As I checked in for a flight today, United was kind enough to offer me an upgrade to Economy Plus. For $44, I could have three whopping inches of additional legroom. Nothing on the elbows, and no free grub – just a tad extra stretch space at almost $15 an inch. (Take a look at this image from the airline’s Economy Plus webpage. When does a cute cartoon become false advertising?) The flight lasts three hours and if you do the math, that works out to something like $5 per inch/hour. This all makes sense as airlines try to micro-price the flight experience. A few airlines want to charge passengers who prefer a reserved seat. Others will sell you exit row seating for an extra charge. Nice legroom, sure, but you’ve got to agree to work in an emergency.
On the way out, Thursday, US Airways offered me a snack box filled with cookies and crackers for $5. My response to the flight attendant was the same as my reply to the $15 per inch legroom offer. Sign me up! To paraphrase the old Amex ad, resignation has its privileges.
Blanket and pillow? Five dollars. Snacks? Ten dollars. Sitting behind a passenger whose seat won't recline and crush my (very long) legs? Priceless.