It's been more than two years since most major airlines "unbundled" their fares and began charging passengers for the first checked bag. And although air travelers are now paying more for their luggage than ever -- $2.7 billion last year, compared with just $1.1 billion in 2008 -- they are deeply unhappy about it, according to a new poll.
A survey of more than 1,000 travelers by the Consumer Travel Alliance suggests air travelers are more upset about the checked luggage charges than any other airline fee. Asked what they missed the most about air travel, 56 percent said it was the ability to check their first bag without paying extra. Roughly 20 percent said they missed meals, and slightly fewer -- 19 percent -- missed the ability to make a confirmed seat reservation. About 5 percent of respondents missed the free pillows and blankets.
"It's almost impossible for the casual traveler to go without luggage, or even the road warriors who have to stay over several nights," says Robin Edelston, a frequent traveler from Cos Cob, Conn. "And charging for checked luggage encourages people to cram stuff into the overhead bins when the airlines should be encouraging people to stow it in cargo."
Airlines have used these and other surcharges, such as ticket change fees, to return to profitability. Last week, for example, US Airways president Scott Kirby said his airline expects to bring in $500 million in so-called "ancillary" fees this year, recording a net profit of between $450 million to $475 million.
"A la carte revenues represent 100 percent of that profitability," he said. ...........(more)
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http://www.chicagotribune.com/travel/orl-travel-troubleshooter-3-121510,0,818812.column