American Airlines first separated the first few rows in the economy section to give its high-tiered frequent flyers an opportunity to sit close enough to first class to sniff the wine cork. Now others will have the opportunity to sit as far forward as the first three rows in coach ... for a fee.

Latin America is one of the faster growing regions for commercial aviation, and if there were any doubts about its viability as a strong aviation market, don't tell that to LAN Airlines. They are swallowing up airlines and have their eyes set on a major global expansion. The latest act? A US$3.7 billion purchase of Brazil's TAM Airlines.

In 2009, the U.S. implemented the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) which requires that travelers bound for the U.S. complete an online application at least 72 before departure. The form can only be completed online and it is for the 36 countries under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) whose citizens do not require a standard visa to enter the U.S. Starting 8 September, this aerial permission slip will cost US$14 (€10, £9).

Qantas subsidiary Jetstar and Air Asia, a Malaysian low-cost airline, announced 'world's first' low-cost alliance in January, 2010. Now, Thai Airways and Singapore-based Tiger Air will join forces to create a new low-cost airline, Thai Tiger.

Airlines are slowly clawing their way back to profitability, or at least sustainability, thanks to some clever revenue generation and the return of valued business travelers. Knowing all too well how volatile the industry is to market changes, carriers are keeping their planes full and turning over every revenue-generating stone they can find, including bumping up airfares ever so slightly. Did you notice?

European officials have given Continental Airlines and United Airlines their blessing for a proposed US$3 billion merger that will create the world's largest airline. The deal, now in U.S. regulators' hands, is set to close late in 2010 barring any unforeseen obstacles.

Virgin Atlantic chairman Richard Branson couldn't stop it. The governments of Europe and the U.S. couldn't either. After 14 years in the making, British Airways and American Airlines have finally been given the long-sought anti-trust immunity that will permit the carriers to coordinate schedules, fares and marketing.

If you have a dispute with an airline, it's very important to know your rights – and to be persistent.

There is one airline fee that consistently ranks among the least popular but it remains one of the airlines' largest money-makers. Apparently, and despite their grudges, flyers are shelling out enough money for checked baggage to create a whole new revenue stream for the airlines, virtually guaranteeing the existence of added fees as the new airline norm.

Frequent flyers will tell you that the best way to secure the overhead bin space above your seat is to board as early as you can. Often this means obtaining some form of privileged status with an airline's frequent flyer program. Recently, though, airlines have begun to create a value-added service that allows you skip ahead of the other masses waiting to board – for a fee, of course.