“Stinginess” of American Carriers Spreads to Overseas Airlines

In the article Lean Cuisine: European Airlines Cut Perks, the Wall Street Journal describes how European airlines are adopting many of the infuriating cost-cutting moves that American carriers have imposed on customers.

Last month, Scandinavian Airlines System started giving passengers in intercontinental economy just one free alcoholic drink, compared with the previous policy of unlimited booze. SAS began charging for food and drink in its intra-Europe economy class last year. Earlier this year, British Airways PLC stopped serving full meals on flights that occur during midmorning or midafternoon. (There are snacks and drinks instead.) Austrian Airlines AG began charging last year for meals on economy flights under 2½ hours (coffee, tea, water and a chocolate remain complimentary). Iberia SA, Spain’s airline, has taken free meals out of the economy cabin on all short- and medium-haul flights. Aer Lingus Group PLC of Ireland now charges for food and drink on flights within Europe — water, for instance, costs about $1.90. On the airline’s trans-Atlantic flights, all alcoholic beverages now cost money.

Airlines are increasingly charging for other services, too. Taking a page from Ryanair, SAS this year started charging for large baggage checked by passengers flying within Sweden; skis are 100 Swedish krona, or about $14, for example. British Airways this year raised its surcharge for travelers within the U.K. who pay with credit cards (it’s now £3, up from £2). Aer Lingus charges for newspapers on flights around Europe.