Airfare News

Continental Airlines recently announced it will join the other major US airlines by charging a fee for the first checked bag for passengers with economy airline tickets.  As of October 7, if you’re traveling within the United States, to Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands or Canada and have to check your luggage, be prepared to pay $15 for the first bag.  Earlier this year, Continental began charging $25 for a second checked bag.

Anyone with international airline tickets to Tokyo, Brazil, Europe or the Middle East will be exempt from these fees - but if you’re going anywhere in Central or South America (other than Brazil) be prepared to pay.

And if you have the misfortune, like me, to find low cost airfare on Continental across the country  after an international flight that returns to Los Angeles, you will soon have to pay the fees to get your luggage - laden with gifts and souveneirs - home.

Make sure when you purchase your cheap international airline tickets on flights that originate from an east or west coast hub like JFK or LAX, that you consider all the costs.  You probably will have to pay additional fees to get your luggage to your international flight.

Low cost airfare on Jet Blue has an added fee, effective immediately - if you want to use a pillow and blanket on a flight over 2 hours, be prepared to pay $7. Free pillows and blankets were removed from all of its airplanes on August 4.

If you’re willing to pay the added fee, you’ll be able to keep the pillow and blanket for re-use whenever you fly. Of course, you may not want to lug them with you when you depart the plane, or remember to take them in your carry-on the next time you fly.

While the Jet Blue spokesman, Bryan Baldwin, maintained that the pillow policy change is an improvement for customers, it seems more like an inconvenience. As airlines battle to keep costs down despite rising fuel prices, simple amenities - beverages, magazines and now pillows - have become a new source of revenue.

Will they start charging for the tiny bag of pretzels distributed during the flight? Or charge passengers to use the bathrooms? Charging for carry-on luggage may be next. Low cost airfare is an oxymoron when you add in all the fees.

When comparing the real cost of low cost airfare, remember to include all the “hidden” fees. If you don’t want to spend additional money once you board the plane, be prepared to starve, be thirsty and sleepless.

If you’re traveling to Hawaii from the US mainland after October 1 on Hawaiian Airlines and haven’t purchased your tickets, be prepared to pay $15 for your first checked bag. Inter-island flights are not affected by the new fees for the first checked bag - but for a second checked bag, Hawaiian already charges $17 on inter-island flights and $25 on flights from the mainland.

Hawaiian Airlines joins a rapidly growing list of airlines who are charging fees for checked luggage, limiting carry-on luggage, adding costs for “preferred seats” and exploring other ways to add to their bottom line while remaining “competitive” on fares.

Finding the lowest fares online is hard enough without having to check and compare each airline’s policy on fees for checked luggage and soft drinks. The situation is worse when you’ve already purchased your ticket and discover that a decent seat assignment will cost more.