In an extraordinary admission, the, President of US Airways, Scott Kirby stated that the airline’s profit for 2010 will come entirely from “ancillary revenue” or fees as we passengers know them. This is the reason why everywhere you turn now when flying, you seem to pay another damned fee. And its so confusing!

I am planning a flight from Los Angeles to JFK in 2011. Here are two of my options:

	Virgin America	JetBlue
Fare	$139.00	$162.00
Luggage	$25.00	50lb- Free
Entertainment	Free and for-pay entertainment	Free
Meals and Drinks	Drink included-snacks to buy	Drink included-snacks to buy
Wifi	$$$$	Free

On fare alone, Virgin is cheaper.
Add one bag and JetBlue is cheaper- albeit by $3.
Throw in the wifi and the gap becomes a little greater.
If you want the exit row, however, thats where it becomes really interesting. JetBlue will charge you $50 on that sector for exit row making your fare $209.70. Virgin America have turned it into a premium economy seat and will charge you $451. This price does include a free bag and unlimited meals. Are those meals really worth the extra $240.30?

• For luggage limits check out: /wikitravel.org  or  this very useful table
• For all US carrier fees and baggage charges head to: Smarter Travel US fees   
• This UK Telegraph International Airline guide (in pounds sterling) and this surfboarding site are helpful!
• For European airline fees 
• South America and Caribbean Edition
• Frequent Flyer Fees: