International flights get pricier on two airlines

British Airways and KLM both announced today that they will raise their fuel surcharges. The announcements come on the heels of United‘s fuel surcharge hike late last week.

Effective November 15, surcharges on long-haul flights of less than nine hours will rise to £48 (about $99, see XE.com for current exchange rates), from £38 ($78) previously, and flights more than nine hours will rise by £15 ($31) to £58 ($120).

KLM’s surcharge for international flights will jump to €80 ($116), from €70 ($102) in the past. Should crude oil prices drop below $85 per barrel, KLM will take back half of the increase, and will take back the other half if prices fall below $80.

Weekly fare hikes and fuel surcharge increases make me wonder: at what point do these extra fees become price gouging? Yes, fuel costs continue to rise, but should those costs always be passed on to the consumer? In any case, international and domestic flights certainly aren’t getting any cheaper.