Extra Chargers for Air Travel
Tuesday, May 27th, 2008How can you cope with the extra charges for air travel due to the higher cost of oil? Oil prices will continue to rise due to the ever increasing global demand for oil. This means that gas and fuel prices will continue to increase long term. This all presents an interesting and costly problem for the airline industry in coping with these rising jet fuel prices while trying to stay competitive and still make a profit. The high cost of oil will greatly change the way airlines operate.
The airlines have been using more efficient airplanes, removing unnecessary weight such as lighter food carts, removing seat back phones and even any unnecessary wiring. So now the airlines are trying to get passengers to either travel with less baggage or have the passenger pay extra for checked luggage.
Airlines will try to pass the higher fuel prices on to their customers as additional charges and not as part of the base ticket price. This makes the initial airfare look more competitive since the extra charges are not listed until after the flight itinerary has been planned and ready to be charged.
Now that American Airlines is charging $15 for the first checked piece of luggage, other airlines are sure to follow. If you are accustomed to taking several pieces of checked baggage, the second piece is $25 and $100 for the third; so be prepared. There are the obvious things a passenger can do to limit the cost of checking bags.
- Take fewer items, especially large items. Only pack what you plan to need for each day.
- Pack more efficiently by using smaller personal items.
- Pickup your toiletries needed at your destination and in a small size.
- Ship the bulky items UPS.
- Have more carry-on items.
- If you normally check two small pieces of luggage, try to use one larger piece.
- Rent the sports gear; golf clubs, skis, dive equipment, and climbing gear count toward your baggage allowance.
- Take paperback books instead of hardcover books.
- For stays of more than a week, use laundry services.
- Be one of the first to board your plane’s section to make sure you have room for your carryons.
Airlines will keep looking for ways to limit weight and collect more revenue. Other things a future passenger needs to be aware of may be less obvious.
- Airport check-in may take longer due to the extra fees and customer complaints.
- Airport security lines could be longer since more people will carry more items onboard.
- Delays due to full flights and more carry on bags.
- Extra charges for unaccompanied children flying on planes.
- Added restrictions and charges for transportation of pets.
So what are the other possible charges coming in the future? The airline industry will have to change to stay in business, any insight as to how?