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Hidden or unexpected charges passengers face in 2026
With short-haul flights between Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Jakarta and Manila becoming more common, travellers should take note of 10 unusual add-on airline fees that passengers may encounter, according to flight and baggage compensation service provider AirAdvisor.
It said travellers in Southeast Asia are increasingly paying beyond the base fare because more airlines are unbundling services that used to be standard. This reflects a wider trend across airlines, with ticket price often being just the starting point as more services are sold separately during booking or at the airport. For travellers, that means more decisions during booking, about which conveniences are essential and may come at an extra cost once the journey begins.
1. Paying to keep middle seat empty – Philippine Airlines, Vietjet Air and All Nippon Airways
Some airlines now market the option to keep the seat next to you empty, as a paid comfort add-on. Vietjet Air provides a “Sky Space” option, Philippine Airlines offers “Seat Select Neighbour-Free” and All Nippon Airways has introduced a similar service. These add-ons guarantee an empty seat beside you for an additional fee.
2. Phone booking fees – Singapore Airlines
Singapore Airlines charge additional fees – sometimes up to RM195 – when customers book through customer service agents rather than online, which can affect older travellers and those arranging complex multi-city family itineraries via call centers.
3. Airport counter check-in fees – AirAsia
Passengers who choose to check in at the airport counter instead of online or via self-service kiosks may face additional fees of around RM18–RM31. As part of the airline’s shift towards digital check-ins, the policy turns in-person assistance into a paid service, adding costs for travellers without smartphones or those transiting through smaller regional airports.
4. Paying to avoid the middle seat – Scoot, AirAsia and Jetstar Asia
Passengers booking basic fares with airlines such as AirAsia, Scoot and Jetstar Asia may need to pay extra to select seats in advance, including to avoid middle seats.
5. Pay to recline seat – WestJet
Following a cabin update on Boeing 737 Max and 737-800 aircraft, many economy seats on WestJet flights now have fixed seatbacks that do not recline. Passengers who want a seat that leans back must upgrade to “Extended Comfort” or “Premium” seating. A feature that was previously included in standard economy is now only available in higher fare categories.
6. Credit card fees on certain departures – Singapore Airlines
Passengers booking flights with Singapore Airlines may face additional costs when paying by credit card, depending on the country of departure. The airline states that a service fee may be applied to credit card payments made in certain markets to cover processing costs, while no such charge applies when using debit cards or other non-credit payment methods.
7. Name correction and change fees – China Airlines and SpiceJet
Ticket name mistakes can lead to extra costs, with China Airlines allowing only a narrow set of minor name corrections. These changes are only allowed once per ticket and come with a handling fee of about RM78. If the correction falls outside these limits, passengers usually need to book a new ticket and request a refund. SpiceJet charges around RM25 for domestic corrections and RM50 for international corrections, if changes are made more than 24 hours after the booking.
8. Pay just to land – All foreign airlines landing in Narita, Japan
Japan Today reported that landing fees are the charges airlines pay, each time an aircraft touches down and they are built into ticket prices alongside other costs. At Narita International Airport, these fees are among the highest in Asia, while airports such as Changi Airport operate with more efficiently spread infrastructure costs and higher passenger throughput that helps keep per-flight charges comparatively lower. Landing fees usually contribute to about 1–5% of the final ticket price once spread across all passengers on the aircraft.
9. ‘Second seat’ requirements for plus-size passengers – American Airlines, Southwest Airlines and United Airlines
Several major US airlines require passengers who cannot sit safely and comfortably within a single seat – with armrests lowered – to purchase an additional seat. Southwest Airlines now refunds the cost after travel following public criticism, though the policy continues to generate discussion about fairness and accessibility.
In contrast, most Asian airlines do not have a formal “second seat” policy. Instead, passengers are expected to fit within a standard seat, with armrests down and use the seatbelt properly. If not, seating is handled case-by-case depending on safety and availability.
10. No carry-on in Basic Economy – United Airlines
United’s “Basic Economy” fares offer lower upfront prices but do not include standard carry-on baggage. Passengers who arrive at the gate with a carry-on must check it and pay an additional handling fee of approximately RM100 each way, increasing the total travel cost.
“At the start of the busy summer travel season, many passengers are focused on planning holidays and securing good fares. In Southeast Asia, where low-cost travel is widely used for both holidays and essential trips, understanding these add-on fees is becoming just as important as comparing ticket prices.
“Whether dealing with a delay, lost baggage or an unexpected luggage fee, travellers often have more protections available to them than they assume. Taking a few minutes to check what compensation or assistance may apply, can make a meaningful difference to the travel experience,” said AirAdvisor founder and CEO Anton Radchenko.
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