U.S.-based airlines are charging more for checked luggage. With the exception of Southwest Airlines, which continues to offer passengers their first two bags free, every major airline is raising its fees, some of which were raised just this month.
American Airlines raised its baggage fees last week, upping the cost of checked luggage by $5 each for first and second bags, or $30 and $40, respectively. AA credit card holders and those with airline status will still have bag fees waived, and those who purchased tickets prior to the September 21 announcement will be grandfathered in to the previous fees. This is the first time since 2010 that American Airlines has raised its baggage prices, following the lead of its competitors.
Last year airlines collected $4.6 billion in baggage fees, totaling more than two percent of the industry’s operating revenue. It makes perfect sense that airlines would hike up fees, as luggage is a bona fide money maker.
United, which also changed its baggage fees recently, agrees that competition is a major factor in raising prices for luggage.
“We are making adjustments to our checked bag fees in select markets—most of which have not been changed for the past eight years,” said United spokeswoman Maddie King. “These changes allow us to continue investing in the overall customer experience in today’s marketplace.”
For United, prices will increase on flights to or from North America, the Caribbean, and Central America. The first checked bag will be $30 and the second will be $40, with the exception being to or from Canada, where a second checked bag will cost you $50.
Delta and JetBlue have new prices as well, which are in line with the former two: $30 and $40. Air Canada and WestJet will also be charging $30 for the first bag, but hiked up the price to $50 for the second.
What do you think? Are the airlines justified in raising their baggage fees? Let us know in the comments.
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