US Airways starts charging for checked bags

US Airways has joined an ever growing number of carriers that have traditionally marketed themselves as “full service” with a new strategy that forces passengers to pay extra if they wish to check a second piece of luggage. The first checked bag will remain free, but anyone wanting to place a second item in the plane’s hold compartment will be hit with a $25 surcharge. The airline has tried to explain its decision by noting that it is forced to deal with continually rising costs and the prospect of an economic downturn. This new surcharge will officially come into effect on May 5th, 2008, across the United States and will apply to all US Airways flights. Only a few days ago, United Airlines made a nearly identical announcement, informing the travelling public that it too would begin charging for checked luggage.

A US Airways spokesperson told representatives of the media that the carrier expects this new $25 charge to generate an extra $75 million in revenue for the airline. It is debatable, however, as to just how many passengers will be negatively affected by this. US Airways, for example, has pointed out that only a relatively minimal 8 percent of travelers on domestic routes currently check more than one bag.

Nevertheless, as North American legacy carriers introduce new charges for services that were previously free to all customers, questions are being raised about the precise definition of a full-service airline. All American carriers currently charge for food and snacks served on board and most only offer free non-alcoholic beverages on their domestic and transborder (US to Canada) flights.

www.usairways.com