Airlines are introducing new baggage policies/fees
If you have an upcoming flight, make sure you have the latest information, since many air carriers have made changes to their baggage policy. Several airlines now assess a service fee for a second checked bag each way. Select airlines have also instituted fees for oversize bags and items requiring special handling. HostelTraveler.com encourages you to check with your airline before departing.
Here are some of the airlines who now have new baggage policies:
Air Canada Airlines
Air Canada will implement changes to its checked baggage policy on flights within Canada, and between Canada and the U.S. including Hawaii.
There is no change in the checked bag policy for customers purchasing Latitude and Executive Class tickets. As well, Air Canada Elite, Super Elite and Prestige members in addition to Star Alliance Gold and Silver members maintain their current baggage allowance when purchasing Tango and Tango Plus fares.
AirTran Airways
Customers may check one bag free and a second bag for a $10 fee. The fee will not apply for passengers who hold Elite status in AirTran Airways’ A+ Rewards frequent flier program, or ticketed passengers traveling in Business Class. The airline will continue to allow passengers to check additional bags for a $50 fee per additional bag.
Alaska Airlines
Alaska and Horizon Airlines will begin charging $25 for a second checked bag. First class and top-tier Mileage Plan members and customers on flights within the state of
Alaska will be exempt from the new fee.American Airlines
Customers who purchase domestic economy class tickets may check one bag for free and check a second bag for $25 each way. A passenger €™s 3rd, 4th and 5th checked bags will incur an additional $100 fee per piece. For 6 checked bags and above, the fee is raised to $200 per piece.
Continental Airlines
Customers who purchase nonrefundable domestic economy tickets may check one bag for free and a second bag for a $25 service fee each way. Car seats, strollers, wheelchairs and sporting equipment items with service fees (i.e. surfboard) are exempt from the $25 second bag fee.
Delta Air Lines
Delta will begin charging $25 for a second checked bag for passengers traveling on or after May 1st. This fee applies to all domestic Delta flights. Those travelers who are members of Delta’s frequent-flier program who log at least 25,000 qualifying miles of travel per year, as well as first and business class passengers, will still be allowed to check up to three bags at no additional charge on Delta and Delta Connection-operated flights only.
JetBlue Airlines
Customers will be charged a $20 fee for each traveler’s second checked bag. This policy applies to all JetBlue travelers, for all markets.
US Airways
US Airways will begin assessing a $25 fee for a passenger €™s second checked bag each way. Customers may check one bag for free and a second bag for a $25 service fee each way. Oversized bags or those weighing more than 50 lbs. now start at $50 per bag each way and increase depending on weight and the number of bags. The policy applies to all flights within the U.S., to and from Canada, Latin America, and the Caribbean.
United Airlines
Customers who purchase both refundable and nonrefundable domestic economy tickets may check one bag for free and a second bag for a $25 service fee each way. Oversized bags or those weighing more than 50 lbs. now cost $100 per bag each way. Items that require special handling also have new prices.
For customers who have at least Premier status in Mileage Plus or Silver status with Star Alliance, there are no changes to the number of bags they can check for free.
Northwest Airlines
Customers who purchase nonrefundable domestic economy tickets may check one bag for free and a second bag for a $25 service fee each way. For bags number three and above, the fee increases to $100 per bag.
Northwest Airlines’s Silver, Gold and Platinum WorldPerks ® Elite customers, SkyTeam Elite customers and passengers booked in full fare classes (Y or B) may still check two bags free of charge. Customers booked in First Class can continue to check up to three bags free of charge, within existing size requirements.
This new checked bag policy also applies to travel beginning within the U.S. and to/from Canada, Mexico and the
Caribbean. For international flights (except Canada), checking a second bag will continue to be free and the cost to check more bags or bags that are overweight or need special handling varies by destination.
