Many times airfare hike attempts look a bit like a ball traveling through a pachinko machine — and that is the case with this latest “fuel surcharge” airfare hike attempt by Delta.
This morning, it looked as though this Delta-initiated hike (via a fuel surcharge) was going to fail, especially after both Delta and United rolled back. However, it appears I may have been premature in seeing it as a flop.
That’s because Delta has now reversed itself, and at 1 pm, jumped back into the hike – joined by Virgin America and Alaska (American is still participating).
There is another domestic airfare feed at 8pm EDT time tonight, which is likely to see United jump back in (they also dropped out when Delta did this morning).
We know who’s in – but, who is not going along with this hike? Keep reading…
Meanwhile, Continental and US Airways are on the sidelines for now – along with the low cost carriers (Southwest, JetBlue, and AirTran).
Couple of notes: the original Delta fuel surcharge increase on Monday closely mimicked the route system of AirTran, and included many smaller cities; the reinstatement of their hike this afternoon is slightly more broad.
It is likely that U.S. airlines are seeing a boost in domestic travel bookings as some passengers opt to travel locally, as opposed to flying to Europe – concerned, perhaps, about the potential hassle of volcanic ash issues this summer.
My response is in regard to INTERNATIONAL fuel surcharges. I booked a ticket on Mexicana Airlines for late May without a fuel surcharge (or a very small one). They have been charging a $180 fuel surcharge for the same flight for the last 3 weeks. That’s so ridiculous! I guess this allows them to advertise their flight at a much lower rate, and then when you book you get hit with a ton of fees. I’m sorry … but the price of fuel has not risen that much to warrant such a huge fuel surcharge.
E.,
Believe me, I completely understand your frustration.
Thanks for writing.
Rick
There are international airlines like El Al for instance, who charge fuel surcharge fee since a long time ago. Nothing new about that. I suppose we will see all kinds of “add-on” fees, the question is, how long will we, the customers, allow this. If we could, somehow, organize a world-wide protest, it might help, or am I an optimist
Joseph,
I suspect you are an optimist – but, for what it’s worth, I appreciate you writing…
Cheers,
Rick