgrades etc
now you lucky if you can get a free upgrade as they never have upgrade seats available, lol

[cinco]

Not effected, have both silver cards for BA and CAL, fast check in line, entry to board first, free upgrades, free tickets, bonus air miles and free use of lounges.

you does reach d destination before everyone else?

Yep, I travel with a rucksack only and on touch down I wizz through immigration and customs both in Uk n TT. So first out the door.
Trinis still amaze me two large luggage and two on board luggage, no wonder why customs give then problems.

Rite rite

[Spitfir3]

Not effected, have both silver cards for BA and CAL, fast check in line, entry to board first, free upgrades, free tickets, bonus air miles and free use of lounges.

you does reach d destination before everyone else?

[Gem_in_i]

CA still charge to be a member of the frequent flyer prog?

[X2]

Allyuh playing bigshot with yuh fancy membership fanclub...

When you a bigshot... you dont need to travel... everything comes to you....

[MG Man]

Not effected, have both silver cards for BA and CAL, fast check in line, entry to board first, free upgrades, free tickets, bonus air miles and free use of lounges.

and? thats as common as a Hilton Premium Card now.....we all have them......I travelled yesterday using mine.....want me to boast too?

mh...

It beats cattle class

cattle class grammar dan?

[rfari]

ZR, doh leh dem men talk to u so dan. dem eh knw whoze u orwha?

[zoom rader]

ZR, doh leh dem men talk to u so dan. dem eh knw whoze u orwha?

dat doh matter, will soon be getting me gold card from BA,

[rfari]

ZR, doh leh dem men talk to u so dan. dem eh knw whoze u orwha?

dat doh matter, will soon be getting me gold card from BA,

so yuh reach den?

[zoom rader]

ZR, doh leh dem men talk to u so dan. dem eh knw whoze u orwha?

dat doh matter, will soon be getting me gold card from BA,

so yuh reach den?

Two more qualifying flights and ah dey

[rfari]

ZR, doh leh dem men talk to u so dan. dem eh knw whoze u orwha?

dat doh matter, will soon be getting me gold card from BA,

so yuh reach den?

Two more qualifying flights and ah dey

niceness
and how many miles till u get this