New Fee From American Air: Sitting in Front Rows

[dpeikes]

http://www.cnbc.com/id/38758125
American Airlines has found another fee.

 
The Fort Worth, Texas, airline said Wednesday it's now charging between $19 and $39 for "Express Seats"—those spots in the first few rows of coach that include bulkhead seats.

The carrier, which is operated by parent AMR [AMR  6.94    -0.02  (-0.29%)   ], is following in the footsteps of several other airlines who already charge for special seats. UAL's [UAUA  21.42    0.19  (+0.89%)   ] United Airlines, Continental Airlines [CAL  22.58    0.18  (+0.8%)   ], US Airways [LCC  9.61    0.11  (+1.16%)   ], JetBlue [JBLU  6.02    -0.02  (-0.33%)   ], Frontier, Spirit and AirTran [AAI  4.78    0.10  (+2.14%)   ] all have some seats that cost extra. (Read: Airlines Made $7.8 Billion in Extra Fees Last Year)

American said the price of the seats includes getting on the plane in the first "general boarding" group of passengers. The seats that will cost extra are in the first two or three rows of the coach cabin, depending on the size of the plane.

The seats can only be bought at airport kiosks between 24 hours to 50 minutes before the flight for travel within the U.S. American, the country's second-largest airline behind Delta Air Lines, still provides its elite frequent fliers those seats for no extra charge. American also charges fees for checked bags, priority boarding, booking on the phone or in person, "sleep sets," unaccompanied minors and pets.

© 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

[txtmax4]

http://www.cnbc.com/id/38758125
American Airlines has found another fee.

 
The Fort Worth, Texas, airline said Wednesday it's now charging between $19 and $39 for "Express Seats"—those spots in the first few rows of coach that include bulkhead seats.

The carrier, which is operated by parent AMR [AMR  6.94    -0.02  (-0.29%)   ], is following in the footsteps of several other airlines who already charge for special seats. UAL's [UAUA  21.42    0.19  (+0.89%)   ] United Airlines, Continental Airlines [CAL  22.58    0.18  (+0.8%)   ], US Airways [LCC  9.61    0.11  (+1.16%)   ], JetBlue [JBLU  6.02    -0.02  (-0.33%)   ], Frontier, Spirit and AirTran [AAI  4.78    0.10  (+2.14%)   ] all have some seats that cost extra. (Read: Airlines Made $7.8 Billion in Extra Fees Last Year)

American said the price of the seats includes getting on the plane in the first "general boarding" group of passengers. The seats that will cost extra are in the first two or three rows of the coach cabin, depending on the size of the plane.

The seats can only be bought at airport kiosks between 24 hours to 50 minutes before the flight for travel within the U.S. American, the country's second-largest airline behind Delta Air Lines, still provides its elite frequent fliers those seats for no extra charge. American also charges fees for checked bags, priority boarding, booking on the phone or in person, "sleep sets," unaccompanied minors and pets.

© 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

They have also dropped some fees lately:
Waived AAdvantage Award Processing Charge
When you are requesting AAdvantage awards within 21 days of departure, AAdvantage award fees will be waived for AAdvantage Executive Platinum, AAdvantage Platinum and AAdvantage Gold customers when using miles from their account.

Waived Ticketing Service Charge
The service charge which normally applies to tickets issued by AA Reservations, an Airport Agent, or at one of our Travel Centers, is waived for Executive Platinum members traveling on AAdvantage award tickets.

Waived AAdvantage Award Ticket Change and Reinstatement Charges
Charges associated with reinstating a fully unused award ticket that has not expired are waived for AAdvantage Executive Platinum members. In addition, confirmed changes to an eligible origin or destination on a MileSAAver award are waived for AAdvantage Executive Platinum members when the miles are claimed from their account. Changes to an eligible origin or destination on AAnytime awards are allowed at no charge for all members.

[mancunian]

i recently paid $35 to sit at the front of a jet blue flight instead of the back. i decided not to tell anyone
listen, i was really tired...

[Dan]

i recently paid $35 to sit at the front of a jet blue flight instead of the back. i decided not to tell anyone
listen, i was really tired...

No great shame in paying for more legroom.
But AA isn't even offering that!