Don't look now, but air travelers are paying more and getting less – and they're fine with it.
When Southwest Airlines eliminated its "bags fly free" policy earlier this year, there was a brief outcry from passengers. But then they went right back to booking on the former low-fare carrier – and paying extra for checked luggage.
Here's the reason, according to experts: There's a growing sense of resignation among American travelers. Simply put, they think they deserve both the expensive prices and the extra fees. After all, they kept making booking decisions based solely on price – and the airlines took advantage, making super-low fares prominent but then piling on surprise surcharges.
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"It’s disheartening," said Anton Radchenko, CEO of AirAdvisor. "The increasing trend of cutting back on essential services – like free checked baggage or basic seat selection – is undermining what used to be a standard part of air travel."
