When there's competition it works. For example in Europe the airlines with the most fees also have by far the lowest base prices. The problem is if for a speci

When there's competition it works. For example in Europe the airlines with the most fees also have by far the lowest base prices. The problem is if for a specific route or airport there's only one airline. That seems to be somewhat common in the US, and in that case price isn't constrained by competition but the customers willingness to pay. That's where the abusive practises flourish