I'm kind of impressed by Spirit Airlines' new carry-on baggage fee.

[randomness]

And it looks like Congress is too: http://www.businessweek.com/news/2010-04-13/spirit-s-carry-on-bag-fees-draws-senate-bill-to-ban-practice.html

Carrying a bag onto a Spirit flight will cost passengers $45 at the gate, or $30 if paid in advance, starting in August

Even AirAsia and Ryanair haven't thought of that one...but I'm guessing they'll try now.

Comments

[cerridwynn.livejournal.com]

While i think the price is pretty steep, i have said for years that they should charge for carry-on bags.

I get very annoyed with entitled people who try to carry on huge bags, take up far more than their share of overhead space, and slow down boarding. Charging for checked bags made me more sympathetic towards those people, but only slightly. I have always thought the airlines had it backwards and, really, it was the carry-on bags they needed to charge.

(I have mumbled this to flight attendants before, and they have always agreed with me...)

[r-ness.livejournal.com]

I am currently carrying a bag that is so small even my netbook won't fit in it.

My big peeve is that the airlines are hiding these fees from fare comparison, which is not at all transparent. It's fine if I can figure out what the actual fare is going to be and make a fair decision, but not if they slam me out of the blue.

I've been flying airlines like JetStar, Tiger Airways, and AirAsia, who along with Ryanair and easyJet are the kings of fare unbundling, so I don't actually have a philosophical objection to it, just the way it's being used to obscure the true ticket cost.

[cerridwynn.livejournal.com]

I guess i assumed that small bags/purses would not cost extra -- that would be a bit ridiculous! But, then, perhaps not that unexpected these days...

And, sure, i agree with you about the unbundling. I guess i just feel that if they charge to check a bag -- which i have always viewed as the less convenient but far more responsible way to go -- then they should charge for a second carry-on as well.