Digital Crosstalk

Economy Class passengers to be hit by new stealth taxes

Posted by Brian | Filed under air, road

Bad news for airline passengers after a host of carriers in both the UK and United States introduced new charges for checking in multiple bags, according to a Telegraph report.

With the airline industry embroiled deep in the economic downturn, the new charges could see fare-paying passengers on economy class flights having to pay £100 or more in addition to the cost of their holiday based on a family of four.

British Airways and Virgin Atlantic are both believed to be introducing charges against additional baggage for economy class passengers. From October, economy class passengers will have to fork out up to £40 to check in a second bag, while Virgin Atlantic is imposing a one bag limit on economy class passengers, with additional bags being charged at £35 on flights to selected destinations including popular routes such as Dubai, Shanghai and Singapore.

British Airways have also made other changes to their baggage guidelines, with sports equipment such as skis now being classed as part of a traveller’s baggage allowance, meaning anyone carrying an additional bag will have to cough up to place it in the hold. Meanwhile their heavy luggage levy will be raised by an additional £5, to £30 for luggage items weighing between 23kgs and 32kgs.

In the US, Delta Airlines, Continental, US Airways and American Airlines are on the verge of introducing a $50 levy on additional baggage checked into the hold on transatlantic flight. The charge is expected to be introduced within weeks.

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Tags: Airline, British Airway, Economy class, Luggage, Virgin Atlantic