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Costs Of Airline Flights Expected To Rise

NEW YORK (CBS) ― Experts are warning that the upcoming summer travel season could become a nightmare for airline passengers. All signs point to a worse travel season than last year's. So if you haven't planned your summer vacation just yet, you might want to think twice about your plans.

Along with the cost of gasoline, travelers can now expect the cost of air travel to rise. Delta and United Airlines are just two of the airlines openly talking about how the rising price of crude oil is going to trickle down to passengers.

"All the stuff that the technology we have and we have to wait online and all the stuff for safety reasons, too, we will have to bear with it," said passenger Cecilia Algarin from Westchester.

"I guess I won't be traveling that much - I would like to travel more - so, probably won't be traveling as much. It's going to impact a lot more people," passenger Javeria Arif said.

Delta's CEO even said they will have to charge passengers 15 percent more just so the airline can break even.

Meanwhile United Airlines is looking for other ways to off-set oil costs.

Proposed changes include increasing the change of ticket fees from $50 to $150, and making it harder for travelers to obtain the cheapest fares without a Saturday overnight stay.

And experts warn that airlines will most likely start charging additional money for extra luggage and extra leg room.

Another element of the daunting travel season ahead is that many passengers and travelers who could possibly consider alternative means of travel, like driving, are now facing an economy on the brink of recession, with gas prices exceeding the $4 mark.

"We have graduations out in the midwest, and we're kind of worried about the price of it...Is it worth flying or should we drive," said Caren Vogt of New Jersey.

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