AA is revising their baggage charges, fees go up for domestic flights, and a new fee of $50 is being charged for a second bag on transatlantic international flight.

There's no end to the nickle and diming.

$50 is neither a nickle nor a dime. It's a ripoff.

AJPeabody, it's $50 each way, so those who need to travel with two suitcases, need to be aware that these fees add $100 to the cost of the trip. Thanks AA. I guess other airlines will soon copy AA, if they haven't already.

But if you take only one bag, then it's not an extra fee at all. You can still carry on one bag plus one personal item and check one larger bag. Why on earth would anyone need more than 3 bags for a European trip? I am wholly on the bus about ridiculous airline fees, but part of their new fee structure can be really easily avoided if you plan. So I'd suggest doing that instead of taking 100 pounds of clothing and belongings with you to Europe.

But Doug, I think some people just prefer to check their suitcases even when they are within carryon size. Some people just like NOT having to deal with their suitcases when browsing duty-free shops, or eating a pre-flight meal @ restaurant etc. But with this new rule, these passengers will only check one and lug their 2nd suitcase with them onboard. Which means - longer boarding time and fuller overhead bins.

I agree with Doug. And yes I do prefer to check my 1 bag thru. But unless you're moving to Europe, why does anyone need more than one checked suitcase?

I would rather have the people who need to bring along two suitcases pay the extra fee, instead of raising ticket prices for the rest of us.

I do think one checked bag should be enough, but I also think you should get one checked bag free on domestic flights, too. I just booked on JetBlue instead of AA (which has all my FF miles) because the tickets were the same price but JB doesn't charge for the first bag. And I also think the airlines should enforce carry-on limits!!

"why does anyone need more than one checked suitcase", suze you probably don't have family in Europe that you visit, or have never need to travel to a wedding in Europe. Believe me sometimes I need two suitcases.

<<< Why on earth would anyone need more than 3 bags for a European trip? >>>

My theory is that some people think that the baggage allowance is compulsory - so you have to have cabin luggage, a personal item and two checked bags.

It won't be long before AA locks the overhead bins and you have to pay the flight attendant to open them.

lol. wally, will we have to pay to have them opened at the end of the flight too to get our bags out?

The problem isn't really about fees popping up like mushrooms once in a while. The problem is the improvement of services that airlines provides their passengers. I wouldn't mind fees if it's justifiable and reasonable. The level-up of service is what I would safely say most of us wants.

>And I also think the airlines should enforce carry-on limits!!<

Amen to that. It's become completely ridiculous what people are dragging into the cabin as "carry on" luggage. If it requires wheels for you to drag it, plus two people to help you lift it and 5 minutes for you to wedge it into the overhead bin, then I think it may exceed the size limits.

On my recent flights to Europe and back, I saw more than a few people allowed to wheel two of those oversized, overstuffed suitcase "carry ons" plus another bag, which I assume was their "personal item" for a total of 3 large bags for one person.

Not so bad if you are able to board the plane in the first or second group, but if not, you are almost guaranteed that there will be zero overhead space for your bag.

Sure I understand if you were visiting family or on an extended stay you might want to bring along more luggage. I just think it is not unreasonable in that circumstance to pay extra for that service is all.

I'm all for airlines enforcing carry-on limits while they're at it. Cabins getting so crowded with luggage from people trying to avoid paying extra is no good either.

Air travel is now like buying a car. The ticket is practically useless unless you buy the 'extras' that used to be standard like food, baggage, drinks.

The water fountain water in aircraft is unfit for human consumption so you are forced to buy bottled water!

"Air travel is now like buying a car" - I seem to remember that one of Toyota's early selling points was that they included most of the options in the base price. Maybe some smart airline will try that soon (I can always hope), After all, that's why I'm flying JetBlue next trip.

This $50 charge could be a problem for Europeans visiting the United States in the spring, when the stores are having their winter sales. Many visitors purchase a new suitcase and fill it up on shopping trips to the US. Europeans, and Asians, Be Ware! American is not cheaper, when you add the extras.

In response to Doug_Stallings question, I watched a family of 3 load 10 fullsize suitcases onto a Dulles shuttle last week. I saw the Marks and Spencer shopping bag and used that to start the conversation and learned that they had just come from a visit to France and England. I casually asked, "Wow, that's quite a luggage collection---how long were you in Europe?" Being in the DC area I assumed they were possible in the diplomatic corp, maybe coming home from a long assignment. I nearly fell off the bus when their teenage daughter answered "10 days". The wife bragged that she'd worn all 20 pairs of shoes---the husband looked like he wanted someone to just shoot him.

No wonder I don't have so much trouble traveling light - I don't OWN 20 pairs of shoes!!! And that's more than 3 full-size suitcases apiece - that's just crazy.

Actually, I've been thinking that the airlines should charge by weight - you plus all your bags, checked and carry-on. After all, I think it's true that the more weight the plane carries, the more fuel it uses.