An American Airlines plane pushes back from the gate at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport Terminal C. The airline recently added a checked bag charge for basic economy passengers for most international flights. (Smiley N. Pool, The Dallas Morning News/TNS)
(Tribune News Service) — American Airlines is charging all customers who book basic economy airfares to check bags.
The first checked bag on a transpacific or transatlantic basic economy airfare will now cost a passenger $75. Flights to Mexico, Haiti, the Caribbean, Central America, Panama or South America for basic economy seats will cost anywhere from $30 to $45, with some countries excluded. American already charged for check bags on domestic flights for basic economy travelers.
“We are simplifying our product offerings to make it easier for customers when they are shopping for travel,” AA spokesperson Andrea Koos said. “With this change, our basic economy product will include all of the same features whether a customer is purchasing it for a domestic or international flight.”
The changes come at the start of a busy summer for international travel. According to Hopper, Europe is the No. 1 destination for international travelers. Airfare to Europe this summer is averaging nearly $1,200 per ticket, the highest prices seen in the last six years.
The Department of Transportation recently rolled out an Airline Customer Service Dashboard, evaluating carriers’ customer service commitments.
Other airlines including United and Delta offer the first checked bag free on transpacific flights for basic economy ticketholders but charge $75 on transatlantic flights. Dallas-based Southwest Airlines offers two checked bags free, but the third bag carries a $75 charge.
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