Purchasing your plane ticket gets the biggest traveling expense out of the way, but that total doesn't include anything you'd want to tack on to make your trip a happier experience. The Baltimore Sun gathered fee facts from domestic airlines and broke down charges for everything from beverages to pets.
- Beverages: Monster Energy drinks - $3 (Southwest Airlines); VitaminWater drinks - free (AirTran); $3 (Delta Air Lines); Beer, wine and alcoholic cocktails - $4 (Southwest Airlines); $5 (Delta, United, US Airways, American Airlines) $6 (AirTran Airways)
- Meals: Snack boxes and sandwiches range from $3-$8 (Delta, United, US Airways, American); Continental Airlines is the sole major U.S. carrier to still offer complimentary snacks (2+ hour flights) and meals (3+ hour flights); No sandwiches or meals available on Southwest or AirTran
- Checking Bags: Second bag - $10 (AirTran); $25 (American Airlines, Continental, Delta, Northwest, United and US Airways); Southwest charges starting with third bag - $25
- Seat Assignments: Exit row extra legroom - $20 (AirTran); $5 to $35 (Northwest Airlines); Window, aisle seats in front of plane - $5 to $30 (US Airways); Reserving seat number in advance online - $6 (AirTran); Business Select early boarding - $10 to $30 more than highest fare (Southwest)
- Unaccompanied children (nonstop flights): $100 (Delta, US Airways); $99 (United); $75 (American, Continental); $75-$120 (Northwest); $39 (AirTran); free (Southwest)
- Curbside Check-in: $3 per bag (Delta); $2 per bag (Delta, United, US Airways, American, Northwest); Free (Southwest and AirTran)
- Headphones: $5 (US Airways); Free on United, AirTran; No in-flight entertainment (Southwest)
- Pets: $65 one-way for small pets in a carrier that fits under the seat (AirTran); $100 for small pets in cabin to North American locations (Delta, US Airways and United); $95 (Continental); $80 (American, Northwest); Southwest doesn't allow pets to be brought on-board or stored as cargo
-
Find out how much airlines are charging for other privileges when you read more.
Stuart Weitzman
Roberto Cavalli
Luella
Is Jetblue still charging $50 for small pets? I remember I used to book a flight for my boss and her dog all the time.
1The pet fee really annoys me. My dog is just sitting in a bag under the seat, like any other bag. I travel with him a few times a year, so it really adds up. Once, on a short trip, our costs ended up being the same!
2They are seriously going to far with all of these extra charges. BECOME MORE EFFICIENT! That's the only way these airlines are going to start becoming more profitable.
3I agree with Wren, if he has to stay under the seat just like baggage why do I have to pay so much more for him? Irritating!
4Also, I'm pretty sure Hawaiian still gives you a cookie on your flights to hawaii
I am pretty sure that JetBlue gives you a free snack too (they did 2 months ago!) I also wish that airlines were more efficient in order to reduce costs. Oh well.
5This is ridiculous; I especially think the extra charge for an unaccompanied child is awful.
6I hate that extra fee for pets. And to put them in the cargo it's astronomical! United charged me $100 to fly Brando to NY, but $200 to fly him back! I was on the phone with them all day trying to tell them they were wrong and they couldn't understand why it wasn't acceptable for them to charge me one fee one way and double it to go back. It was so ridiculous, I won't be flying with them again anytime soon.
7Pretty much everything about traveling is expensive...blah.
8Has it always cost this much to bring pets on planes? I've never brought my dog on a plane, but I'm probably moving to Boston this summer so this is going to be a big cost.
9i am a flight attendant, many airlines are going to go under soon. it takes thousands of gallons of fuel to travel across the county. if airlines do not either raise fares, or add fees there will be no more airlines.
10Post New Comment
Please share your opinion with our community, but make sure it is on topic and follows our Community Rules. We moderate comments and prohibit personal attacks, threats, spam, lewd images, or the promotion of your personal website.