American Airlines is the last carrier to increase baggage fees, increasing the price of a baggage registered from 25 to 30 dollars on Thursday.

The fees for the second bag are now $ 40, against $ 35. The airline has indicated that the changes are effective for tickets purchased on September 21 and beyond. This is the first increase since 2010, says the airline.

The move comes one day after Delta Air Lines joined the parade of the senior baggage fee. JetBlue Airways started the trend by increasing freight charges on August 27th. United Airlines matched JetBlue's costs before the Labor Day weekend. Canadian carriers WestJet and Air Canada have also increased their fares.

Taxes on bags have become a big deal for US airlines since they've started charging for the first and second baggage recorded in 2008 during the recession and soaring oil prices. Previously, the only baggage fees were for excess bags and oversized and oversize bags.

According to the Federal Bureau of Transport Statistics, airlines collected $ 2.4 billion in baggage fees in the first half of 2018. The same figure in the first half of 2008: $ 300.8 million. United began the frenzy of bag fees in May 2008 by charging $ 25 for the second checked bag. A few months later, the Americans raised the bar, announcing a $ 15 fee for the first piece of checked luggage.

Southwest is the only one of the 4 major airlines

Southwest has resisted the trend, despite Wall Street 's insistence to leave money on the table. The largest national carrier in the country allows two checked baggage and free trumpets. Executives recently said, again, that there was no intention to charge the bags.

Southwest made some shadows to United while she exceeded the $ 30 and $ 40 bag fees.

Alaska Airlines, the fifth largest carrier in the country, is currently sticking to its $ 25 policy for the first and second bag.

American launches a bone to some travelers

The news on bag fees is not all bad for Americans. The airline recently canceled its ban on hand luggage for passengers in the basic economy. Starting September 5, the airline began allowing travelers to bring standard carry-on luggage in addition to a personal item that fits under the seat.

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Delta already allows basic economy passengers to bring free standard hand luggage. US officials said they were losing basic economic customers in Delta, in part because travel sites, including Google Flights, allowed travelers to filter the results for convenience, including free hand luggage. .

United is the only major US airline offering basic economy fares that still ban standard hand luggage. Passengers who bring these bags to the door are obliged to check them for the standard checked baggage fee, plus a $ 25 surcharge. Total price for a bag: $ 55. Travelers are better off checking the bag at the counter for $ 30.

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