Chicago is My Home

12
Jun

United Follows American’s Example of Charging $15 For First Checked Bag

Author: Adam Fendelman, Category: Travel

CHICAGO – Are you looking forward to booking a summer getaway? Plan on packing light.
UAL’s United said on Wednesday the airline will begin charging customers $15 each way for the first checked bag and $25 each way for the second checked bag. The new policy is effective for tickets purchased on or after June 13, 2008.

United’s announcement follows a similar move by competitor American Airlines, which announced in May 2008 that it will implement the same $15 baggage fee.

Struggling with record-high fuel prices, many airlines are installing a variety of strategies to increase revenue and cut operational costs. Other such measures have included grounding inefficient planes and reducing staff. In addition, the airline industry (and particularly United) has been abuzz with speculation of possible cost-saving alliances or mergers.

“With record-breaking fuel prices, we must pursue new revenue opportunities while continuing to offer competitive fares by tailoring our products and services around what our customers value most and are willing to pay for,” said United COO John Tague in a Wednesday statement.

By Megan O’Neil