Travel Blog, Travel Podcast, Exclusive Travel Newsletter

To Fee or Not to Fee: 5 US Airlines Pledge No Charge for Carry-on

Share on TwitterShare on Tumblr
Submit to StumbleUponSave on DeliciousDigg This
Submit to redditShare on MyspacePin it on PinterestShare via email

by Margery Wilson

As we reported a few days ago, Spirit Airlines recently said it planned to charge up to $45 for carry-on bags that don’t fit under seats.  On April 18 Senator Charles Schumer said that he had commitments from American Airlines, Delta, JetBlue, United and US Airways not to follow Spirit’s lead.

“We have begun to put the brakes on runaway and out-of-control airline fees,” Mr. Schumer said in a news release. “I am pleased some of the major carriers have responded to our efforts and have agreed not to charge for something that has always been free.”

Mr. Schumer said he planned to urge other carriers to make similar commitments and was encouraging Spirit to reverse its decision.

Mr. Schumer and other lawmakers have proposed legislation that would block the fees by declaring carry-on bags as essential for air travel.

Things are not always what they appear, so don’t count on the carry-on policies to remain as they are.  European airlines have stringent limits for carry-on bags, and we may see these limits imposed for US domestic routes in future. (Meaning more bags could be required to be checked — for a fee.)  Airlines have found a solid revenue stream with added fees, so it will be interesting to see how creative they become in finding ways to add — and justify — them.


Share on TwitterShare on Tumblr
Submit to StumbleUponSave on DeliciousDigg This
Submit to redditShare on MyspacePin it on PinterestShare via email

Related posts:

  1. Spirit Airlines Hidden Fees Becoming Clear Steven Frischling recently posted an article on his blog...
  2. Jetiquette Carry-On Luggage Faux Pas When was the last time you boarded a plane...
  3. Furious Over Carry-On Baggage Dear Sky Steward, I am surprised that I am...

Tags: , , , ,

One Response to “To Fee or Not to Fee: 5 US Airlines Pledge No Charge for Carry-on”

  1. Brett #

    Mixed feelings on this. I understand Spirit’s rationale behind adding a carry-on fee – There’s nothing but flier’s anxiety as the hoards storm the gate, rushing to get on the plane first and secure precious overhead space. As fees for checked baggage became the norm, passengers sought to keep the nickle-and-dimeing at a minimum, and bring EVERYTHING on board.

    I’m not against ala carte options, such as meals, or blankets, etc. But the one thing everyone needs on a flight is a suitcase with a change of clothes (outside the one-day round trips). This isn’t an optional item. It’s a necessity. I would rather the airlines bump the plane ticket price up a few dollars to cover the cost, and hopefully, that would alleviate some of the carry-on problem.

    Business travelers will not check luggage, as some unwritten law of business states their time is too busy to wait at baggage check (and I’m guilty of that, to a certain extent). But some improvement in the overall overcrowding of bin space may help reduce the anxiety now present on each flight, as well as improving boarding times.

    Semi-kudos to the airlines for proclaiming they won’t charge for carry-ons. But you know, they are milling with the idea. Spirit floated the balloon. If there is eventual acceptance of the fee, without drastic impact, these airlines will revisit the thought…. and a few might even pursue the carry-on charges.

    April 22, 2010 at 2:40 AM Reply

Leave a Reply