New DAL to Charge for First Bag

[Furloughed80]

November 5, 2008, 10:34 am
Delta to Charge for First Checked Bag

Posted by WSJ Staff
After a long holdout, Delta has finally joined the pack.
The Atlanta-based carrier announced today that it would add a $15 fee on first-checked bags and cut its second-bag fee from $50 to $25, among other changes, saying the moves are part of a push for “the alignment of policies and fees for customers traveling on Delta- and Northwest-operated flights as the airline works to ensure a seamless and consistent customer experience during the integration of the two carriers.”
“The increase in bags being carried on board Delta aircraft this year tells us that customers are not differentiating Delta as the only major airline not charging for a first checked bag,” said Steve Gorman, Delta’s executive vice president and chief operating officer, said in a statement.
You’ll remember that Continental, another latecomer to first-bag fees, decided to hop on board the first-bag bandwagon after previously saying that the carrier’s ability to avoid the fee depended on customer reaction. In May, American Airlines became the first airline to include a fee, a $15 charge, for the first piece of luggage. That move has since been mirrored by carriers including United, US Airways and Northwest.
While it had resisted first-bag fees until now, Delta did not shy away from charging fliers to check their second bags. In making its announcement on cutting second-bag fees — from $50 to $25 — Delta said customers who bought their tickets on or before Nov. 5, and are traveling on or after Dec. 5, will still have to pay $50 for a second bag. (Though they won’t have to pay for their first bag, as was the case under Delta’s previous policy.)
As part of its announcement Wednesday, Delta also said it would immediately eliminate the $25-$100 fuel surcharges assessed for SkyMiles and WorldPerks award ticket travel originating from the U.S. and Canada. Delta also said it would begin selling upgrades to “coach choice seats” on some flights for between $5 and $25 — based where the seat is and how far a traveler is going. Elite Delta fliers such as SkyMiles Medallion members, WorldPerks Elite members, SkyTeam Elite can upgrade to a “coach choice” seat at no extra charge when checking in online or at a kiosk within 24 hours of the flight, Delta said

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[~~~^~~~]

While giving NWA credit for their financial performance, Delta's copying of their fee structure and "surprise" factor is going to result in harm to the new Delta brand.

Even for the business travelers who expense their tickets, this is another line item they have to add to their expense reports, an additional hassle.

And anyone want to guess on the fights that will break out planeside an RJ where passengers' carry on bags are limited by the small overhead bins?

Is Southwest the sole hold out?

This reminds me of some of the Asian airlines. To be the cheapest they list their tickets at the equivalent of $5 or $20, or free. Then the taxes are $200 and the luggage fee $50 and a drink $4. By the time your travel is complete you paid the same fare you paid 6 months ago, but there is a lot more hassle, a lot more chances to get your credit card ripped off and a lot more pulling out your wallet when you just want to fly from A to B with the least hassle.

At least Delta waited until everyone else had already made this standard. Maybe the passengers will expect this fee.

 

[ACL65PILOT]

Really, FIN. As with most customers, they will complain, state that they will never fly Delta again, and then whine about it to whomever they can get on their cell phone. Get on the airplane, whine some more, take it out on the Flight Attendants,
and then get off. Forget about it, book a ticket again, and do it all over.

 

[~~~^~~~]

Yes, but when customers complained about this practice on other airlines, it sure was nice to say "Delta doesn't do that sort of thing." I hope they forget what I said.

