Northwest to charge extra for aisle

[Saddle Bronc 124]

Revenue-hungry airline to charge for aisle seats

Tue Mar 14, 2006 3:28 PM ET

By Kyle Peterson

CHICAGO (Reuters) - Struggling U.S. airlines, looking for new ways to generate revenue, are getting bolder about charging for pretty much anything that makes air travel a little more comfortable -- including aisle seats.

First came charging passengers for in-flight meals. Then, reservations done by phone cost extra. And now, one major airline, Northwest Airlines Corp. <NWACQ.PK>, is trying to charge passengers for the right to sit in aisle seats and emergency-exit rows.

The day is coming when carriers will require special fees even to check a bag, experts say.

Analysts told Reuters that travelers should brace for more nickel and diming as airlines seek to recoup losses from soaring fuel costs and competitive pressures. Airlines are likely to test passengers' willingness to pay for an ever wider array of services.

"We're just scratching the surface. I think 2006 is going to bring a tremendous amount of changes," said Terry Trippler, an analyst with travel Web site Cheapseats.com.

"I think it's going to be the difference between a black bottom line and a red one," he said.

Bankrupt Northwest this week unveiled a program called Coach Choice in which the carrier will save some preferred coach seating on the aisle or emergency-exit rows until check-in. Passengers can pay $15 per flight to sit in those seats, which may offer more room.

Airlines has been weakened by rising fuel prices and low-fare competition that keeps ticket prices low. In recent years, carriers have been trying to cut costs by eliminating expendable services and perks. AMR Corp's <AMR.N> American Airlines and Delta Air Lines <DALRQ.PK> last year eliminated pillows on domestic flights.

"It's certainly a trend. I expect to see more of it," said Morningstar equity analyst Chris Lozier. "I had never even considered the possibility of charging for aisle seats. It's definitely being taken to extremes at this point."

Lozier said airlines must be careful when implementing programs like Northwest's. Carriers run the risk of alienating customers if they charge for services or seats that do not have special fees attached at other airlines.

Most carriers have cut meal service on shorter flights in the coach section. Many have begun charging for food, drinks and entertainment that used to be free.

Other airlines also have creative upgrade programs, such as UAL Corp's <UAUA.O> United Airlines, which in 2005 started allowing passengers to pay a fee to upgrade to unsold seats in a better section of the plane at the time of check in.

"Most of our perks are still free," said UAL spokeswoman Robin Urbanski. "We still have free pillows, blankets and headsets."

United expects its Economy Plus program to boost revenue by about $50 million in 2006.

In the fourth quarter, American Airlines boosted revenue on top of regular ticket sales by 22 percent to $360 million. That included charging customers $25 for same-day flight changes.

US Airways Group <LCC.N> has said it looks at opportunities to bring in extra money for services passengers value. The trick is to determine which services those are.

"We don't have any immediate plans to charge new fees. But we think it's logical to charge for new services," said Scott Kirby, executive vice president, sales and marketing at US Air.

American Eagle, a regional unit of American Airlines, said last week that it has given up trying to charge passengers for soft drinks because passengers were unwilling to pay for them.

A next step -- one that may be controversial -- could be that airlines will start charging for bag checking, said Cheapseats' Trippler.

Generally, airlines do not charge to check bags that weigh 50 pounds or less. Many charge for bags that weigh 51 pounds or more.

The possibilities for special fees are almost limitless, Trippler said. Airlines just need to be creative.

"This is all gravy," he said.

http://today.reuters.com/news/newsarticle....FEES.xml&rpc=23

[pax 0]

I seriously laughed when I heard about charging for the exit row. I've never seen a plane that had more room in an exit row. And who wants to sit there, anyway?

[TracyTN 237]

My fiance often wants the exit row on the flights from London. Its not a lot more leg room, but it is enough to make a difference for a 6'2" person!

Edited March 15, 2006 by TracyTN

[m_and_m20 0]

"Most of our perks are still free," said UAL spokeswoman Robin Urbanski. "We still have free pillows, blankets and headsets."

Gee.....free pillows and blankets, i dont know if i can handle that!

[pax 0]

I brought my own blanket the last time I went to Scotland, anyway.

Come to think of it, I bring my own music, snacks, and water bottle, usually, anyway. So unless they start charging for baggage, they can't nickel and dime ME! HA HA!!!

[Saddle Bronc 124]

My dad (6' even) always likes aisle seats; I (6'1", with 36" legs) prefer windows (because this means a WALL that I can lean on to doze) especially on long flights.

I agree with pax that exit rows are useless.

[JubJub 0]

An exit row on a larger jet often has more leg-room than a standard seat. Only problem I've encountered is that sometimes the slide-raft will somewhat interfere, on the window exit row seats. You don't have to worry about the person in front of you reclining their seat, and you can get up to go potty without waking up your neighbours.

