January 16, 2010
Continental Airlines has joined rival Delta in boosting the price for checking bags on flights within the USA and to Puerto Rico, Canada and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Continental, Delta, American and United also have boosted fuel surcharges on flights to Europe by $20. Surcharges vary, but the airlines typically impose fuel charges of about $242 on flights to London and $280 on routes to many popular destinations on the continent.
Delta began charging $8 more for the first checked bag and $7 more for a second on Jan. 5. Continental did the same thing beginning with tickets sold Jan. 16. So far, no other big U.S. airline has followed suit.
Continental and Delta now charge $25 for the first checked bag and $35 for the second if the bags are checked at the airport. The fee is slightly lower for bags checked in online.
“It’s a match” of Delta’s higher bag fees, Continental spokeswoman Mary Clark said. “But we don’t normally comment on our rationale” for matching competitors’ pricing changes.
A new USA Today/Gallup Poll finds the fees are unpopular.
In Case You Missed It
Seventy-six percent of Americans who’ve flown at least twice in the last year say they’re dissatisfied with bag and rebooking fees. Only 24 percent say they’re OK with the extra charges.
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