American Airlines finds another fee: for front-row seats

American Airlines is taking you places you've never been before! Unfortunately, they're in your wallet.

The airline has invented a new surcharge. This one, which it gilds with the name "Express Seats," will hit you for $19 to $39, depending on the length of the flight. That's for the privilege to sit in the first few rows of coach, including bulkhead seats.

The fee also buys passengers elitism, or at least is passes itself off as a perk, in that it grants the right to board with the first group of general boarding. The fee is sold to customers as being part of a suite of add-on fees the airline sweetly calls "Your Choice services". Other fees include the right to be charged a more fair $75 for flight changes, instead of the usual $150.