JetBlue Cuts Legroom, Adds Bag Fees

The latest flower in the drooping and ponderous bouquet we like to call "why everyone hates airlines" comes via special delivery from JetBlue, which is cutting one thing passengers do like and adding one thing they don't. The airline, which the Wall Street Journal notes is looking to boost its sagging bottom line, is adding 15 seats to its signature Airbus A320 in 2016—effectively cutting legroom for each seat by about 5%. It's also rolling out new baggage fees via a new basic fare that doesn't include a free checked bag.

As DallasNews observes, that leaves Southwest Airlines as the only American airline "not to charge for bags one and two." JetBlue doesn't anticipate a passenger revolt, with its president saying that "our customers are going to still feel like JetBlue is offering a better experience than anyone else." But a disappointed blogger at Boston.com—"What happened, JetBlue? You were supposed to be the one"—isn't so sure about that. (More JetBlue stories.)