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SALT LAKE CITY -- Despite a drop in fuel prices, travel analysts say they don't think airlines will stop adding surcharges any time soon.
KSL Travel Show host Doug Wren said, "Fees are going to increase. More people are going to be traveling. They're going to start charging for that aisle seat."
Wren says British Airways already is charging customers $5 extra if they want a window or aisle seat, and it's not the only one doing that.
"Like United," Wren said, "If you want a premium seat you can pay $15 more for an aisle seat [or] an exit seat."
Wren says he expects airlines to add charges on flying with a pet or sending an unaccompanied minor on a flight. Plus, they could charge you for other things you may not expect.
"Booking fees," he said. "If you call the airline and if you just don't book it online, you will be charged for talking with that person."
Some of these fees might go against principles laid out in the "Travelers Bill of Rights" being proposed by lawmakers. But Wren says that legislation might not do much.
"Nobody enforces it. [Airlines] get a little bad press, but people still have to travel. Quite frankly, if an airline doesn't follow that ‘bill of rights,' if they put out low fares people are still going to fly them," Wren said.
He says he's heard rumblings that one airline could make its restrooms on the plane coin-operated.
E-mail: pnelson@ksl.com
