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 Fellow clotheshorses beware: In an attempt to curtail the weight of excess baggage, airlines have instituted now-infamous luggage fees. A single checked bag is often gratis, but a second will run you around $25. Worse, a third costs an average of $100. These days it’s best to roll your clothes, invest in space bags, and limit your sartorial self-expression on holiday.The Best: Southwest charges only $25 for the third checked bag, while the first two are free. AirTran charges a $10 fee for a second bag if you pay online, and $50 for a third.
The Worst: United Airlines will alter their policies as of August 17. After that date, a single checked bag will cost $15, a second $25, and a third $125. Similarly, American Airlines charges $15, $25, and $100, respectively.
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- Unaccompanied Minor Fees:
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 Only the benevolent Southwest will chill with your kid for free. On other major airlines, expect to cough up an additional $100 for a little guidance and a pair of wings. What’s worse, some airlines charge an additional fee for connecting flights or price according to “segments.” As per usual, it’s best to get a direct flight to Grandma’s.The Best: Southwest and AirTran take the cake again. AirTran charges $39 for an unaccompanied minor on a nonstop flight and $59 on a connecting. Also, children ages 12-15 have the option of flying as adults to avoid incurring the fee.
The Worst: American charges $100 per child per flight, as does U.S. Air. The latter, furthermore, extends its fee to everyone under age 17 and only allows minors on nonstop flights.
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 It’s a true and corroborated story: my Boston Terrier pal Ollie recently cost his owners a whopping $400 on a flight from D.C. to Texas. Major airlines claim a range of puppy prices, and the most damaging falls in the neighborhood of $700. Also expect a variety of policies regarding a pet’s proper place on a plane; while some airlines refuse to house pets in the cabin, others won’t check them with the bags.The Best: Surprise! Our friend AirTran is one of the few airlines to break from the common $100 price point, housing your pet in cabin for $69.
The Worst: Delta charges a standard fee of $100 for in-cabin pets, but boasts a range of prices from $178-689 for pets flying as cargo. Delta’s website also offers the following nugget of indispensible information: “Primates, including lemurs, monkeys, orangutans, gorillas, and chimpanzees will not be permitted.” Good to know.
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 Remember when that congealed turkey was a free-of-charge mixed blessing that accompanied every flight you took? That was a really long time ago. Domestic airlines are especially guilty on the food front, charging $7-10 for innovations such as the “snack box” and items from the “fresh food” menu. Fortunately, many airlines will still offer you an apple juice and some peanuts for free. Thanks, guys.The Best: Continental’s advertising campaigns have informed us all that the airline’s snacks and meals are still free, just like in the old days. JetBlue offers an interesting array of snacks, including blue chips, for free.
The Worst: U.S. Air! How could you? Beginning on August 1, the airline will charge $2 for basic non-alcoholic beverages including soft drinks and, according to their website, water. Delta offers meals in the $6-10 range. Again, we visit their website for a lovely bit of language: their $10 entrée is “Mouthwatering Oregano Grilled Shrimp.”
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 Ready for this one? It sometimes costs an extra $20 to sit in an exit row. What used to be a decidedly weighty in-case-of-emergency burden is now a taxable privilege, though the reasoning behind the cost is a little murky. Also, expect to hear neologisms like “Coach Choice” and “Economy Plus” on your next flight. How the upgrades compare to good ol’ Coach is unclear, though customers can expect to pay up to $100 in extra fees to enjoy them.The Best: Southwest doesn’t appear to charge any fees for comfort options, though they recommend that “customers of size” book an additional seat. Delta, American, and Continental all seem to abide by the old rule that Coach is Coach.
The Worst: Oh no, AirTran. Our erstwhile fave is home to the unfortunate Exit Row fare, while United offers “Economy Plus” for $14-109, depending on the flight’s duration.
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Bag Fees:
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Categories: Air Travel
