Gone are the days of economy airfares as we remember them. With fuel prices escalating, airlines are strategically trying to balance promotions and maintaining profits.
With airlines in and out of bankruptcies, the fuel prices are adding to the worries. If ticket costs are to high, less people travel. When less people travel, airlines loose additional profits. And unfortunately for us as travelers they (the airlines) become more creative in new approaches for additional revenue.
We can't bring back the "old days" but we can reminisce. Do you remember when a great bargain was $199.00 roundtrip air from Los Angeles to Honolulu? You could check in three pieces of luggage and bring a carry on, you got a hot meal, a pillow, blanket and your travel agent made a small commission for helping you book the trip. So for most Mainlanders it was great because you could buy a case of pineapple at the airport on your return and use that as your third check in item. Then slowly at first prices started climbing about six years ago, but we were still okay because we still had our three pieces of luggage, a hot meal, pillow and blanket. Then things just went downhill from there, prices doubled, the airlines dropped us to two pieces of luggage and then started charging for luggage. No meals served on board and the price of watching a movie jumped to the same price as watching a movie in a theater and your travel agent charged you a service fee to book your trip.
All these changes and yet we still have airlines dropping off the planet like flies. American airlines, just filed bankruptcy, AGAIN!
What can we expect! Entrance fees to the airport, a fee to use the airplane potty, perhaps the stewards and stewardess will now encourage tips for pouring your half a can of soda. I really do not know what absurd feature they will present, but I am prepared with an "I told you so" when it is presented.
So besides charging higher airfares this summer, keep your eye out for creative minds and new fees. Readjust your expectations to what a bargain is with the airlines, for future sticker shock.
With airlines in and out of bankruptcies, the fuel prices are adding to the worries. If ticket costs are to high, less people travel. When less people travel, airlines loose additional profits. And unfortunately for us as travelers they (the airlines) become more creative in new approaches for additional revenue.
We can't bring back the "old days" but we can reminisce. Do you remember when a great bargain was $199.00 roundtrip air from Los Angeles to Honolulu? You could check in three pieces of luggage and bring a carry on, you got a hot meal, a pillow, blanket and your travel agent made a small commission for helping you book the trip. So for most Mainlanders it was great because you could buy a case of pineapple at the airport on your return and use that as your third check in item. Then slowly at first prices started climbing about six years ago, but we were still okay because we still had our three pieces of luggage, a hot meal, pillow and blanket. Then things just went downhill from there, prices doubled, the airlines dropped us to two pieces of luggage and then started charging for luggage. No meals served on board and the price of watching a movie jumped to the same price as watching a movie in a theater and your travel agent charged you a service fee to book your trip.
All these changes and yet we still have airlines dropping off the planet like flies. American airlines, just filed bankruptcy, AGAIN!
What can we expect! Entrance fees to the airport, a fee to use the airplane potty, perhaps the stewards and stewardess will now encourage tips for pouring your half a can of soda. I really do not know what absurd feature they will present, but I am prepared with an "I told you so" when it is presented.
So besides charging higher airfares this summer, keep your eye out for creative minds and new fees. Readjust your expectations to what a bargain is with the airlines, for future sticker shock.
