Only a few weeks ago I brought you the report here at the Group Scoop, that United Airlines would start charging extra fees to check a second piece of luggage. Opening the rate hike floodgates.
Now American Airlines has taken the new fad of extra fees for flying to a whole new level - a fee to check even the first piece of luggage. It's not bad enough they charge you a small fee to book your reservation over the phone, now a $15 fee for one piece of luggage.
Hopefully other airlines will not also institute a similar fee structure. Last time when United Airlines announced their rate hike, most of the other major carriers quickly followed suit. I doubt many airlines will follow American's lead on this one, American Airlines stock dropped almost 25% after the announcement.
Charging fees for luggage is a very bad trend for flying groups. It will encourage even more people to stuff carry-ons to the brim. A major influx of carry-on luggage will slow everyone down.
Further more, flying groups will be hard hit by fees like this as group travelers almost always require luggage. Group travelers are usually event driven.
Stay tuned, I'll keep you all on top of this story.
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