Airline revenue enhancement–at your expense…..

There have been many rumors of late about some airlines seriously considering charging for things that you and I have taken for granted over the years……like an extra fee for aisle, window and emergency exit row seats……and an up-charge for sitting closer to the front of the plane (hopefully saving you a few extra minutes on arrival)……or a charge for checked baggage or any beverage….or special fee’s for the use of elite check-in lines or for the privilege of using the express security line available at many airports. Or even an extra charge for anyone that weighs more than some predetermined amount (airline executives would love to pull this off, but it clearly would be unenforceable and possibly illegal).

Personally, I would pay a few extra bucks to sit in an aisle seat, if thats what it takes (or maybe just take my chances and move to an unoccupied aisle seat after takeoff). In the meantime, I make sure to check Seatguru before I fly any trans-con or International flight for the best seating.

My guess is that every major airline is just waiting for the other guy to start adding such stipends to fares…..much like when Northwest was the first to announce they would go nonsmoking on all domestic flights back in the 1980’s, and almost every airline followed suit within a few months.

Would you be willing to pay extra for some of these amenities? I am afraid that within a years time we probably won’t have a choice……