Blankets and pillows cost $8 now on American Airlines
Chris Spags Just in case your rage finally subsided over the majority of airlines charging you for bringing luggage, here’s a new bit of fun: Starting May 1, all American Airlines flights will be charging $8 if you’d like a blanket and pillow. Way to go, airline industry!
Chilly on the plane? Bring a sweater, or $8 for a blanket-and-pillow pack, if you’re on a domestic American Airlines flight.
On May 1, the carrier will begin charging for a pillow and blanket set on all domestic flights, as well as those to or from Canada, Mexico, Hawaii, the Caribbean and Central America, according to American Airlines spokesman Tim Smith.
The $8 charge buys a blue fleece blanket and an inflatable neck pillow that fliers can use in flight and keep for future use.
“American evaluates all aspects of the business to ensure that economic decisions are prudent and strategic for the long-term success of the company,” Smith said in an e-mail announcing the decision.
Will there be an increase in quality of the products? Probably not, unless not getting some previous flyer’s skin flakes and body fluid is worth eight bucks to you.
So, first, meals were taken away (boo). Then they started charging some overweight people for two seats (meh). Then they started charging for luggage (double boo). Then some airlines added Internet (yay) though most airliners are charging reasonable to obscene amounts for it (boo). You may think, “Well, I never liked the pillow or blanket anyway so, whatever, there’s nothing left to charge me for.” And you would be correct. Up until Continental decides that you should pay for the privilege of having seats. Really, we’re just getting closer and closer to having our air travel conducted roughly like a slave ship for the same prices. Personally, I’d pay the extra $20 to not be tight packed.
American Airlines to stop offering free blankets on domestic flights [CNN]
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