American Airlines to charge for ANY checked bag

[StressCadet Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close StressCadet]

FORT WORTH — American Airlines, hit hard by escalating fuel prices, said Wednesday passengers will be hit with fees to check any bag, starting with tickets purchased after June 15.

American and its American Eagle subsidiary will also trim their fleets, cut their flight schedules and lay off workers in the coming months.

Speaking at the annual meeting of AMR Corporation, the parent company of both airlines, chairman, president and CEO Gerard Arpey said travelers would face a $15 charge for the first piece of luggage checked, the first time any major domestic airline has used this method to increase revenue.

"These are difficult but necessary steps," Arpey said, noting that rising oil prices have inflated the airline's annual fuel costs by nearly $3 billiion since the start of the year.

American recently instituted a $25 fee for second bags checked after a free first bag. Arpey said other passenger fees will be increased, including surcharges for pets and for unaccompanied minors.

Also on Wednesday, Arpey said AMR planned to cut its domestic capacity by up to 12 percent by retiring 40 to 45 American Airlines jets and 30 to 35 American Eagle aircraft starting in the fourth quarter. Some of the planes will be retired; others will be parked at a desert storage facility.

Arpey said fewer flights will lead to job cuts at both American and American Eagle.

AMR shares tumbled $1, or 12.3 percent, to $7.20 after the announcement.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

[x3skier Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close x3skier]

FORT WORTH — American Airlines, hit hard by escalating fuel prices, said Wednesday passengers will be hit with fees to check any bag, starting with tickets purchased after June 15.

Speaking at the annual meeting of AMR Corporation, the parent company of both airlines, chairman, president and CEO Gerard Arpey said travelers would face a $15 charge for the first piece of luggage checked, the first time any major domestic airline has used this method to increase revenue.

This is one I don't think will "fly". After the first few fist fights in the boarding area or over bin space, I think it will go back to $25 for the second bag. But who knows?

Cheers

[VacationPro Member Find all posts View Profile Close VacationPro]

Wow, I realize that fuel prices have had a big impact on airlines, but this is a bit absurd.

How about charging for drinks, bathroom usage, air sickness bags, ice, water, etc...

[PigsDad Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close PigsDad]

This is one I don't think will "fly". After the first few fist fights in the boarding area or over bin space, I think it will go back to $25 for the second bag. But who knows?

Actually, I think this will stick, and other major airlines will soon follow. Look what happened when United started the $25 charge for a second bag. Within weeks, most of the other major airlines followed.

I hope I am wrong, but I don't have much hope in the airlines to actually decrease fees -- I only see them going one way: up.

Kurt

[falmouth3 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close falmouth3]

Yeah, those overhead bins will be overflowing! And boarding the plane will take even longer. What fun we have when we fly these days.

Sue

[Carolinian Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Carolinian]

Since I avoid checking bags on most trips, I see no big problem with this. European LCC's have done this for years. My favorite baggage policy is that of EasyJet, where any checked bags cost extra but the only weight limit on your carryon is that one person has to be able to heft it into the overhead bin by himself.

The one I hate is Delta's massive surcharges on award tickets. $220 extra, above ''real'' taxes on a TATL R/T from Europe. I'll take the checked luggage fee over that any day!

[bnoble Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close bnoble]

I would expect this move to be combined with more rigorous enforcement of carryon size limitations at the gate---along with the ability to accept payment for gate checked items.

[PigsDad Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close PigsDad]

Since I avoid checking bags on most trips, I see no big problem with this.

You may have a problem with it when other people on your flight try to bring more carry-on luggage than they normally would to avoid the fee. You may be used to having ample on-board storage space -- but not in the future.

Kurt

[Carolinian Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Carolinian]

You may have a problem with it when other people on your flight try to bring more carry-on luggage than they normally would to avoid the fee. You may be used to having ample on-board storage space -- but not in the future.

Kurt

That increases the value of being an airline elite. One gets to board first, and has plenty of bin space.

I actually love EasyJet's baggage policy, which has charged for all checked luggage for some time, but has Europe's most lenient cabin baggage allowance. The only restriction on the weight of a carry-on is that one person must be able to heft it overhead by himself. EasyJet doesn't do elite status, and I have never had trouble with bin space.

[Joe L Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Joe L]

This new policy is just for domestic flights, Puerto Rico, U.S.V.I. and Canada. So far I'm still ok with my annual trip to Cancun.

[VacationPro Member Find all posts View Profile Close VacationPro]

You may have a problem with it when other people on your flight try to bring more carry-on luggage than they normally would to avoid the fee. You may be used to having ample on-board storage space -- but not in the future.

Kurt

I agree. Think about how many "gate checks" there will be, which will result in flight delays.

Will they charge for the gate checks--how 'bout $50, that way you can pay $15 at the gate or $50 if they have to check it at the gate.

[dboy1 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close dboy1]

On April 11 we flew to Vegas for the weekend. For a change we tried using only carry-on luggage.We enjoyed it so much that we are going to seriously try to do that as much as possible from now on!! Might be a little tough when going to Hawaii but we figure we can get down to no more than 1 checked bag.

