American Airlines to charge $8 for blankets (AP)

Mark815 said:
x2! Do you at least get to keep the blanket (not that i would even want it) or is this just a rental? And how do they figure $8? These companies just keep shooting themselves in the foot as far a PR goes.
Click to expand...

Yes, you get to keep it.

As far as PR goes, when your typical customer is someone who will switch carriers and drive an extra 30 minutes to save $10, who cares?

PR matters when you have loyal customers who is willing to pay you a premium. Then those customers will use the good news about your company to justify the higher prices they pay. It doesn't mean squat when you don't.
 
SeanD said:
You know what? They will make money because they have some of the crappiest, most uncomfortable seats in the air. You kind of need those blankets and pillows to make any 1.5 hour or more trip comfy.
Click to expand...

You're not kidding! Is there a more uncomfortable coach class than American?? If there is I have yet to find it.
 
Same Article in USAToday, they cut it a little differently, last quote says it all in my opinion.

USAToday said:
"Welcome to flying in 2010," Harteveldt says. "Other than the basic seat, the only thing you can count on to come with your fare is an oxygen mask and a seat belt."

The airlines aren't to blame, he says. "The traveling public needs to realize that we've been so thirsty for low fares that this is what we've gotten for ourselves," he says.
Click to expand...
 
I flew in First on DL last week and only got a lousy peanut butter cup for breakfast. I was expecting at least a cold plate and some cereal or something. I think the only domestic carrier with decent service in F is Continental.
 
It won't last. Wasn't USAirways charging for water at some point. Even so, who uses airline blankets? Half the time they aren't even sterilized between flights. I'd rather freeze to death then sleep with someone's crusted snot...
 
ILSstud said:
It won't last. Wasn't USAirways charging for water at some point. Even so, who uses airline blankets? Half the time they aren't even sterilized between flights. I'd rather freeze to death then sleep with someone's crusted snot...
Click to expand...
Surprisingly alot of people use the blankets. We had to clean the cabin of the flight from DFW and fold the blankets. More often than not about 75% of blankets were used.
 
ASpilot2be said:
Surprisingly alot of people use the blankets. We had to clean the cabin of the flight from DFW and fold the blankets. More often than not about 75% of blankets were used.
Click to expand...

Maybe they should just turn the heat up, save you a lot of folding.
 
If it's not wrapped or freshly sterilized like on international, I want nothing to do with it.

Besides, you're trusting that the last person doesn't have crabs. And try explaining that one away! :)
 
Doug Taylor said:
If it's not wrapped or freshly sterilized like on international, I want nothing to do with it.

Besides, you're trusting that the last person doesn't have crabs. And try explaining that one away! :)
Click to expand...

"Darling, I think I have crabs."

"WHAT!? Are you cheating on me????"

"No, I just flew American to New York City."
 
Well, if you're buying a blanket, it's $8 and it's fresh 'n yours! ;)
 
8 bucks for a blanket, you gotta be kidding me!! The level of service for most things in this country is a pure joke. I suppose it's all consumer driven. It's just frustrating to see.

I flew Lufthansa over the holidays and they hung wreaths on the bulkhead. A nice touch; out here I think they'd be more concerned with the extra 0.00001 gallons of fuel it'd burn to carry a wreath.
 
Does anyone not see that this is exactly like what happened with gasoline stations. In the 70's you recieved full service with a window wash and tire plus oil check. Someone then comes up with the idea if you are willing to forgo the extras you can save a little money with self serve. Now there is no full service available but people bitch that customer service has died. Kinda what happend with LUV and other LCC joining the fray, you knew you were getting less but you were paying less, so people were ok with it. Now fast foward and all of a sudden people want to keep the same lo price but want the service back like it was in the 50's and 60's......and the catch 22 remains.....I wonder what a 1960's airfair with the requisite services adjusted for inflation would equal today, and yet people still gripe about paying for a clean blanket or a lack of meals. Sad, but we gave it up willingly....
 
E_Dawg said:
8 bucks for a blanket, you gotta be kidding me!! The level of service for most things in this country is a pure joke. I suppose it's all consumer driven. It's just frustrating to see.

I flew Lufthansa over the holidays and they hung wreaths on the bulkhead. A nice touch; out here I think they'd be more concerned with the extra 0.00001 gallons of fuel it'd burn to carry a wreath.
Click to expand...

That said, Lufthansa also is the industry leader in cramming in the most amount of seats for any given area :p The extra 15-20 passengers they squeeze in more than accounts for the "loss" for putting up the wreath....
 
ILSstud said:
That said, Lufthansa also is the industry leader in cramming in the most amount of seats for any given area :p The extra 15-20 passengers they squeeze in more than accounts for the "loss" for putting up the wreath....
Click to expand...

only on the 747....the rest of the fleet has decent leg room.

the leader I think is SIA with their 777 for flights inside South east Asia
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top