US Airways Now Charges $2.00 for Water

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US Airways Charges Two Dollars for Water (Thomas Becker)My family just ended a wonderful vacation with Adventures by Disney; this was in the American Southwest in July in the summer, so naturally we were looking forward to a nice air conditioned flight home, complete with icy cold juice, water, or soda. Imagine our shock when the flight attendant told us that – as of August 1, 2008 – US Airways charges two dollars for that most basic of air travel amenities, a cup of water. That’s right, it now costs $2.00 to get something to drink on US Airways. To her credit, the flight attendant seemed to understand the absurdity of the situation, but of course this new money-generating venture was out of her hands.

Everyone knows these are tough times for the airline industry. The combination of the suffering USBy the time you see this sign, it\'s too late (Jennifer Miner) economy and skyrocketing (no pun intended) fuel costs are leading airlines to recoup their losses wherever they can. This includes cutting flights to smaller markets, ceasing to offer hotel rooms credits to ticket holders of canceled flights, and charging for checked luggage.

Now, we frequent fliers – and even the family that flies once or twice a year – understand this. And to the airline industry, we customers say: Cry me a river. Because while the airline industry is boo-hooing about the price of fuel, it is really we, the passengers, who suffer. Two dollars for a cup of juice, Coke, or water on US Airways? After losing our dignity on the airport security line, cooling our heels during interminable flight delays, and finally haggling over trading seats with fellow passengers so that a family of four can even sit together, just give us a cup of cold water. It is – literally – the very least we deserve.

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August 3, 2008 | Filed Under Budget Travel, Family Travel, Flying High, Travel News 

Comments

14 Responses to “US Airways Now Charges $2.00 for Water”

  1. DesertMama says:
    August 3, 2008 at

    I foresee many lawsuits in the near future as well as medical issues making the headlines. Staying hydrated while flying is very important. (I had a man pass out on me while on the plane from dehydration one summer.) If someone doesn’t have the money to purchase a water and ends up sick, who are they going to blame? After all, we can’t bring our own water through security. US Airways may also see an increase of emergency/medical landings, which will cost the airline a lot of money – more than they would make on a flight serving drinks.

  2. jill browne says:
    August 3, 2008 at

    I totally agree with DesertMama – this is a health issue.

    I think our airport (YYC – Calgary, Canada) is typical – you can’t take a water bottle through security. Here we can purchase water airside, or fill up a personal water bottle for free.

    I wonder if every airport has that. If not, it simply strengthens the health argument.

    And of course, people making tight connections don’t have time for all that palaver.

    The LAST thing to cut back on is water.

  3. polyGeek says:
    August 3, 2008 at

    I have a conference coming up in San Jose in a few weeks – I live in the Los Angeles area. I’m taking the train up instead of flying. Flying would mean getting to the airport 2 hours before takeoff, suffering through all the security and then getting on a plane to SanJo. Plus flying makes me woozy with the pressure changes. My head feels like a big balloon.

    Of course the train takes way longer – 8 hours – but I’m going up the Pacific coast which is beautiful, I’ll have my laptop and will be able to get some quality work done – instead of being cramped on a plane.

  4. golfnutn8 says:
    August 3, 2008 at

    This is absolutely crazy. There are some basic necessities I believe airlines need to provide passengers and water is definitely one of them. Sick!

  5. Jilly says:
    August 3, 2008 at

    Unbefrakkingleavable. I agree with Jill B about the water being a health issue – what are people supposed to do, fill their bottles from the bathrooms sinks on the plane? Which, BTW, i hear is really not clean for drinking…

    And as polyGeek says, flying is now officially the pits. I hope we *do* take more train rides as a society.

    Maybe ALL traveling now sucks. I catch the flu every time I take a plane ride or even a cruise, gas prices for driving are this side of insanity, and…well…I’m not too fond of bus rides, either.

    Choices – stay at home, take shorter distance driving vacations, or take a good look at train travel.

    Can someone develop beaming now?

  6. Keith says:
    August 4, 2008 at

    >>we can’t bring our own water through security.<<

    We can’t in UK, either … but, once we’ve passed through security, we can buy it in the airside shops.

    But, tell me … how does a $2 bottle of water compare with the price of a bottle of beer bought ‘outside’? Or, a litre of petrol?

    Keith

  7. MudslideMama says:
    August 4, 2008 at

    US Airways sells beer and liquor too, Keith – teeny little bottles (you’ve seen ‘em) for $7.00 American. The difference is that the Coke, juice and water used to be free, and still are on other airlines. Having to pony up just for a drink doesn’t exactly enhance the flying experience, if you know what I mean.

    :)

  8. Alan Sorum says:
    August 4, 2008 at

    To follow up, the flight attendants are calling U.S. Airways a flying vending machine.

    http://consumerist.com/5032747/attention-world-a-us-airways-plane-is-just-a-flying-vending-machine

  9. MudslideMama says:
    August 5, 2008 at

    Thanks for that link, Alan. There sure are a lot of annoyed comments on The Consumerist about US Airways charging for water. That’s a great site.

  10. Aurae Beidler says:
    August 7, 2008 at

    I got a bottle of water for $1.50 in the airport last week, drank it and then filled it up with tap water (hope Atlanta’s water is okay…). My husband and I put it in our bag and brought it onboard. No problems. But then that was Delta (Delta had great service!).

    Water should always be free…I agree about the health issues. On long flights, people are going to be thirsty!

  11. Kevin Hott says:
    August 20, 2008 at

    I’ll be drinking the tap water out of the restroom sink. Just remember to bring yourself a plastic cup and fill er up!

  12. Jen says:
    January 25, 2009 at

    It’s been a while since this was posted. I’m curious as to whether anything has changed. The availability of water is a basic health requirement. There is, however, a precedent for charging for it–Nestle is already developing a scheme to sell drinking water to people in Third World countries where clean water is not available. I find that much more scandalous.

    But back to my self-centered inquiry: Can anyone tell me if this policy has changed and if other airlines now charge for water? We will be flying from Germany to Tampa, Las Vegas, Amarillo and back to Tampa and Germany 6 weeks from now. We’ll be gone for 3 weeks, and I don’t want to think about how many flights. I DO want to have basic necessities of life for me and my 6-yr-old son (just the 2 of us).
    Thanks!
    Jen

  13. MudslideMama says:
    January 25, 2009 at

    Yes, sadly, this policy remains. US Airways still charges for water, soda and coffee. In fact, the only major US airline that includes a full meal for coach class fliers at this point is Continental (by major I mean with many planes and international flights).

    It’s infuriating, I know. And don’t get me started on the all those surcharges!

  14. kookimebux says:
    February 1, 2009 at

    Hello. And Bye. :)

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