Flying on a peak travel day? Your airline fees could be pricier. Spirit Airlines is considering tying fees passengers pay to the demand for the flight.
Paying to check a suitcase or pick a more desirable seat might soon be pricier on certain flights. The fees would be higher on flights that are in demand, such as on peak travel days. However if the changes go into effect, they wouldn't happen for several months, so holiday travelers are spared the confusion and extra costs, the Associated Press reports.
The change could also be a good thing for passengers. For instance, someone trying to fly on a usually slow Tuesday afternoon, might get a break on the price. The airline did not specify how much the fees could change.
Spirit already makes big bucks on airline fees as the airfare is low. The fees vary in price depending on how early customers decide to pay. To check the first bag costs $30 when paying online or prior to check-in. It costs $35 before the flight at online check-in or $45 at the airport.
Part of the reason the change might go into effect is because sometimes there isn't enough room in the plane for all the baggage during peak travel days, CEO Ben Baldanza told The Associated Press. However on other days there are only two or three checked bags, leading the CEO to think that they're doing something wrong.
"This is something we've been thinking about for a while," Baldanza said. "It's not a foregone conclusion."
Spirit has many fees that passengers get hit with. It is one of the only airline to charge a fee to select a specific seat. It also charges extra for water, to place a bag in the overhead bin and to have an agent print a boarding pass at the airport.
Baldanza thinks that charging lower prices for seat assignments on slower days may motivate more people to buy and it will make the seat map look more full.
"If you look at seat map that is empty, you are less likely to buy," Baldanza said. The price may be lower but the airline could take in more revenue if there are more sales.
Airline tickets have always been priced based on demand, with holiday and weekend travel prices being pricier. Spirit would be the first airline to base fees this way. If the changes go into effect, it won't happen soon.
"It's not just something we can snap our fingers and do tomorrow," Baldanza said.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
