US Airways last week joined the slew of airlines charging fees for what used to be free services, announcing it will nix free beverages and begin charging passengers for any checked luggage.
The carrier, the largest at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, will charge $15 for the first piece of checked baggage beginning July 9. American and United airlines recently announced they would begin charging for checked luggage as well.
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As of July 1, Southwest Airlines will be the only U.S. carrier that permits two checked bags for free, travel expert Tom Parsons told The Associated Press. He expects still more service fees to come.
US Airways blamed high fuel costs on the moves, estimating fuel will cost $1.9 billion more than in 2007. The carrier’s “business model transformation” also includes 1,700 layoffs.
“Considering the fuel prices, I don’t see how much more they can take away, but I’m sure they’ll find something,” 49-year-old Joseph Murphey said while waiting for a plane at the airport Friday. The historical architect added that it will “help me give up Cokes.”
“I think they’re nickel-and-diming everybody,” said Kathy Winters, about to board a plane for Phoenix. “They’re charging for bags, they’re charging for drinks, they’re charging for food — and I know they say its because of the gas prices, but I just think it’s bad.”
The struggling airline industry says it is trying to survive by passing along record fuel prices to passengers through the service charges, fuel surcharges and higher fares.
“The major airlines are truly a la carte now — you don’t get anything free any more,” said Parsons, chief executive of the travel Web site BestFares.com. “You get a tin can in the air, and anything else you pay as you go.”
Airport vendors said they do not expect to see higher preflight drink purchases because people cannot take liquids through security. Only a limited number of vendors are near the boarding gates.
Bill Whitley, who was flying to New York, said he would approve of the fees under one condition.
“If they do those things and don’t raise the prices on the tickets, then OK,” he said.
