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While many fliers prefer traveling via cheap airplane tickets and cheap vacation packages, some are willing to pay a little extra for a premium seat. The real question is how much more are better economy seats really worth. In early February American Airlines offered Ralph Nader the ability to switch from a middle seat to an aisle seat for almost $2,000 more on an upcoming flight from Hartford, Conn. to Dallas-Ft. Worth. When contacted, American Airlines claimed that it does not charge a $2,000 aisle seat fee. However Nader, who stands 6’ 4” tall, was told the only way he could get an aisle seat was to purchase a different ticket than the $750 ticket he already held. The replacement ticket’s price was quoted at $2,680, almost $2,000 more than his original ticket. Nader was expecting to have to pay about $50 more for an aisle seat. After he was told that his new seat would cost almost $2,000 more unless he was already a member of American’s elite frequent flier program, Nader observed “It’s extortion. They are charging you for knee lengths.” Asked to explain this outrageous upcharge for an economy aisle seat American responded that all aisle seats available for seat assignments to non “Preferred” economy class ticket holders were gone. Only by paying for a full fare, refundable ticket, costing $2,780.40, could Nader have been assigned a guaranteed aisle seat. American Airlines defended its position saying “The point of this exercise is to make sure our most loyal customers have first run at those seats.” Finally after making calls to American’s executive office and to MSNBC, Nader was able to convince the airline to assign him an aisle seat for his original $750 ticket price.
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