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Baggage fees and seat selection rise: Airlines' tricks to pay for fuel

2026-04-27 23:24:08Kosova&Bota SHKRUAR NGA REDAKSIA VOX
Baggage fees and seat selection rise: Airlines' tricks to pay for fuel
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"On the Milan-New York flight in April, seat 40L on a Boeing 777 offers ample legroom as it is located near the emergency exit. But there is one notable 'shortcoming': there are no windows."

However, this is not the main concern for passengers.

The problem lies in the price of choosing this seat during check-in: 235 euros each way, or 470 euros round trip. An amount that exceeds the cost of the transatlantic flight ticket itself, which in some cases can be around 400 euros.

According to the latest data, tensions in the Persian Gulf have significantly increased the price of jet fuel (kerosene), which has doubled since the end of February. This has led to an overall increase in flight fares, a trend that airlines can hardly avoid.

But the impact doesn't stop there. The prices of additional services used by about 40% of passengers on low-cost airlines and 5–10% of those on traditional airlines, such as seat selection, baggage, and onboard meals, have also increased significantly.

According to IATA, the price of a ton of kerosene in Europe has reached $1,484, over 106% more than a year ago. Fuel accounts for 35–40% of airlines' operating costs, and over 50% for low-cost carriers.

In this situation, even companies that purchase fuel under long-term contracts are facing significant increases in costs. For the portion purchased at current prices alone, some companies report tens of millions of dollars in additional costs per month.

Globally, average airfares have increased by about 24% compared to a year ago. However, according to the industry, prices still remain below pre-pandemic levels when adjusted for inflation.

An increasingly important part of airlines' profits comes from "ancillary" services that were once included in the ticket price. These include seat selection, baggage and priority boarding.

According to industry data, in 2025 alone, these services generated $157 billion in revenue, increasing significantly compared to a decade ago.

In some cases, the increases are strong: baggage by 21–24%, while seat selection has increased by up to 40%.

Industry representatives acknowledge that rising fuel prices are making it difficult to maintain current rates. They say that without increased revenue from all services, some companies are seriously jeopardizing their financial stability.

In this context, a seat on an airplane that doesn't even have a window like 40L has become a symbol of a broader trend: flights are becoming more expensive, and every detail is becoming a paid service./Corriere.it


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