United Airways checked bag payment goes up, copying related transfer by American Airways, beginning with flights booked for Saturday

CHICAGO — United Airways mentioned Friday that it’s elevating its charges for checking baggage, following an analogous transfer earlier this week by American Airways.

Beginning with tickets booked Saturday, economy-class passengers on home flights will probably be charged $5 extra. That can convey the worth to $35 in the event that they pay on-line a minimum of 24 hours earlier than the flight, and $40 after that.

The payment for a second checked bag may also rise $5, climbing to $45 upfront on-line and $50 on the airport.

Passengers in premium cabins, holders of United-branded bank cards and clients with elite standing within the airline’s frequent-flyer program will nonetheless be capable of test a bag without cost, United mentioned.

READ MORE: American Airways checked bag payment is now costlier, firm declares

Earlier this week, American Airways raised its payment for a primary checked bag on home flights from $30 to $35 if paid upfront and to $40 on the airport. It additionally hiked the payment for a second bag from $40 to $45. American additionally elevated bag charges for brief worldwide flights.

Alaska Airways raised its bag charges for many financial system passengers in January, and JetBlue adopted earlier this month.

Bag charges have turn out to be a reliable income for airways since American launched them in 2008, when jet gas costs had been surging. In 2022, the final full yr for which statistics can be found, U.S. airways took in $6.8 billion in checked-bag charges, led by American at $1.4 billion and United at $1.1 billion.