Elite flyers are exmpt from $5 charge

US Airways has become the latest carrier to start charging an access fee for the most sought-after seats in its economy cabins. The airline’s new Choice Seats program starts May 11. It will let coach passengers pre-book an aisle or window seat in the first several rows for a fee starting at $5 per flight segment. Dividend Miles Preferred members, and companions traveling with them on the same reservation, will not have to pay the fee to get the prime seats. US Airways said the Choice Seats plan will include about eight percent of all coach seats, and will apply on all US Airways mainline and US Airways Express flights, except for the Shuttle and the Saab 340s operated by US Airways Express partner Colgan Airways. Customers who want a pre-assigned Choice Seat can only get one by checking in online within 24 hours of departure and paying with a credit card; they will not be available through airport kiosks or ticket counters, or from travel agents.

The US Airways fee is similar to a program introduced last year by Northwest Airlines called Coach Choice, which charges non-elite flyers a fee for up-front seats in the economy cabin. Last month, JetBlue Airways started selling preferred seats with extra legroom on its A320s for a premium of $10 and up per flight – similar to United’s longstanding Economy Plus program.