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Airline baggage fees continue to climb
What started with a single airline charging passengers to check their second piece of luggage has slowly evolved into a massive money making scheme netting some airlines as much as $1 Billion in additional cash.The state of airline travel now means there are just a handful of airlines that do not charge for additional bags, and those airlines that do charge you, are getting so greedy that they are actually raising their prices again.
At the moment, United Airlines and US Airways charge $15 for the first checked bag, and $25 for the second - that fee is about to go up an additional $5 for passengers who do not prepay to check using the airline website.
Delta and Northwest (the same airline now they have completed their merger) will be charging an insane $50 for the second checked bag on international routes.
The only major airline that has (so far) resisted the urge to charge for checking bags, is Southwest. This low cost carrier has even launched a massive TV advertising campaign promoting the fact that they offer free checked baggage on their flights.
Bottom line is that a family of 4, each carrying 2 bags will pay as much as $500 if they fly abroad on some airlines. The only solution to the problem is to bring less stuff, or try and stuff as much as possible into the overhead bin.
A well maintained airline baggage fee chart can be found over at the site of Airfarewatchdog.com.
What strange things have been found on planes?
Reader Comments (Page 3 of 3)
Raven Jun 23rd 2009 1:46PM
There used to be a metal frame apparatus at the boarding gate. Your carry on bag had to fit into this frame to qualify for the overhead bins. If it doesn't fit, it goes in the luggage hold. Simple fix.
john Jun 23rd 2009 1:34PM
Do like all the other people and bring on two carrie ons and a overside lap top
lastrebel Jun 23rd 2009 1:46PM
their all a buncha pigs, goinks, dogs, greedy #$%$%^
Michael Jun 23rd 2009 2:09PM
Well I love the way everyone thinks if they fly SWA that there will be no fee's ...
Southwest Airlines has decided to let pets, like small dogs or cats, in the aircraft cabin for a one-way fee of $75, on flights starting June 17, 2009.
The airline also said, in a statement, that it would charge $25, each way, for children aged 5 through 11 who are not travelling with an adult. The carrier’s another plan is to double its fee, to $50, for a third piece of checked luggage or for bags weighing over 50 pounds
Southwest Airlines, based in Dallas, Texas, the United States, and the biggest US-based budget airline by revenue, is resorting to this step in an effort to raise revenue without troubling its passengers, according to aviation analysts.
Aviation analysts say that Southwest Airlines, which is struggling to make profits in the time of global economic recession, is also under pressure from Wall Street to make up for the hundreds of millions of dollars it is losing by not charging passengers to check their first and second bags.
See is just goes to show what goes around comes around Hmmm are checked bag fee's STAY TUNED
E.K. Jun 23rd 2009 2:05PM
It is MY hope that ALL airlines in this country go under so we can start over again. The ONLY airline worth it's salt in America is Southwest! The charging for checked bags began using the excuse that gas prices were so high. But gas prices fell dramatically back a few months ago...yet the airlines did not stop charging. My husband travels ALOT, and United charges 25.00 for the first bag and 100.00 for all bags after that! THAT is ridiculous! In addition, now that they charge for checked bags...INCONSIDERATE flyers are now packing all they can into the largest suitcase allowed as a carry on and doing so takes up ALL of the overhead compartment space so those boarding the plane last have nowhere to put their carry on bags! Doing this is just another way of showing how inconsiderate we are towards each other in this country today.
Donna Jun 23rd 2009 2:13PM
I fly more international than domestic, but what makes me soooo mad is, I follow instructions on the size of bag you are allowed to bring on board. Then here comes people on board with trunks and expect to put them in the over head compartment. Then even though I paid for my ticket, there is no room for my things. If you complain, it just makes everyone mad. There used to be a little box at the entrance of the airline walk way that said, if your bag will not fit in this, then you must check it. NOW, I know, if I had pulled this kind of stuff, I would probably be asked to check my baggage or asked to leave. This is not right!!!!
glenn Jun 23rd 2009 3:35PM
I HAVE LIVED IN ATLANTA FOR 25 YEARS AND FLEW ON DELTA ALMOST EXCLUSIVELY..... DELTA USED TO BE A GREAT AIRLINES...THEY ARE NOW AMOUNG THE LOWEST OF THE LOW ....TO THE POINT THAT I LET ONE ROUND TRIP FREQUENT FLYER TRIP EXPIRE RATHER THAN FLY WITH THEM...... TOO BAD ......THE ECONOMY AND GREEDY EXECUTIVES HAVE DESTROYED THE AIRLINES..............I WILL NEVER PAY TO CHECK A BAG.....NEVER........IF I CANNOT DRIVE I WILL NOT GO.....PERIOD