Airlines: Freight-Class Flights

Freight-Class Flights

"They treat you just like cargo," goes a typical passenger gripe about cheap flights. That bit of hyperbole is getting to be closer to the truth as airlines battle to slash fares and frills. Eastern Airlines announced last week that beginning April 1 it will sell seats on late-night freight flights. The coast-to-coast fare for the "Moonlight Special" will be $98, in contrast to $129 for Eastern's least expensive daytime runs.

The new service will use the airline's regular Airbus A300 passenger jets. Instead of carrying passengers' luggage, though, the cargo bellies will be packed with overnight-delivery packages. The travelers seated...

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