Airlines Add Baggage Fees to Europe, India, Canada

The big U.S. airlines are charging baggage fees on some international flights, generally coach tickets between Europe and the U.S. or Canada. What you should know:

American Airlines: $50 to check a second bag for tickets purchased beginning Sept. 14 on flights to, through, or from India, Belgium, England, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Spain and Switzerland.

Continental Airlines: $50 to check a second bag to or from Europe, beginning with tickets purchased Aug. 27. Continental also charges $25 to check a second bag between the U.S. and Mexico and Central and South America, except Brazil.

Delta Air Lines: $50 for flights to Europe. Delta is also charging $30 to check a second bag for flights to Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America except Brazil. That charge began with tickets purchased Sept. 19 for travel beginning Oct. 13.

United Airlines: $50 for flights from North America to Europe or India, and 35 euros from most European airports for the trip to the U.S. The charge is 31 pounds for flights from the U.K. United also charges $27 for a second bag from the U.S. or Canada to Mexico or the Caribbean.

US Airways: $55 to check a second bag between the U.S. and all trans-Atlantic destinations beginning with tickets bought Aug. 26 for travel starting Nov. 4.

Notes: Prices are for checking a bag at the airport. US Airways, Continental and United all charge $5 less if you pay your baggage charge online instead of at the airport. An exception is Continental’s $25 fee for a second bag to Latin America, which is the same no matter where you pay.

The airlines have several exemptions from the fees, generally including high-level frequent fliers, full-fare coach passengers and active military personnel.

Source: Airline Web sites.

9/27/2009 2:10 PM The Associated Press