Additional Fees Continue to Take Flight
Low-cost carrier AirTran Airways has added a $15 fee for a first checked bag, joining the industry wide push in charging for the service. The change takes effect for travel on or after Dec. 5.
AirTran is the principal airline at Akron-Canton Airport. It joins all of the major carriers, as well as several regionals, such as Frontier and Midwest, in adding a first-bag fee as a source of revenue.
The sluggish economy and weakening travel demand are wiping out profits for carriers on many domestic connections, though international routes remain profitable.
Delta Air Lines was the last full-fare carrier to add a first-bag fee, adding a $15 charge for travel after Dec. 4. The carrier last week also lowered its second-bag fee from $50 to $25. The changes bring Delta in line with its newly merged partner, Northwest Airlines. The combined airline will be called Delta.
American Airlines, the second-largest carrier behind Delta, initiated a $15 fee for the first checked bag in June. United, Continental, Northwest and US Airways quickly matched.
Southwest Airlines, which flies out of Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, has no charge for either a first or a second bag. It touts that in advertisements that say, “Fees don’t fly with us.”
Karen
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