I suppose now they are going to sell peanuts on the flights for $2 a swallow??

http://edition.cnn.com/2008/TRAVEL/0....ap/index.html

I suppose the restaurants and vendors are very happy about this. I would imagine that the airlines are going to have to clean a lot more french fries out of the seats now??

Oh well, I'd rather them dispense with the snacks than raise the airfares.

Besides, it's not like a packet of 5 mini pretzels made me partial to flying with UA anyway.

I really don't mind. I might if they were making record profits but they are not so I prefer this to raising airfares.

Well, again, I usually fly Southwest, who still have no change fees, no baggage fees, and free snacks. Apparently, they've not needed to cut snacks to save money.

To me, the hell with the free peanuts! Please do not touch the no change fees, that is what I love most about Southwest. I always book first with them for that reason even if the fare is higher.

I thought SW will start charging for extra baggage like everyone else. Correct me if I'm wrong.


But yeah, snacks don't make it or break it for me when flying on a certain airline. I'm just pleased to get water or sodas on the plane. I've not flown on SW, but I heard they charge for drinks. Is this true?

Nope. Southwest still allows two free checked bags per passenger. Third bag is $25. Bags 4-9 cost $50 each then any bags you want to check after that cost $110 each.

http://www.southwest.com/travel_center/baggage.html

I am certain I saw an article in the Dallas paper over the weekend that said Southwest will begin a new ad campaign soon.This will target the nickel and diming the other airlines are doing and pledge that WN will not fall into that line.

I actually think a 2nd bag fee is not unreasonable. AA's first bag fee though is ridiculous.

Vueling Airlines, a discount carrier in Europe, does not give ANY complimentary eats or drinks, not even water. I'm guessing this is how they keep their fares down. Gotta agree with the posters who made comments about SW~they appear to be the most consistent, and I try to fly with them whenever possible.
And I agree with Andrew~AA's first bag charge is assinine. How do they plan on enforcing it? Everyone is going to carry on their luggage, and the last 10 people who board will have to check their bags due to lack of space in the overhead bins. Then what? How are they going to charge for THAT? It's a silly idea. Increase the fare by $15.

Southwest has started that marketing campaign; I've recently heard it. Smart of them.

Yeah, here's their web page on it:

http://www.southwest.com/nofees/

I think it's right on, and I'm glad to see Southwest is making a commitment to sticking with no fees on all of those things.

that's one of the reasons I try to fly SW.....and you're right, Andrew, it was smart of them to take advantage of the outrage sparked by AA.

also, citrouille, SW charges for alcoholic drinks, sodas, coffee, tea, and water are complimentary.