American Airlines Announces $15 Fee For Checking First Bag

Travel Blog  •  Michael Yessis  •  05.21.08 | 6:33 PM ET

Christopher Elliott suspects other airlines will soon follow American’s lead, and the days of free checked luggage will likely go the way of free in-flight meals and sufficient leg room. Let the bitching begin. It’s justified.

Tags: Air Travel, News and Briefs


7 Comments for American Airlines Announces $15 Fee For Checking First Bag

dana nordsiek 05.21.08 | 8:55 PM ET

IT’S NOT REALLY SURPRISING.MAYBE THE FLYING PUBLIC SHOULD DEMAND BETTER CUSTOMER SERVICE. WHY DON’T WE AS THE PUBLIC START CHARGING THE AIRLINES FOR BAD SERVICE,DELAYED OR CANCELLED FLIGHTS,OVER BOOKING ETC..WHAT ABOUT THE DELAYS IN COMPLYING WITH SAFETY REGULATIONS. REMEMBER THAT? WHAT DO YOU SAY AMERICA. AREN’T YOU GETTING TIRED OF CORPORATE AMERICA PASSING ON ALL THE BS TO THE ALREADY STRAPPED AMERICAN PUBLIC?

John M. Edwards 05.22.08 | 12:12 AM ET

Hi Mike:

Let’s see, hm, only $15 bucks!

How many duty-free cartons of 555s and bottles of champers can I squeeze into that bag?

Partay on American!!! Whoodoggie!

Suppose there was an “import-export” business, and nobody came. . . .

John M. Edwards

James Clark 05.22.08 | 2:18 AM ET

Mike,

Time to writearticles on how to pack lightly for carry on. :)

Also, what I don’t get is where this transaction is going to take place. Curbside, with cash?

I would much rather pay for it when I book the ticket, not having to bring extra cash, or whip out my credit card during the check in process.

Also, I’m assuming it’s $15 per bag, per one-way flight. So unless you don’t plan on returning by plane from your trip, it’s really a $30 fee.

Jack from eyeflare.com 05.22.08 | 6:52 AM ET

While I’m happy to see that international travelers are exempted from this charge (try going for a week with only a carry-on…) it really is time to start thinking about alternative modes of transport.

There is a range of bus and train services available even in the U.S. Maybe this kind of stuff will finally get them more business.

youtube 05.22.08 | 10:01 AM ET

i definately loved this thank you for the post it was very informative

Grizzly Bear Mom 05.22.08 | 4:35 PM ET

If it costs more to conduct business, why wouldn’t you expect the airlines to pass the cost on to the traveler?  Of course LOW COST fares will go up first, those are the ones with the smallest margin of profit.  I would imagine that people will now try to jam even more items onto their carry on bags, making cabin’s more stressful at least for a while.  As for other modes of transportation, yes they are cheap (and I don’t want any women I know riding busses) but my time is more valuable.

SLY 05.23.08 | 12:47 AM ET

I would like someone to post the saleries of the airline executives.

Airlines use to be all about customer service,not anymore.
I was on an American flight,the flight attendant spilled coffee on me,she didn’t even ask if I was ok or if it burnt me,she just flopped some napins on my arm and said here.
The airlines have be come the most non customer service oriented business in America .
I agree with Dana we should be charging the airlines.
What needs to happen is the government needs to back to regulating the airlines,we did not have these problems when they were regulated.

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