DALLAS (AP) — Since American and US Airways announced a
year ago that they planned to merge, travelers have been eager to see
how the airlines will resolve differences in amenities and
frequent-flier programs.
The airlines, which completed their
merger in December, are finally hinting how they’ll settle one
difference. In a message to employees this week, American Airlines Group
Inc. leaders said they plan to go with American’s practice of providing
extra legroom with a few seats in the economy cabin, and charging
passengers more to sit there.
Passengers willing to pay American
$16 to $159 more per flight — up from $8 to $108 two years ago — can get
a Main Cabin Extra seat with up to six inches more legroom on most
planes. The perk is free for elite members of American’s frequent-flier
program.
US Airways sells ChoiceSeats. Those are often window or
aisle seats near the front of the economy cabin, allowing for a quicker
exit after landing, but they have the same legroom as non-choice seats.
American
hasn’t said how it will install the roomier seats on US Airways planes,
which eventually will be repainted in American’s colors and logo. It
could try to squeeze other rows closer together or use slimmer seats to
create more space.
Most big airlines now sell economy-cabin seats
with extra legroom. United Airlines calls its offering Economy Plus, and
Delta Air Lines sells Economy Comfort seats. They often come with other
perks such as priority boarding to ensure that buyers can find room for
their bag in the overhead bin.
Travel experts have strategies for
snaring good seats without paying extra. Their advice ranges from
setting up email alerts with websites such as ExpertFlyer to politely
asking the gate agent.
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