Bag News

AIRLINES TRADITIONALLY have had a two-bag rule when it comes to checked luggage. But United Airlines has a new policy for domestic economy flights: Check one bag free and pay $25 for a second. The airline’s Mileage Plus Premier and Star Alliance members are exempt.

United was the first major U.S. carrier to adopt the policy, and others followed suit. Some foreign carriers have very restrictive policies; British Airways and Lufthansa allow only one checked bag on domestic flights. United claims 25 percent of customers check a second bag, and estimates the new policy will generate $100 million in annual revenue. The latest air-travel fee is once again blamed on rising fuel prices.

Here are the current policies at other U.S. carriers:

American: Flights within the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands allow two free checked bags; $80 each for the next three pieces of luggage.

Continental: One free checked bag; $25 for each additional bag for economy-class flights to and from the continental United States, Puerto Rico, Canada and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Delta: Only one free checked bag; $25 for each additional piece.

Frontier: Two free checked bags; $50 per additional bag.

JetBlue: Two free checked bags; $50 per additional bag.

Northwest: For domestic and international flights, coach allows two bags free; first class, three; $150 per additional bag.

Southwest: Two free checked bags; $25 for a third bag; $110 per any additional bag, up to nine.

U.S. Airways: Two free checked bags; $80 per additional bag.

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