Last Thursday I booked my flight in Indianapolis on AirTran and was shocked with the the little fees when I went to confirm my flight. After this experience with AirTran, i think I know why I have been so faithful to Southwest Airlines for the past few years.
It used to be long as you were over the age of 15 (or older) you could sit in an emergency exit row without a problem. Now when you book a flight you have the option to reserve the seat assignment but you have to pay an additional $20 dollars for that seat.
The fee wasn't just limited to the emergency exit rows. There was also a $6 fee to reserve seats towards the front of the cabin. I'm sorry but who in the hell would pay $6 to reserve a middle seat?! I mean seriously.
For an additional 15 you could pay to get priority boarding with AirTran but who wants to sit still in a sit while people are loading especially in my case. I booked row 11 coming and going... why would you even offer that to me?
To check your bag it's $15. Which comparatively speaking is cheaper compared to some airlines but more than Southwest, they are free. The second checked bag is $25.
I am sure there are other fee's that I haven't picked up on.
Business class upgrades were $69. Fair enough on that because you get your first checked bag free and a complimentary beverage in business class.
I'm not going to rule out never flying AirTran again and I don't want to jump on board with any preconceived notions but they aren't off to a great start in my book!
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Makes you really question if the folks in whatever department that sets the fees even fly the airline they work for. What they should do is find a complete stranger on the street and read the pricing policy to them. After the third “WTF?”, you get to go back to your office and do it all over again.