As airlines fight to stay out of bankruptcy, or remove themselves from bankruptcy, we are going to see more novel ways of generating revenue on the flights. The airlines are going start taking some of the things we expected, free sodas and snacks, and putting a price tag on them. They may also start charging for new things as The Houston Chronicle explains:

“The biggest news I see for 2006 will be extra charges for things like assigned seats, aisle seats, emergency-row seats, checked luggage, carry-on bags, snacks and soft drinks,” says Minneapolis-based Terry Trippler, a 30-year industry veteran and consumer advocate who now surveys airline developments and trends for Cheapseats.com.
Sodas for sale
Before you scoff, consider that American Airlines is testing sales of soft drinks and snacks for $1 with its American Eagle affiliate on selected routes in California. Several carriers already charge economy-class passengers for meals, but diet sodas and peanuts have been free until now.
“And United is allowing you to buy your way into the elite seats,” Trippler says of another test policy that allows non-elite frequent flyers to pay a surcharge for unsold window or aisle seats closer to the front of the economy-class cabin.
“I don’t know that I’ve ever seen something tested by an airline that wasn’t eventually established fleetwide,” Trippler says.
Trippler doesn’t anticipate airlines charging customers extra Chron.com