More US airlines are going down the low-cost route of charging for checked baggage and onboard beverages, as soaring fuel prices continue to take a grip.
United Airlines has announced it is to charge domestic passengers US$15 for checking in one piece of luggage, just weeks after it introduced charges for those checking in a second piece. The new charge is already in effect for new bookings, although only for departures dates after August 18. It follows AA’s introduction of similar charges last month (see online news May 27).
US Airways has also followed suit (applicable for tickets purchased after July 9), and has gone one step further by beginning to charge US$2 for all non-alcoholic beverages. The carrier has also introduced new fees for redeeming award tickets.
As with previous announcements, the new baggage charges are waived for certain passengers including high level loyalty scheme members and those travelling on international routes – for more information visit united.com, usairways.com.
For an indepth look at how oil prices are affecting the aviation industry, read Alex McWhirter's special report.
Report by Mark Caswell