According to a story on ABC News, passengers flying Frontier Airlines will now have to pay extra to place carry-on bags in the overhead bin or for advance seat assignments.
The move comes as the Denver-based airline tries to transform itself into a fee-dependent airline, similar to Spirit Airlines or Allegiant Air — the only other U.S. carriers to charge such fees. Frontier already charges $1.99 for a soda or water on its flights, a fee it added on July 1. But Frontier says that in exchange for these new fees, it is lowering its base fare by an average of 12%. But we all know they would never, ever reduce a cost if the upside to a reduction was not a huge increase in revenue for the added fee so they can make up the 12% and then some.
Current Frontier Airlines fees:
- Food and beverages
- Overhead bin fees range from $20 for frequent fliers who book online to $50 for those who fail to pay before getting to the gate. Most will pay $25 if they check-in online; $35 if they check-in at the airport.
- $15 to $25 fliers will pay for their first checked bag.
- Seat assignments — even for the dreaded middle seat — now cost an extra $3 for those who buy while booking online; $8 at check-in. If passengers don’t pay extra, Frontier will assign them whatever seats are left over.
- $5 to $15 per flight, depending on when they are purchased, for seat selection. “Stretch” seats with an extra 5 to 7 inches of legroom — including those in the exit row — will cost $15 to $50 per flight segment, depending on the distance flown.
Seems like an effort to become another Spirit Airlines.
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