America West Airlines became the first low-cost US airline match the booking fees adopted by many of the largest carriers.
The company said on 6 October it would begin a $5 fee for tickets purchased through the airline’s reservation centers and a $10 fee for tickets at airport and city tickets offices.
Elite members of the airline’s FlightFund program are exempt from the service fees. Certain types of travel categories such as military are also exempt.
Northwest was the first US carrier to add the fees, and was later matched by American, United, Northwest and Continental.
ATA Airlines also started a $5 and $10 fee effective 22 September.
When Northwest became the first airline to impose such fees, the uproar forced it to change the policy. Northwest revised its fees to include only tickets booked over the telephone and at the airport.
America West Airlines is the nation’s second largest low-cost airline.
Report by David Wilkening
