The joys of flying just got more joyous

Let’s have a party.

United Airlines announced recently that it will begin charging customers for a second checked bag on routes to Europe. With that, the lone U.S. carrier to buck the trend of charging international passengers to check luggage is joining the “feee-for-all”.

 

Every other major U.S. carrier has unveiled luggage fees on trans-Atlantic flights this year, seeking to raise revenue, recover money lost through discounting and to offset a falloff in business-class travel. As for United’s new charge, passengers flying trans-Atlantic routes will pay $50 for a second bag at the airport or $45 if purchased on the carrier’s website. This applies on routes going from the United States, Mexico and the Caribbean to Europe and back.

 

As is typically the case, some customers will be exempt from the fee. Elite-level frequent-fliers, customers on premium-fare tickets and active U.S. military (but only those traveling on orders) will not be subject to the charge. US Airways, Continental, American and Delta already have announced similar fees, and US Airways also just raised it rates on domestic checked bag fees to $25/first bag and $35/second bag (save a whopping $5 if you pay in advance with your online booking) for tickets purchased on/after August 26, 2009.

 

You’ve laughed about the rumor, but it really is just a matter of time before the who-needs-your-business-anyway common traveler will have to pay onboard for using the restroom or reclining our seats. And just wait until we have to pay for our carry-on!