JetBlue may start charging for 1st checked bag
Frankly, it looks like a safe bet to me. Right now, Southwest and JetBlue are the only two big airlines that don't charge most passengers for a first checked bag -- JetBlue last year initiated a $20 fee for a second.
I spoke to JetBlue's CEO Dave Barger yesterday, and he told me that no decision had been made and that he was wary of being perceived as "nickel-and-diming'' customers on fees. However, he could see possibly levying a charge, but one that would come with an enhanced guarantee that, say, your bag would be available a defined number of minutes after you land.
And, he said, if JetBlue were going to go ahead with such a plan it would coincide nicely with the carrier's switchover from their Openskies passenger reservation service to the Sabre system, which is capable of handling more complex transactions -- read charges.
JetBlue spokesman Sebastian White said the airline expected to make the change in its reservation system in early 2010.
Airline Business magazine has quoted JetBlue as saying that if it started charging for a first bag that it would be worth $10 million in additional revenue.
But let's face it. If JetBlue does decide to start levying the charge, it would not be the first. All of its competitors are looking for more ways to raise income by unbundling charges, and all are reporting increased income from such "ancillaries'' (fees for more leg-room, talking to a real human, drinks, blankets and pillows, headphones, etc etc).
That is, after all, why the list of first-bag-fee adherents has grown. Yesterday Alaska Air said it would start charging $15 for a first checked bag, and Virgin America said last month that it too would jump on the bandwagon starting in May. (In fact, US Airways just announced that it would start hitting passengers who do not check in online 24 hours in advance with an additional $5 fee for each bag checked at the airport; this is on top of the $15 you pony up for a first bag and $25 for a second.)
Anyway, I will be surprised if we don't see an announcement early next year from JetBlue.
That will leave only Southwest, which allows passengers two free bags, and as recently as earlier this month company CEO Gary Kelly said that he remained steadfast in holding the line.
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Nooooooooo!
Face it, in this and every other respect, they're now just like Any Old Airline...
Rather than saying "Right now, Southwest and JetBlue are the only two big airlines that don't charge most passengers for a first checked bag" and then listing only a smattering of airlines that do, you muddy this issue. It would be more useful to survey ALL airlines departing from Boston/Providence and see what their charges for first and second bags are, and weight/size limits. I am flying on Lufthansa at the end of next month, and have not heard of their charging for checked baggage.
Sure, especially in the free direct tv at every seat, comfortable leather seats, and free $25 travel vouchers if your plane is delayed for > 1 hour because of mechanical and / or airline issues (without being asked even!!!).
I'd fly JetBlue over just about any other airline in the country when given the choice.
I do prefer Jet Blue for their flight options to the West Coast from Boston and nice comfy seats; but really... it's not a budget airline as they sometimes adverstise. It costs just as much to fly JB as other airlines. You still get a free snack and drink but I'm sure that will go by the wayside too.
I am a current long time Jet Blue customer and fly well over 25 flights/year with them. SWA is a 'cattle car' airline.
JB have all the right methods BUT this bag fee is one of the many reasons I left Delta. They are correct when they say 'nickel-diming'
Delta is a classic example of a mediocre airline at best and when they did away with SONG they lost my business. Now that they've merged with NWA it is a 'cesspool of mediocrity'.
All European(except for VA) and Asian airlines have gotten into a nickel-diming game. They'll keep charging until they have no more customers to charge or they'll merge with another bad airline.
They'll ju
Pretty soon they'll be charging for the air we breathe(bad air it is).
As far as Lufthansa goes, I just flew to Frankfurt and had no issues checking our first and only bag. In fact I was impressed that the wine was FREE of charge to passengers, try that on a domestic flight! Also, the food was better than average for what is given (Qantas seems to be the worst). I do imagine in the future that the airlines may start charging for tv/movies as well.
When will it ever end?
This blogger might want to review your comment before posting it.
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