Exit rows are most expensive

Low-cost Spirit Airlines has added another fee to the ever-increasing mix of passenger add-ons: It has started charging for advance seat assignments. Although the airline made no public announcement of the policy, Florida newspapers reported that Spirit has started assessing fees of $5 for a middle seat, $10 for an aisle or window seat and $15 for an exit-row seat for passengers who want advance seating assignments through the airline’s web site. If passengers buy tickets over the reservations line, they still have to go to the web site and pay the fees if they want advance seat assignments. A few other airlines like Northwest and US Airways assess fees for advance assignment of some select seats, but Spirit appears to be the first to charge a fee for every seat. As of June 20, Spirit is also hiking its checked bag fees. The price for checking one bag goes up from $10 to $15 when paid in advance online.