MARCH 7, 2011
By SUSAN CAREY
Airlines are digging around for ways to pile on more fees.
In recent years, airlines from AMR Corp.'s American Airlines to Spirit Airlines Inc. found new ways to boost profits—and annoy fliers—by charging fees for checked bags, selecting a choice seat or other services once included in ticket prices.
Now they're mulling and testing various new fees for services that never were part of a ticket: Want a seat that reclines more? A pre-ordered champagne brunch in coach? Insurance against a blizzard that waylays a trip? Access to speedy security lines and early boarding? Soon you might be able to get them all—for a price.
Airlines started charging for checked bags, snacks, pillows and other items in a big way in 2008. Last year, such fees brought in an estimated $22 billion, or 5% of global industry revenue.
