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American Airlines to remove free blankets - wants $8 to keep you warm
Well, I hate to say that it is now "official", but American Airlines really has entered into the territory of the low cost carrier - by charging for their blankets. The new charge goes into effect on May 1st, and is just another fee facing passengers.
According to the airline, they are introducing the fee based on "customer surveys". Unless that survey asked passengers for ways they'd like to receive less service for the same amount of money, I'm not sure where they got the kind of input that would force them to remove free blankets.
Of course, removing free blankets wouldn't be so bad, if the airlines managed to keep the temperature on their planes at a comfortable level - alas - even though you are sitting inside a computer operated fly-by-wire jet plane, technology still has not evolved enough to keep the cabin comfy.
The new charge will apply to flights two hours and longer from the US to Canada, Mexico, Hawaii, the Caribbean and Central America. Shorter flights don't get blankets, and long haul flights are apparently safe (for the time being). I guess the time has come for us all to bring our own Snuggie?
As always, we love to hear from our readers, so what do you think?
| Doesn't bother me | |
|---|---|
| Very annoying - I'm always cold on the plane | |
| No opinion |
Filed under: North America, United States, Airlines
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 8)
Batman Feb 9th 2010 9:46AM
I think this is a good idea as long as the blanket is freshly cleaned before being handed to you.
The current free blankets are not cleaned all the time, and are often filthy - covered in hair, used by people on their feet, coughed on. They are germ infested biohazards.
I would love a fresh clean $8 blanket over a free filthy blanket.
johnmc Feb 9th 2010 5:57PM
I believe you're actually buying a new blanket for $8 rather than borrowing one that has been used before.
Judy Feb 10th 2010 6:30AM
That is why we never fly on Delta Nortwest Airways. Too many outsoursed people who dont care.
Wish Belkin Feb 10th 2010 6:46AM
The airlines are going to nickle and dime themselves out of business.
don Feb 10th 2010 7:04AM
Do you really think they would bother to clean them, that would take the profit out of the eight dollars. No, they will be the same germ infested blankets you always got only now they aren't free, so you have to pay for the priviledge of getting someones elses snot all over you. I will never fly again.
Joy Feb 10th 2010 8:35AM
The blankets are washed before being placed into plastic bags. I fly very frequently and have never yet had a dirty blanket in a plane. I do think, however, that American Airlines charging for the blankets is absolutely horrible and ridiculous. The planes are freezing! I'll have to make sure to dress warmly on all flights from now on. If one airline starts charging, soon they all will! Really sickening!!!!!
sieben13 Feb 10th 2010 8:56AM
If your DUMB enough to fly with airlines that gouge like this then they should charge you $20 for a blanket
Jackie Feb 10th 2010 9:32AM
What makes you think an airline as chintzy as American would go to the trouble of cleaning the blankets? Last year I was on a first-class ticket, full fare, New York to Atlanta and there was not even a cup of coffee either offered or available. So much for American Airlines.
Sky Feb 10th 2010 3:53PM
I think it's a good idea if the blanket comes in packaging and you get to keep the blanket. I am sure they can purchase blankets for a couple dollars and sell them for 8.00 than they do not need to launder and no germs spred...they keep the blankets...makes sense
Kent Wien Feb 11th 2010 1:01PM
American isn't the only one. JetBlue and USAirways also offer blankets ($7) for sale. At least it's an option over the airlines that don't offer pillows and blankets.
But, what isn't pointed out often is that these ARE new blue fleece blankets and inflatable neck pillow that you get to keep. It also includes a $10 off coupon to Bed, Bath and Beyond.
FlyingMan Feb 9th 2010 9:51AM
WestJet in Canada sells a blanket and a pillow for $7 I believe. Hopefully as more people do this the cabin temp will drop in the plane in an effort to sell more blankets. I could probably count on one hand the number of flights I took last year where the temperature was actually cool enough to be comfortable. Everyone complains about planes being too cold, but UAL loves a sauna.
