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Airline Fees

Airline Travel: Fares and Fees Just Keep on Rising

September 2, 2008 at 10:45 AM | 0 Comments

It's now the day after Labor Day, which means flights are set to get more expensive and harder to find. Right? Pretty much.

The Boston Herald recently reported that yep, things are about to get wrose. This year alone, fares from major cities have risen about 16 percent and fares between smaller cities have risen by almost 37 percent, says industry watcher Rick Seaney. Even Southwest, which continues to turn a profit, is trimming flights. It recently announced that it would cut approximately 200 flights by early next year.

As the industry moves into the fall, analysts predict much of the same, as the airlines will begin to see what they can get away with and how much the market will allow for fare increases. Expect even fewer freebies, and more fees for what used to be included in your ticket. For now, the best way for consumers to beat this trend is to book as early as possible and jump on good fares when they fit your schedule.

Related Stories:
· Flyers Brace for Big Airline Changes [Boston Herald]
· Airlines coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: sanjoyg]