JetBlue charging $7 for pillow, blanket kit
NEW YORK —
JetBlue Airways Corp is now charging customers for pillows and blankets. The carrier has done away with the recycled blankets and pillows used on its flights, and has started offering an “eco-friendly” travel blanket and pillow that can be purchased for $7 on flights longer than two hours. The pair come in a kit with a $5 coupon to home furnishings retailer Bed Bath & Beyond.
The carrier claims the pillow and blanket feature a fabric technology, developed by CleanBrands LLC, that blocks pesky critters like dust mites, mold spores, pollen and pet dander.
JetBlue already offers free “Snooze Kits” on overnight flights from the West that include an eyeshade and ear plugs.
But the blanket and pillow kit is the latest in a string of a la carte items the company says are providing a revenue boost to help offset the soaring price of jet fuel.
A JetBlue spokeswoman declined to predict how much the sale of these kits will bring in, saying that the company only provides revenue details for specific items in its quarterly earnings conference calls.
The carrier said last month it expects to collect about $40 million from customers buying seats with extra leg room this year. Its $15 fee for a second checked bag is expected to translate into about $20 million in additional revenue. A ticket change fee, which doubled to $100 in the second quarter, is part of a “basket of fee changes” expected to produce about $50 million in extra revenue in 2008.
Wire reports
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19 Comments
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OgieDoggie
Next they'll be charging for air in the cabin. What's next charge you for seat belts?
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DenshaDeGO
This isn't really new, nor is it that surprising for anyone who's been following the market. What I wonder is how far things will go?
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borscht
How far will it go? As far as the consumer allows it. If airlines make a few extra million charging for baggage handling, but lose a few million with fewer fliers, airlines might re-think the baggage deal. As long as the customers put up with it, it will continue and grow.
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delitachan
I don't think we have a choice in terms of putting up with it. Most airlines already charge for the baggage policy, but unfortunately a lot of us NEED the airlines to get us to our destination. When we're talking about seeing a loved one (in my case), I have no other choice but to fly. The airlines aren't stupid; they know that a good amount of people rely on them for thier travel needs and they'll do what it takes to pump out every dollar they can.
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kinniku
I can't be bothered to go to JetBlue's website to find out. However, the article mentioned that the kit can be 'purchased'. Doesn't that mean that it can be taken home and used by the passenger on future flights? So, which is it? Is it a 'charge' or a price for purchase? In addition, for those of us not in the know, is this a US airline company?
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timtak
According to the website JetBlue is a North American domestic carrier. It does not seem to fly to Japan. I wonder why this news is in the Japan Times.
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PepinGalarga
the more they pull this crap the more people will stay home. For every dollar they save on these things, they will lose 2 for lost customers.
of course, there's business travelers that can't be held back, but we're talking about a 20-30% drop in air travel because of all these moves. people are using more phones, and video conferencing, which has actually gotten dirt cheap because things like Skype, VOIP and competition...
its a death spiral for airlines man...
i better get my bicycle and raft ready.
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borscht
I wonder if tele-communications, Skype, tele-conferences, and other high techy communications providers are seeing an increase in business.
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WMD
How long before the airlines hit upon on the idea of charging for the use of the toilets I wonder?? There'll be a lot of passengers with their legs crossed I'd imagine.
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PepinGalarga
borscht: of cour$$$$e. industry revenue is way up but margins are way down, driving the weakest out. Look at Vonage, they got wiped out. IPTV is looking to be a serious rival against cable companies, unless they wise up and adopt, resulting in lower cable/phone/internet bills and reduced infrastructure. after all why do we need so many separate lines running to our homes. we only need one fiber optic line, soon to be replaced by WIMAX or LTE.
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PepinGalarga
to put my last post in context before it gets erased, let's say that airlines have their industry secure as long as people have to keep traveling. there's no threats to their existence, or alternate ways of travel, unless Branson figures out a way to put us on a rocket anytime soon. With telecomms, future is so uncertain, but in the transportation there will always be a need to go from A to B.
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Himajin
I was surprised that drinks are now $5 each on Northwest (and perhaps other carriers as well). Alcohol used to be free on international flights, was it all those people who managed to get plastered who are responsible for the charge? Or is it fuel prices that prompted them to charge for drinks?
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Taka313
WMD,
About 5 minutes after they announce that in order to better serve the customer, they are serving free beer and bowls of warm water to soak your hands in. ;-)
Taka
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Pukey2
No frills airline of the future, courtesy of madtv:
http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=gSJwzYiB_Pc
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Sarge
Q. What's the difference between Mars and USAir?
A. You can get free water on Mars.
Yep, USAir's charging $2 for water now.
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Sarge
Pukey - Even better is the "Carol Burnette Show - No Frills Airline" on youtube.
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Sarge
Yeah, it's $7, but it has fabric technology that "blocks pesky critters like dust mites, mold spores, pollen and pet dander."
So, even if a fellow passenger brings his/her dog or cat on board, you're safe!
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DenshaDeGO
There's the problem right there. What are we going to do, boycott the airlines en masse? I can't walk back home to Japan ...
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Wakarimasen
Everything costs now. Airport tax to UK is almost JPY 80k.
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