New Budget Airline Charges For Lowering Tray Table, Opening Window Shade
DollAir, the new budget airline operating between five major airports across the US, is laying claim to the title of cheapest airline around.
The initial ticket is outrageously affordable — non-stop flights from Newark to Seattle start at $23 one-way. We have seen budget airlines before so it comes as no surprise that checked luggage starts at $40/bag, carry-on items in the overhead bin add $10, and that carry-on item under your seat adds $5.
But the real kicker, is that they mean everything comes with a fee and will only unlock with the swipe of your credit card. Opening the window shade will cost you $8 and lowering the tray table costs $12 (per time). Putting your seat back starts at $6 and goes up to as much as $22 depending on how far back you choose to lean. Opening the air vent costs $14 and unless you have an emergency, asking the flight attendant a question adds an automatic $20.
The airline faced major criticism, charging for use of the bathroom but stands by their decision to a $4 fee per visit, a price they consider to be quite affordable. The US Department of Transportation only requires airlines to provide free restroom access during ground delays, a law that DollAir will abide by.
A recent DollAir passenger, Alyssa Mooney, told us Friday that by the time the airplane landed, she wasn’t even surprised that they were charging a fee to deplane. “The so-called de-boarding fee,” said Ms. Mooney, “is a rebate. You get the $25 dollars back after mailing in your ticket. I use a smart phone and don’t have a printer to print off my ticket. I mean, what am I supposed to do? Go to the library? No one’s getting that rebate.”
DollAir did not respond when we reached out for comment.
Jan Miller (she/her) lives in Bozeman, Montana with her fifteen plants, zero pets, and no children. She is an avid hiker who also likes to quilt.
