Found: a way to avoid airline fees…sometimes

The silver lining to most of the many universally loathed airline fees: most flyers can avoid the worst by planning ahead. And now — the US government of all groups — has provided some more help.
 

The US Bureau of Transportation Statistics ranked the 10 domestic airlines that earned the highest revenue from extra fees in the third quarter of 2009. The report offers a variety of details comparing different fees, but it also offefrs extra help at times in choosing an airline.

It won’t always work because not all destinations give you a choice of carriers, but depending on individual circumstances, the report makes it possible sometimes to choose the airline that might lead to the lowest particular fees.
 

“The charges included in these statistics are baggage fees and reservation change fees, as well as pet transportation costs, charges associated with redeeming frequent flier miles and standby passenger fees,” said Mainstream.com.
 

Here’s the list from highest average fee to lowest:
 

1. Perhaps the biggest culprit in the airline fee business is Delta, where they are big business. Delta grossed nearly a half billion dollars in the third quarter of 2009, almost twice American Airlines.’ The amount of fees is also going up. Average amount paid in extra fees per ticket: US$24.
 

2. Northwest Airlines is less at $20 on average, which includes $15 for first checked pieces of luggage and as much as $100 for redeeming frequent flier miles. Of course, it’s a fitting marriage because Northwest is merging with Delta, representing a union of the two most fee-happy airlines. Both airlines are steadily raising fees.
 

3. US Airways collects an average $18 in extra fees from each passenger… including up to $25 for the first piece of luggage and $90-$175 if that bag is overweight (exact amount depends on the pounds). Total fees collected by US Airways during the third quarter of 2009, $230 million.
 

4. American Airlines’ most unpopular fee may be $39 more to sit in one of the first few rows in coach, of course. Average extra fees: $11. There’s a $100 fee for bringing a pet on board.
 

5. Alaska Airlines also collects an average of $11, with fees on everything from baggage to reservation change fees. There’s a $100 fee to bring pets on board (each way).
 

6. Continental: The airline is merging with United to become the world’s largest but that move is not expected to help consumers because passengers will be paying the same fees on both airlines. Average $11. Up to $30 to redeem frequent flier miles.
 

7. United Airlines. Passengers pay $25 for first checked bag and $30 to redeem frequent flier miles.
 

8. AirTran may have some of the cheapest flights in the country but the cost has been offset by extra fees, including charges for the first and second piece of checked luggage and ticket change fees.
 

9. JetBlue. No charge for first checked bag but $50 to $100 for the second. Change fees of $100. Extra legroom: $10.
 

10. Southwest ends up at No. 10 on the list. The airline doesn’t charge for your first two pieces of luggage or to change a reservation. The airline does offer early bird check-in for $10. Southwest collects an average of $6 in extra fees passenger. Warning to heavy passengers: the airline sometimes charges you extra.
 

By David Wilkening