American Airlines has announced that it will start charging $15 for the first checked bag. The Fort Worth-based airline, the nation's largest carrier, said it needs extra revenue to cover fuel costs, which it says have soared by billions of dollars in the last few years.
American said Wednesday that the fee for the first checked bag starts June 15, and it will raise other fees for services ranging from reservation help to oversized bags. Those fees could cost between $5 to $50.
The first-bag fee will be charged to everyone except people who belong to elite levels of its frequent flyer program, those who bought full-fare tickets, and those traveling overseas.
JetBlue Airways Corp., the Forest Hills-based discount carrier, has started selling extra legroom, for a fee, starting at $10 for short flights, $15 on medium-haul flights and $20 on long-hauls. For the extra money, passengers get seats with 38 inches of pitch instead of 34 inches on other seats.
United Airlines, the nation's No. 2 carrier, is "seriously studying" imposing its own fee on first bags. Delta Air Lines, the third-largest, has no current plans for a fee but is considering all options, spokeswoman Betsy Talton said. AirTran Airways and Northwest Airlines said they were weighing their response.
Last month, American joined other carriers in charging $25 for a second bag checked by passengers. The major airlines have also raised fares about a dozen times in recent months.
American said Wednesday that the fee for the first checked bag starts June 15, and it will raise other fees for services ranging from reservation help to oversized bags. Those fees could cost between $5 to $50.
The first-bag fee will be charged to everyone except people who belong to elite levels of its frequent flyer program, those who bought full-fare tickets, and those traveling overseas.
JetBlue Airways Corp., the Forest Hills-based discount carrier, has started selling extra legroom, for a fee, starting at $10 for short flights, $15 on medium-haul flights and $20 on long-hauls. For the extra money, passengers get seats with 38 inches of pitch instead of 34 inches on other seats.
United Airlines, the nation's No. 2 carrier, is "seriously studying" imposing its own fee on first bags. Delta Air Lines, the third-largest, has no current plans for a fee but is considering all options, spokeswoman Betsy Talton said. AirTran Airways and Northwest Airlines said they were weighing their response.
Last month, American joined other carriers in charging $25 for a second bag checked by passengers. The major airlines have also raised fares about a dozen times in recent months.
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