Pete Feb 10th 2010 11:32AM
You must be fat then. Only fat people claim to be "hot" on a public aircraft. I worked (past tense) for UA for nearly TWO DECADES, and only left their employ in 2008. The whole purpose of these FEES is to give customers a choice on what they're willing to pay for, leaving behind things that don't matter. They are called "branded fares." The problem is, Airfares have not gone down any - in fact, they've slightly increased, even though passengers have incurred a fee for EVERYTHING these losers offer, even if it's one of their flea-bitten, crotch rotted, USED blanket. Do you think I'm joking? I can verify a woman who went to the ER after flying a red eye from Honolulu to Denver (nonstop, B767) after she was eaten from head to toe by FLEAS in a blanket on a UA flight. Now you'll be charged $8 for the Ethiopians to "clean" the blankets and wrap them back up for sale with a smile. These are the same people who have been repeatedly CAUGHT washing their feet in public toilets...I'VE WITNESSED IT MYSELF! So, AA, if you wanted "branded fares," then lower your ghetto ass base price. Good lord - this sounds like AFDC United.
FlyingMan Feb 10th 2010 11:55AM
If you want to call 175 pounds at 6'2" fat, then be my guest.
The blankets on WestJet are actually sealed in a plastic bag and are fresh. You purchase them new and they are yours to keep. They do not remain with the aircraft. Hopefully this is the same type of system on these upcoming flights.
On the rare occasion that I am actually cold on a flight, I refuse to use the on-board blankets because they probably haven't been cleaned since they were brought over on the Mayflower. Removing the blankets might actually save some cash as well since they will on longer have to launder them once a year.
I just don't understand why people get so worked up over these changes. Big deal. Get over it, move on with your life. Trying flying in Europe where they've been charging for these things for ages. I'll draw the line when they no longer allow you to bring your own food and drink on-board, but until then, a little careful planning/packing, and a quick stop in the airport gift shop, and you shouldn't have a problem. If you hate all the fees, then you have alternatives. Drive, take the train ... But it's just so much easier to complain than to realize a few extra bucks to get there and back in a fraction of the time is really a small price to pay.
citrusfa Feb 9th 2010 1:50PM
Instead of paying for a blanket, you are allowed to ask a flight attendant if the guys up front could warm up the cabin. The aircraft manuals have temperature settings that don't always make for a comfortable temperature, but if we call up and ask, the pilots always happy to change that. (Your best bet is to ask someone who is not on the service cart - if you ask then, that person will probably forget. Wait until service is over, if you're able to.)
Lee Feb 10th 2010 1:14PM
Citrus, how selfish of you. YOU are cold so the REST of us have to have the temperature turned up? Wear a jacket. Take it off if you're warm, put it on if you're cold. Rocket science? Perhaps for you it is.
frank Feb 10th 2010 1:55PM
Lee I totally agree with you. right on.
dan Feb 10th 2010 5:55AM
well this confirms it. american airlines(all of them) are garbage.
you guys should try flying some other carrier once in a while and see the world of a difference in quality and service. I am sick of flying in american airlines. not only is there a higher chance of dying from a terrotist attack but you'll hungry and uncomfortable during your last trip as well. what a rip off!
most other carriers don't charge to check in one luggage and they actually give you food on long flights (or at least a snack so you don't starve to death!)
asking for a blanket SHOULD never be a paid request. just shows these airlines are on their last dying breath... pathetic. hate flying on us carriers.
Rick Feb 10th 2010 12:31PM
I have flown 10 to 20 times a month since 1976. The relative prices have really gone down but so has the service and comfort. People are flying now that would have had to save up for a flight back years ago. I have to admire any business that can make it in this business climate. I would rather pay for a blanket than go without maintenance on the aircraft.
patsy Feb 10th 2010 6:16AM
I'll never forget the bedbugs i saw on the "free" blanket on a plane. It's worth $48 to get a clean one.
Karen Feb 10th 2010 6:44AM
To the contrary-most airlines charge for checked luggage now-not just AA. What I would like to know is where did all the money the airlines used to pay to travel agencies as commision go since now they pay us a big fat $0 now (but we still have to sell their product.) The first year or so after agencies' commisions were eliminated, the airlines all posted big profits (makes sense if your "employees" aren't getting paid.) Now they cry the blues, are charging for everything you used to get free as a passenger(what' next-pay toilets?) and are not making any money. I would look a little deeper before I believed that story-somebody is probably taking home big bonuses-sound familiar?