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Icelandic Airline Wow Air Collapses and Cancels all Flights:
Iceland's low cost carrier Wow Air has canceled all flights and told passengers to book with other airlines.
Its website has a travel alert that begins: "Wow Air has ceased operation. All Wow Air flights have been canceled."
The alert said people who wanted to travel should now look for "so-called rescue fares" which may now be offered by rival airlines.
Wow added that those who made bookings by credit card or via a European travel agent should try to get their money back through those businesses. It said some passengers may be entitled to compensation from the airline itself.
[...] The company's model was to entice passengers with ultra-low prices before slapping on extra charges for seat selection, baggage, leg room and expensive refreshments. A typical base fare for a Wow flight from the U.S. to Europe could come in at less than $200.
A fall in tourist visits to Iceland and rising fuel costs had been cited as headwinds to profitability.
The airline had also suffered poor customer reviews and was particularly criticized over recurring delays.
You don't always get what you pay for, but you generally do not get what you do not pay for.
(Score: 4, Insightful) by bob_super on Saturday March 30 2019, @04:05PM (4 children)
Sounds like another attempt at competition, which kept people from being completely gouged by the quasi-monopolists for a little while.
(Score: 2) by Runaway1956 on Saturday March 30 2019, @04:20PM (3 children)
I'll split the difference between you and AC: Another business that decided on a shitty business model. I realize that in some countries, you order from the menu, and expect to pay for each item ordered. But, being an American, I expect to pay twelve dollars for a twelve dollar steak, and I expect my choice of potatoes, rice, or pasta, along with a couple of veggies.
If an airline offers me a $200 flight to Timbuktu, I don't expect to be charged for "extras" like someplace to stash my ditty bag. I can reasonably expect to pay extra for bringing enough luggage to fill the bed of a pickup truck, but an overnight bag and a briefcase would seem to be included in the fare.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday March 30 2019, @04:29PM
You just want people who are only bringing a backpack full of stuff to pay for you to store your luggage. In the US spirit airlines does the same thing. You can fly around for like 1/3 the price as long as you don't choose your seat and bring a bunch of luggage. It is great.
(Score: 5, Touché) by theluggage on Saturday March 30 2019, @05:52PM (1 child)
...and then add on a tax or two that wasn't included in the $12, oh, and don't forget the morally obligatory 18% "service charge" so that the people who cooked and served it can afford to eat food and sleep indoors. I've been to America and it certainly shouldn't be throwing any stones in the "hidden extras" glasshouse.
(Score: 2) by exaeta on Sunday March 31 2019, @12:53AM
Or maybe they could advertise the real price, 18% higher, on the menu!
Hidden fees are a scummy practice. When they are implied aspects of the service, they are even worse.
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