[dougp26364 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close dougp26364]

From the Travelocity web site, here are the current baggage policy changes by airline:

Air Canada:

Air Canada has announced a new checked baggage policy for tickets issued on or after May 15 for travel on or after July 15, 2008. For those traveling before July 15, 2008 or have booked before May 15, 2008, the baggage allowance of 2 bags per person would still apply.

Under the new policy, customers who purchase tickets on Air Canada which carry a cancellation penalty, may check one bag at no charge and a second bag for a $25 service fee. The fees are assessed each way and may be higher depending on weight and dimensions of the baggage.
This policy applies for travel within Canada and between Canada and continental U.S. including Hawaii.


AirTran Airways:

AirTran Airways has announced a new checked baggage policy effective May 15, 2008.

Customers may check one bag for free and a second bag for a $10 USD fee if paid through AirTran Airways' Online Check-in or $20 if paid at the airport, then $50 USD per bag thereafter. The fees are assessed each way and may be higher depending on weight and dimensions of the baggage.

Note: Military personnel may check one duffel/sea bag in place of a 61-inch bag.


American Airlines:

American Airlines has announced a new checked baggage policy effective for tickets purchased on or after June 15.
This policy applies for travel within the U.S. the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and Canada.
Customers may check one bag for a $15 USD fee ($30 USD round-trip) and a second bag for a $25 USD fee ($50 USD round-trip). The fee may be higher depending on weight and dimensions of the baggage.



Continental Airlines:

Continental Airlines has announced a new checked baggage policy for certain Economy fare tickets that were purchased on or after April 5 for travel on or after May 5, 2008.

This policy applies to travel within the United States, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands and Canada.
Customers may check one bag for free and a second bag for a $25 USD fee ($50 USD round-trip). The fee may be higher depending on weight and dimensions of the baggage.


Note: OnePass Elite members, SkyTeam Elite and Elite Plus members, Tickets issued on Y class of service, Continental Airlines Presidential Plus credit card holders, active military traveling on orders are not impacted by this policy change.


Delta:

Delta has announced a new checked baggage policy for domestic tickets traveling on or after May 1, 2008.
This policy applies to domestic travel.
Customers may check one bag for free and a second bag for a $25 USD fee ($50 USD round-trip). The fee may be higher depending on weight and dimensions of the baggage.
The fee will be charged to passengers if their itinerary includes segments after May 1 regardless of when the tickets were purchased.
Note: SkyMiles Elite, and First/Business Class passengers are not impacted by this policy change.


JetBlue:

JetBlue has announced a new checked baggage policy that will take effect June 1, 2008.

This new policy applies to customers traveling on/after June 1, 2008.
Customers may check one bag for free and a second bag for a $20 USD fee ($40 USD round-trip). Subsequent bags will be assessed at $50 USD per bag. The fees may be higher depending on weight and dimensions of each baggage.


Northwest Airlines:

Northwest Airlines has announced a new checked baggage policy for those traveling within North America on or after May 5, 2008.
This policy applies to tickets issued on/after March 29 for travel within North America on/after May 5.
Customers may check one bag for free and a second bag for a $25 USD fee ($50 USD round-trip). For customers checking in three or more bags, the carrier will assess a fee of $100 per bag each-way. The fee may be higher depending on weight and dimensions of the baggage.


Note: Silver, Gold and Platinum WorldPerks® Elite customers, SkyTeam Elite customers, and those booked in first or full fare classes (Y or B) will not be impacted by this policy change.


United:

United has announced a new checked baggage policy for nonrefundable domestic economy tickets that were purchased on or after February 4 for travel on or after May 5, 2008.
This policy applies to travel within the United States, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands and Canada.
Customers may check one bag for free and a second bag for a $25 USD fee ($50 USD round-trip). The fee may be higher depending on weight and dimensions of the baggage.

Note: Customers with Mileage Plus Premier status or greater, Star Alliance Silver status or greater, government fares, military fares, standard Award Tickets, first and business class award tickets, or first and business class upgrades granted prior to check-in are not impacted by this policy change.


US Airways:

US Airways has announced a new baggage policy for tickets purchased on or after February 26 for travel on or after May 5, 2008.
The new policy applies to all flights within the United States, to/from Canada, Latin America, the Caribbean, and Europe.
Customers may check one bag for free and a second bag for a $25 USD fee ($50 USD round-trip). The fee may be higher depending on weight and dimensions of the baggage.

Note: Dividend Miles Preferred members (Silver, Gold, Platinum and Chairman’s Preferred), confirmed First Class and Envoy passengers (at time of check-in), Star Alliance Silver and Gold status members, active military personnel in uniform with ID, unaccompanied minors, or passengers checking personal assistive devices are not impacted by this change.
Contact Travelocity Customer Care.

[dougp26364 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close dougp26364]

In the FWIW column, our flights this year have been cut back right along with the cut backs in seat inventory most airlines have announce. Normally we'll fly 6 times per year. This year we'll only be in the air 4 times. Next year, as it stands now, will be about the same. If additional fee's such as $30 per checked bag continue it could be even less. Airlines can continue to raise fee's and cut capacity but, if demand falls along with that cut in capacity, are they really gaining ground?

[jjw Member Find all posts View Profile Close jjw]

There used to be a TV commercial showing a made-up airline competitor charging for bathroom access. At the rate the fees are going, I'm starting to think that might not be too far off.