Northwest to charge more for aisle, emergency exit seats

Sulako · Post by **Sulako** » Wed Mar 15, 2006 5:12 am

http://today.reuters.com/news/newsArtic ... S-FEES.xml

CHICAGO (Reuters) - Struggling U.S. airlines, looking for new ways to generate revenue, are getting bolder about charging for pretty much anything that makes air travel a little more comfortable -- including aisle seats.

First came charging passengers for in-flight meals. Then, reservations done by phone cost extra. And now, one major airline, Northwest Airlines Corp. , is trying to charge passengers for the right to sit in aisle seats and emergency-exit rows.

The day is coming when carriers will require special fees even to check a bag, experts say.

Analysts told Reuters that travelers should brace for more nickel and diming as airlines seek to recoup losses from soaring fuel costs and competitive pressures. Airlines are likely to test passengers' willingness to pay for an ever wider array of services.

"We're just scratching the surface. I think 2006 is going to bring a tremendous amount of changes," said Terry Trippler, an analyst with travel Web site Cheapseats.com.

"I think it's going to be the difference between a black bottom line and a red one," he said.

Bankrupt Northwest this week unveiled a program called Coach Choice in which the carrier will save some preferred coach seating on the aisle or emergency-exit rows until check-in. Passengers can pay $15 per flight to sit in those seats, which may offer more room.

Airlines has been weakened by rising fuel prices and low-fare competition that keeps ticket prices low. In recent years, carriers have been trying to cut costs by eliminating expendable services and perks. AMR Corp's American Airlines and Delta Air Lines last year eliminated pillows on domestic flights.

"It's certainly a trend. I expect to see more of it," said Morningstar equity analyst Chris Lozier. "I had never even considered the possibility of charging for aisle seats. It's definitely being taken to extremes at this point."

Lozier said airlines must be careful when implementing programs like Northwest's. Carriers run the risk of alienating customers if they charge for services or seats that do not have special fees attached at other airlines.

Most carriers have cut meal service on shorter flights in the coach section. Many have begun charging for food, drinks and entertainment that used to be free.

Other airlines also have creative upgrade programs, such as UAL Corp's United Airlines, which in 2005 started allowing passengers to pay a fee to upgrade to unsold seats in a better section of the plane at the time of check in.

"Most of our perks are still free," said UAL spokeswoman Robin Urbanski. "We still have free pillows, blankets and headsets."

United expects its Economy Plus program to boost revenue by about $50 million in 2006.

In the fourth quarter, American Airlines boosted revenue on top of regular ticket sales by 22 percent to $360 million. That included charging customers $25 for same-day flight changes.

US Airways Group has said it looks at opportunities to bring in extra money for services passengers value. The trick is to determine which services those are.

"We don't have any immediate plans to charge new fees. But we think it's logical to charge for new services," said Scott Kirby, executive vice president, sales and marketing at US Air.

American Eagle, a regional unit of American Airlines, said last week that it has given up trying to charge passengers for soft drinks because passengers were unwilling to pay for them.

A next step -- one that may be controversial -- could be that airlines will start charging for bag checking, said Cheapseats' Trippler.

Generally, airlines do not charge to check bags that weigh 50 pounds or less. Many charge for bags that weigh 51 pounds or more.

The possibilities for special fees are almost limitless, Trippler said. Airlines just need to be creative.

"This is all gravy," he said.

382guy · Post by **382guy** » Wed Mar 15, 2006 7:04 am

same thing at virgin

F-16 · Post by **F-16** » Wed Mar 15, 2006 7:54 am

You can't compare the product. Virgin far outclasses Northwest - i hope this move backfires on them.

In my mind, if you want to charge people for a certain seat, you do it like Air Canada, and the different fare classes, where you choose not to have the option of seat selection if you go with the lowest fare, and if you want to select your seat, you can go to a higher fare level, or pay extra.

Same concept you might say, however, it's all a matter of perception. When they do it at the check-in counter, it's more comparable to nickle and diming a passenger which obviously creates the negative perception.

Only my 2 cents.

cheers.
f-16

snowshoe · Post by **snowshoe** » Wed Mar 15, 2006 8:39 am

I wonder how long before they lay down a $10 to $20 surcharge to go to the can and use the shi*er?

goldeneagle · Post by **goldeneagle** » Wed Mar 15, 2006 5:33 pm

snowshoe wrote:I wonder how long before they lay down a $10 to $20 surcharge to go to the can and use the shi*er?

Health regulations will ensure this never happens.

Dust Devil · Post by **Dust Devil** » Wed Mar 15, 2006 5:42 pm

Sulako wrote:Northwest Airlines Corp. , is trying to charge passengers for the right to sit in aisle seats and emergency-exit rows.

The "right"? Ya gotta be kidding me. It's not a "right" to sit in the aisle or emergency seat.

I see nothing wrong with this proposal. If there is a higher demand for these seats then why shouldn't they cost more?

