Originally Posted by serioustraveler

... the reality is that they're adding more and more fees and bogus charges in order to make it so that eventually only the rich will be able to fly.

kvh: Except that airfares in constant dollars are down about 40% since deregulation.


Accounting for fuel cost increases, inflation, and difficulties in the market is one thing, tacking on fees left and right to pocket a ton of cash is another thing.

kvh: That's business. Besides, I can't begin to know all the information necessary to make the pricing and fee decisions an individual airline has to make never mind all the airlines in this country. Even those who are paid to make those decisions often get it wrong even with a relatively free market giving them feedback. I can guarantee a modern day CAB would do worse; at least from the consumer's standpoint.

Again, Do you guys really think the airlines will institute additional "add-ons" and will actually lower the base fares? They're looking for supplemental revenue streams, not replacement revenue streams.

kvh: Again, even with the additional fees, flying is getting cheaper, not more expensive.