U.S. Airways began charging customers for non-alchoholic beverage, including water, on August 1st. Water, soda, coffee, tea and juices will cost $2. The airlines blame rising fuel costs for the need to charge all these new fees for services that used to be free.
Starting Aug. 1, US Airways will add nonalcoholic beverages to the growing list of amenities not included in a flight's base fare, thanks largely to increasing fuel costs.
Water, soda and juices will set passengers back $2. The cost of alcoholic beverages will increase from $5 to $7.
Fliers will face higher fees for more than just drinks. Yesterday, US Airways and United Airlines announced separately that they will soon charge some customers $15 for their first checked bag. Last month, American Airlines became the first major U.S. carrier to announce that it would charge a first-bag fee. United will also increase other baggage fees, including those for overweight bags and bags that require special handling.
And passengers may have a harder time finding a flight. US Airways will reduce flights starting in the fall. Continental Airlines yesterday released details of flight reductions announced last week. Among other changes, Continental will discontinue flights between Dulles International Airport and its hubs in Houston and Cleveland.
A New York Timesarticle (via Gadling) says the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA is objecting to collecting the fees for nonalcoholic drinks. The Times article also says if passengers balk at these drink fees they won't have to pay them.
U.S. Airways is the only airline charging for conveniences like water but it is not the only airline adding fees. Discounter Jet Blue recently announced they would charge $7 for a pillow and blanket. And back in may American Airlines announced plans to start charging $15 for the first checked bag.
Here's a video about U.S. Airways plan to charge for water from Marketwatch.
U.S. Airways began 
