NORTHWEST AIRLINES has just begun testing a program to charge domestic coach passengers $15 extra to book aisle and exit-row seats. (It joins Virgin Atlantic and Air Canada, which have similar fees). It's the latest in a string of recent airline fees-for-service, such as fees for boxed meals and fees for booking by phone (versus online).
In light of this, here are some possible fees to which airline passengers may be subject in the near future:
* $15 fee for a window seat on flights to certain locations (including Hawaii and Puerto Rico). There are discounts if you are willing to book a window for flights into Newark or Detroit.
* $15 fee for requesting a seat two or more rows from children under the age of 5; a $25 fee for booking a seat more than five rows from children under the age of 2.
* $15 fee for every time you ring the call service button more than once. If you anticipate that you will be a high-maintenance flier, you can purchase call service coupons ahead of time on the Internet for $5 per coupon (purchasing by phone will involve an additional, yet-undisclosed, fee).
