Daily Roundup--April 2, 2012

Pinnacle Airlines, which operates regional flights for Delta, United and USAir, under the brands Pinnacle and Colgan Airways, has filed for bankruptcy protection. As part of its reorganization, the airline will drop its services for United and USAir and attempt to eliminate additional flights under the Essential Air Service program. The vast majority of Pinnacle’s flights are for Delta.

Airtran was voted the best U.S. airline for for customer service and reliability. Too bad it no longer exists. I’m sure you’re aware it was purchased and incorporated into Southwest Airlines which was rated somewhere in the middle of the survey.

Starting Wednesday, Allegiant Air will be the second U.S. carrier to charge for carry-on luggage.  One small personal item will beallowed but if you want to use the overhead, it will cost you. Allegiant says all details will be on its website sometime Tuesday.

Comments

[Alan B]

A year or so ago I bought a bag because its size met the Spirit Air size guidelines, despite the fact that my city has no service from them, a purchase that I realized was somewhat stupid. BUT, we do have service to Las Vegas from Allegiant. So, maybe I'm smarter than I thought!

[KF]

It looks like Allegiant's definition of a carry on is a little stranger from Spirit's. The post I saw stated a personal carry on is 15x16x7.
http://www.airlinereporter.com/2012/04/breaking-allegiant-to-start-charging-for-carry-ons-wednesday/

Wonder how soon until the major airlines really start thinking about charging and/or changing their definitions of a carry on.

[Larry]

It may be time to start looking seriously at Tom Bihn's Western Flyer.

[Robert]

Maybe all air tickets should be priced like apples - by the pound ? Clearly, it costs more to fly 225 lbs than200 lbs from here to there.

Can the day be far off when a passenger will step on the scales with his / her luggage and the ticket price will be based on the combined weight. Plus taxes and fees, of course.

I can see it now: Paris - $ 5.25 / lb, NY- $ 2.29 / lb etc...