More Airline Fees: Pillows, Blankets, Water and Moreby Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger 06 Aug 2008 02:16 PM What's next, having to pay to use the toilet mid-flight? Another day, another announcement from airlines saying that they simply can't stay in business unless they find another way to earn some extra cash. The latest brilliant money making idea: JetBlue's plan to charge passengers $7 for a pillow and blanket set. It's no joke. But before you cancel your reservations you should know that the carrier is quick to point out that you are free to bring along your own pillows and blankets (though doing so will mean you will be able to carry on little else). Frankly, I am completely disgusted by the trend of nickel-and-diming passengers to death, but I find it even more offensive that JetBlue execs are trying to put a green spin on the move to charge for a single blanket and pillow. According to the company, the "comfort set" is considered environmentally friendly in that it will save millions of paper-covered pillows from ending up in dumpsters each year. If that doesn't get you, perhaps this "courtesy" by JetBlue will. The carrier is reportedly handing out $5 coupons good at Bed Bath & Beyond stores to all passengers so they can buy their own pillow and blanket for their next flight. How generous. Almost as generous as US Airways. The airline recently terminated its free drink service, but is still allowing passengers to purchase soda, fruit juice, coffee, and bottled water, for $2 each. No word on how much the airline is charging for a cup of contaminated tap water. Similar to JetBlue, US Airways claims it just had to start charging passengers for items such as water and pillows because rapidly rising fuel prices are killing them. (And I guess misery loves company so they are passing the costs down to the plebs in coach.) Oh and by the way, if you were planning to drown your sorrows (brought on by the outrageous airline fees), you'll need to bring along some extra cash. Execs at US Airways say the price of alcoholic drinks will be going up from $5 to $7. Related Articles: New Airline Fees--Keeping it Straight More Bad News for Cash Strapped Flyers Say Good Bye to Free Pretzels and Peanuts No Such Thing As A Free Ride... Or Free Pretzels Travel Insanity---Airline Charges for One Checked Bag Airline Luggage Wars--Can It Get Any Worse? More Luggage Restrictions... Are You Ready For This? Can We Find A Way To Eliminate Liquid Restrictions On Airplanes? Learn more about Michele Cheplic  Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism. Relevanttravel tags User Comments  Valorie Delp (49340) 07 Aug 2008 02:13 AMWouldn't you rather see higher priced seats? I mean really--I get that fuel charges are up and people are not going to stop having to fly. It's substantially less insulting IMO, to just charge more for the seat than it is to nickel and dime passengers to death. Isn't there a baggage fee now too? UGH WE won't be travelling anytime soon--I can tell you that.  Michele Cheplic (37349) 07 Aug 2008 06:37 AMActually, I would like to see lower priced seats. ;-) You're right Valorie the fees are just smoke the fact is the price of the seats and all the fees have gone up and there is no end in sight. Your family would need to win the lottery to fly LOL! Community Tags airline fees, air travel, cost of travel, Compare Airline Fees, luggage fees Discuss this article
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