US Airlines Want You to Pay for Window Seats

US Airlines Continue to Nickel-&-Dime You

North American airlines are not done nickel-and-diming you. Fact is, they're just getting started.

The latest oh-no-they-didn't is the window-seat surcharge. If only I were making that up. Airlines spin this as rewarding frequent fliers, but, in real life that is not what will happen. If you want to select anything other than a middle seat when booking on American, Delta, Frontier, and US Airways, you'll have to pay extra: that'll be $5-15, please.

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Delta Air Lines Grammy Awards Boeing 757-232 N6715C

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uploaded by Cubbie_n_Vegas

This means that, if you want your family of three to sit together, you'll have to cough up an extra $45, on top of whatever you have to pay for the privilege of checking luggage. (Note that Air Canada, Allegiant Air, and Spirit Airlines charge for any advanced seat selection. When I say things like "North American airlines are shite", this is why.)

How does this affect you, the solo traveler? Think of it this way: if a family of three or four can't (or won't) pay for the "privilege" of sitting together, your sorry ass is stuck between a screaming child and his mom or dad. This will go one of three ways:

1. You and the kid will switch seats, in which case the airline gets $0 for de facto seat selection, or
2. You'll be a tool and not switch with the kid... and then you will suffer for it for the duration of the flight.
3. The parent will opt not to sit with his/her kid... and you'll suffer for it for the duration of the flight.