Airlines

Flying High on Fees: Airlines Cash in While We Just Want to Sit Together!

Discover how much airlines are raking in from those pesky 'junk fees' and what you can do to avoid them!

Airlines are at it again, and this time it’s more than just turbulence and lost luggage—it's about the astonishing fees we all hate to love! A recent report has revealed that five major US airlines collected over $12 billion from seat selection fees alone between 2018 and 2023. That's right; every time you scrolled to pick that not-so-middle seat next to the bathroom, you probably contributed to a staggering amount of revenue that airlines are pocketing while we squirm in our aisles. It seems the cost of flying has inflated faster than our excitement when the flight attendant brings around the snack cart!

But wait, there's more—airlines are also padding flight times, meaning your perceived air travel experience is getting longer. On average, flights now run about 18 minutes longer than they did previously, and despite that, many flights are still arriving late. It’s like getting a coupon for expired cereal at your favorite supermarket—it’s not a good deal just because you have more of it! Passengers are forced to feel the stretch of time alongside the stretch of their wallets as they encounter unnecessary delays and those notorious junk fees.

The Senate isn't taking this lightly either. An investigation into these 'junk fees' has been launched, revealing their underhanded impact on everyday travelers. Senate report blasts airlines over these fees for enhancing their bottom line at the expense of sensible flying. It’s like being hit by a snowball that keeps gaining size as it rolls down the hill—only now it’s in the form of extra charges for bag checks and seat assignments. Such fees not only burden passengers but also lead to a negative flying experience and mistrust in these corporate giants.

In an interesting twist, some travelers have taken to 'skiplagging', a controversial tactic that involves booking flights with multiple stops to save money. While it might feel like a clever hack, airlines aren’t amused. They’d prefer we just pay that higher ticket price to ensure their profits soar, but let’s be real—would you spend extra for a seat next to someone who snores?

So, the next time you book a flight, remember: every seat selection, checked bag, and possibly even your overhead bin space could have a hidden fee. Did you know that as of last year, American Airlines alone charged around 6 million passengers for something they once got for free? Or that this growing trend of ancillary fees has sparked severe reactions not just from annoyed travelers but also from congress? Hang tight, people—flying with American Airlines just got a little more ‘expensive’ in the most frustrating way imaginable!