US Airways Begins Charging for Water and Soda
It used to be a joke: "What are the airlines going to do next, charge for water?"
As of today, the joke is on you, at least if you're flying US Airways. This morning the carrier began charging $2 for bottled water and sodas, and $1 for teas and coffees.
Like all the airlines these days, US Airways is searching desperately for ways to cut costs and boost revenues amid skyrocketing fuel prices. For now, other major airlines are not yet willing to go to the same extreme, but executives at those carriers are likely watching very closely to see how customers will react.
Several other low-cost carriers like Spirit Airlines and Allegiant Air began charging for beverages a few years ago. These low-budget airlines say their business model offers “unbundled” deals, which strip away extra costs and charge only for the flight. Spirit and Allegiant officials say customers like this plan, which allows flyers to add on extra drinks and snacks only if they desire.
US Airways says it will provide water and drinks for passengers in cases of medical emergency and during extensive delays. If a desperately thirsty passenger does forget a few extra dollars, US Airways spokesman Morgan Durrant says flight attendants will likely “err on the side of the customer” and give him or her water. After all, the airline wouldn’t want its customers drinking tap water from the aircraft bathroom. That water is safe to drink, just not very palatable, according to Durrant.