Are new airline fees here to stay?

The Dallas Morning News has an interesting article today about airlines' fees, which started becoming more numerous when fuel prices started going up.  Airlines are arguing that these fees are the only way to stay in business.

Born in the crisis of high fuel prices last year, charges for such services as checked bags, seat selection and pillows have become a vital part of most airlines' revenues. 

"I think these fees are here, and they're here to stay," US Airways Inc. executive Andrew Nocella said last week.

We often hear from people pet flying in-cabin with their pets that the carry on fees for pets can be exorbitant.  However, due to the stumbling economy, cargo rates have actually decreased over time (thanks to a lowering in demand for cargo space), which has allowed us to lower our pet travel cargo pricing as well as fuel surcharges.