Airlines adding fees

To offset losses caused by rising fuel prices and fewer people flying during economic hard times, many airlines are adding on to their “a la carte” pricing programs, according to an article in USA Today.

Airlines began adding fees last year for everything from checked bags to food and pillows, and their a la carte pricing programs have grown to become a significant revenue stream. AirTran, for example, expects to generate $300 million this year from add-on fees, while United Airlines last year expected to collect $275 million just from fees for the first two bags that passengers check on its flights.

For a USA Today chart showing 28 different types of fees charged by 14 major airlines, click here.