American Airlines to introduce $75 fee on first checked bag

Phoenix, Arizona – April 8, 2019: American Airlines Airbus airplanes at Phoenix Sky Harbor airport (PHX) in Arizona. Airbus is a European aircraft manufacturer based in Toulouse, France.
Edited by Travel Weekly


    American Airlines will begin charging for checked baggage on all basic economy tickets.

    A $75 fee will be applied to the first checked bag on its cheapest fares on transoceanic flights.

    “We are simplifying our product offerings to make it easier for customers when they are shopping for travel,” a spokesperson for American Airlines said.

    “With this change, our Basic Economy product will include all of the same features whether a customer is purchasing it for a domestic or international flight.”

    Americans biggest competitors, United and Delta will continue to offer free checked bags on transpacific flights for its economy travellers, though already charge the $75 fee for transpacific flights.

    Similar to recent criticism of the Australian aviation industry by the ACCC, the U.S. Department of Transportation, along with the Biden Administration, has been trying to crack down on airline fees, though there has been no formal changes to bag fees as of yet.

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