United joins American in charging $15 for first checked bag

Friday 13th June, 06:33 AM JST

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Latest 15 of 22 Total Comments Show All

thepro at 12:52 PM JST - 13th June

'Did you pay the seating fee, sir? No? Oh I'm afraid you have to sit in the aisle. Just make sure to get up and move when we bring the drinks cart through.'
electric2004 at 12:55 PM JST - 13th June

With this kind of pricing, American airlines can hardly be called honest any more. If the fuel price goes up, well then call it what it is.

The way it is done now is Euphemism in a bad way.
tkoind2 at 12:55 PM JST - 13th June

Wonder if we'll see the return of passenger ships and Zeppelins when the airlines price their way to extinction.
terebiko at 02:48 PM JST - 13th June

They are trying to keep fares down by only charging passengers with bags. It was a free, often abused, service that will now cost only people with checked bags. I just hope people will not abuse the carry-on baggage, or they'll start charging for that too.

I do wish that this applied to the first-class and business-class passengers. It's not like their bags take up less space or weight on the flight.

If I'm a businessman traveling with only a briefcase, I don't want to have to pay a higher fare in oder to subsidize the fare of a passenger with baggage. $15 a bag is not that much.

Sending your bags to your destination might be possible, as many people do here in Japan. I don't know if it's cheaper, but it would have the added benefit of getting you out of the airport faster.
Kwaabish at 03:15 PM JST - 13th June

This baggage fgee doesn't really affecy everyone yet. For example, most premium milage members (Gold, Platinum, Premier, etc.) do not have to pay. Same with American Airlines.
capone at 05:53 PM JST - 13th June

Spirit charges $5 for a middle seat ? who in his right mind would request a middle seat ? just wait til the plane's almost full and take what's left, if it's a middle seat you save the 5 bucks
capone at 05:56 PM JST - 13th June

if you're going on a short trip just wear all your clothes on the plane, and as the days pass just peel off the top layer and throw it away
presto345 at 10:48 PM JST - 13th June

I predict next the airlines are going to implement a passenger-weight charge. At check-in we'll have to undergo a weigh-in as well!
ca1ic0cat at 02:46 AM JST - 14th June

While I think that the airlines aren't nuts for charging for extra luggage the idea that anybody can travel for a trip over a day or two with just a carry on is nuts. Back before 9/11 I could get my briefcase and carry on suitcase into a plane. Now I can't because of "fluid limits" and other restrictions on carry on baggage. So I have to check a bag with all it's hassles waiting for the bag before clearning customs, etc. etc. Now I'm going to have to pay for it? This is just bogus.

Flying has become such a hassle that I avoid it as much as is humanly possible.
Zen_Builder at 05:00 AM JST - 14th June

Another reason for me NOT to use an American Airline.

The few times I flew on an American Airline were less than memorable. From food to service, etc.

Soon they will be down to Aeroflot standards. ;)
inakajin01 at 02:49 AM JST - 16th June

I predict next the airlines are going to implement a passenger-weight charge. At check-in we'll have to undergo a weigh-in as well!

Already been done! ;-)

http://flyderrie-air.com/
inakajin01 at 02:50 AM JST - 16th June

Pay more, get less - the American way.

Or more likely just the capitalist way.
DenshaDeGO at 10:55 PM JST - 16th June

... if it's a middle seat you save the 5 bucks

and that $5 will be just enough for a can of soda
chardk1 at 01:38 PM JST - 17th June

They really should have done this the other way, bump up prices slightly and give discounts for having less baggage. $15 isn't such a big deal especially considering fuel prices, but this kind of nickel-and-diming just seems desperate and petty. For God's sake we pay hundreds of dollars in airport use fees that get jacked up all the time and we have no say. That's the real outrage, the KIX's of the world that were built on taxpayer money, made a bunch of politicians and crooked contractors rich, and now charge travelers a mint to barely stay in business.
Sarge at 01:50 PM JST - 17th June

I might have to cough up $15 for my bag, but I'll be damned if I'm gonna cough up $5 for a not-so-cold Budweiser.