US Airways named "stingiest airline" - tell me something I don't know

Maybe US should just put one of these onboard...

It's been a few weeks since I railed on US Airways. So, let's go at them again - and yes, before you ask, they remain dead to me. Time Magazine, doing their take on the new airline fees, ranked the major airlines from the most generous to the most stingy. As expected, US Airways hands down takes the stingy spot. Ain't that the truth. Here's their list:

1. Southwest
The one major airline that is bucking the trend of increasing fees, Southwest still doesn't charge for checked bags (up to two), nonalcoholic drinks, blankets or making a change to your flight. The discount airline has even launched an ad campaign to brag about that fact. Its new slogan: "Fees don't fly with us."

2. Virgin America
In these straitened times, a pretty good deal: your first checked bag is free (the second is $25), drinks and pillows are free too, and the fee for changing flights is a relatively nominal $75.

3. Delta
Among the major carriers, Delta has done the best job of holding the line on fees: no charge for the first checked bag ($25 to $50 for the second), free drinks and blankets, and a flight-change fee that hasn't increased from $100.

4. JetBlue
If it doesn't turn up the air-conditioning and force you to buy that blanket and pillow, the airline is still relatively flyer-friendly: no charge for the first checked bag, free soft drinks and unlimited snacks, and a $100 change fee.

5. Continental
No charge for the first checked bag ($25 for the second), and it's holding the line on the other freebies, like drinks and blankets, as well as still offering free meals like sandwiches, burgers and pizza. But it recently raised its change fee from $100 to $150.

6. Northwest
Recently increased the fee for making flight changes to $150, to go along with a $15 charge for the first checked bag ($25 for the second). Nonalcoholic drinks and blankets are still free.

7. American
Also hitting you up for $150 to make flight changes, and charging $15 to $25 for the first and second checked bags, with soft drinks and bedding still gratis.

8. United
A similar package: $15 to $25 for checked-bag fees; $150 to make flight changes. Plus an extra wrinkle: if you get to the airport early and want a confirmed seat on an earlier flight, United will charge you $75 — better than the $150 change fee, but higher than the $50 most other airlines charge.

9. USAirways
Broke new ground last week by starting to charge for all beverages: $2 for a soft drink (or even a bottle of water); $1 for coffee or tea. Checked bags cost $15 and $25; flight changes are $150.

While I haven't flown Virgin America (they don't fly to my town yet!) I pretty much agree with Time's list. I did fly on AA yesterday and let me tell you that drink cart flew down the aisle! You had one chance to get that dixie-sized cup of water or soda and whosh it was gone in a flash. But, heck I didn't have to pay for it yet, so I guess I can't knock it.

Best (read: most frustrating) quote of the article is from US Airways' talking head Michelle Mohr. (Gee, put her down with the Iraqi tourism dude as having one of the least desirable jobs in travel):

"Customers understand the cost of doing business with these fuel prices, they don't expect a free hot dog at the ballpark."

Nice... Well Michelle, if I paid anywhere near the same price for a US Airways ticket as I do for a ticket to the ballpark I'd have no problem paying for my hotdog (err...drink). That's the Ryanair model and it has legs on cheapo airfares. The problem is that US Airways thinks they can charge $400+ for a ticket and then make you pay on top of that for a stupid cup of water. When drinks used to be free and tickets used to be cheaper - and you're competitors (thankfully) aren't as stupid as you are on this (yet) - it's a tough pill to swallow Ms. Mohr.

(Although I must add that early reports are saying 1) that many people are buying their drinks in the terminal and this plan isn't working so great for poor US Airways and 2) if you biatch enough on a US flight, your poor suffering flight attendant will most likely get you a free cup of water).

I have no plans to find out if either one of these points is true as US Airways remains dead to me!

Airline fees: Who's the stingiest? [Time]