Three weeks after American Airlines announced that it would begin charging
$15 each way for the first checked bag, United and US Airways have adopted the
new fee as well.
 Both airlines also announced a number of other fees covering a
range of services as record-breaking fuel increases continue to cripple the
airline industry.
Unlike the second-bag fee, which affected a small number of travelers, a huge
percentage of travelers check one bag. A family of four, with each person
checking just one bag on American, United or US Airways, will pay $120 more in
baggage fees alone for a round-trip.
United's changes apply to customers who purchase a ticket on or after June 13,
2008, for travel within the U.S. and to/from Canada, Puerto Rico and the U.S.
Virgin Islands on or after August 18, 2008. The $15 service fee does not apply
to customers who are flying in United First or United Business or who have
premier status with United or Star Alliance. Details on United's checked bag
policy are available at united.com/baggage.
"With record-breaking fuel prices, we must pursue new revenue opportunities,
while continuing to offer competitive fares, by tailoring our products and
services around what our customers value most and are willing to pay for," says
John Tague, executive vice president and chief operating officer.
United estimates that the new $15 service fee will apply to one out of three
customers, and the potential revenue from baggage handling service fees,
including those for checking a first and second bag, will be approximately $275
million a year.
US Airways said its new fee will go into effect for tickets booked after July
9. It will also start charging coach passengers $2 for nonalcoholic drinks
starting Aug. 1. Other major U.S. airlines, with the exception of Southwest
which charges no extra fees, are now charging $25 each way for a second checked
bag.
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