Comments

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  Sam Scribe September 10, 2010 at 6:42pm

  I think ANA is launching a discount airline that will offer Japan low-priced domestic and international routes, and JAL may be considering the same thing. Anyone know more about that?
  This is great if you're flying from Beijing or Seoul, but would you book seats on a discount airline on a long or overnight flight to Japan?
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  Ed Wetschler September 6, 2010 at 12:59am

  And speaking of tomorrow's campaign kick-off, Charlie, this just in from eTurboNews:
  
  "Airline fees, once merely irritating, have blossomed into a major source of airline profits and a growing headache for travelers.
  
  Passengers have grudgingly paid for checked baggage, ticket changes and onboard meals. But fees to board early, access a wireless Internet connection in-flight, or fly on standby have emerged recently. And... 'We've not even begun to touch the bottom of the barrel with airline service fees,' said Stuart Klaskin, a Miami-based airline consultant.
  
  'It's a successful formula for restoring airlines to profitability,' said George Hobica, founder of Airfarewatchdog.com. 'If they hadn't done it, we would have had fewer airlines....'
  
  Kate Hanni, founder of the airline passenger organization flyersrights.org wants the DOT to issue a rule requiring airlines to publish on their Web sites a comprehensive fee guide that is accessible to consumers before they enter the personal information required to purchase a ticket.
  
  'At least then you'll be able to compare airlines,' she said....
  
  'Any fee that the consumer doesn't revolt over is going to stay, [Michael] Boyd [of the Boyd Group] said."
  
  But will consumers revolt?
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  Jools Stone September 5, 2010 at 7:36pm

  Very interesting, thanks Charlie.
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  Charlie Leocha September 5, 2010 at 7:33pm

  Guys, The Consumer Travel Alliance together with the Business Travel Coalition and the American Society of Travel Agents are kicking off a campaign tomorrow that will give Americans a chance to let the DOT know we are fed up with hidden airline fees. More coming on Tuesday morning.
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  Ed Wetschler September 5, 2010 at 6:13pm

  To us, Jools, even BritRail is fabulous. I guess it's all relative.
  
  Max, here's the problem with the airlines, especially the American legacy carriers: They've fired thousands of staffers, downsized the peanuts, created fees for everything from carry-on bags to Coca-Cola, and crammed every seat, yet they're still a lousy investment. They don't dare treat us better without fomenting a revolt among the shareholders.
  
  Moreover, they don't have to. They've learned that when we have to get from A to B, we have to get from A to B.
  
  So it still comes down to this: How much more $ are we willing to spend to get a more civilized flight experience?
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  Jools Stone September 5, 2010 at 5:40pm

  I agree with you all the way to Aunt Sadie's Max. It's a crying shame that whole swathes of yr country are inaccessible by rail. I haven't experienced it yet, but I've read as much before. UK is not so great compared to western Europe really, but fares are plain silly. You can cross Russia cheaper than you can, say Scotland. At least we can train it to Paris from London faster than the speed of a flying erm bullet plane, or something. There needs to be price parity, I think it will come eventually, maybe not in our lifetimes though.
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  Max Pesling September 5, 2010 at 5:24pm

  Hahahahahahahahaha!!!!!! Thanks, Jools, your suggestion just made my day. Train service in our country is a joke. Albania probably has better train service than we do, thanks no doubt to the powerful automobile and airline industry lobbies. Yes, Amtrak is worse, sometimes more expensive, and most importantly, for the most part NOT THERE. With some notable exceptions, like the Northeast Corridor (Washington to Boston), most of this country is vastly underserved by rail service, to a degree unimaginable to people lucky enough to have access to Europe's excellent train system. Do you realize we don't have a single high-speed train in this country like Spain's heavenly AVE? If I could take the train to Florida to visit my aunt Sadie (that really is her name!) and be there in 7 hours instead of 20-something, I would happily do so. The one time I took Amtrak to Florida I swore I'd never do it again.
  
  IMHO when rail travel is good it is the BEST way to travel, bar none. We just have some catching up to do, that's all.
  
  And Ed, how much would I be willing to spend for a more civilized flight experience? I don't think I should have to. I think the airlines should provide it now, with what I'm paying now.
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  Jools Stone September 5, 2010 at 5:07pm

  @Max, true enough, so why not take the train instead? Or is Amtrak worse, just too expensive etc...I'm in Europe myself
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  Ed Wetschler September 5, 2010 at 5:06pm

  Jools, the distinction Max makes seems to address your question as well. To Jools and Max and everyone else: Maybe the right question for me to ask is, How much more $ are we willing to spend to get a more civilized flight experience?
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  Max Pesling September 5, 2010 at 4:57pm

  Ed, we're a nation of complainers, so let's start there. That being said, you're right, 15 cents per mile doesn't seem like so much to fly through the air, something our ancestors couldn't even imagine. Personally, I don't think airfares are usually outrageous. What I do think is outrageous is the treatment we get, starting with the airport experience; rude personnel; shrinking legroom; no more free snacks -- and what they do offer for inflated prices is outright mediocre. And let's not even talk about all the add-on fees! So, while prices are, in my view, acceptable, the experience and service are not.