American Airlines, United Airlines and Delta Air Lines say they are abandoning an unpopular $200 payment for up to other people replacing a U.S. price ticket.
United was the first to announce Sunday.
“When consumers tell us where we can improve, cargo is the top demand,” United CEO Scott Kirby said in a video.
Delta and American Almaximum did the same without delay and informed consumers Monday afternoon that airlines would eliminate replacement fees on maximum tickets purchased from the United States, effective immediately.
“We need our consumers to make e-books and peace of mind, knowing that we will continue to compare our policies to maintain the highest point of flexibility they expect,” Delta CEO Ed Bastian said in a statement.
Under strain from its competitors, American also cancelled in a while after its $200 replace payment for maximum tickets on domestic and foreign short-haul flights.
“In an ever-changing world, American is committed to our purpose of caring for consumers at all stages of their journey,” said Vasu Raja, American’s chief revenue director.”American offers more flexibility and ease than ever, if plans change,” Raja added.
Southwest Airlines rates a replacement rate, a policy that its CEO says has helped him win more business.
United stated that it eliminated replacement payment for others who purchased a premium or popular economy class price ticket to the United States.The airline also said it would increase a general exemption from replacement payments, which add up to the foreigner, until December 31.This extended exemption means that consumers who pay the lowest rates, known as “basic savings,” can also replace price tickets for free.
Starting in January, the airline will allow consumers to fly on loose flights on other flights departing on the same day as their booked flight.
Airlines are desperately looking for the exit for others to fly again despite the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Air travel in the United States has recovered modestly since April, but passenger traffic is still 70% lower than a year ago.Airlines demanded masks and intensified cleaning of the aircraft.Some, adding Delta, Southwest and JetBlue, restrict the number of seats, American and United check to sell each seat.
The 4 largest airlines in the US have been in the world to be in the past. Hus Together they lost $10 billion from April to June.Airlines have shared $25 billion in federal payroll assistance under the pandemic aid law and are pushing for another $25 billion.
One condition of monetary assistance is that airlines would not reduce their workforce until September.American, Delta, and United recently warned that they oppose layoffs and layoffs starting in October if Congress does not provide help.
Consumer teams have long complained about the diversity of fares that airlines now charge for things that were once included in the value of a ticket.There is a specific contempt for replacement fares because, critics say, they exceed airline prices to replace or cancel tickets in a few strokes.
Checked baggage fees and ticket price adjustments have turned into an industry recession in 2008. Since then, airlines have added fees on seats that provide more legroom, priority boarding, and other amenities. .
They contributed to a very successful career that lasted a decade, interrupted by the pandemic.Today, airlines are cutting their flights and staff to cope with declining travel.
From 2014 to 2019, American, Delta and United received more than $14 billion in replacement fees, according to Department of Transportation figures.Last year, Delta charged $830 million in replacement fees, more than any U.S. operator.But it’s not the first time
In Washington, several lawmakers have introduced regular campaigns to ban replacement fees.In 2018, the Senate passed a bill banning “unreasonable” fees for converting or canceling tickets, but the move halted negotiations with the House.
United’s CEO said airlines facing difficult times have “made difficult decisions to survive, infrequently at the expense of visitor service.”Kirby said United was looking for a better service to its consumers this time.
Megan Cerullo and Irina Ivanova of CBS News contributed reporting.
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