Andy Yiu’s Blog

The Future of the Airline Industry

With fuel costs increasing, many of the airlines are looking for ways to make an extra buck or to lighten the load of the plane.  Over the last year, we have seen that airlines have started charging fees for luggage.  The main question I have for the airline industry is “Is it helping at all?”  With the TSA regulations on liquids, gels and other carry on items, many people do not have any choice but to check their bags in.  All of the carry on baggage which would have gone into the cargo bay of the plane is now stuck in the cabin with the rest of the passengers.  The Houston Chronicle composed a very good article about a futuristic airline, and I have to say they do an excellent job in outlining the potential problems.  I have heard about stories where people are willing to fly across the US and back again on the same day to save their frequent flier status.  At the rate the airline industry is going, I would be tempted to do the same thing if I was in the same case. 

Houston Chronicle article: Fees galore when flying in the future

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/business/steffy/5933335.html