http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/36193399/ns/travel-news/
I don't care about Spirit Airlines. I never have flown them, probably never will fly them, even if they have MILF and Muff Diving Sales, but what worries me is this:
If this is successful for Spirit, the other airlines will follow suit. After American Airlines started charging for the first checked bag, we all thought they were crazy and no other airline would go along. Now not even 2 years later, and every major airline, save for Southwest and JetBlue, charge for the first bag.
Spirit Airlines will charge as much as $45 each way for a carry-on bag, adding a fee that bigger airlines have yet to try.
The charge will apply to bags in the overhead bin. Personal items that fit under the seat will still be free. Spirit said it will add measuring devices at the gates to determine which carry-ons are free and which ones will incur the charge.
The new charge is $45 if paid at the gate, and $30 if paid in advance, and begins Aug. 1. Spirit said on Tuesday that it reduced its lowest fares by $40 on average, so most customers won't really pay more to fly.
I don't care about Spirit Airlines. I never have flown them, probably never will fly them, even if they have MILF and Muff Diving Sales, but what worries me is this:
Even though it's a minor player, bigger airlines are likely to watch to see whether customers are willing to pay for carry-ons. None of the major carriers made any immediate changes to their fees on Tuesday morning.
If this is successful for Spirit, the other airlines will follow suit. After American Airlines started charging for the first checked bag, we all thought they were crazy and no other airline would go along. Now not even 2 years later, and every major airline, save for Southwest and JetBlue, charge for the first bag.