Editor's Note: American Airlines announced on Monday, April 28, that it will begin charging passengers $25 for checking a second bag. The fee will apply to domestic economy-class tickets purchased on or after May 12, and will include passengers on American Eagle flights. Elite members of the AAdvantage frequent flier program will be exempt from the charge, as will full-fare economy, business and first-class ticket holders. Also exempt are passengers on international flights beyond Canada and the U.S. territories. Memo Pad
Joe Sharkey, The New York Times, 4/15/2008 (excerpted)
NORTHWEST DROPS NEW RULES: Citing competitive pressure, Northwest Airlines dropped some new rules requiring longer minimum stays for selected domestic round-trip fares. Airlines impose minimum-stay restrictions, including those requiring Saturday night stays, to dissuade business travelers on tight schedules from using cheaper so-called leisure fares.
HEATHROW TERMINAL 5 UPDATE: British Airways is delaying the move of long-haul flights to the new Terminal 5 from Terminal 4 at London Heathrow Airport until June. Baggage-system breakdowns and other problems caused disruptions after Terminal 5 opened last month. In a statement, British Airways and BAA, which owns and operates Heathrow, said that while “a normal flight schedule,” is now operating at Terminal 5, “we want to ensure that customers can be confident of high service standards” before adding flights.
NEW BAG FEES: Air Tran Airways will start charging $10 for a second checked bag for most coach passengers, effective May 15. And another low-cost carrier, Virgin America, said it would begin charging $25 for a second checked bag on May 5. All the major carriers except American Airlines recently imposed $25 fees for a second checked bag.