Starting on May 1, American Airlines will start charging $8 for a blanket and pillow in coach – but I don’t think this is anything to get too excited about.

After all, JetBlue and US Airways already charge $7 for the same deal (though I wouldn’t be surprised if that price creeps up a buck to match AA). That said, there are good and bad things about this, mostly good.

Best Thing: You know your blanket will be fresh and clean (it comes in sealed plastic) and that’s great for staving off colds or even the N1H1 virus (what used to be called “swine flu”); close personal contact with an infected person is said to be the main reason we may get sick on airplanes – and nothing spreads germs like an old, dirty blanket.

Good Thing: Blankets will not be available on flights of less than two-hours, which suggests to me there will be more room in the overhead bins (Southwest got rid of blankets last year during the flu scare and say their customers appreciate the extra space).

Not-So-Good Thing: If you’re the type who gets chilly on a plane even during short hops, bring your Snuggie – if you’re on a longer flight, bring some plastic (on domestic flights, American does not accept cash).

Possible Worst Thing: You buy a blanket and pillow, and it’s yours to keep – but once you land, are you really going to stuff these things into your already over-stressed carryon? Or will there be a wholesale dumping of airplane blankets and pillows? I doubt it will have much effect on global warming but still – remember to recycle…