More Fees for Flying

Here's a new one on me: Times Online is reporting Luton Airport near London has a plan to charge passengers for using the loading zone outside the terminal! The fee, which takes effect Apr. 29, will be £1 (about $1.47 USD at the time of the announcement). That fee will buy 10 minutes to unload luggage (for which you're now likely to pay a fee to the airline) and say goodbyes (still free as of this writing).

An airport spokesperson says the fee will keep traffic moving and remind drivers of the 10-minute time allocation. There is a way to avoid the charge. Passengers who use another drop-off point further out can board a free shuttle bus to get to the terminal. By the way, the Guardian reports Luton won't be the first British airport to charge such a fee. At Birmingham Airport, £1 buys 15 minutes of unloading.

Once aboard, you'll now pay for peanuts, pretzels and blankets on many carriers. There are quite a few bargain airfares out there, but watch out for all the fees.