Even if the airlines were to penny away their tickets, they would still have made billions by nickeling and diming every other service we may require before and during our flights. Imagine that we pay more for our ticket, our seats, and our luggage than the travelers sitting next to us although we are going to the same destination.
Travel is a great experience, not while we are on the airplane but while we are at our final destination. Hi. I am Bobb Rousseau and this is Apostrophe Podcast. Today’s episode shows how the airline industry makes billions of dollars in revenues and subsequently makes our travel experience uninviting, unaffordable, and unenjoyable.
Even if the airlines were to penny away their tickets, they would still have made billions by nickeling and diming every other service we may require before and during our flights. Imagine that we pay more for our ticket, our seats, and our luggage than the travelers sitting next to us although we are going to the same destination.
Airplanes make money by charging us for our baggage. After the first 40 lbs that on average cost $45, luggage fees vary based on each baggage’s weight and length. The heavier and bigger the bags, the higher their prices. Moreover, airlines assess baggage fees based on the amount they budget to fuel the planes. Research shows that bags make airplanes heavier, and the heavier they are, the faster and more fuel they burn, and we, as the travelers, foot their fuel bills when we check our bags.
Another way airlines make money is through seat selection. The perceived value of a seat is based on the location of such a seat. The closer to the front of the plane, the more expensive. When we select our seat, another cost is added to our final airfare. However, the airline assigns seats to those of us who do not select our seats. Seat selection and luggage fees generate up to 87% of an airline’s total revenue.
Whether it is seat selection or seat assignment, we, as travelers, face the same discomfort level. The seat distance gives us no wiggle room to maneuver or stretch our legs, whether we are tall or short or whether we are slim or overweight. Additionally, we fight each other for armrest spaces or kick the back seat of the travelers in front of us for leaning their seat or headrest too close to our kneecaps. I am no psychologist, but crammed seats may be the root cause of unruly and agitated travelers.
In summary, the airline industry has become incredibly profitable. They charge us extra for baggage and seat selections, which generate up to 87% of their total revenue. They reduce the spacing between seats to add more passengers, leading to our travel experience becoming horrible. Practically, our ticket; referred to by many airlines, as bare fare, only covers our body, half of a cup of soda, and a small bag of peanuts; everything else costs a pretty penny.
To avoid these extra fees, we should consider traveling bare, unbundled, or simply using a backpack that fits the laptop, personal hygiene and the clothes we will need throughout our trip. Moreover, before booking, we should research which airlines allow us to have free carry-on or a free first checked luggage.
Bobb Rousseau, PhD
Apostrophe Podcast
Even if the airlines were to penny away their tickets, they would still have made billions by nickeling and diming every other service we may require before and during our flights. Imagine that we pay more for our ticket, our seats, and our luggage than the travelers sitting next to us although we are going to the same destination.
Airplanes make money by charging us for our baggage. After the first 40 lbs that on average cost $45, luggage fees vary based on each baggage’s weight and length. The heavier and bigger the bags, the higher their prices. Moreover, airlines assess baggage fees based on the amount they budget to fuel the planes. Research shows that bags make airplanes heavier, and the heavier they are, the faster and more fuel they burn, and we, as the travelers, foot their fuel bills when we check our bags.
Another way airlines make money is through seat selection. The perceived value of a seat is based on the location of such a seat. The closer to the front of the plane, the more expensive. When we select our seat, another cost is added to our final airfare. However, the airline assigns seats to those of us who do not select our seats. Seat selection and luggage fees generate up to 87% of an airline’s total revenue.
Whether it is seat selection or seat assignment, we, as travelers, face the same discomfort level. The seat distance gives us no wiggle room to maneuver or stretch our legs, whether we are tall or short or whether we are slim or overweight. Additionally, we fight each other for armrest spaces or kick the back seat of the travelers in front of us for leaning their seat or headrest too close to our kneecaps. I am no psychologist, but crammed seats may be the root cause of unruly and agitated travelers.
In summary, the airline industry has become incredibly profitable. They charge us extra for baggage and seat selections, which generate up to 87% of their total revenue. They reduce the spacing between seats to add more passengers, leading to our travel experience becoming horrible. Practically, our ticket; referred to by many airlines, as bare fare, only covers our body, half of a cup of soda, and a small bag of peanuts; everything else costs a pretty penny.
To avoid these extra fees, we should consider traveling bare, unbundled, or simply using a backpack that fits the laptop, personal hygiene and the clothes we will need throughout our trip. Moreover, before booking, we should research which airlines allow us to have free carry-on or a free first checked luggage.
Bobb Rousseau, PhD
Apostrophe Podcast