AIRLINE NEWS
Friday, June 13, 2008
United Airlines to charge 15 dollars to check one bag
NEW YORK (AFP) - United Airlines said Thursday it will charge a 15 dollar 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 dollars from 100 dollars, or to 250 dollars from 200 dollars, 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 dollars 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 dollars 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 dollar 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.
Source: news.google.com
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 dollars from 100 dollars, or to 250 dollars from 200 dollars, 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 dollars 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 dollars 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 dollar 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.
Source: news.google.com
Labels: fees, United Airlines
