US airlines increasing prices for 2010

In a bid to return to profit many US carriers are set to raise prices for checked luggage and fuel surcharges. Passengers on airlines in America are already paying higher prices than in 2009 for luggage and experts say that they should brace themselves for more price hikes throughout the year. Three of the major airlines in the US, Continental, Delta and United are already set to increase the price of the first and second bag checked in the hold this month. This comes on the back of five US carriers raising the fuel surcharge by $20 on roundtrip flights between America and Europe last week.

Many carriers in the US have already being adding on charges for so-called extras for some time now. Checked luggage, pre-selected seats, food and a host of other options have been able to be requested and paid for in advance as an ancillary payment added on to the cost of a flight. According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, the third quarter of 2009 saw airlines make an estimated $2 billion in these additional charges, but nine of the top American airlines lost a combined total of $3 billion in the first three quarters of last year. Fares were increased just four times in 2009, just a quarter of the average for the previous two years.

Fare prices and extra charges will slowly creep up this year so it is advisable to book early if you are wishing to head over to the US. As the year goes on the cost of flying is sure to increase as many airlines struggle to make a return to profit.