Usually, the exit row seats are reserved for those with "elite" frequent flier status on that particular airline/network.

[Canuck Carrie 1]

I do a lot of flight bookings and everyone requests an aisle and/or exit row.

If NWA wants to increase passenger volume, they should think about lowering their fares, disgustingly overpriced esp. from MSP.

[zyggy 9]

Comments from a Detroit Free Press columnist about this very thing

BRIAN DICKERSON: The view of nothing special will cost extra

March 15, 2006

Starting this week, Northwest Airlines will ask passengers on most domestic flights if they're interested in paying $15 extra for certain prime seats in coach -- exit-row seats or aisle seats near the front of the cabin.

-- Free Press, March 14

I was sneaking a look at the backside of Donut Delirium's newest waitress when Augie, the joint's grizzled proprietor, broke the bad news.

"That'll be three bucks," he said.

"Who's squeezing you, Augie?" I asked good-naturedly. "Is it the cruller cartel again, or those Colombian coffee barons?"

"Crullers and coffee cost the same as always," Augie said. "But you sat at the table in the window. There's a 50-cent surcharge for that."

"A 50-cent what?" I demanded. "Tell me you're pulling my leg, you old goat."

"Supply and demand," Augie shrugged. "You stay at an oceanfront resort, you pay extra for a room on the water. It's the same principle."

"But this is a doughnut shop," I protested.

"A doughnut shop with six tables," Augie pointed out. "And only one of 'em comes with a view."

"A view of the car dealership across the street."

"Hey, it's the best seat in the house," Augie said defensively. "You'd rather look at the door of the men's restroom next time, maybe I can save you some money."

Ten minutes later, in a parking lot two blocks from my office, I handed four singles to Max, the attendant.

"It's five dollars," he said.

I pointed to the sign hanging over the lot -- "IN BEFORE 9 A.M., $4" -- and showed Max my watch.

"Eight-fifty-four, EST, I said. "Six minutes to spare."

"Yeah," Max conceded, "but you took a prime spot. There's a 20% premium for the spaces nearest the street."

"Max, the only spaces left are the ones nearest the street," I pointed out.

"Well, sure," he replied. "The $4 spots go quick."

The day had hardly begun, and I was already a buck-fifty under water. I ducked into the corner newsstand and pulled a Free Press from the bottom of the stack.

"That'll be 55 cents," Lillian the cashier said. I looked at the two quarters in my hand felt my face flush.

"Look," I began. "I don't know what you're trying to pull, but..."

"Where'd you get that paper?" Lillian snapped, cutting me short.

"Right there," I said, pointing to the stack.

"I know that," she said impatiently. "But did you take the paper on top of the stack? Or did you take a different one?"

"I took one from the bottom," I said. "So what?"

"I knew it!" Lillian said triumphantly. "All my neurotic customers do that. It's like they think the paper on top is spoiled, or something."

"But it's not spoiled!" I shouted. "It's the same as all the other papers!"

"I couldn't agree more," the Lillian said. "I'm not the one who had to have a 55-cent paper from the bottom of the stack."

"OK, so I'm a little fussy," I admitted. "You're saying there's a charge for that?"

"Hey, Mr. Picky-pants, welcome to 2006," the cashier said. "There's a charge for everything."

[canadalaura 0]

I love exit rows - especially on looooong flights. There is so much more room. I think I'd pay a nominal fee to sit in an exit row on a large jet for a long international flight. Not worth it for an aisle or on a dometic flight I don't think though...

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

I seriously laughed when I heard about charging for the exit row. I've never seen a plane that had more room in an exit row. And who wants to sit there, anyway?

Many have extra room. But some will have limited reclining abilities. You can use Seat Guru to check out the best (or worse) seats on many airlines.

http://www.seatguru.com/

[Saddle Bronc 124]

I do a lot of flight bookings and everyone requests an aisle and/or exit row.

If NWA wants to increase passenger volume, they should think about lowering their fares, disgustingly overpriced esp. from MSP.

Or increasing the quality of service, which has been noticeably absent in most US airlines' vocabulary (IMO, right since the mid-1970's at least; I can still all-too-clearly remember a surviving-hell flight by Pan-Am from 32 years ago!)

[pax 0]

Well, you learn something new every day.

Maybe I just don't notice because I'm 5'1".

[annelizabeth 1]

The exit rows by the door are wonderful on AA, there is infinite legroom. Admittedly, the centre row they call an exit row is just the same as the others. I always try to get the one by the door and it is generally only available to frequent fliers.

[Fuzzness 2]

First off, oil companies have to be charged with something. There is absolutely NO reason for the price of gas these days!

Secondly, I *always* request a window seat! preferably in the back, somewhere behind the wings.

Thirdly, airlines in north america know nothing about service. All they care about is making money, not providing a service. I think Cathay Pacific should buy them all and run them properly.