Newsstand - NWA Coach Choice response "better than anticipated"

http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/living/14191493.htm
Sun, Mar. 26, 2006
Washington Post via San Jose Mercury News
How airline's new seat fee is faring
By Keith L. Alexander

Less than two weeks after Northwest Airlines set off a major customer-service uproar by unveiling a new $15 fee for aisle and exit-row seats, the airline says the response from customers has been better than anticipated. Northwest spokesman Kurt Ebenhoch said demand for the seats was growing and after one week, sales were ``running ahead of expectations.'' He declined to offer specifics on how many seats were sold.

Would NW really admit that they made a big mistake? I doubt it, and they certainly do not seem to be willing to back up their sucess with facts. So I guess the question is, should we believe NW? After all they are an airline.

What can I say.... a new sucker is born every minute. The rest just fly with other airlines.

If this sticks at NW it is just a matter of time before we see at all the airlines. What a mess.

If they expected 100% of their elites to riot, and only 95% did, that would be "better then expected" results. :D

And I have faith UA will continue to buck the trends and keep my ability to book Exit Rows 330 days out for free to continue. ^

What a load of crap. Looks like the Doug'y Steenland "makes our costs uneconomic in the short run and unsustainable, long term." is trying for his bonus. Too bad for us folk that were in it for the long haul. :td: :td:

b

"Better than anticipated" = "No one was chased up a tree and the tree set on fire".

Way to go, Douggie.

I'll bet that the $15 has no guarantee that the seat next to you is not occupied by a person of size. That will cost $50 extra.

http://www.tripso.com/archives/2006/03/choice.html

In my opinion, low fares, consumer choice and profitable airlines make for a win-win-win situation. Instead of denouncing Northwest, the traveling public should be applauding it.

I certainly am.

So why shouldn’t the seats on an airplane be priced by their locations? If this is going to help airlines stay airborne, I’m all for it.
I believe that's what J and F cabins are for, but hey this guy's an "expert", right ?. A true consumer advocate should be advising his readers to tell NW to shove it. Luckily I can get & use Worldperks on CO and others, so NW continues to alienate this consumer.