Delta doubling fee for second checked bag

Delta Air Lines has announced that it will double its charges for a second checked bag for all passengers on domestic services, as it continues to struggle with the impact of fuel prices.

The fee for the second checked bag will increase from $25 to $50, one way. The new rule will apply to all coach-class tickets on U.S. domestic routes beginning July 31, for travel that occurs on or after August 5, 2008. According to the airline, less than 20 percent of Delta’s passengers check a second bag.

There will be no charge for the first checked bag, but Delta is not ruling out the possibility of this changing in the future.

“While we will continue to evaluate this option, Delta believes that customers should be allowed to check one bag and carry on one bag and personal item free of charge,” commented a spokesman for the airline, Anthony Black.

Some airlines, such as American and United, are already charging customers for a first bag.

Passengers traveling on domestic flights in first-class, in BusinessElite and Medallion customers will still be permitted to check as many as three bags at no charge.

Delta’s customers on international flights will continue to be allowed to check in two bags at no charge.

Airline officials have said that this revision of baggage fees has been necessary to generate additional revenue that will help offset the staggering costs of fuel, which have increased by nearly 80 percent in this past year alone.

www.delta.com