Justwannafly · Post by **Justwannafly** » Wed Mar 15, 2006 5:50 pm

Dust Devil wrote:
Sulako wrote:Northwest Airlines Corp. , is trying to charge passengers for the right to sit in aisle seats and emergency-exit rows.
The "right"? Ya gotta be kidding me. It's not a "right" to sit in the aisle or emergency seat.

I see nothing wrong with this proposal. If there is a higher demand for these seats then why shouldn't they cost more?

but a lot of people (my self included) like window seats...so are they going to start charging more those tose too soon? & what happens if I want a window seat but there are only Isle seats left? (happens a lot) will I be forced to pay more?

Dust Devil · Post by **Dust Devil** » Wed Mar 15, 2006 5:54 pm

Well I'm sure NW stats will show that in their aircraft the aisle is in more demand. My point is that if something is in higher demand it should cost more.

Over the Horn · Post by **Over the Horn** » Wed Mar 15, 2006 6:55 pm

I just had the unlucky privilage of flying on Virgin Blue in OZ. that has to be the cheapest airline that I've seen so far, they charge an arm and leg for everything (even a glass of water), the stewardesses were useless and at the end they try to sell you Sr. Richards autobiography and their fare was only $20 dollars less than Qantas, what a joke.

cyyz · Post by **cyyz** » Thu Mar 16, 2006 6:45 am

magdrop jr. wrote: they charge an arm and leg for everything (even a glass of water),
the stewardesses were useless and at the end they try to sell you Sr. Richards autobiography
and their fare was only $20 dollars less than Qantas, what a joke.

Food and drinks are not a "must have item" I don't get water on the greyhound...

F/As are mandated by the gov't, I would rather save 100 on a ticket and not have a flight with an F/A, call the gov't and tell them you don't want F/As on flights anymore.

You saved $20$ that was the entire point of flying low cost wasn't it??? To save, maybe next time you'll fly with lufthansa for $10,000 and get superior service and quality.... Complain complain.... <sheesh>

bizjet_mania · Post by **bizjet_mania** » Thu Mar 16, 2006 6:55 am

I like Northwest, but I think they have reached the point they know they are sunk, they are milking this one as long as they can. High fares, very old airplane, even if they survive this, they'll never survive their next aircraft order to replace all those DC9s. Added with the accidents they are sure to have, they are done. I cant believe people are paying money to fly to Detroit!! MSP and MEM are not bad, but Northwest could of cashed in along time ago flying to the middle east, as Detroit has the largest arab population in North America. Code share or fly direct to Kuwait or Amman could of helped them a great deal I think.

Over the Horn · Post by **Over the Horn** » Thu Mar 16, 2006 12:03 pm

I don't get water on the greyhound...

UMMMMM most of my travels down under were on Greyhound and guess what? they had free water

cyyz · Post by **cyyz** » Thu Mar 16, 2006 12:39 pm

magdrop jr. wrote:
I don't get water on the greyhound...
UMMMMM most of my travels down under were on Greyhound and guess what? they had free water

Really? Took Grey to alberta and when we pulled over it was into one of the "service stops" where you could find timmy's and what not, never asked if they had bottle of water or refreshments...

You don't mean from the tap in the toilet do you?

They didn't advertise and I didn't ask, so maybe they do carry... Sorry for slandering Grey in that case...

Over the Horn · Post by **Over the Horn** » Thu Mar 16, 2006 1:19 pm

Really? Took Grey to alberta and when we pulled over it was into one of the "service stops" where you could find timmy's and what not, never asked if they had bottle of water or refreshments...

You don't mean from the tap in the toilet do you?

They didn't advertise and I didn't ask, so maybe they do carry... Sorry for slandering Grey in that case...

Yeah it was greyhound Australia so it might be different and it wasn't bottled it was from a water cooler in the back, oh well buses suck compared to flying anyday, even if it is on a no frills shitty airline

YYC-OPS · Post by **YYC-OPS** » Thu Mar 16, 2006 9:55 pm

cyyz wrote:
F/As are mandated by the gov't, I would rather save 100 on a ticket and not have a flight with an F/A, call the gov't and tell them you don't want F/As on flights anymore.

Are you serious???!!!

Big Pratt · Post by **Big Pratt** » Thu Mar 16, 2006 10:30 pm

Added with the accidents they are sure to have,

bizjet_mania, care to explain why you think that?

JigglyBus · Post by **JigglyBus** » Thu Mar 16, 2006 11:26 pm

Surely New York has to have more people of Arabian descent than Detroit? Any facts to that Bizwiz?

cyyz · Post by **cyyz** » Fri Mar 17, 2006 5:47 am

YYC-OPS wrote:
cyyz wrote:
F/As are mandated by the gov't, I would rather save 100 on a ticket and not have a flight with an F/A, call the gov't and tell them you don't want F/As on flights anymore.
Are you serious???!!!

