United Airlines to charge $15 to check one bag
United Airlines said on Thursday it will charge a $15 service fee to check one bag for domestic travel on an economy ticket to help offset record fuel prices.
By Agencies |
NEW YORK: United Airlines said on Thursday it will charge a $15 service fee to check one bag for domestic travel on an economy ticket to help offset record fuel prices.
The new fee also will be charged on economy travel to Canada, the US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, said the second-largest US airline, owned by UAL Corporation.
In addition, the Chicago-based carrier said it will hike the fee to check three or more bags, overweight bags or items that require special handling to $125 from $100, or to $250 from $200, depending on the item.
The new fees, effective August 18, apply to customers who purchase a ticket on or after Friday.
The airline previously announced a fee of $25 for checking a second bag.
United estimates the potential revenue from baggage handling service fees, including those for checking a first and second bag, will be about $275 million a year.
It announced exceptions to the new first-bag checking fee for passengers traveling in United first or business class, certain frequent-flyer and Star Alliance members and US military personnel traveling on orders.
Like other US airlines reeling from jet fuel prices that have nearly doubled in the past year and a soft US economy, United announced in early June it was further cutting its fleet, operations and up to 1,100 additional jobs. It also closed its budget carrier Ted.
The leading carrier American Airlines took similar action to stem losses from the fuel crisis in mid-May and announced a $15 for fee for the first checked bag on tickets purchased for domestic economy travel on or after June 15, and 25 dollars for the second checked bag.
The new fee also will be charged on economy travel to Canada, the US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, said the second-largest US airline, owned by UAL Corporation.
In addition, the Chicago-based carrier said it will hike the fee to check three or more bags, overweight bags or items that require special handling to $125 from $100, or to $250 from $200, depending on the item.
The new fees, effective August 18, apply to customers who purchase a ticket on or after Friday.
The airline previously announced a fee of $25 for checking a second bag.
United estimates the potential revenue from baggage handling service fees, including those for checking a first and second bag, will be about $275 million a year.
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It announced exceptions to the new first-bag checking fee for passengers traveling in United first or business class, certain frequent-flyer and Star Alliance members and US military personnel traveling on orders.
Like other US airlines reeling from jet fuel prices that have nearly doubled in the past year and a soft US economy, United announced in early June it was further cutting its fleet, operations and up to 1,100 additional jobs. It also closed its budget carrier Ted.
The leading carrier American Airlines took similar action to stem losses from the fuel crisis in mid-May and announced a $15 for fee for the first checked bag on tickets purchased for domestic economy travel on or after June 15, and 25 dollars for the second checked bag.
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