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Flying Spirit? Carry-ons may cost you.
Spirit planes sit on the tarmac at Fort Lauderdale International Airport in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
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Kai Ryssdal: Raise your hand if you've about had it with all those add-on airline fees. And then brace yourself for another one. The Florida-based low-cost carrier Spirit Airlines is going to start charging for carry-on bags come August. If it fits under the seat in front of you, you're fine -- no charge. But if you have to put it up in the overhead bin, it's going to cost you up to $45.
Marketplace's Jeremy Hobson has more.
JEREMY HOBSON: Spirit was the first U.S. airline to charge for checked bags. Now almost all of them do.
Seth Kaplan of Airline Weekly says that doesn't necessarily mean all carriers will follow Spirit's lead when it comes to carry-ons.
SETH KAPLAN: Other airlines tend to market themselves as a combination of service-oriented and also value-oriented. Spirit really markets themselves as cheap.
Which is why you can buy a Spirit ticket for as little as $31, even though you may be nickel-and-dimed right up to the cost of a rival's fare when you add in all the extra fees.
But Kaplan says Spirit, beware: not every cost-saving measure goes over well with the passengers.
KAPLAN: United planned to charge for meals on transatlantic flights out of Dulles, but they had to pull back after backlash from consumers.
But some industry watchers think there are legitimate reasons for a carry-on fee.
Webster O'Brien is an airline consultant with SH&E.
WEBSTER O'BRIEN: I think those overhead bins are just getting fuller, and so there's a need to figure out how do we manage a limited resource.
Or how do we fliers look for loopholes? Perhaps it's time to buy a big coat or an Abe Lincoln style hat to store iPods and mini toiletries on flights. Even Spirit isn't charging for wearing luggage... yet.
In New York, I'm Jeremy Hobson for Marketplace.
About the author
Jeremy Hobson is host of Marketplace Morning Report, where he looks at business news from a global perspective to prepare listeners for the day ahead. Follow Jeremy on Twitter @jeremyhobson
I was just at the Museum of Science and Industry and their stagecoach exhibit states that back then the fare was based on the combined weight of the passenger and baggage. Basically the fare is the cost to move weight, so the fare should vary according to weight and volume. I'm skinny and light so I should pay less than someone who weighs more and takes up more space.
I guess I am not the only one that likes this idea...
Ben Baldanza, president and CEO of Spirit told CNBC Wednesday that at the same time the company insituted the carry-on bag fee, it also lowered fares and checked-bag costs. As a result, he said, “Sales are up 50 percent.â€
It is about time that someone does this. I am tired of having to pay to check my bag AND having to deal with all of the people carrying on giant bags that should have been checked.
What I really don't understand are the people that complain about these fees. Would you feel better if they charged everyone $50 more and gave people without a bag a discount? They have to pay for the flight somehow, the only question is how to fairly distribute the cost between the passengers. Why should I have to pay for my checked bag that stays out of your way during the flight, but you get to bring yours on the plane (and slow things down for everyone) for free?
Hey Spirit Airlines:
Now I have 45 more reasons NOT to fly on your airline! Just think, the weight savings of 40% less passengers should allow you to put on more bags for the schmucks that are still dumb enough to book your flights. I do pack light. Laptop & one small green tag bag. No checked luggage. Why? I want it to ARRIVE WITH ME. Keep it up! Soon you'll be Ghost Airlines.
