US Airways to charge $2 for soda, juice, water
Mon Jun 16, 2008 12:41PM EDT
See Comments (934)
Better get used to carrying lots of singles next time you fly. US Airways is now terminating free drink service. No, not free mini bottles of Jim Beam and cheap Chardonnay, we're talking about all drinks, including soda, fruit juice, coffee, and bottled water, which will soon cost $2 each. Presumably tap water, which may or may not be contaminated with fecal coliform bacteria, will still be free.
The move is the latest way airlines are attempting to fight rapidly rising fuel prices in a disastrous economic climate. In recent months, the extra fees have come fast and furious. First came extra charges for your second piece of luggage, then came a charge for your first bag. That's not to mention extra fees for choosing your own seat, curbside check-in, booking using frequent flier miles, and the cost of the Santa Fe chicken sandwich.
The beverage fee is even more annoying than most, since you can no longer bring liquids through security at airports. You are really at the mercy of buying them on the plane, or at least buying them once you're in the terminal (which is doubtlessly no cheaper than on the plane). Alcoholic drinks will also go from $5 to $7. That's a lot for a can of Budweiser.
The fee goes into effect August 18, leaving plenty of time for the airlines to come up with other fees to nickel and dime their way to profitability. Can pay toilets be far behind?
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67 Posted by bunnilady2004 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:15PM EDT Report Abuse
Gas prices may be going through the roof, but at least I can bring my own water and food with me. I also don't have to pay extra for my suitcase. I think it's time for everyone to start taking more family time (if possible) and hit the pavement for a good old fashioned "road trip"! Flying used to be a luxury, and it looks like they'll go back to having lots of empty seats. Well deserved, I'd say!
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68 Posted by basic_stories on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:02PM EDT Report Abuse
Let's how that $7 fees for in flight movies will not soon be a reality also.
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69 Posted by acornell70 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 2:45PM EDT Report Abuse
My husband can only eat through a stomach tube & we must carry 8oz. cans of his speciality liquid food which he must have 5-8 cans/daily depending on brand. I gather now because no liquids can be carried on board we can never fly????? facornell@yahoo.com
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70 Posted by jigga_22 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:34PM EDT Report Abuse
I've said this before and I'll say it again: F*** US Airways.
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71 Posted by kamouellette on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:46PM EDT Report Abuse
I completely agree with you. Everything is being blamed on the economy and now it's only going to make everything worse.
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72 Posted by bio_tube on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:08PM EDT Report Abuse
Why not just install a vending machines on the plane and charge reasonable prices for a coke? They can tack on an extra quarter if they want to recap the cost for carrying the thing on the plane. Schools seem to make that work; airlines have an even more captive market(and I use the term very literally). For that matter, why don't they tack some of the cost onto features most people don't use too often, like internet service?
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73 Posted by pinballworld on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:12PM EDT Report Abuse
The world will be a better place when US Airways and United Airlines are no long part of it. Stop flying them and they will file for bankruptcy AGAIN and hopefully stop flying FOREVER.
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74 Posted by hamelton28540 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:15PM EDT Report Abuse
Well, perhaps if the pilots were not making 350 grand a year plus a 100 grand per each stewardess they might be able to buy some fuel. I know they are a greedy bunch, including their union, but enough is enough. If the airlines go under everyone loses.
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75 Posted by bobshelinfl on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:10PM EDT Report Abuse
The major brands of soft drinks and alcohol are the ones missing out here, they should subsidise the products put on a plane and sell them at a good price (or give them away). They spend millions trying to get their products into the hands of people and this is a captive audience for 1 to 12 hours depending on the flight. Coke or Seagrams could buy an exclusive with an airline and provide their beverages at a low to no cost. Why don't the realize this??????
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76 Posted by markky_mark_us on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:08PM EDT Report Abuse
its over... we had a good run, right. the oil shortage is here too stay! The U.S. is quickly slipping into history. and why? because of selfish,ignorant politicians that we elect. WE only have ourselves too blame!
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77 Posted by blackdragon5904 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:08PM EDT Report Abuse
Bad enough they gouge us at the gas stations now they want gouge us in the air. When does it stop? Are they gonna charge us to fill their tanks too? Shame on you airlines. Just because we get stomped on at the gas pumps don't give them the right to stomp on us in the air where some of us retreat to so we can get away from the junk on the ground. Enough is enough already!
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78 Posted by newhampswing on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:36PM EDT Report Abuse
Tough times call for tough measures. The airlines have cut back on pay and benefits to the exteme and are looking to shave costs wherever they can. It ain't pretty, but it is required. No one is making money in this fiscal environment. Everyone is bleeding red. While I agree that including it in with the ticket charge would have been a more 'transparent' way of accomplishing this, in this highly cometitive and computer pricing driven industry, that was not really possible unless every carrier does this (and that is called collusion).
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79 Posted by tegeras on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:59PM EDT Report Abuse
The honeymoon is over that's for sure. I just wish they would simply raise fares to cover the cost of rising fuel prices instead of these ridiculous surcharges. As to the comment about them pricing themselves out of business, it ain't gonna happen. Back in the 90's an aircraft could fly at 65% capacity and still make a profit. Today they are flying at 95%+ capacity and losing money due to high fuel costs. This isn't a problem restricted to one or 2 airlines but all of them. Even the mighty Southwest will be singing a different tune once their fuel hedge runs out (and its running out fast) and they have to face the reality of doubling their fuel costs. Do you honestly think they will not join the nickel and dime race as well?
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80 Posted by teikyo30 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:59PM EDT Report Abuse
Who cares? Just don't fly. Problem solved.
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81 Posted by godzilla_132 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:10PM EDT Report Abuse
"Please fassin your seatbelts for take off, oh, and seatbelts maybe purchased for $5!"
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82 Posted by v1rotate@swbell.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:30PM EDT Report Abuse
Come on folks. What do you pay for a coke at a restaurant or how about the movie theater? Sounds like 2 bucks is a bargain.
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83 Posted by heathriel on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:17PM EDT Report Abuse
Bring an empty drink bottle through security and some drink mix (iced tea, crystal light, whatever). Use the water fountains on the other side of security and you'll have a drink for the flight without having to pay $2 or whatever they charge in the terminal. You can always bring whatever food you want.
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84 Posted by ruthie_ross1 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:57PM EDT Report Abuse
With everything that the airline industry is doing these days makes me just wanna stay home!!! Too many restrictions and extra "fees" makes flying very stressful to the consumer and their families.
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85 Posted by parachute8888 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:59PM EDT Report Abuse
I would pay the $7 a beer. I am not a frequent flyer but alcohol gets me through it. Ok so I am chicken-I figure if anything happens, I wont feel it!
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66 Posted by mrs_colossians_3 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:28PM EDT Report Abuse
Okay..I do see everyones point however, I have lived in Germany where they nickel and dime the people all the time and they also charge them taxes on the property in their homes. And they live just fine and cleaner them most of the Americans in our citys. So dont complain maybe this will get the nasty people off their butt to clean up their acts, and get the lazy ones off their butt to get a job so we dont have to keep paying them to be busters sitting at home expecting the world to pay for their soda and un-fecal tainted water. While we have to use these resources because it is our way of making a living...guess i am venting also...LOL My question: will my 2 dollars go towards the gas for the airplane...