"Five of the seven major US airlines (Continental, Delta, Northwest, United, and US Air) plan to charge most customers $25 each way to check a second bag starting May 5. Of the largest carriers, only American and Southwest have decided not to go along - for now. Airtran is adding a $10 second bag fee for travel on or after May 15. Spirit Airlines already had a $10 fee if paid online, or $20 at the airport. "
This applies to domestic flights, but not sure if this will eventually carry over into the int'l routes as well...
With oil at $117 a barrel, I think we will have to get used to this being a routine.
To be honest the US are wayyyy behind Europe.
The carrier I have to use to get off island is 20kg max, (and I have to pay £6 / $8 each way for each piece). If I go over the 20kg total then it is £7 / $14 per kg.
Such is the Europe 'low cost' airline model.
Paul C
They actually tried to charge me today. I flashed frequent flyer status and they backed off... Buuutttt yet another reason why flying is becoming a pain now.
They are charging for international extra bags now- I have first hand experience on United- maybe it isnt system wide yet, but Europe flights are included. Im fortunate to have a wife that has elite status on several airlines, I let her check the second bag (although I carry it up to the counter for her)
It stinks to pay more, but it gives one an incentive to pack less. I always over-pack and forget to inventory what I actually wore so I can pack JUST that the next time out. I think if I did it right, I could get buy with one bag and one carry on.
Now here's a twist. I booked an international flight to Manila. It lands in Houston with more than a 12 hour layover so Continental is considering it two separate flights. So I'm almost sure I'm going to get dinged the extra $25 at the airport. The really tough part to swallow is it was the only choice I was given at the time in order to arrive at my destination at the time I wanted to.
I still think this is bait and switch on flights already purchased and someone with money will sue them for a few million.
Alaska Airlines has joined the one 50 pound bag club:
Does anyone have current expierence with Frontier Airlines. Their website still says two free checked bags....wer're off to Playa in a few weeks via Denver-Cancun and its nice to have dive gear as a separate bah....
Alaska Airlines has joined the one 50 pound bag club:
This really sucks, particularly since Alaska diving requires more gear than your typical tropical destination. Compare a 3mm wetsuit to a drysuit+undergarments! A second bag costs $50 each way, so it is essentially like paying an extra $100 on the fare. It is particularly annoying for me since the cut in date is July 1, and I am doing the Nautilus Explorer Vancouver->Juneau trip at the end of July. Oh well, no one said that diving was a inexpensive hobby!
At $100 it might almost be worth it to just ship ahead via UPS or something, assuming your destination (hotel or whatever) is willing to hold packages for your arrival.
Of course it's no fun having to find a shipping outlet before leaving your vacation....nor receiving a stinky, needs-to-be-cleaned, damp drysuit in the mail when you get home.
