Spirit's Baldanza defends cabin bag fee, meets with government officials

[NM]

From ATW Daily News:

Spirit Airlines President and CEO Ben Baldanza came to Washington yesterday and defended his airline's controversial plan to impose a $45 fee for carryon luggage that goes into overhead bins, telling the International Aviation Club that passenger response to the fee has been positive.

Hmm, charge for checked bags, charge for overhead locker space, how long till they charge for under-seat space too? It seems they can justify anything.

 

[JohnK]

It is starting to get beyone a joke.

Very soon you will be charged for the pressurised air you breathe in the cabin. Wonder how they will word that surcharge during the booking process?

"Would you like some air during your flight?"

 

[ejb]

It is starting to get beyone a joke.

Very soon you will be charged for the pressurised air you breathe in the cabin. Wonder how they will word that surcharge during the booking process?

"Would you like some air during your flight?"

$16.50 for Survival Pack perhaps:shock:

Comes complete with mask and tank.

ejb

 

[anat0l]

If they would only enforce the carry-on requirements properly, there would be no need for this kerfuffle.

But only in this way they make more money: although the purported reason is to save time, the same time savings would be made by enforcing the carry-on requirements at the gate level. However, enforcing at the gate level requires proper weighing balances and extra staff/lanes to process pax, which costs money. By charging immediately for carry-ons in overheads, you can guarantee this way that an airline will make money.

I wouldn't know what is an effective means of enforcing carry-on requirements so people don't carry the kitchen sink with them and hold up boarding, although mind you if everyone carried a rollerboard even at regulation size, there is still no way that they would all fit on a full flight.

In any case, market forces will dictate the course of events (i.e. if people really don't like it, they won't fly Spirit and the airline will feel the impact on their bottom line). Right?

 

[pauly7]

I hate seeing these articles because I know its only a matter of time before Virgin/jetstar will see it and ponder something similar!

 

[JetLagged]

Hmm, charge for checked bags, charge for overhead locker space, how long till they charge for under-seat space too? It seems they can justify anything.

Like Ryanair 'suggesting' charging to use the loo - and JAL not that far behind the same!