American Airlines Free Blankets and an $8 Charge

American Airlines free blankets? Not on domestic American Airlines flights! A new $8 charge includes blankets and pillows that come with a price. American Airlines, one of the many struggling air carriers, is going to charge people $8 for a pack containing a pillow and a blanket. In the past, these items used to be free on AA flights, but with diminishing margins the airline has to find ways to make money.

What is this going to do for consumer morale? For one thing, you will likely find more and more people lugging around their own pillow and blankets - only if they fit in their one allowed carry on.

Ever since 9/11 and the energy crisis began, airlines have been suffering. Where flying used to be fun and used to be a good experience, it's turned in to a pain. Think of it as a really expensive subway, where you are all crammed together in a small space and forced to be civil for long periods of time.

In some cases, you can't even go up and use the rest room if you need to.

Travelers aren't given much of a warning for this new charge. American Airlines will begin charging for blankets starting on May 1. Until then, passengers can enjoy the complimentary covers and accoutrements - but don't get used to them.

Before you get upset about the charge, you should note that you get to actually keep the pillow and the blanket if you pay the fee. This way, frequent fliers aren't required to shell out dough each and every time they get on a plane.

Unless, of course, they are like me and have a tendency to lose things such as cheap airline pillows and blankets.

The charge is only levied in coach cabins, meaning that if you are flying business or first class you will still be able to use complimentary blankets. Of course, you won't get to actually keep the blankets...so...I don't know really which is the better deal.

On one hand, you have a clean blanket that no one has ever used before.

On the other hand, you have a blanket that may or may not be clean and you have no way of knowing who used it before you.

Hmm. I'd shell out the $8 given that choice.

As time goes on, expect more and more cuts from airlines. The industry is getting "back to the basics" which means that there may not be any fun things to do on many flights.

Source:

CNN.com