Just as I predicted, the airlines in the USA are starting to charge their passengers for drinking water as a measure to offset the rising cost of fuel. US Airways was the first to institute this new policy. Although a lot of passengers will be incensed (and rightfully so), it is only a matter of time that several other US based airlines follow suit. Notably Continental and Northwest airlines have not given in to this insanity, and insist they will continue to offer free meal service and complimentary drinks to their customers. Let’s look at the progression of airline policies – No meal service, $35 for checking in 2nd bag, $15 fee for checking in first bag, no complimentary beverages (excluding water) and now no more free drinking water.

As a number of savvy travelers have commented, one way to get around this new policy is to attempt to carry an empty plastic water bottle through security, and fill it with water at a water fountain inside the terminal. I don’t know if this will actually work as the airline security people may try to confiscate an empty plastic bottle. If they do, I surmise that they could be in cahoots with the airlines

What’s next? Could the airlines have the audacity to start charging for blankets and pillows and use of the bathroom or restroom facilities?

This entry was posted on Monday, August 4th, 2008 at 7:36 am and is filed under travel. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.