The cherry on top and other extras

Taking an airplane ride used to be a treat. You could expect to get pampered and enjoy the ride. Unfortunately, things have changed in recent years. Airlines are making losses and looking for ways to cut their rising costs and pull out a profit.

As one airline analyst put it, “Airlines are definitely putting an emphasis now on providing plain vanilla service and then charging for extras.”

Vanilla ice cream flights with your choice of toppings seems to be what’s on the airline menu these days. Here are just a few of the many things you can, and probably will be charged for the next time you buy an airplane ticket:

1.Your seat: for an additional fee, some airlines allow you to reserve an aisle or window seat in advance. The price may be worth the assurance that you won’t be stuck in the dreaded middle seat. Southwest Airlines is currently looking into charging $10 for an assigned seat, although no fees have been instated as of yet. Northwest Airlines began prioritizing seats in Economy class in March 2006, offering the best spots on exit rows and at the front of the plane for those willing to pay an added $15 for the privilege. On Air Canada’s Tango class, customers can pay an extra $13 to select a seat in advance.

2.Your bags: several airlines are following Ryan Air’s model of charging for each checked bag on a flight. Spirit Airlines will start adding a $10 charge for each bag checked in beginning June 20. You can cut the fee by half by paying in advance online. Air Canada has taken another route, offering customers a $4 discount on their flight if they don’t check any bags.

3.Your payment: more and more airlines are adding service charges to tickets bought with a credit or debit card. Since most airlines are closing down their stores, online booking and payment is becoming more and more prevalent and it necessitates the use of a credit card. Despite the fact that you may not have a choice but to use plastic when you buy your ticket, you probably will be charged for it.