Delta Airlines, as part of the Nortwest Airlines merger, has added the scheduled fees to its airline baggage policies:
$15 for the first checked bag
$25 for the second checked bag
However, from way back in April, Delta posted this second bag rebate. I am not sure how it relates to its first checked bag, but it is worth researching.
To promote holiday travel (from Thanksgiving through the New Year), airlines are cutting their prices to attract those customers concerned and/or affected by the economic downturn. And, they can afford it now too. Many airlines are now projected to be back in black in 2009 with the reduced cost of fuel and the more optimized flight schedules. AIrlines, such as Delta Airlines, are beginning to look at comparing airlines on pricing to make sure they are the most competitive as possible.
Many airlines are deploying new or very upgraded versions of their scheduling software to increase their utilization overall as an airline. Currently, many airlines run the same flights and itineraries every day of the week. This means, that because there is less demand for flights on a Tuesday as compared to a Friday, you can find some potentially cheap flights by traveling on an off day. Airlines have followed this model for many various logistical reasons.
However, new software has allowed them to overcome some of these logistical roadblocks by positioning planes overnight where maintenance can be performed, helped with local scheduling of staff at airports and ensured that an overload would not occur causing long lines during peak times at airports. Airlines, such as Southwest Airlines, will be implementing these new software techniques as early as this Thanksgiving travel season, hoping to further increase their bottom line during this financial, credit and energy crisis.
It seems that tough times cause companies to refocus and get down to core business, so in the end the result is a leaner, more profitable company. But, do not fear, the consumer is a powerful and creative object, who will find cheap flights and deals on air travel as the industry changes.
American Airlines has plans to move their pricing model to utilize a more a la carte approach. What does this mean? That AA will follow in the footsteps of Air Canada in offering as many as five different basic classes. The cheapest class will not include any extras, from airline baggage check to e-tickets and online check in. So, if you book in the cheapest class (let’s call it Bronze for simplicity sake) you would have to pay extra to have access to check in online, check your baggage or receive food / drink service. All of these would be available to you in an a la carte pricing model. However, if you were to choose the most expensive class (let’s call this one Platinum), you would automatically have access to all of these amenities within the cost of your air fare. You would probably also have the ability to change / cancel your ticket as well.
What’s stopping American from forging forward with this venture? Most travel agents (online and off) are hestitant to proceed, both from a technical and comfort standpoint. However, if the airline changes, the travel agents will have to mold their models to fit as well.
As airlines reconsider every aspect of their operations and learn new ways to generate revenue, one airline – Spirit Airlines – states that it is best prepared for the future with the foundations they have laid in the past and are currently working on.
Spirit has partnered with GuestLogix Mobile to build a platform to efficiently coordinate on board services and charges for its customers. It stance is to build revenue by offering value added services to the customer and not for continuing down the path of charging for already existing items.
What is the basic item to compare when comparing airlines? The first aspect to compare is flight prices. I recommend staring at RezHub.com to look for your next cheap flight. Most online travel agencies will list similar prices and routes, so choose a site that you are comfortable with or that gives you a reason to book. RezHub offers to donate a portion of their proceeds to an environmetally friendly charity for booking with them.
You won’t, however, be able to find all the airlines here, such as Southwest Airlines and that is because Southwest has chosen to distribute only through its own website to reduce costs of distribution.
Some airlines are attempting to maintain differentiation by either not applying new a la carte fees or by offering lower fees. Here are some interesting differences that I noticed:
1. Spirit Airlines and Southwest are the only airlines not charge a booking fee when booking over the phone. However, they have stated that lower rates may be found online and are only available there – so in a way, they may still be charging a fee.
2. Southwest is the only major airline not to charge for a second checked bag for its airline baggage policies.
3. Airtran, Continental, JetBlue (until Oct. 1) and Southwest are the only major airlines not to charge for airline snack service on qualifying flights (of certain length and time).
What is the constant? Southwest continues to stand out as the best value in the air today. I really do always try to book with them if the route allows. I do wish they were available on more online travel agencies however.
Delta Airlines just announced that they will be offering Internet Service on all of its domestic flights by the middle of next year. This is a service (and a chargeable item) that passengers will not complain about. It will give Delta a definite competitive advantage over the other majors, but they will eventually catch up. Again, this is one item that all passengers will be happy for which the airlines play copycat.
Delta plans to charge $9.95 for flights of three hours or less and $12.95 for longer flights for the service. They have partnered with Aircell to provide the internet service.
JetBlue Airways is adding a new a la carte item to the menu of features and fees that airlines are currently exploring; the Pillow / Blanket. We do not currently compare airlines on the charge (or lack of a charge) for pillows and blankets, but we may now have to add it.
The pillow and blanket package is available for $7 and is of course reusable. So assuming that you remember it for your next flight, you will not have to purchase it again. It also features a new fabric technique that blocks out all the bad stuff that kept you away from asking for a pillow or blanket in the first place. In addition, you will receive a $5 coupon to Bed, Bath and Beyond with the pillow and blanket.
So assuming you don’t already have the 20% coupon that we get weekly in the mail from Bed, Bath and Beyond, the $5 coupon makes the package only really $2 cost to you.
