Flying AA? Bring money

If airfares weren't already torturous enough, get ready: American is cutting back on capacity and raising add-on fares.

Yes, barely has AA instituted its new policy charging $25 for the second checked bag  when along comes today's announcement that it will charge $15 for the first bag for tickets booked as of June 15. Fees for bringing pets, checking oversized bags and sending an unaccompanied minor all go up as of today, as follows:

• Phone reservations, from $15 to $20
• Change fee for a domestic flight, from $100 to $150
• Fee for a pet inside the cabin, from $80 to $100

When it comes to the checked bag fees, AA isn't the first. Most airlines charge for a second checked bag, and Spirit and several European carrriers charge for each bag.

And there are some exceptions: If you're an American frequent flier with Gold or other premium status, your regularly-sized bags still fly for free.

The culprit for higher prices, says AA: Fuel charges. Oil is now trading above $130 per barrell.

Is all this fair? You tell us. Comment below.

Comments

[james fey]

yes its fare!!!!about time the legacy carriers started charging for these things. why after all didn't the public want deregulation of airlines for cheaper fares and carrier with no maintenance program...congressman claude pepper told me personally that his band of elders complained all the time about airfares miami to anywhere...so this bud is for you claude, congradulations on getting what your elders wanted, and now having to pay for a bad decision.

[Blaine Zuver]

I think it's perfectly fair. People should learn to pack lighter. I am taking my two sons to Mexico next week, for a vacation involving Aztec ruins,volcano exploration and horseback riding - we will pack all our clothes in one carry-on duffel bag. I never cease to be amazed at the huge amounts of luggage that some people check - sometimes 7 or 8 huge bags for one couple, who are probably just going to sit on a beach somewhere. They should pay !

[Blaine Zuver]

I think it's perfectly fair. People should learn to pack lighter. I am taking my two sons to Mexico next week, for a vacation involving Aztec ruins,volcano exploration and horseback riding - we will pack all our clothes in one carry-on duffel bag. I never cease to be amazed at the huge amounts of luggage that some people check - sometimes 7 or 8 huge bags for one couple, who are probably just going to sit on a beach somewhere. They should pay !

[Terry]

Any one who's been paying attention knows the airline's costs have gone up just like everything else the last year or so. The only part that bothers me about the extra charges is, why don't they just raise the airfare enough to cover their costs and make a profit and be done with it? I suspect they're afraid the increase in fare will keep some people from flying. But don't they run the same risk with all the add-on's? As those who do still fly begin to pack lighter, carry on their bags, etc the airlines will be forced to increase or charge for other things eventually. It costs whatever it costs to fly an airplane. Why not just charge what you have to for the ticket and be done with it?