In yet another addition to the saga of the ever-increasing airline fees, United Airlines is raising their baggage fees again after just raising them last year.
Those flying with United on a trans-Atlantic flight may want to limit their suitcases to just one. The airlines will now charge $100 for a second checked bag for flights between North America, South America, Europe, India, the Middle East and Africa.
This increase is a $30 raise from the previous $70 fee. The fee was just raised to $70 from $50 last year. Even though fuel costs have been decreasing, the airline blames fuel for the increase.
"This change reflects an increase in costs associated with carrying bags, such as fuel and handling," United said in a statement.
This follows a 2011 move in which United got rid of baggage fee discount for those who made their luggage arrangements online.
The Chicago Tribune reported that noted airline analyst Hunter Keay, a Wolfe Trahan & Co analyst, said that the airline will only receive a "modest" revenue increase of $30 million.
United may have followed Delta Air Lines which raised its checked bag fee from $75 to $100 this year. However, Delta Air Lines still offers a discount for those who use online check-in.
Keay noted that it won't be surprising if other airlines like American Airlines and US Airways follow United and raise their baggage fees in the near future. Currently, they charge between $60 and $70 for second checked bags.
At this rate, it also wouldn't come as a surprise if airlines decide to start and increase fees for first checked bags on trans-Atlantic routes. Currently, most airlines don't apply this charge.
However, other airlines have taken the baggage fees battle even further. In April, the low-cost carrier Allegiant Air started charging fees for carry-on luggage to make up for their low ticket prices. Spirit then followed the charging for carry-ons and they plan to raise the carry-on fee to $100.
Despite the trans-Atlantic second bag fee, United lowered its fees on Micronesia routes from $70 to $40.
For more details on United Airline's fees, click here.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
