http://boardingarea.com/blogs/onlinetravelreview/2008/06/02/american-airlines-to-charge-5-to-book-reward-ticket-online/ The Daily Airline News by Jared Blank Sat, 22 Nov 2008 02:06:50 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 http://boardingarea.com/blogs/onlinetravelreview/2008/06/02/american-airlines-to-charge-5-to-book-reward-ticket-online/#comment-3195 charlie Mon, 02 Jun 2008 17:00:44 +0000 http://boardingarea.com/blogs/onlinetravelreview/2008/06/02/american-airlines-to-charge-5-to-book-reward-ticket-online/#comment-3195 doesn't SW charge you extra for the early boarding racket? doesn’t SW charge you extra for the early boarding racket?

]]> http://boardingarea.com/blogs/onlinetravelreview/2008/06/02/american-airlines-to-charge-5-to-book-reward-ticket-online/#comment-3194 onlinetravelreview Mon, 02 Jun 2008 16:35:17 +0000 http://boardingarea.com/blogs/onlinetravelreview/2008/06/02/american-airlines-to-charge-5-to-book-reward-ticket-online/#comment-3194 Great idea, Avi. But I think somebody already stole your idea and called it Southwest Airlines. Great idea, Avi. But I think somebody already stole your idea and called it Southwest Airlines.

]]> http://boardingarea.com/blogs/onlinetravelreview/2008/06/02/american-airlines-to-charge-5-to-book-reward-ticket-online/#comment-3193 Avi Greengart Mon, 02 Jun 2008 16:08:20 +0000 http://boardingarea.com/blogs/onlinetravelreview/2008/06/02/american-airlines-to-charge-5-to-book-reward-ticket-online/#comment-3193 I know the environment is tough, and I know that consumers have traditionally booked whichever flight is cheapest. But is that still the case? When RyanAir wants to charge $5 for a drink or $10 for a bag on top of a $15 ticket, I understand. But as legacy airlines increasingly nickel and dime you on top of full fair ticket prices, doesn't that open an opportunity for someone to create an "all inclusive" fare? You don't have to advertise meals at mealtime or first class service, you can simply advertise that there are no hidden fees: free soft drinks! free legroom! free chair wide enough to sit in! free checked bag! free toilet paper in the free bathroom! free pressurized cabin! ...sort of an all premium economy service (or what economy used to be, circa 1980). I know the environment is tough, and I know that consumers have traditionally booked whichever flight is cheapest. But is that still the case? When RyanAir wants to charge $5 for a drink or $10 for a bag on top of a $15 ticket, I understand. But as legacy airlines increasingly nickel and dime you on top of full fair ticket prices, doesn’t that open an opportunity for someone to create an “all inclusive” fare? You don’t have to advertise meals at mealtime or first class service, you can simply advertise that there are no hidden fees: free soft drinks! free legroom! free chair wide enough to sit in! free checked bag! free toilet paper in the free bathroom! free pressurized cabin! …sort of an all premium economy service (or what economy used to be, circa 1980).

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