Airlines make billions charging ‘junk fees,’ congressional report says [Video]

Airlines have pocketed billions of dollars in so-called “junk fees” by charging customers extra to select a seat or to carry on bags, according to a Senate subcommittee report published on Tuesday.The report said some airlines have even paid workers cash incentives to identify customers trying to avoid fees for carry-on bags.From 2018 to 2023, five U.S. airlines made more than $12 billion on seat selection fees alone, an “unbundled” cost that used to be included as part of an airline ticket.The report, from the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, said that in 2023, United Airlines charged as much as $319 for an extra legroom seat, Spirit Airlines charged as much as $299, Delta Air Lines charged as much as $264, Frontier Airlines charged $141 and American Airlines charged as much as $140.“Seat fees have grown more expensive and farther-reaching,” it said. “These five airlines charge passengers extra for additional …