Spirit Airlines Carry-On Fee: Matt Lauer: Will 'Go Over Like A Fart In Church,' CEO Defends Charge (VIDEO)

Calling his airline's new $45 carry-on baggage fee "a unique approach" that would ultimately lower fares for customers, Spirit Airlines CEO appeared on the Today Show this morning.

Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) also appeared on the segment and argued that the fee would lead to other airlines imposing similar fees.

Host Matt Lauer joked that the fee would go over "like a fart in church," but Spirit Airlines' CEO held fast. "We don't see who loses," said Ben Baldanza, the CEO of Spirit Airlines, who also added that his companies sales have been up significantly since the fee was announced.

Here's the AP's report on the segment.

WASHINGTON -- The president of Spirit Airlines says there's been no significant fallout from his new charge for carry-on bags.

Ben Baldanza defends his business model in a nationally broadcast interview while acknowledging it didn't sit well in some quarters. He joked that he'd never consider charging
for bathroom use.

Appearing with Baldanza on NBC's "Today" show, Sen. Charles Schumer said Spirit set a bad precedent by charging up to $45 for carry-on bags and said he hopes competitors don't follow suit. The New York Democrat said there might be legislation if the trend continues.

Baldanza said carry-on fees "can cause some outrage," but said Spirit simultaneously lowered its air fare and its passengers aren't paying appreciably more than before.

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Comments

[blueskybigstar]

02:46 AM on 04/24/2010

The problem with this and many of the things that corporations think they can just do without regard to their customers is that legally this should be considered a service with expected norms that have been through time immemorial as established practice to allow carry on luggage for free. Anything other than that is not the service. Changing these rules is an affront to the definition of providing travel. If there is a pathway on your property that is used by the public, one cannot build a fence and block it. This is a travesty of business practice and a heresy to the definition of providing a travel service.

[dawlishgal]

12:37 PM on 04/23/2010

So the airlines lowered fares at the same time they started charging for carryons? Are they going to drop the charge for carry-ons when they raise the fares again? I thought not. How dumb do they think people are?

[dcnola]

03:33 PM on 04/22/2010

I just read a post which said several of the major airlines requested an exemption from the rule limiting the amount of time they could keep passengers on the tarmac. Luckily, the Secretary of Transportation denied the exemption. Its interesting how airline charges go up, and customer service goes down. I hope that congress gets around to passing some sort of passengers rights legislation, because expecting the airlines to treat passengers fairly would be like expecting Ben Rothlesberger to act right at a Hooters convention.

[UNLVGOP]

03:32 PM on 04/22/2010

According to Spirit's website:

You can bring a FREE personal item onboard, such as a purse, briefcase, backpack or laptop computer. Other exceptions are: assistive devices, medicine, umbrella, outer garments (coats, hats, wraps), camera, car seat/stroller, infant diaper bag, reading material for the flight, or food for immediate consumption

This is after Aug 1st when the new policy is in effect.

[dawlishgal]

12:39 PM on 04/23/2010

Can we have that diaper bag even if we don't have an infant and it isn't full of diapers? And, if we have a backpack, can we take if off of our backs during the flight? If so, I am investing in companies that make diaper bags and back packs. These airlines are getting more and more goofy in their greed.

[Rippeer]

12:51 PM on 04/22/2010

Bad marketing ideas like they keep producing will certainly expedite their trip to bankruptcy.

[plooger]

07:17 AM on 04/22/2010

I don't see the big problem, so long as the carry-on fee is clearly indicated at the time of ticket purchase, allowing the customer to make an informed choice. The fee should not be applicable, however, to any tickets purchased prior to the change.

[UNLVGOP]

03:24 PM on 04/22/2010

It is that way...and as I understand it...Its not for everything you carry on...it's only for stuff you want to put in the overhead bins...what you stuff under your seat is still free I believe....

[zingdaddy]

07:36 PM on 04/22/2010

Who on earth stuffs their coat under the seat?

[ReealOne]

05:59 AM on 04/22/2010

Anyone who believes that this $45 carry-on baggage fee "a unique approach" that would ultimately lower fares for customers -step right this way. I've got a prime piece of land I can let you have for real cheap - located on Pluto.

You'll not only get the $45 carry on baggage fee, but you won't get lower fares either. This "man" should just tell the truth, and say outright that this greed and bottom line comes before anything and everything.

Hopefully people who have money to travel, will not be doing it on "Spirit Airlines, and see how fast he drops the $45 baggage fee, which really equals to - "let's just scrounge as much money from the customers as we can, and get away with it."

[AirViceMarshalPark]

03:26 AM on 04/22/2010

New Coke, Edsel, Carry-on fees...

Who let the MBAs out?

[BikeFreak]

10:51 PM on 04/21/2010

"We don't see who loses" the CEO stated.

Hmmm...maybe that's the problem. Another CEO who doesn't see.

[melton244]

10:36 PM on 04/21/2010

I will never fly on Spirit Airlines and I 'd be pretty shocked of they are even around in 5 years, CEO, is just an arrogant m0r0n.

[YMBM]

08:05 PM on 04/21/2010

We will pay the $45 if they depart and arrive on time!! Airline needs to stop having consumers carry there cost of poor management and begin to operate their business more effectively. This is simply another means for the airline to camouflage there in efficient means of operations across the board. If we must pay $45 for carrying on, then they should not be allowed any grace period for departing and arriving late. Therefore, the fines must access immediately without any means for them to protest!!

[dawlishgal]

12:43 PM on 04/23/2010

Isnt $45 about what it costs to fedex bags to your destination? Maybe that is a good idea these days. Especially when some warehouse in the south is selling contents of "lost: bags for bargain rates. What ELSE are they planning to do, get rid of the overhead space and use it for stacking more passengers like cord wood?

[DavidWyld]

07:57 PM on 04/21/2010

I think this may well be the "Bonehead" move of the year - or perhaps this Century (and yes, the century is indeed young, so sure some exec will top this). However, while I think Baldanza means well, I think he is misguided in his belief that consumers will but into this idea. To be fair though, do watch the video clip as he makes his argument. Still, bags should fly free, as one airline still does (hmmm - I think that's the one with the blue planes!).

David http://wyld-business.blogspot.com/

[mbaty]

07:26 PM on 04/21/2010

It's like they are trying to anger everyone to the point of people becoming irrational enough to blow up their underwear or shoes.

[Extranjero]

07:25 PM on 04/21/2010

I fly Spirit often to Costa Rica from Fort Lauderdale. Spirit is a great airline, almost always on time, and they try very hard to get people on and off the planes quickly. Their fares are rock bottom, usually $150.00 round trip. Before Spirit broke into the Latin American routes, I was paying $500.00 to $600.00 roundtrip on American or Taca. Plus I had to deal with Miami Int'l, which is a nightmare. Because of Spirit, the others have been forced to lower their prices. I understand the problem with carry-ons, as most people abuse the policy with giant bags. One can still pay for a check on for $18 and no fuss no muss. Sure will speed things up when deplaning. I'm with you Spirit.

[runfastandwin]

12:48 PM on 04/22/2010

ABSOLUTLEY! I am so tired of people bringing on huge carryons that are so heavy they can't even put them in the overhead bins, then it takes forever to deplane. I'm with you all the way Spirit.

[PartyPartyParty]

05:33 PM on 04/21/2010

New dictionary:

"anyone" = airline company shareholders