Airlines will make a record $118 billion in extra fees this year—their websites are designed to get you to pay::Airlines are piling on fees for checked bags, assigned seats, and other extras. Here’s how their websites pressure fliers into paying for them.
Recently booked some flights with United. Chose Economy (not Basic). Tried to book row 30 or something around there but they wanted an extra $140 per seat. Said fuck it and booked row 58. Two weeks later got an email letting me know my seats were changed to row 30 at no charge.
What a scam.
Yeah, this is a pretty common thing for me as well. I prefer to sit by my wife on long flights (3+ hours) and will usually pay an enormous fee for a damned middle seat. Outside of that, pfft hell no. Then it’s a toss-up whether I get what I want or not. The prices are pretty outrageous considering it costs nothing.
On exception was flying Lot Airlines to and from Poland. We picked seats together on both flights, and neither selection was honored. That was pretty BS. They couldn’t fix it at the gate because the flight was full and it would be too difficult. 🤦♂️
Can’t just ask the person to swap you? Most people don’t want the middle seat.
Hmm. That’s a good point… Book both the aisle and window and hope nobody takes the middle! Depending on the route that’s workable.
If that doesn’t pan out, I suppose the situation is similar, but I’ll get to make someone a bit happier by swapping, which is also a win.
Seriously, thank you. I got something out of this.
Their UX is also incredibly deceptive. I’ve personally seen old folks trying to book on low-cost airline websites and they often believe they have to pay extra to get a seat.
Yeah they’re using the hell out of dark patterns and then switch them up mid process i.e. clicking the big green “Ok” Button will first be the one that gets you to pay more later you need to hit “Ok” to proceed without additional fees.
I recently went through the process with a friend. Both of us reasonably tech savvy and under 35 and we almost went mad. So it’s not just old folks.
Absolutely. And they push bundles that don’t make financial sense but look attractive because we’re conditioned to think bundles are good. $30 to check a bag OR $72 to check a bag and board in Group 2 lol.
Does anyone know what is the most ethical airline?
None of them are ethical.
Define your terms? Pilot/staff pay, minimization of cost, carbon efficiency, something else? I’ll look it up, based on order of your concern.
Kind of curious my own self.
Initially I thought I need an airline that help in boycotting Isreal. I figured South Africa, or Ireland might be good. But now, I wonder about the different aspects you mentioned.
Maybe there is a website that have all these details?
I’ve been poking around a few minutes and can’t find a centralized website. Honestly, add a ticketing system to a website like that and I’d use it over Priceline etc
Flew AA recently and never again. Upcharge for me and my wife to sit together, upcharge for me and my wife to board at the same time (only one of us is in their “Advantage” program), and checked baggage rules were changed recently so our biggest suitcase is now twice as expensive (being 3in too big).