At the number? I wouldn't expect to save a $100 on a flight without an F/A but I would fly NoF/A'sGo for a $100 discount if given the chance. And no I wouldn't fly on a plane without a pilot for a $100 discount.

bizjet_mania · Post by **bizjet_mania** » Fri Mar 17, 2006 6:42 am

The city that has the largest percentage of Arab Americans in its popultion is the city of Dearborn, Michigan.

Thats from here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arabs_of_North_America.

The Detroit area is also home to a large Chaldean-Assyrian population and to the country's largest concentration of Arab Americans.

New York Definetly has more Arabs, as it has more people, but highest concentration of arabs is Detroit area.

TorontoGuy · Post by **TorontoGuy** » Fri Mar 17, 2006 8:43 am

Let's see. We can charge more for aisle seats or shave the paint off the planes to save fuel. Which will sound sillier in a news release? Hmmmm...

bizjet_mania · Post by **bizjet_mania** » Fri Mar 17, 2006 9:11 am

The should kept their old old paint scheme or their cargo scheme

http://www.airliners.net/open.file/0001972/L/

Expat · Post by **Expat** » Sat Mar 18, 2006 4:32 am

bizjet_mania wrote:I like Northwest, but I think they have reached the point they know they are sunk, they are milking this one as long as they can. High fares, very old airplane, even if they survive this, they'll never survive their next aircraft order to replace all those DC9s. Added with the accidents they are sure to have, they are done. I cant believe people are paying money to fly to Detroit!! MSP and MEM are not bad, but Northwest could of cashed in along time ago flying to the middle east, as Detroit has the largest arab population in North America. Code share or fly direct to Kuwait or Amman could of helped them a great deal I think.

I think that they could never compete with Emirates or Qatar! That would have done them in faster!
They simply cannot offer the services that middle east carriers enjoy, and make money. The playing field is not level...

bizjet_mania · Post by **bizjet_mania** » Sat Mar 18, 2006 7:33 am

Expat wrote:
bizjet_mania wrote:I like Northwest, but I think they have reached the point they know they are sunk, they are milking this one as long as they can. High fares, very old airplane, even if they survive this, they'll never survive their next aircraft order to replace all those DC9s. Added with the accidents they are sure to have, they are done. I cant believe people are paying money to fly to Detroit!! MSP and MEM are not bad, but Northwest could of cashed in along time ago flying to the middle east, as Detroit has the largest arab population in North America. Code share or fly direct to Kuwait or Amman could of helped them a great deal I think.
I think that they could never compete with Emirates or Qatar! That would have done them in faster!
They simply cannot offer the services that middle east carriers enjoy, and make money. The playing field is not level...

You're absolutely correct, Im just wondering why no middle eastern airline has started flying to Detroit yet.

CAPGEN · Post by **CAPGEN** » Sat Mar 18, 2006 9:16 am

"The emergency exit seat was once a great honor for the person who sat there was given a monumental responsibility should the plane have an emergency. It was bestowed to the most courageous passenger on a flight who knew how to open a door. Now would-be keepers of the emergency exit can just buy their way into the esteemed position. Many of us have earned that seat through backbreaking work, sheer force of will, and an intense desire to have more legroom. Charging for that seat belittles what it represents. "

http://www.somethingawful.com/articles.php?a=3655

YYC-OPS · Post by **YYC-OPS** » Sat Mar 18, 2006 11:44 am

cyyz wrote:
YYC-OPS wrote:
cyyz wrote:
F/As are mandated by the gov't, I would rather save 100 on a ticket and not have a flight with an F/A, call the gov't and tell them you don't want F/As on flights anymore.
Are you serious???!!!
At the number? I wouldn't expect to save a $100 on a flight without an F/A but I would fly NoF/A'sGo for a $100 discount if given the chance. And no I wouldn't fly on a plane without a pilot for a $100 discount.

Are you a pilot? Do you fly anything larger than a cropduster, i.e. anything with Flight Attendant(s) in the back end? If so, you must be a joy to work with. Your obviously low opinions on the role of an F/A are such that they are redundant on board.

Whilst it's all to easy to say that F/A's are just there to look pretty and act dumb, the fact is that a good operator will ensure they have a team of F/A's who are able to make a tangible difference to the safe running of an operation.

Fire onboard? Oh, in the absence of an F/A, let's just let the passengers deal with it... who cares that after 2 minutes left uncontrolled it's probably to late to save the airframe!

Emergency landing? Oh, the passengers can brief themself on how and when to brace, what to do when the door is jammed or the slide doesn't inflate, etc. etc.

Fortunately, the Federal Government mandates the provision of an F/A for SAFETY reasons once the 30 seat pax threshold is met, and I doubt they will give to much notice to people calling in saying they would like to compromise air safety if it could mean saving $100.

Just my .02c

Northwest to charge more for aisle, emergency exit seats

Northwest to charge more for aisle, emergency exit seats

but

Re: Northwest to charge more for aisle, emergency exit seats

Re: Northwest to charge more for aisle, emergency exit seats

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