Hidden airline fees to avoid

Published July 13, 2009

Although it's become easier to find cheap flights, airline convenience fees are at the highest they've ever been. Increased baggage charges, fewer in-flight amenities, and mandatory booking fees are just the start of what you can expect to pay at airports this summer. Below we've updated our check list of hidden airline fees so you're not caught off guard on your next flight.

Baggage fees

American Airlines
1st Bag: $15
2nd Bag: $25
Additional Bags: $100 (bags 3-5), $200 (6+ bags)
Carry On: Free

AirTran
1st bag: $15
2nd bag: $25
Additional Bags: $50
Carry On: Free

Continental
1st bag: $15
2nd bag: $25
Additional Bags: $100
Carry On: Free

Delta
1st bag: $15
2nd bag: $25
Additional Bags: $125 (bag 3), $200 (bags 4-10)
Carry On: Free

JetBlue
1st bag: Free
2nd bag: $30
Additional Bags: $75
Carry On: Free

Southwest
1st bag: Free
2nd bag: Free
Additional Bags: $50 (bags 3-9), $110 (9+ bags)
Carry On: Free

Spirit
1st bag: $19 (booked online), $25 (booked at airport)
2nd bag: $25
Additional Bags: $100
Carry On: Free

United
1st bag: $15 (booked online), $20 (booked at airport)
2nd bag: $25 (booked online), $30 (booked at airport)
Additional Bags: $125 (bags 4-5), $200 (6+ bags)
Carry On: Free

US Airways
1st Bag: $15 (booked online), $20 (booked at airport)
2nd Bag: $25 (booked online), $30 (booked at airport)
Additional Bags: $100
Carry On: Free

Virgin America
1st Bag: $15
2nd Bag: $15
Additional Bags: $15
Carry On: Free

Seat preference fees

American Airlines
None

AirTran
$6 for choosing your own seat, $20 for sitting in exit row

Continental
None, however, passengers who require additional seating space must purchase a second ticket (i.e., a "fat tax")

Delta
None

JetBlue
$10 ("legroom" seats)

Southwest
None, however, passengers who require additional seating space must purchase a second ticket (a "fat tax"). The total price of the second seat may be refunded provided flight does not oversell.

Spirit
$15 for sitting in exit row, $10 for an aisle seat, $5 for the middle seat

United
from $14 to $109

US Airways
$5

Virgin America
None

Pet fees

American Airlines
In cabin: $100
In cargo: $150

AirTran
In cabin: $69
In cargo: N/A

Continental
In cabin: $125
In cargo: from $68

Delta
In cabin: $150
In cargo: $275

JetBlue
In cabin: $100
In cargo: N/A

Southwest
In cabin: $75.
In cargo: N/A.

Spirit
In cabin: $100
In cargo: N/A

United
In cabin: $125
In cargo: from $250

US Airways
In cabin: $100
In cargo: N/A

Virgin America
In cabin: $100
In cargo: N/A

(Due to excessive heat, many airlines will not fly pets as cargo during the summer months.)

In-flight amenities

American Airlines
Snacks: For sale
Beverages: Complimentary
Pillows & Blankets: Complimentary

AirTran
Snacks: None
Beverages: Complimentary
Pillows & Blankets: Complimentary

Continental
Snacks: Complimentary
Beverages: Complimentary
Pillows & Blankets: Complimentary

Delta
Snacks: For sale
Beverages: Complimentary
Pillows & Blankets: Complimentary

JetBlue
Snacks: Complimentary
Beverages: Complimentary
Pillows & Blankets: $7

Southwest
Snacks: Complimentary
Beverages: Complimentary
Pillows & Blankets: Complimentary

Spirit
Snacks: For sale
Beverages: For sale
Pillows & Blankets: Complimentary

United
Snacks: For sale
Beverages: Complimentary
Pillows & Blankets: Complimentary

US Airways
Snacks: For sale
Beverages: Complimentary
Pillows & Blankets: Complimentary

Virgin America
Snacks: For sale
Beverages: Complimentary
Pillows & Blankets: Complimentary

Onboard Wi-Fi fees

American Airlines
$12.95 for 3-hour or longer flights, $9.95 for flights under 3 hours, $7.95 for handheld devices

AirTran
Coming mid-summer

Continental
None

Delta
$12.95 for 3-hour or longer flights, $9.95 for flights under 3 hours, $7.95 for handheld devices

JetBlue
Free for all devices

Southwest
Price to range from $2 to $12.

Spirit
None

United
Coming mid-summer

US Airways
None

Virgin America
$12.95 for 3-hour or longer flights, $9.95 for flights under 3 hours, $7.95 for handheld devices, $5.95 on red eye flights

Additional fees to avoid
Of all the airlines listed above, Spirit is riddled with the most add-on charges. In fact, the airline will soon charge a $5 to $10 "passenger usage fee" for booking online. Other outrageous fees to look out for include:

Most airlines now charge around $2 for curb-side check in.
Oversize and overweight luggage can be charged up to 3x the standard luggage fee.
Many airlines have implemented surplus charges for flying standby.

As best as we could find, no one is charging for use of the lavatory. Yet.

Louis Ramirez is dealnews' Features editor.

DealNews may be compensated by companies mentioned in this article. Please note that, although prices sometimes fluctuate or expire unexpectedly, all products and deals mentioned in this feature were available at the lowest total price we could find at the time of publication (unless otherwise specified).

Hidden airline fees to avoid

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