Increasingly, airlines are bulking up the pricing on both checked and carry-on luggage. The formerly standard "one free carry-on item" is rapidly becoming a thing of the past, with some airlines (including Spirit Airlines) charging as much as $30 for the convenience. Checked luggage is also becoming pricier. Nearly all U.S. airlines charge $25 for the first checked bag, and sometimes as much as twice that for the second.
The free in-flight meal has become all but a thing of the past. While a handful of airlines (Continental and Delta, for example) still offer complimentary snacks, a full meal is costly. Hawaiian, Virgin America, and United Airlines all charge $9-10 for meals, and the other airlines are not much cheaper. The good news is that on nearly all U.S. airlines, non-alcoholic beverages are still complimentary. Beer or wine, however, can cost as much as $10.
The little plastic-wrapped pillow, blanket, and headset that used to come standard on longer flights is preparing to exit the skies for good. Non-U.S. airlines (such as Lufthansa, a popular German airline) still offer the freebies, but US Airways, Virgin America, JetBlue, and American all charge $7-8 for this little luxury. Occasionally, the headsets are available separately for about $2.
Airlines and frequent fliers know that all seats are not created equal. In recent years, the most desirable seats -- the bulkhead seats and seats on the exit row, for example -- have jumped in price compared to their less-roomy counterparts. Other airlines have begun charging passengers for the privilege of choosing their seat. Spirit Airlines, for example, charges as much as $75 for a "premium" seat (near the front of the plane). Other seats on Spirit flights range from $5 to $18. Check with the airline directly before booking a ticket to avoid incurring unexpected seating charges.
