American Airlines to charge $8 for blanket, pillow
07:33 AM CST on Tuesday, February 9, 2010
By TERRY MAXON / The Dallas Morning News
[email protected]
The blanket and pillow are going the way of the in-flight meal on American Airlines Inc. – if you want one, you'll have to pay for it.
The Fort Worth-based carrier said Monday that it will take the free red blankets out of its coach section on all North American flights as of May 1. On flights of more than two hours, passengers in coach can buy a blanket and pillow for $8.
"We evaluate all aspects of our business, and we have to make sure that decisions like this are prudent and strategic for the long-term success of our company," American spokeswoman Andrea Huguely said Monday. "As a result, we're removing the blankets and pillows from selected flights."
The new policy applies to coach passengers on flights to the United States, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central America, she said. The airline will still provide pillows and blankets at no extra cost in first class and business class and to all passengers to other international destinations.
The $8 will buy a passenger a blue fleece blanket, an inflatable neck pillow and a coupon good for $10 off a Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. purchase of at least $30, all contained in a clear, zippered pouch, Huguely said.
American isn't the first U.S. carrier to charge for bedding. JetBlue Airways Corp. and US Airways Inc. already offer $7 kits to passengers who want a blanket and pillow.
In August 2008, JetBlue began selling "The World's Cleanest travel pillow and blanket kit," which included a $5 coupon for Bed Bath & Beyond purchases.
Last February, US Airways introduced its "Power-Nap Sack," which includes "a cozy 34- x 60-inch fleece blanket, a soft-to-the-touch inflatable neck pillow, eye shades and foam ear plugs neatly packaged inside a reusable, navy blue fleece drawstring bag embroidered with the US Airways logo," plus a $10 coupon for SkyMall purchases.
On Southwest Airlines Co., you can't get a blanket at any price. The Dallas-based carrier pulled its blankets off its flights last year, citing health concerns during the H1N1 flu outbreak.
"We have not returned them to the cabin," Southwest spokeswoman Beth Harbin said Monday. "Of any comments on the subject (very few), we mostly hear that customers appreciate the extra bin space."
My overall opinion......
I love the statement made my AA's spokeswoman......"We evaluate all aspects of our business, and we have to make sure that decisions like this are prudent and strategic for the long-term success of our company," In english, "we're poor and we need money".
I expect UA/DL/CO to follow up eventually.
07:33 AM CST on Tuesday, February 9, 2010
By TERRY MAXON / The Dallas Morning News
[email protected]
The blanket and pillow are going the way of the in-flight meal on American Airlines Inc. – if you want one, you'll have to pay for it.
The Fort Worth-based carrier said Monday that it will take the free red blankets out of its coach section on all North American flights as of May 1. On flights of more than two hours, passengers in coach can buy a blanket and pillow for $8.
"We evaluate all aspects of our business, and we have to make sure that decisions like this are prudent and strategic for the long-term success of our company," American spokeswoman Andrea Huguely said Monday. "As a result, we're removing the blankets and pillows from selected flights."
The new policy applies to coach passengers on flights to the United States, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central America, she said. The airline will still provide pillows and blankets at no extra cost in first class and business class and to all passengers to other international destinations.
The $8 will buy a passenger a blue fleece blanket, an inflatable neck pillow and a coupon good for $10 off a Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. purchase of at least $30, all contained in a clear, zippered pouch, Huguely said.
American isn't the first U.S. carrier to charge for bedding. JetBlue Airways Corp. and US Airways Inc. already offer $7 kits to passengers who want a blanket and pillow.
In August 2008, JetBlue began selling "The World's Cleanest travel pillow and blanket kit," which included a $5 coupon for Bed Bath & Beyond purchases.
Last February, US Airways introduced its "Power-Nap Sack," which includes "a cozy 34- x 60-inch fleece blanket, a soft-to-the-touch inflatable neck pillow, eye shades and foam ear plugs neatly packaged inside a reusable, navy blue fleece drawstring bag embroidered with the US Airways logo," plus a $10 coupon for SkyMall purchases.
On Southwest Airlines Co., you can't get a blanket at any price. The Dallas-based carrier pulled its blankets off its flights last year, citing health concerns during the H1N1 flu outbreak.
"We have not returned them to the cabin," Southwest spokeswoman Beth Harbin said Monday. "Of any comments on the subject (very few), we mostly hear that customers appreciate the extra bin space."
My overall opinion......
I love the statement made my AA's spokeswoman......"We evaluate all aspects of our business, and we have to make sure that decisions like this are prudent and strategic for the long-term success of our company," In english, "we're poor and we need money".
I expect UA/DL/CO to follow up eventually.
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