Spirit Airlines

[Northeast News]

I just learned they're going to start charging $45 a bag for carry-on in the overhead department. The CEO says, ""The beauty of it is [the passengers] will do what they think is best for them and will now have the choice." 

That's an interesting spin. Do you journalists think it will work? 

[Sarah Lee]

Very interesting as this comes on the same day Ryanair confirms they're putting their bag-check fee up to £20 an item in the summer months (this will hit families hard as it's the school holidays) and will charge people to use the onboard toilet in a bid to 'change passenger behaviour'. Similar arguments from the low cost airlines but each telling people they're offering value and choice.

And yes, passengers do have a choice - they can 'change their behaviour' by flying with an airline that doesn't try to present reduced levels of service as a product feature!

[Donna Hull]

I think the move by Spirit to charge for carry-on luggage could possibly backfire on them. The method they are implementing at the gate sounds like a logistical nightmare. However, because they are considered a low-budget airline, their customers might go for it, if they make the base ticket price low enough.

Part of the problem is that airlines are not able to price tickets at the true cost of flying, so they are looking for every way possible to boost the bottom line. I wonder what would happened if the airline industry charged the true cost of the ticket with no extra costs, would we fly?

[Dan Schlossberg]

No way in hell.

[Northeast News]

Three very different answers here, but each answer makes a good point. As you might guess, I think the CEO's spin was ballsy yet weak.

[Marcia Frost]

I don't think the move will hurt Spirit. They are in the same class as Ryan Air -- super budget, small seat, no frills. I flew them twice and would never do it again, but I know others who think they are great.

On a related note, I've actually heard some buzz from airline stewards about group lawsuits starting soon because they are sick of fighting with passengers who want to squeeze in their carry ons and they feel they shouldn't be sales people. It will be interesting to see if that happens. It would affect the Spirit bag fees as well.

Marcia