United airlines to charge for second bag
This week, america's secondlargest carrier became the first major us airline to charge passengers for checking a second piece of luggage.Its goal is to offset the high cost of jet fuel, which has more than doubled since 2000.
Other airlines are watching the move, and some analysts suggest they'll soon follow suit.But other aviation watchers aren't so sure.Charging passengers an extra $50 round trip may simply be a push too far for the flying public.Besides regular delays 2007 was the second worst on record fliers have already had to trade in free meals, pillows, and blankets to say nothing of legroom for lowcost tickets.
In these days of low fares, high fuel costs, and intense competition from lowcost carriers, united's latest revenuegenerating plan is being put to a rigorous test.
"Throw it up against the wall and see what sticks,"Says richard aboulafia, an aviation analyst with the teal group in fairfax, va. "All costsaving and revenuesaving moves are basically fungible. "
Two decades ago when the first airline cut back on meals on transcontinental flights, that move was"Poohpoohed"In the industry, says mr.Aboulafia. "But then people said, 'hey, this sticks.' And they all followed. "
Since 2000, the main carriers have been restructured to save costs in light of steep competition from lowcost, pointtopoint airlines and the internetbooking revolution.And with several bankruptcies, the major carriers have slashed their costs.According to the air transport association(Ata), which represents the major carriers, it cost 10 percent less to fly each mile domestically in 2007 than it did in 2000.During that time, the cost of jet fuel more than doubled and is not expected to drop in the near future.
"The carriers have to remain focused on cost reductions across the board, including fuel conservation, which they are doing,"Says ata spokesman david castelveter. "Equally as important, the carriers also have to focus on bringing in new revenues. "
United thus decided to make what could be seen as a daring move by taking a cue from some lowcost carriers and charging for extra baggage.Its reason:Luggage is heavy, and that increases the drag on planes, which increases fuel consumption.By charging for a second bag, they can offset the cost of the extra weight and, at the same time, perhaps encourage passengers to pack lighter.It estimates the move will generate $100 million annually.With each penny increase in the cost of jet fuel costing the industry $190 million to $200 million annually, according to the ata, that extra $100 million will be welcome.But it does come with some risks.
"Let's say us airways follows suit and southwest doesn't,"Says kevin mitchell, chairman of the business travel coalition in radnor, pa. "For a family of four going to disney for a week, they're going to have a lot of extra bags.If they have a choice of flying from philadelphia between us airways with fees and southwest without them, guess who's going to get the business? "
United says about 25 percent of its passengers check a second bag.The new policy, which goes into effect in may, will apply only to passengers who book a nonrefundable economy ticket, unless they also have elite status with united's frequentflier program.
Here's A Recap Of Your Past 12 Months
Today is victoria beckham's 38th birthday so what better way to celebrate than by revisiting her greatest fashion moments from the past 12 months?In the past year she has had two successful seasons with her fashion empire, had some adorbs matching outfits with harper, reunited with the spice girls three times and rode on top of a taxi in giles deacon.Oh and this was also the year she became an a+ tweeter, taking snaps of her serving up fraps in starbucks and posing as a flight attendant.Oh queen vb we do love you.
Read our round up of her fashion hits of the past
Ralph Lauren Outlet 12 months and then take a look at posh's style evolution in the gallery below(Plus it features a cavalli cutout floor sweeper or two and some 90s leather frocks).
Grazia daily chatted to anna dello russo about the designer and she told us:'I mean its incredible.Victoria has completely proven herself and created a whole new career she is a true fashion designer.Her aesthetic and the
Pandora Charms UK handwriting of her collections is really clear.And the victoria, victoria beckham show was so clever, she has such a good eye.This is the way women are dressing now in milan in her simple but beautiful dresses.Everyone loves her in italy.'
It was also in september that early modelling shots of victoria adams resurfaced these are our all time favourite celebrity flashback as she has a toothy grin and is wearing no bra and a leather waistcoat
Vb launched her ecommerce site where you can shop the victoria beckham collection, plus vb's accessories, eyewear, denim and victoria victoria beckham line.The website also features exclusive behind the scenes glimpse into her world via videos, images and social media feeds.To mark the big launch she shared exclusively with grazia her five tips for choosing a 'love forever dress' and her five fashion rules, including 'contrary to rumours, you don't always need to wear heels!'
http://ralphlaurenoutlet.sunbeltsoftware.co.uk http://www.dreikoenigshof-trier.de/forum/member.php?action=profile&uid=95247http://uskennel.com/?attachment_id=1189&submit=%EF%BF%BD%EF%BF%BD%D1%AF&chkall=on&googlerank=1&google=1&baidu=1&msn=1&yahoo=1&links=1&sina=1&do163=1&sohu=1&qq=1&zhongsou=1&uptimebot=1&whois=1&alexa=1http://board.gayreviews.com/member.php?2230226-pcsutombjjhttp://essentialextracts.co/forum/profile.php?id=670786http://njgreen.gnway.net/cgi-bin/leobbs/topic.cgi?forum=4&topic=22435
Home
Search
Calendar
Login
Register