"You know how great it is that airlines have unbundled every little option so that you can pay for things separately? Want to check a bag? That'll be $50. An extra 6 inches of legroom? $96! Board first, even though everyone's going to the same place? You'd better be part of the loyalty program. It's so fun for flying to be split into haves and have-nots."
"I'm kidding. The extractive nature of the modern-day flying experience is miserable. The airlines insist that the choose-your-own-adventure model is great because people pay only for things they really want. The issue is, no one wants to cough up more money to ensure their knees aren't banging into the seat in front of them. The person in the cheap seats at the back is just tolerating their plight the best they can."
"They're increasing customer stratification to boost revenues and identify exactly how much they can get out of each consumer. Sometimes, it's a win for consumers: Uber's "wait-and-save" option gives people who aren't in a rush a discount. But in many instances, it feels like a loss: People now have to pay extra to forgo ads on streaming services, skip the line at Disney, and even shop special hours at Costco."
Airlines and other industries have unbundled services so consumers pay separately for baggage, legroom, boarding, and similar perks, creating divisions between budget and premium customers. Companies increasingly segment customers to extract more revenue and measure willingness to pay, sometimes offering genuine savings for nonurgent users but often charging to avoid ads, skip lines, or access special hours. The unbundling approach increases choice in form but shifts costs and conveniences toward those who pay more, concentrating advantages among higher-paying members and leaving basic patrons with reduced benefits.
Read at Business Insider
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