American Airlines Adjusts Baggage Fees and Policies Amidst Industry Changes
In a move that reflects the dynamic landscape of the airline industry, American Airlines has recently announced modifications to its baggage policy, including an increase in checked baggage fees. The changes, effective from Tuesday, Feb. 20, mark the first adjustment to baggage fees by the airline since 2018.
For domestic American Airline flights, passengers purchasing checked bags online will now face a fee of $35, up from $30. Those opting to pay at the airport will incur a higher fee of $40. Additionally, the fee for a second checked bag has been adjusted to $45, both online and at the airport.
In conjunction with the baggage fee adjustments, American Airlines has introduced other changes to its policies. Notably, the fee for in-cabin pets has increased to $150 from the previous $125. However, the airline is reducing fees for overweight bags. Previously, bags weighing between 50 to 70 pounds incurred an extra $100 to $200; now, bags weighing between 50 to 53 pounds will cost an extra $30, and bags weighing 53 to 70 pounds will cost between $100 to $200.
As these changes come into effect, American Airlines aims to stay competitive in the industry. The adjustments coincide with broader discussions around airline fees and ticket prices in the face of inflation, an issue the Biden administration has pledged to address.
In comparison to American Airlines, other major carriers have their own baggage fee structures:
Frontier Airlines: Known for some of the highest baggage fees, Frontier charges $59 for the first carry-on and checked bag if paid during booking, increasing to $74 before check-in and $99 at the airport.
Spirit Airlines: With fees determined by a calculator, Spirit charges $49 for a carry-on and $44 for the first checked bag on most domestic flights when paid during booking.
Alaska Airlines: As of Jan. 2, Alaska Airlines charges $35 for the first checked bag and $45 for the second on domestic flights.
JetBlue: Utilizing a tiered system, JetBlue charges $35 for the first checked bag and $50 for the second with options to save by adding bags before check-in or by becoming a Mosaic member.
United Airlines: United Airlines charges a standard fee of $35 for the first checked bag and $45 for the second on most domestic flights.
Delta: Delta’s standard fees for domestic flights are $30 for the first checked bag and $40 for the second.
Southwest: Diverging from the industry trend, Southwest continues to offer two free checked bags, with additional checked bags costing $125 and overweight bags incurring a $100 fee.
As the airline industry adapts to changing circumstances, passengers are advised to stay informed about these policies to make informed travel decisions.