Anyone with international airline tickets to Tokyo, Brazil, Europe or the Middle East will be exempt from these fees - but if you’re going anywhere in Central or South America (other than Brazil) be prepared to pay.

And if you have the misfortune, like me, to find low cost airfare on Continental across the country  after an international flight that returns to Los Angeles, you will soon have to pay the fees to get your luggage - laden with gifts and souveneirs - home.

Make sure when you purchase your cheap international airline tickets on flights that originate from an east or west coast hub like JFK or LAX, that you consider all the costs.  You probably will have to pay additional fees to get your luggage to your international flight.

Knowing that I would now have to pay an exorbitant price for coffee or water once on-board, I purchased a bottle of water and cup of coffee before boarding the plane. This was a good move as there was little time to make the connection for the west coast upon landing in Philadelphia and absolutely no time to find something to drink and stand in a long line.

Everything was proceeding smoothly - the plane to Los Angeles departed on time, the flight attendants were personable and even offered passengers glasses of cold water (no charge!), and the pilot announced our expected time of arrival in Los Angeles was on schedule - until THE announcement: “If there are any doctors or medical personnel on-board, please notify the flight attendants.”

The next voice announced our emergency landing in Phoenix, and 2 hours later we were back in the air headed to Los Angeles. The passenger who left the airplane in Phoenix had an anxiety attack; US Airways’ personnel determined it was best to be safe and get her to immediate medical attention on the ground.

The plane was full, but most of the passengers were not distressed that their flight arrived almost 3 hours late. Each of us could imagine that in a different situation, we might have necessitated the emergency landing.

As of the June DOT Air Travel Consumer Report, US Airways ranked among the top 3 major airlines for on-time flights for the past 7 months - a significant improvement over their past record. Unfortunately, my flight certainly did not help them maintain their record for August.

It’s reassuring to know that although this airline - now charging for excess baggage, refreshments, snacks and ceasing on-board entertainment (movies) in November - is taking extreme measures to offset rising fuel costs, it does not hesitate to make emergency landings (and no doubt incur unanticipated additional costs) when passengers are in need of medical attention.

Choose your carrier carefully - attention to passenger well-being can still be found with low cost airfare.

The founders, Scottish millionaires Hugh and John Boyle, issued a statement on Zoom’s website offering their regrets for the situation. They blamed increases in fuel prices of over 50 million (UK pounds) as the source of their insolvency.

The only recourse for passengers who booked their cheap airline tickets to Europe on this discount carrier is to file a claim with their credit card companies. Virgin Atlantic and British Airways stepped to the plate and offered Zoom’s passengers reduced-price tickets for their flights home.

Analysts suggest that Irish airline Aer Lingus and Italian airline Alitalia, both of which are facing heavy losses this year, are also at risk of ceasing operations.

How can we ensure our air travel when we purchase cheap airline tickets to Europe and beyond? One of the best ways is to also purchase travel protection insurance - but make sure the insurance carrier has not listed the airline from which you purchased your tickets as a “non-covered carrier.”

In this time of uncertain fuel prices, it is impossible to guaranty that the flight you purchased will not have delays, schedule changes, or worse, an insolvency.

If you’re willing to pay the added fee, you’ll be able to keep the pillow and blanket for re-use whenever you fly. Of course, you may not want to lug them with you when you depart the plane, or remember to take them in your carry-on the next time you fly.

While the Jet Blue spokesman, Bryan Baldwin, maintained that the pillow policy change is an improvement for customers, it seems more like an inconvenience. As airlines battle to keep costs down despite rising fuel prices, simple amenities - beverages, magazines and now pillows - have become a new source of revenue.

Will they start charging for the tiny bag of pretzels distributed during the flight? Or charge passengers to use the bathrooms? Charging for carry-on luggage may be next. Low cost airfare is an oxymoron when you add in all the fees.

When comparing the real cost of low cost airfare, remember to include all the “hidden” fees. If you don’t want to spend additional money once you board the plane, be prepared to starve, be thirsty and sleepless.

Hawaiian Airlines joins a rapidly growing list of airlines who are charging fees for checked luggage, limiting carry-on luggage, adding costs for “preferred seats” and exploring other ways to add to their bottom line while remaining “competitive” on fares.

Finding the lowest fares online is hard enough without having to check and compare each airline’s policy on fees for checked luggage and soft drinks. The situation is worse when you’ve already purchased your ticket and discover that a decent seat assignment will cost more.

Among the planned cuts are closure of the call centers in Tucson, Arizona and London; the call centers in Australia and New Zealand will remain open. By December, twenty-percent of management and office support positions will be eliminated; a hiring and pay freeze is in effect.

Additionally, 22 older aircraft from its fleet will be retired as it proceeds with its fleet upgrade program, bringing on board new and more fuel efficient aircraft, including the Airbus A380 and Boeing 787.

Prior to Friday’s announcement, Qantas has raised fares twice and reduced capacity twice this year to manage rising fuel prices.

Airline tickets to Australia will be available in four classes of service: First, Business, Premium Economy and Economy. First Class passengers will have privacy for sleeping in a comfortable bed in their new First suites. Business Class passengers can enjoy a fully-flat bed after socializing in the on-board lounge.

On the A380, Qantas will introduce a Premium Economy Class with increased legroom, greater incline for sleeping comfort, plus a Neil Perry-designed menu and access to a variety of refreshments throughout the flight. The Economy Class seats will be wider and feature a unique new footrest to maximize comfort on the long flight.

Buying airline tickets to Australia on the Qantas 380, especially if you are willing to pay the price for Premium Economy, Business or First Class, will provide a new experience of long-haul flights.

In addition to the $2 charge for non-alcoholic beverages (be sure to purchase your drink before boarding the plane!), your first checked bag will be assessed a $15 fee, unless you are an unaccompanied minor, active military or a preferred Dividend Miles member. The baggage fee applies to all flights to/from Canada, Latin America and the Caribbean and all flights within the U.S.

If you want to use your mileage for cheap airline tickets to Europe, be prepared to pay - $25, $35 or $50 depending on your destination to book a ticket. The new fees for calling US Airways to make your reservation will be increased to $25 per ticket for domestic US travel and $35 for international travel.

Use AirBanks’s booking engine to find your low cost airfare and cheap airline tickets to Europe to save these fees! And if you’re planning to stop in at Baltimore, Raleigh, Munich, Rome or Zurich, don’t bother to look for the US Airways Clubs. They will be closed effective August 6, 2008.