Allegiant Air MD-83 (N865GA) at LAX
Allegiant Air has announced they are looking into the possibility of charging passengers a carry-on baggage fee. As reported by AviationWeek, Allegiant Air President Andrew Levy stated the carry-on baggage fees are “intriguing,” during a presentation at the Low-Cost Airlines World Americas conference on May 3rd.
Currently, Spirit Airlines is the only US-based airline that charges for carry-on bags. They too are an ultra low cost carrier and first received a lot of flack when they announced the new fees. However, it doesn’t seem to bother travelers enough, since the airline has continued to make additional profit on the fees. For the first quarter of 2011, Spirit doubled their bag fee revenue compared to first quarter 2010 and average non-ticket revenue per passenger increased by 37.9%.
Remember, weight costs money. The more an airplane and its contents weighs, the more fuel (and money) it takes to fly. It might anger most people thinking about paying another fee, but why should someone with no luggage pay for someone with luggage? More importantly, why would airlines turn down this revenue maker? Charging for carry-ons doesn’t cause health concerns or kill anyone, so why do passengers keep acting like it is the end of the world to charge for carry-ons?
When asked what Allegiant’s future plans are for charging a carry-on bag fee, Jordan McGee Director of Allegian Corporate Communications explained, “It’s really too premature to provide any further info on potential charges for carry-ons.” However, she confirmed that Allegiant is, “considering it.”
For me, this is not a huge surprise and I have been waiting for Allegiant to announce such a fee. Allegiant’s model of providing cheap prices, with fees for everything beyond getting you from point A to B seems to welcome a new fee like this. You better believe other airlines are watching how Spirit and Allegiant are doing with carry-on fees and it might not just be ultra low cost carriers having them in the too near distant future.
Image: Brandon Farris
All that nonsense does is slow down things even more.
Charging for checking probably resulted in more carry-on’s, so this is the response ?
I’ve relied on my ONE carry-on for the past 15yrs, and yes I’d switch airlines if they charged for it.
But really doubt they would for elites.
First, I doubt you fly Allegiant unless you fly to Las Vegas and second, Allegiant doesn’t have elites, let alone a FF program.
Allegiance flights a lot of the casino hops so it stands to reason that all those rolls of dimes,nickles and quarters cause a major weight difference. One day we’ll probably go back to paying per pound like we used to have to weigh ourselves at check in.
Nonsense. And I don’t buy the weight argument as long as a 120 lbs passenger pays the same ticket price as a 300 lbs passenger.
When the airlines stop losing checked baggage I will consider
paying for my carry-on.
you might want to proofread this article before publishing it on your website and before you pass it on to Reuters.
Publishing the word “baggsgr” and missing numerous punctuation mistakes makes your site look bush league.
I still say that airlines should charge for carry-on bags, but offer one free checked bag. Waiting around for your bag to come out of the conveyer belt is a pain, so you ought to pay for the privilege of being able to walk off the plane without the hassle.
To hell with them, I say! To hell! Ryan air wants to charge for taking a pee and someone else will want to charge for a seatbelt or use of the reading light. (Insert quarter her for 15 minutes of light!) I HATE this nickel and dime crap and I wish that Alfred Kahn was still alive – sothat we could hang him! Raise the fares is necessary, or return to a regulated structure, but don’t assault me with bull- *^$% changes. Make a fair profit, but do it the honest way. Enough already! -C.
Another fine story. keep up the good work.
Its going too far now. Realizing, most passenger take advantage of carry on luggage size even though, overhead bins space is shared be other passengers, they take what even can put in in their luggage. Actually, what this oversize carry on luggage is started from crew member. During 80s, most business travelers carried garments bag. So, airlines decided to introduce cardboard box, so they can check as belly loading. Mean while, US crews duty pattern is to one hop to other(fly two or three legs a day) which mean they only have time to transit themselves when arrive airport like passenger. They did not have time to claim luggage at baggage area. Not to mention US carriers c baggage handling was(is) very poor as compare international carrier in Europe and other region. So, those crew started carry heavy bulk size piggy bag with roller caster. It was eye catch carry on luggage to frequent travelers. Well, if crew can take their piggy bag luggage to cabin, why not we(passengers)can do same. I wonder how many of you watch size and piece of carry on luggage crew carry into their flight? Its more than passengers, even airline limit passenger to minimize carry on luggage to one.
Any read my comment, you might question, what a point? Bottom lie is its non sense starting charge carry on luggage. What ever happen to glory of air travel?