USA Today
Airline fees are steadily increasing — some by more than 50% since a year ago, a USA TODAY analysis shows.
The analysis, which compared 13 U.S. airlines' fees today with those in effect in June 2009, also reveals that passengers are encountering new types of fees.
Six big U.S. carriers now have priority boarding fees, and Spirit Airlines has begun charging for carry-on bags.
The numerous fees are a sore subject for many fliers, but their dissatisfaction hasn't deterred airlines from bringing in record revenue from additional fees.
U.S. airlines brought in $2.1 billion in ancillary revenue during this year's second quarter, including nearly $893 million from checked-bag fees and about $600 million from changed reservations, government statistics released Sept. 20 show.
That's up 15.8% from the same period the year before.
USA TODAY's analysis shows that:
•Most U.S. airlines charge $23 or $25 for a first checked bag. Only Southwest and JetBlue do not charge. Most airlines charged $15 — and four airlines charged nothing — in June 2009.
•The most expensive change fee for a coach ticket has jumped from $250 to $300, which American charges for some international flights. The most expensive change fee for Continental, Delta, United and US Airways is $250.
•Booking a reservation by telephone — even for a free frequent-flier ticket — can be costly. US Airways charges an extra $35 for a phone reservation for an international flight. Allegiant Air charges a $29.98 round-trip booking fee and a $14.99 convenience fee.
•The most expensive fee to cut the line and board before fellow passengers is $39 charged by United. The airline also has less expensive priority-boarding fees.
•The maximum charge for a preferred seat on some United Airlines flights has jumped from $119 in June 2009 to $159. Such a seat offers 5 more inches of leg room than other coach seats.
•Continental says it's not new, but the airline and at least three other carriers — American, Hawaiian and US Airways — charge a little-known fee for passengers who request receipts after they have flown. Continental charges $20 if a passenger requests a receipt more than seven days after a flight. US Airways charges the same amount if a receipt is requested more than 30 days after a flight.
The analysis, which compared 13 U.S. airlines' fees today with those in effect in June 2009, also reveals that passengers are encountering new types of fees.
Six big U.S. carriers now have priority boarding fees, and Spirit Airlines has begun charging for carry-on bags.
The numerous fees are a sore subject for many fliers, but their dissatisfaction hasn't deterred airlines from bringing in record revenue from additional fees.
U.S. airlines brought in $2.1 billion in ancillary revenue during this year's second quarter, including nearly $893 million from checked-bag fees and about $600 million from changed reservations, government statistics released Sept. 20 show.
That's up 15.8% from the same period the year before.
USA TODAY's analysis shows that:
•Most U.S. airlines charge $23 or $25 for a first checked bag. Only Southwest and JetBlue do not charge. Most airlines charged $15 — and four airlines charged nothing — in June 2009.
•The most expensive change fee for a coach ticket has jumped from $250 to $300, which American charges for some international flights. The most expensive change fee for Continental, Delta, United and US Airways is $250.
•Booking a reservation by telephone — even for a free frequent-flier ticket — can be costly. US Airways charges an extra $35 for a phone reservation for an international flight. Allegiant Air charges a $29.98 round-trip booking fee and a $14.99 convenience fee.
•The most expensive fee to cut the line and board before fellow passengers is $39 charged by United. The airline also has less expensive priority-boarding fees.
•The maximum charge for a preferred seat on some United Airlines flights has jumped from $119 in June 2009 to $159. Such a seat offers 5 more inches of leg room than other coach seats.
•Continental says it's not new, but the airline and at least three other carriers — American, Hawaiian and US Airways — charge a little-known fee for passengers who request receipts after they have flown. Continental charges $20 if a passenger requests a receipt more than seven days after a flight. US Airways charges the same amount if a receipt is requested more than 30 days after a flight.
