I'm kind of impressed by Spirit Airlines' new carry-on baggage fee.

[randomness]

And it looks like Congress is too: http://www.businessweek.com/news/2010-04-13/spirit-s-carry-on-bag-fees-draws-senate-bill-to-ban-practice.html

Carrying a bag onto a Spirit flight will cost passengers $45 at the gate, or $30 if paid in advance, starting in August

Even AirAsia and Ryanair haven't thought of that one...but I'm guessing they'll try now.

Comments

[r-ness.livejournal.com]

Yeah, my current carryon is sitting in front of me next to the computer as I speak. It's too small to fit my netbook. The things that go in it are my meds, my money, my passport, a flashlight, and my phone. Even the charger goes elsewhere. The bag fits under the seat in front with acres to spare.

It's been pretty sweet. None of the airlines I've taken recently--JetStar, AirAsia, Tiger Airways--do a damn thing for free, but as they're based in Asia all their extras cost much less than in the States. I've checked a bag on every leg so far, and it's never cost more than $10. Although I'll admit that remembering how many ringgits, baht, patacas, or Singapore dollars the checked bag fee actually is in US dollars is sometimes challenging.