Bad ideas go viral: US Airways starts charging for aisle and window seats
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US Airways, dead-set on reminding Americans why they should dislike air travel with a passion, and insistent on making the movement from point A to point B just a smidge tackier, adopts Northwest’s 2006 “innovation” of charging a fee for aisle or window seats.
They’re even borrowing the name. Northwest called it “Coach Choice.” US Airways is calling it “Choice Seats”… in coach.
Sure, it’s not every aisle and every window, just the front rows. Sure, elite frequent flyers in the US Airways program get to reserve the seats for free. And sure, if the plane is full and there aren’t suckers willing to pay the extra fee ahead of time, anyone and everyone will get those seats anyway.
But let’s be clear: These aren’t perks. There’s no extra legroom. And these sure aren’t business or first class seats. They’re just regular seats.
For those who are shocked — shocked! — at this new policy, 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 resignation.
The value of this program will honestly be minimal for most travelers. Sure, it’s nice to sit in front so you can get off the plane faster, but the front of US Airways economy is not a different seat, as it is on United, so you’re not getting much for your money. So instead of sitting in row 7, you can sit in row 14. Big deal.
The real losers here are other Star Alliance airlines’ elites, who might have gotten these seats for free earlier. But again, it’s not a free upgrade. It’s not a meaningful perk.
So if it’s a perk not worth caring about, why would it be a perk worth paying for?…
Simple. It’s not.
Related:
- Finding decent seats without paying the extra fee
- Northwest to elite members: Drop dead
- Yes sir, I’d just love to pay extra for an aisle seat with no extra legroom!
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April 17th, 2008 at 10:56 pm |
Well, I think some travelers do consider the front of the economy cabin to be more desirable than the back. Not all seats are created equal, even if the actual seat/space is identical. For instance, on international flights getting off the aircraft quickly can make the difference between a 5 min immigration wait and a 30 - 60 min wait. LH, for example, also seems to reserve the front of the economy cabin for their frequent flyers. They don’t charge extra cash, but they clearly believe that it’s a perk that should be reserved for those who deserve it (and I as a Star Alliance Gold member have ended up sitting in a middle seat in the back).
Now, I am not a US Preferred flyer and as a UA 1K I don’t benefit. But if my choice is $5 for a somewhat “nicer seat” or a bad seat in the back, I’ll gladly pony up the little extra money.
April 18th, 2008 at 8:56 am |
I agree that not all seats are created equal, and in that spirit, it becomes all the more important to check SeatGuru before choosing where to park your butt.
And getting off the plane earlier is indeed valuable under certain circumstances. A tight connection, or an international flight, in particular. So yes, I could see paying a few bucks under those circumstances. But not every circumstance.
The irony remains that late arrivals to the airport are likely to get these seats for free when they check in at a kiosk. Much as UA’s economy plus seats are assigned to late arrivals if the plane is full.
And don’t get me started about Lufthansa. Even with United elite status that afforded Star Alliance Gold recognition, I somehow always got assigned seats in the last row of the plane, right next to the toilet.
April 18th, 2008 at 10:06 am |
[…] | Here are two takes on the US Airways move to charge for aisle and window seats. Upgrade: Travel Better vents about this decision and reminds us it’s not a new change (Northwest did it in 2006) and […]
April 18th, 2008 at 4:32 pm |
More reason not to fly.
April 20th, 2008 at 8:31 pm |
I often find myself puzzling over people’s desire to find any reason to knock air travel. I’m not necessarily saying that this is the best idea that US Airways has had, but suffice to say that every airline is looking for any source of incremental income. Which often lends me to thinking about the status of air travel in the United States.
So often US airlines are compared to Asian or European mainline carriers, which I think is a bad comparison to make. On my last flight on Delta I was in first class from Denver to Atlanta (thank you Gold status) and the gentleman sitting next to me talked endlessly about how much better Lufthansa is than Delta. If you look at the route networks and aircraft distribution for LH and DL, of course it’s going to be better on LH. Same with Asian carriers. They aren’t serving as domestic carrier for the third largest country in the world.
Further, LH isn’t filling up their planes with a bunch of people who believe that they deserve to travel by aircraft and that they deserve first class treatment for a $400 transcontinental coach ticket. US carriers are hamstrung because they believe (or are forced by the DOT Essential Air Service program) to serve small and underperforming communities.
That being said, if Delta decided that they were going to pull service (including RJ service) to all but major markets, and focus on creating a premium 3-class international carrier, the uproar from citizens and politicians would force them to revert to their old ways in order to “serve the people.” Nevermind that by “serving the people” the airline is forced to destroy itself.
April 20th, 2008 at 9:23 pm |
Clever use of the word “choice” to make something distasteful sound great.
April 24th, 2008 at 5:10 pm |
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