Quick Answer
The New York Times Mini crossword clue “What airlines often charge for selecting your seat” is answered with “EXTRA”, a 5-letter entry.
Clue: “What airlines often charge for selecting your seat”
Answer: EXTRA
Answer length: 5 letters
Clue number and direction: 6-Across
The New York Times crossword clue “What airlines often charge for selecting your seat” is answered with EXTRA.
Why EXTRA Is the Right NYT Answer
- Many airlines now treat advance seat selection as an extra service and add an extra fee on top of the base fare. The clue is really pointing at the word commonly used on airlines’ fee charts: an extra charge.
- Answer lists for the Feb 10, 2026 NYT Mini clearly confirm 6-Across: What airlines often charge for selecting your seat — EXTRA. It also matches the required 5-letter pattern, which rules out shorter options like “FEE” or “ADD-ON.”
What EXTRA Means in Plain English
- In everyday use, extra means additional something beyond what is included as standard. In this context, it describes an added cost airlines often apply when you want to choose your seat rather than accept a random assignment.
- So when the clue asks what airlines “charge” for this privilege, the natural answer is that they charge extra.
Crossword-Specific Help for 6-Across
- In the NYT Mini grid for February 10, 2026, 6-Across has five squares, perfect for EXTRA. As you fill, crossings from the Down clues help confirm the pattern:
- E _ T R A once you have some letters from 1-, 2-, or 3-Down.
- Even early, seeing E _ _ R A with an airline-fee clue should strongly suggest EXTRA.
- EXTRA itself is a very common crossword entry, used in many NYT puzzles for clues like “Additional,” “Over the top,” or “More than usual.” That makes it a good default guess whenever a clue hints at “add-on” or “surcharge” and the length fits.
Solving Tips for Similar NYT Clues
For airline- or ticket-related clues, watch for phrases like:
- “Added fee”
- “Surcharge”
- “Added on to the base fare”
When the grid shows 5 letters, EXTRA is often a strong contender, especially if the clue mentions charging more for a specific option (like bags, legroom, or seat choice).
You might also see EXTRA in clues such as:
- “More than is usual or expected”
- “Added perk, for a price”
- “Something tacked on to a bill”
Crossings will quickly confirm whether EXTRA fits or whether you should consider alternatives like “FEE” in shorter slots.




