Columnist says airlines should begin charging by weight
Spirit Airlines announcement that it wanted to charge up to $45 for carry-on bags brought this facetious response from Kevin Huffman writing in The Washington Post: How about charging passengers by the pound?
This latest ignominy follows on the heels of charges for meals, checked luggage and exit-row seats. Some airlines even charge for blankets and pillows.
Flight attendants are in favor, hoping that the fee reduces the “out of control” passenger bags crisis. “I know I am personally shocked that passengers bring clothes and supplies when they travel long distances. It’s very inconsiderate,” writes Huffman
People often talk wistfully about the golden age of air travel, lamenting that it used to be glamorous, with well-dressed patrons, cooked meals and silverware. Huffman said:
“Spirit is bringing us one critical step closer to the super-cheap seats, where we just strap people face-down across the wings. You want aviator goggles? 30 bucks!”
Here is the reality: traveling by air costs money. Airlines have fixed costs (e.g. employees) and variable costs (e.g. fuel). Adding passengers and carry-ons increases the variables, but not the fixed. So Huffman suggests stopping the nickel-and-diming and just do the whole thing by weight.
“Airlines can put out giant livestock scales, and each passenger can step on with all luggage, checked and carry-on. Airlines can charge us a buck a pound, and — voila! We are incented to get in shape and to pack lightly, and airlines have a meaningful fee structure,” Huffman says.
He concludes:
“Most importantly, airlines can finally end the pretense that passengers are treasured customers and treat us the way they really view us. Mooo!”
By David Wilkening
David
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Skyscanner reveals major travel trends 2026 at ITB Asia
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists