Delta passengers to pay $25 for second bag

Passengers traveling with Delta Air Lines should now be prepared to pay up to $25 on top of their ticket, if they decide to check two pieces of luggage. Delta is following the example set earlier this month by United Airlines, which also decided to levy a new fee for all those who submitted a second bag to the plane’s hold. The justification behind this unpopular new fee is that it will help carriers defray the rising cost of fuel.

Richard Anderson, Delta’s CEO, confirmed that the new surcharge would come into effect at the beginning of May, but those in first class cabins, as well as all passengers registered in the upper tiers of the carrier’s frequent flyer program will be exempted from paying the extra $25 fee.

United Airlines and US Airways both decided to levy new fees for passengers checking in a second piece of luggage, noting that they had little choice, since fuel prices have skyrocketed by over 68 percent since spring 2007. United expects to garner around $100 million per year from this new fee, while US Airways anticipated approximately $75 million. Similarly to Delta, passengers in premium cabins, and those that are registered with the carrier’s loyalty program may enjoy a fee waiver.

In addition to introducing this new fee, Delta has also announced over 2,000 job cuts, as well as a 10 percent reduction in capacity. These two measures, combined with the luggage surcharge aim to help the airline weather the coming economic storm, as well as high fuel prices.

www.delta.com