This is the sort of thing that results in the employees at my side business selecting AirTran over Delta. They admit Delta offers a better product, but they feel AirTran treats them better. AirTran does kiss up to them, somehow the Agents know they are always flying on last minute full fare tickets and they buy on average 6 round trips a month.

~~~^~~~

 

[ACL65PILOT]

Nice does not pay the bills. I bet that this is the first step before the start to lower airfares with the lowering of crude prices.
They want to get their money from somewhere.Plus it allows DAL's fares to then show up closer to the top of a travel search engine. Any way to get fees out of the ticket price helps that cause. Like of like SWA charging by the leg.

 

[~~~^~~~]

Well on Orbitz, Travelocity and the like - customers do sort by cheapest fare. If Delta is $15 more (but everyone else just charges at the airport) it makes sense for Delta to match the crowd and have their fares match what everyone else is doing.

Still, RJ's don't do carry on bags well.

 

[ACL65PILOT]

No kidding, and lets hope that the prospect of 100 less 50 seater's this time next year holds true.

 

[clickclickboom]

Jetblue doesnt charge for the first checked bag and $20 for the second.

If i read correctly delta will drop the second bag fee from $50 to $25 while adding the first bag fee.

 

[jehtplane]

Really, FIN. As with most customers, they will complain, state that they will never fly Delta again, and then whine about it to whomever they can get on their cell phone. Get on the airplane, whine some more, take it out on the Flight Attendants,
and then get off. Forget about it, book a ticket again, and do it all over.

Welcome to the new Ryanair I mean Delta. Good goes around, I think the CEO deserves a 13.6 million dollar bonus, oh wait nevermind.

 

[flap operator]

Jeez ladies, quit the fee drama. All Delta did was align the fee policies of NWA and DAL. Some fees were dropped, some were decreased and only 1 new one was added for DL operated flights which is the first checked bag.

 

[imacdog]

And anyone want to guess on the fights that will break out planeside an RJ where passengers' carry on bags are limited by the small overhead bins?

A more realistic scenario will be more delayed departures due to people trying to cram everything they have into the overhead bins on mainline planes, and the resulting gate-checks.

 

[cybourg10]

I read in USA Today that some AMR executive said airfares will stay high even with oil dropping. They finally realized that you can't price tickets so low that you need 100% load factor to make a buck.....hopefully.

 

[crj567]

This just shows that DAL (I mean NWA) mgmt thinks it can jack people around now that it is the new 800lb gorilla.

Just shows how smart these guys are-They are now trying to put Air Tran out of business...... They should be careful what they wish for. AirTran is much easier to compete with than all those SWA planes who would replace them.

-Fun times to ensue-Air Tran goes tits-up, DAL thinks they can just jack the fares back up, and then SWA comes right in and hand DAL its ever-loving pink butt! (Don't think this scenario wouldn't happen a NY minute!)

P.S.-There ain't much pax loyalty to any DAL anymore-and a petty $15 bag fee sure doesn't help rebuild that.

 

[Princedietrich]

A very bad marketing move on the part of Delta if you ask me. Being the "last holdout" for so long, they were able to seriously play up the fact that they didn't charge that first bag fee. It was practically free advertising for them. What this will result in is Delta getting a little more revenue out of those passengers who have no choice BUT to fly on Delta, but it may discourage some of those passengers who have a choice of carriers and are only looking at the best deal.

 

[crj567]

I have a lot of friends/family who work for DAL. I am originally from close to DAL's HQ. This used tobe a highly respected, even revered company.....

What I see is far too mch influence from NWA mgmt in the new DAL. I see so much of it that you could almost say that NWA just acquired DAL-their mgmt certainly did. Steenland (Mr. "just go thru your neighbor's trash to make up for you pay cut") is on the board-so are at least 4 of his buds.

These NWA mgmt guys should have absolutely no role-they are simply going to destroy a once-great airline!

If they are not careful, SWA will replace Airtran and flat-out kick the snot out of DAL domestically..... And judging by Europe's economy-that will really do some damage.

 

[JOPILOT]

"Fun times to ensue-Air Tran goes tits-up, DAL thinks they can just jack the fares back up, and then SWA comes right in and hand DAL its ever-loving pink butt! (Don't think this scenario wouldn't happen a NY minute!)"

DAL would fly routes to LBB and any other Sh!thole SWA operates to for free if they have to, in order to preserve routes out of ATL that SWA airlines would be interested in competing for. LUV's management is fully aware of this. SWA is not interested in competing with any airline that is empowered, they will continue to pick on airlines that are sick like UAL and F9.

Just my .02, Peace JP

 

[ACL65PILOT]

I wonder what is going on over in Spalding Co. Georgia. They seem to have gotten a ton of money for that 9000+ foot strip. Controllers are very circumspect about it.
I would not be surprised to see SWA drop a plane or two in to there each day. It will have the facilities to do so.
When you are on the Erlin Arrival near DALLAS intersection look off the right. It is a nice brand new airport.

 

[FlyingSig]

From what I read these fees do not apply to the medalian skymiles members... so the business guy still won't have to pay.

 

[DTW320]

I wonder what is going on over in Spalding Co. Georgia. They seem to have gotten a ton of money for that 9000+ foot strip. Controllers are very circumspect about it.
I would not be surprised to see SWA drop a plane or two in to there each day. It will have the facilities to do so.
When you are on the Erlin Arrival near DALLAS intersection look off the right. It is a nice brand new airport.

I think you mean Paulding County.

http://www.paulding.gov/gov/airport.asp

 

[filejw]

I have a lot of friends/family who work for DAL. I am originally from close to Dal's HQ. This used Tobe a highly respected, even revered company.....

What I see is far too Mach influence from NW mg mt in the new DAL. I see so much of it that you could almost say that NW just acquired DAL-their mg mt certainly did. Steen land (Mr. "just go Thur your neighbor's trash to make up for you pay cut") is on the board-so are at least 4 of his buds.

These NW mg mt guys should have absolutely no role-they are simply going to destroy a once-great airline!

If they are not careful, SWAY will replace Outran and flat-out kick the snot out of DAL domestically..... And judging by Europe's economy-that will really do some damage.

Your going to see more NW for sure..the My Delta folks should have read the story of The Trojan Horse.