Latest airline fee? Early boarding

(CNN) -- Do you like to be one of the first people to board a plane, avoiding crowded aisles and getting your pick of overhead bin space? There's a fee for that.

American Airlines has introduced the "Boarding and Flexibility Package," which allows passengers who buy tickets on the carrier's website also to purchase perks that include being among the first to board a flight.

The "introductory price" for the package ranges from $9 to $19 one way and varies based on the market and routing.

The package also includes a $75 discount off the regular $150 fee charged on many fares if you need to change your itinerary and allows you to be on standby for an earlier flight for free.

This summer, American will offer early boarding as a stand-alone option for a flat fee of $10 each way. Air travelers will be able to buy the perk at self-service check-in kiosks up to one hour before their flight is scheduled to leave.

The airline is emphasizing the package gives air travelers the flexibility to customize their trip based on their needs.

"If customers feel confident they will not have to or likely will not wish to make any changes to their low-fare itinerary, they will likely decide not to purchase this particular offering," said American Airlines spokesman Tim Smith in an e-mail.

But at least one consumer travel expert wasn't impressed, especially by the discounts offered by the "Boarding and Flexibility Package."

"American is allowing you to pay a fee to avoid paying a fee," wrote Christopher Elliott, a travel columnist and National Geographic Traveler magazine's reader advocate. "This is as bizarre a move as charging for the first bag, which American Airlines pioneered."

Passengers who pay the early boarding fee won't be the very first on the plane. That privilege will still be reserved for American's elite status members. And as always, passengers with special needs will be allowed to board early without paying anything extra, Smith said.

Other airlines have introduced similar fees.

United Airlines offers a "Premier Line" service starting at $19, which gives passengers priority boarding. Southwest Airlines charges $10 for its "Early Bird Check-in," which promises air travelers "a better boarding position." Europe's Ryanair, which is famous for its low prices and variety of fees, charges 4 euro (about $5) for priority boarding.

http://edition.cnn.com/2010/TRAVEL/06/17/american.airlines.boarding.fee/