When United Airlines flight 1462 made an unexpected landing in Chicago last month, it was not due to mechanical issues, weather conditions, or flight logistics, but a battle over legroom in the aisles. As one passenger tried to recline her seat and another used a $20 device called a Knee Defender to prevent the occupant ahead of him from leaning back, the battle over personal space descended into a scuffle. The pilot opted to make an additional stop to remove the unruly passengers.

Flight 1462 hasn’t been alone. Not just the random dispute of irate travelers, similar flights have been diverted because of the airlines’ frenzied drive to wring as much money out of customers as possible. Airlines are increasingly cramming more passengers onto each flight, termed “densification,” and regularly overbooking flights. Any aspect of a flight that was once provided free of charge — from a checked bag to a complementary drink to using a credit card to pay for a ticket — can now be charged à la carte.

So relentless has this nickel and diming been that when news reports claimed the discount airline Ryan Air was about to start charging for in-flight bathroom use, many people took them seriously. But the story wasn’t true — it was all a ploy for free press from a company unwilling to pay for advertising, help disabled passengers, or provide ice for drinks.