Few things lately seem to be as prolific as airline fees. It seems even the most generous carriers are done absorbing the costs of things like printing out boarding passes or supplying meals. American carrier JetBlue was one of the last remaining airlines that didn't charge customers for checked bags, but even they changed their tune recently. <br /><br />Joe Brancantelli, a travel journalist who runs the travel website <a target="_blank" target="_blank">JoeSentMe</a>, says the trend is unlikely to end anytime soon.<br /><br />"I think it comes down to this: Airline executives are convinced you pay too little for transport from point A to point B. So they lard their fare with all sorts of extra fees," he says.<br /><br />Not sure what you're paying for? Consider this your airline fee cheat sheet.<br /><br /><strong>TSA fees</strong><br /><br />One fee that irks travelers and carriers alike is the U.S.-government imposed TSA security fee. The fees started post-9/11, and were a moderate $2.50 per journey leg. Last year, the fee more than doubled, less for increased security measures and more as a means of battling the U.S. federal deficit.<br /><br />"Carriers were not happy about this last year," recalls Alexandria Williams, spokeswoman for <a target="_blank" target="_blank">FareCompare</a>, with many industry groups, including Airlines for America and the International Air Transport Association, kicking back. Some hoped the airlines might absorb the fees, but for the most part, these have been passed on back to the passenger.
Few things lately seem to be as prolific as airline fees. It seems even the most generous carriers are done absorbing the costs of things like printing out boarding passes or supplying meals. American carrier JetBlue was one of the last remaining airlines that didn't charge customers for checked bags, but even they changed their tune recently.

Joe Brancantelli, a travel journalist who runs the travel website JoeSentMe, says the trend is unlikely to end anytime soon.

"I think it comes down to this: Airline executives are convinced you pay too little for transport from point A to point B. So they lard their fare with all sorts of extra fees," he says.

Not sure what you're paying for? Consider this your airline fee cheat sheet.

TSA fees

One fee that irks travelers and carriers alike is the U.S.-government imposed TSA security fee. The fees started post-9/11, and were a moderate $2.50 per journey leg. Last year, the fee more than doubled, less for increased security measures and more as a means of battling the U.S. federal deficit.

"Carriers were not happy about this last year," recalls Alexandria Williams, spokeswoman for FareCompare, with many industry groups, including Airlines for America and the International Air Transport Association, kicking back. Some hoped the airlines might absorb the fees, but for the most part, these have been passed on back to the passenger.
Design: Beth Brettingham
Fuel charges started popping up on international flights nearly a decade ago, confusing many a passenger who were lured in by a reasonable base fare only to discover this mysterious fee nearly doubled the price of ticket. Supposedly, the "fuel surcharge" was meant to reimburse the airlines for high oil prices. As oil prices have fallen, however, this fee has remained. To further confuse passengers, many airlines have renamed the fee. Some carriers now refer to it as an "airline surcharge" or some variation of a "carrier-imposed fee."<br /><br />Brancantelli objects to the difficulty in interpreting these fees.<br /><br />"Airlines around the world need to do a better job of showing you the breakdown of fares," he says.<br />
Fuel surcharge —
Fuel charges started popping up on international flights nearly a decade ago, confusing many a passenger who were lured in by a reasonable base fare only to discover this mysterious fee nearly doubled the price of ticket. Supposedly, the "fuel surcharge" was meant to reimburse the airlines for high oil prices. As oil prices have fallen, however, this fee has remained. To further confuse passengers, many airlines have renamed the fee. Some carriers now refer to it as an "airline surcharge" or some variation of a "carrier-imposed fee."

Brancantelli objects to the difficulty in interpreting these fees.

"Airlines around the world need to do a better job of showing you the breakdown of fares," he says.
Design: Beth Brettingham
Budget airlines are increasingly passengers for services that were once complimentary, namely, seat assignment and printing of boarding passes. One of the most obvious offenders in this department is Irish budget carrier RyanAir, which charges an additional $108 for airport check-in. Increasingly, airlines are also charging passengers for the right to choose their seat -- a service that can easily cost an extra $25 per passenger. <br /><br />"Airlines have made so much profit from fees that you can believe they are finding new ways for fees to help generate more revenue," notes Williams.
Boarding pass fees —
Budget airlines are increasingly passengers for services that were once complimentary, namely, seat assignment and printing of boarding passes. One of the most obvious offenders in this department is Irish budget carrier RyanAir, which charges an additional $108 for airport check-in. Increasingly, airlines are also charging passengers for the right to choose their seat -- a service that can easily cost an extra $25 per passenger.

"Airlines have made so much profit from fees that you can believe they are finding new ways for fees to help generate more revenue," notes Williams.
Design: Beth Brettingham
What exactly are these mysterious admin fees, which tend to pop up (on top of the advertised base fee) on international flights? Mainly, says Brancantelli, these are fees to pay for an airline's website.
Admin fees —
What exactly are these mysterious admin fees, which tend to pop up (on top of the advertised base fee) on international flights? Mainly, says Brancantelli, these are fees to pay for an airline's website.
Design: Beth Brettingham
Credit cards have become the lingua franca for financial transactions. Alas, airlines increasingly charge passengers extra for the privilege of charging their upcoming trip. Fees vary, with some carriers charging a flat rate (both Air France and American Airlines, for instance, charge $7 when booking in the UK), while others charge a percentage (Flybe charges an extra 3% per ticket from the UK). <br /><br />These fees can be avoided, says Williams, but not without extra legwork. <br />"You have to go out to the airport and make the reservation there," she warns. <br /><br />Alternatively, passengers can book over the phone -- though there's usually a fee for that as well.
Credit card fees —
Credit cards have become the lingua franca for financial transactions. Alas, airlines increasingly charge passengers extra for the privilege of charging their upcoming trip. Fees vary, with some carriers charging a flat rate (both Air France and American Airlines, for instance, charge $7 when booking in the UK), while others charge a percentage (Flybe charges an extra 3% per ticket from the UK).

These fees can be avoided, says Williams, but not without extra legwork.
"You have to go out to the airport and make the reservation there," she warns.

Alternatively, passengers can book over the phone -- though there's usually a fee for that as well.
Design: Beth Brettingham
Passengers also pay to keep the skies safe from agricultural diseases. The agriculture fee (obligatory on all international flights landing in the U.S.) is issued to help the U.S. Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service "defend America's animal and plant resources."
Agriculture fees —
Passengers also pay to keep the skies safe from agricultural diseases. The agriculture fee (obligatory on all international flights landing in the U.S.) is issued to help the U.S. Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service "defend America's animal and plant resources."
Design: Beth Brettingham