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American Spirit Airlines CEO Defends Fees; Says Bags Are 'Not Essential' For Vacations

SCOTT MAYEROWITZ ABC News 07/14/2010 20:35

American Spirit Airlines CEO Defends Fees; Says Bags Are 'Not Essential' For Vacations - Spirit Airlines - USA - travel - flight - Ben Baldanza

The head of the nation's most fee-happy airline told Congress today that bringing luggage on vacation was "not essential" to travel and his airline was actually helping the poor fly by charging up to $45 to place a carry-on bag in the overhead bin.

"We are certain that Spirit's decision to unbundle services not essential to the transportation of passengers, has enabled more passengers to fly at lower cost," said Spirit Airlines CEO Ben Baldanza. "Indeed given our low fares, it has allowed many to travel who otherwise simply could not afford to do so."

And it's not just carry-on bags that Spirit charges for.

Want to pick your seat in advance? That will cost anywhere from $8 to $60 depending on the seat. Spirit charges extra even to reserve the much-dreaded middle seat.

Want a nice cold Coca-Cola, Sprite or even a cup of hot coffee? That will cost you an extra $2.

"Spirit's business model to provide maximum choice to passengers to purchase the specific services they want, while keeping fares as low as possible, is unique among U.S. airlines," Baldanza told Congress.

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Brooklyn teen creates world's largest bobblehead, 16 ft. tall, hoping for Guinness World Record Tarrytown suffers 'terrible loss' after two men in manhole die from toxic fumes Queens father of three killed after his drunk driving pal travels wrong way, hits guard rail on LIE New poll shows 49% of people think Mayor Bloomberg has failed in improving city's schools Queens mom says 5-year-old son was sexually assaulted at school by four fellow kindergartners Steven Slater, fed-up JetBlue flight attendant, looks for a deal in court against criminal charges State Senator Offers To Purchase Bulletproof Vests For Volunteer Patrol Heavy Drinkers Outlive Non-Drinkers, Study Finds New York City Gains Record Number Of School Seats For New Academic Year Muslim Leaders Rally In Support Of Downtown Islamic Center

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Heavy Drinkers Outlive Non-Drinkers, Study Finds New poll shows 49% of people think Mayor Bloomberg has failed in improving city's schools Queens father of three killed after his drunk driving pal travels wrong way, hits guard rail on LIE Tarrytown suffers 'terrible loss' after two men in manhole die from toxic fumes Steven Slater, fed-up JetBlue flight attendant, looks for a deal in court against criminal charges Brooklyn teen creates world's largest bobblehead, 16 ft. tall, hoping for Guinness World Record State Senator Offers To Purchase Bulletproof Vests For Volunteer Patrol Queens mom says 5-year-old son was sexually assaulted at school by four fellow kindergartners

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God help us get integrity back in our government..appalling! We his salary to preach this?! idiots Get out! I'M SICK OF THESE UNGRATEFUL EMPTY HEADS WITH SH-T FOR BRAINS hello people Georgia and Idiod congresscritters how stupid can one be? justice...

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