American airlines announced Thursday that it is raising fees for checked bags as the company and other airlines face rising fuel costs.
The airline increases its bag fee for flights within the United States, Canada and short-haul international flights, from $10 to $50 for the first bag and $60 for the second bag. Customers will also pay $200 for the third checked bag when purchasing at the airport, an increase of $50.
Travelers who prepay for their first and second checked bags on the American Airlines website or through the airline’s mobile app will receive a $5 discount, paying $45 and $55, respectively. The changes came into effect on April 9.
Customers traveling on a domestic basic economy ticket will pay $55 for their first checked bag and $65 for their second checked bag with tickets purchased on May 18 and thereafter. Those who pay in advance through the American Airlines website or mobile app will receive a $5 discount.
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American Airlines is increasing its fees for checked bags. (Kevin Carter/Getty Images)
Travelers who have AAdvantage status will continue to receive free bags on American Airlines flights, and AAdvantage credit cardholders will also receive their first eligible checked bag free on the airline’s domestic flights.
Additionally, customers who purchase seats in premium cabins on domestic and international flights will continue to receive free bags while on active duty. American military personnel will also always receive free bags.
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Airlines are increasing their fees for checked bags to cope with rising fuel costs. (Marc Félix/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
The move comes as several other airlines have recently increased their checked baggage fees.
Alaska Air Group has increased travel fees on North American Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines flights by $5 for the first checked bag and $10 for the second. The new costs started Friday and will be $45 and $55, respectively.
Delta Air Lines and Southwest Airlines are both increasing their checked bag fees by $10, bringing the cost to $45 for a first bag and $55 for a second.
Delta’s updated baggage fees took effect Wednesday, while Southwest’s fees took effect Thursday. Delta’s changes affected domestic routes and some short-haul international flights and represented its first increase in domestic baggage fees in two years.
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Teleprinter Security Last Change Change % AAL AMERICAN AIR GROUP INC. 11:32 a.m. -0.05 -0.44% JetBlue and United Airlines have also increased baggage fees in recent weeks.
The fee hikes come as airlines grapple with rising operating costs, especially jet fuel.
Jet fuel prices have surged globally in recent months, from around $85 to $90 a barrel in February to around $209 after disruptions linked to tensions around the world. Strait of Hormuz during the war in Iran, according to Reuters.
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Sophia Compton of FOX Business contributed to this report.
