Fuel costs push airlines to raise charges on drinks iaelorstasenonline Starting aug.1, US
Airways will add michael kors outlet nonalcoholic
beverages to the growing list of amenities not included in a flight's base fare,
thanks largely to increasing fuel costs. Water, soda and juices will set
passengers back $2.The cost of alcoholic beverages will increase from $5 to $7.
Fliers will face higher fees for more than just drinks.Yesterday, us airways and
united airlines announced separately that they will soon charge some customers
$15 for their first checked bag.Carrier to announce that it would charge a
firstbag fee.United will also increase other baggage fees, including those for
overweight bags and bags that require special handling. And passengers may have
a harder time finding a flight.Us airways will reduce flights starting in the
fall.Continental airlines yesterday released details of flight reductions
announced last week.Among other changes, continental will discontinue flights
between dulles international airport and its hubs in houston and cleveland. The
cost of jet fuel has roughly doubled in the past year, with spot prices around
$4 a gallon.Airlines were facing financial struggles before the fuel spike, and
many carriers say they have no choice but to pass the increases on to customers.
The combination of added fare and fuel charges will cover less than 15 percent
of the industry's fuel costs increases, said kevin mitchell, chairman of the
business travel coalition.Carriers had been reluctant to add fees for basic
services in the past for fear of a consumer backlash, mitchell said, but
airlines now have little choice but to charge for individual services, a model
common among european airlines. "A good number of travelers are going to feel
that this is yet again more nickelanddiming,"Said mitchell, whose group is an
advocacy organization for corporate buyers of business travel services. "But
it's a matter of [airlines'] survival at this point. " For now, thirsty us
airways passengers who are out of cash are out of luck.The carrier is not yet
prepared to accept onboard credit card payments, us airways spokesman phil gee
said.That service is coming, he said, but in the meantime, passengers with
special needs will be accommodated. "For individuals that are sick or that are
taking medication, the flight attendants will address the situation, always
taking care of the customer,"Gee said. David stempler, president of the air
travelers association, said that after the sticker shock of the base fare, a $15
bag check fee or a $2 beverage fee won't be enough to get customers to choose
another carrier. "After you've made a decision about the flight, you're already
committed,"He said. "It's too late to do anything about it.You just sort of have
to take it.I think that every service that the airlines provide other than using
the lavatory can be the subject of fees and charges. "
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