News Analysis: Changes to Checked Bags

As airlines continue charging extra for services like meals and music, passengers now will be hit with a baggage fee on US Airways and United Airlines. If passengers want to check a second bag, they have to pay $25 each way.

As reported in The Arizona Republic, Genevieve Shaw Brown, a senior editor at Travelocity, believes other airlines will mimic these two airlines because “If there’s no significant backlash from customers, other airlines start to follow.”

What will that mean for travelers?

Soon, airlines will be charging for everything under the sun; United already charges extra for legroom, US Airways charges $5 to book on its Web site, and Southwest charges a fee for those passengers who want priority boarding.

As Peter explained to the Republic, “The overall problem here is the airlines nickel-and-diming us, looking at every possible aspect of our travel as a revenue center. It’s one thing if an airline says we’re low-cost and you’re going to pay for everything short of breathing. At least you know going in. But an airline that brands itself as a premium legacy carrier should be ashamed of itself.”

As Hartford Courant online editor Jeanne Leblanc points out in her blog, US Air’s policy appears to be even more restrictive than United’s. “United still allows two checked bags for free on international flights, and for first- and business-class travelers on all flights. Not so USAir, unless I’m missing some fine print,” she reports.

We agree with Leblanc’s prediction that US Air isn’t going to be the popular kid on the block, between baggage charges and its recent restrictions on cutting the minimum mileage awards on short-haul flights.

She forecasts that US Air will regain its number one status for complaints in the Air Travel Consumer Report, which is released monthly from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics.

But not everyone shares this indignation. After United’s announcement last month, budget travel guru Arthur Frommer blogged on Frommers.com that he believes “less luggage means happier travel.”

According to Frommer, passengers normally pack too heavily when traveling, and oftentimes they pack items they never use—or even need—for their trip. The best way to travel is to travel light. That way, your luggage won’t burden you or your carrier, so the baggage fee actually will create happier travelers.

Since the baggage fees will drive a considerable amount of income, other airlines undoubtedly will adopt this new policy. And with just a hint of irony, Frommer closes with, “So to all you greedy, fee-charging, profit-hungry execs at United Airlines: thank you.”

How do you feel about the airlines charging for a second checked bag? Click on comments to tell us your thoughts.

Related Links: The Arizona Republic, Hartford Courant, Frommers

By Monique-Marie DeJong for PeterGreenberg.com.

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