American Airlines will start charging from $19 to $39 extra for the first few rows of coach seats -- including bulkhead seats -- on popular routes, such as San Francisco to Dallas.
The “Express Seating” program will sell these reserved seats through the self-service check-in. Upgrading passengers will also get to board in the first group. Other coach seats can be reserved as usual.
Frequent fliers will still be able to select these reserved seats at no extra charge.
American Airlines joins AirTran Airways and Continental Airlines who have similar programs for charging extra for good coach seats.