14
Mar
2006
Posted by: Mark Ashley
Beginning today, Northwest Airlines will start selling the exit row seats and “select” aisle seats for $15. This charge will apparently also apply to WorldPerks Elite members.
The fact that the airline, struggling in bankruptcy, is trying to monetize its better seats is hardly surprising. United has been selling upgrades to Economy Plus for some time, and other airlines around the world are charging fees for everything from cold beverages to pillows.
But the fact that Northwest is charging this fee to its elite members is a slap in the face to those flyers who have shown loyalty to the airline. Thanks for flying, now give us more money.
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February 25th, 2007 at 7:49 pm
[...] While he is right that elite status on the major airlines is not the same today as it was even five years ago, it’s still a heck of a lot better than being a general member. My Star Alliance Gold status still gets me access to nice lounges around the globe, ability to reserve the better economy seats (without a fee a la Northwest), higher baggage allowances, faster check-in, and shorter waits at security lines. (Not to mention the bonus miles, which he says he can’t use.) [...]
April 17th, 2008 at 9:18 pm
[...] subscribing to the latest posts via RSS or e-mail. Thanks for visiting!I was thinking more about Northwest’s new policy of charging for exit row seats and “prime” aisle [...]
April 17th, 2008 at 9:48 pm
[...] don’t forget that this isn’t a new idea. Sure, when Northwest did this two years ago I expressed my disdain. But that was two years ago. We’re all more jaded now, so I’ll just sigh in [...]
August 19th, 2010 at 4:16 pm
[...] (pre-merger with Delta) started selling selected seats at the front of the economy section back in 2006. And United has sold Economy Plus upgrades for most of the past decade. (Though those seats have [...]