It's the outgrowth over that flap about the airport jacking up United's rent. The increase amounts to $10 million and rather than eat the extra expense, United is tacking it onto tickets. Basically, the airline said it was sorry and supported LAX's modernization efforts, but not on its dime. Think about that one the next time you're crammed into a middle seat in front of a crying baby and told by the pilot that there's been a 90-minute delay in taking off.

United and other airlines have sued [Los Angeles World Airports] over the rent increase, claiming it violates its contract with the airport operator. Meanwhile, in filings with the U.S. Department of Transportation, AirTran Airways, Frontier Airlines, Southwest Airlines and US Airways, among others, have posted complaints over the increased airport charges. Some international carriers, such as British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Japan Airlines, Qantas and Swiss, also have objected to DOT over LAWA's rent increase.