Comments on: US Airways to Start Charging for Soft Drinks and Water

By: MP

MP — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 18:17:10 +0000

I travelled from NYC-YYZ, bought a one way ticket to YYZ on US Airways only because I had a $50 voucher that US Airways gave me after they screwed up due to their incompetence in their overseas reservation system, which made the fare very cheap. On my flight that lasted about 4 hours from takeoff at LGA, then connecting in PHL to YYZ, service was non-existant. I refused to spend $2.00 for drinks or $1.00 for nasty coffee. On my return from YYZ, I flew for the same price LAN. The flight took 1 hour and included free baggage check, individual video screens in your seats so you could watch movies, TV or listen to music, PLUS a sandwich and free drinks INCLUDING alcaholic. For my weekend trips to YYZ, LAN is the way to go. Maybe AA and the cheap others will look twice.

By: Neil Vander Linden

Neil Vander Linden — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 01:50:10 +0000

I just flew from Mexico City to Charlotte on Sunday. Not only did US Airways charge for drinks on board, but they searched carry on luggage and confiscated soft drinks and water. That is a new low for an airline.

By: Aldo

Aldo — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 16:43:25 +0000

I am at a US Airways gate waiting to board to fly from CLT to Philadelphia. I am going to Europe on vacation. The whole experience is very depressing, dirty and awful. I am asking myself why in the world do I want to include travel by plane in my vacation plans.

By: Auntie Mama

Auntie Mama — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 23:15:48 +0000

I’m sure that usairways will still have a beverage service,only with glasses of water,coffee,tea and O.J. Otherwise there would be health related issues during longer flights.I wonder if government have any thing to say about not giving passangers necessary fluids?

By: Donna Hull

Donna Hull — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 01:33:39 +0000

In the financial scheme of things, I do not see how eliminating free drinks will help the airlines become profitable. Come on, how big a savings are we talking here? I understand the airline industry’s struggle with increasing fuel costs, but what about the costs of poor management? I wouldn’t mind paying for a coke or a cup of coffee if the airline execs agreed to a 10% cut in their salaries and stock benefits. It’d be nice to see them share in some of the pain of air travel.

Mammas, love your blog.

By: MudslideMama

MudslideMama — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 23:43:42 +0000

Another thing – as long as I’m not alone in my irritation about this – is the unspoken soda rule. You know; ask for a coke, they fill your cup up with ice and then put something like a quarter can’s worth of the soda in it. The flight attendants have always given me the whole can when I ask for it, but I just think we shouldn’t have to ASK.

By: MountainMama

MountainMama — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 23:24:31 +0000

The whole thing is just depressing.

By: CajunMama

CajunMama — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 22:41:33 +0000

The last time I bought a bottle of water at an airport it cost right at $2. Judging by the mini bottles of Dasani that most airlines serve, I will be purchasing my drink at the airport news stand. Oh, and my food also. It is still a better value than the $10 turkey sandwiches American charges.

My last walk through security, I had an extra carry bag but security said they DO allow a bag of sealed food items to go through, just not liquids.

As far as giving a comped drink to unaccompanied minors, they damn well better give my kid a coca cola since most airlines charge out the wahoo for a minor’s escort ($50-100 each way).

By: MountainMama

MountainMama — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 19:15:14 +0000

Amy – Great question. You cannot bring any drinks (even sealed bottles of water or never-opened Coke cans) through security. (I suppose you could bring a 3 oz. of juice in a 3 oz. container…)

So, if you want to take drinks on the plane, you’d have to buy them at a shop by the gate — and you know how much airport stuff costs! I bottle of water or soda will likely cost more in the airport than the $2 you’re gonna be charged on the plane for your soda…

By: Amy @ The Q Family

Amy @ The Q Family — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 19:10:39 +0000

I haven’t flew for a while (about a year). Can you buy your own soda and drink to bring on the plane? What about the security rule about no liquid over 3oz? I mean I won’t mind if I can bring my own. But if I can’t and they will charge me, that’s outrageous.