Airlines, both budget and full-fare, are always looking at new ways to make revenue. Once-free services, including snacks, drinks and seat allocations, now carry a charge on some airlines.
But how far should they be allowed to go? That’s the question one US senator is asking after two airlines indicated that they would be charging for access to overhead lockers.
Sen Chuck Schumer said: “They continue a relentless march to monetize every atom of the airline, nickel and diming travellers with fee after fee to maximize their profits.
“What’s next? Are we going to pay per peanut?”
He said if United and American Airlines didn’t “hit the eject” on overhead bin fees, he’d back legislation to ban the charges through the Federal Aviation Administration.
Related: What does a 'basic economy' airfare buy?
The bottom line, I guess, is how much people are prepared to pay.
In the meantime, perhaps airline staff ought to be more discriminating in terms of how much carry-on luggage they allow per passenger.
I often see people who are clearly breaking the rules, and I know that bin hogs can be the cause of distress for other passengers.
