Flying…Prepare To Dig Deeper Or Pack Lighter

Airline travelers should prepare to dig deeper or pack lighter, as many of the biggest U.S. airlines have now raised the price for checking luggage.

American Airlines, the largest air carrier by passenger volume, is the latest to do so, announcing Thursday that it will raise fees from $25 to $30 for the first checked bag and from $35 to $40 for the second checked bag each way on flights to and from destinations within the U.S., North America and the Caribbean. The airline has begun charging the higher fees as of Friday, Sept. 21.

Delta announced similar fees increases earlier last week. United and JetBlue had already hiked checked baggage fees at the beginning of September.

Southwest is the only major U.S. airline that does not charge for checked luggage. It said Thursday it would continue to allow passengers to check two bags for free. Southwest also does not charge fees for changing reservations, which can cost up to $200 per ticket on other airlines.

The airlines say in most cases, these fees haven't been increased since 2010, and the hikes are needed to offset higher fuel and labor costs.

But those fees are also a major source of the airlines' soaring profits.

While keeping airfares relatively low in recent years, airlines have been boosting revenue by imposing fees on everything from checked bags and more legroom to snacks and drinks, early boarding and even space in the overhead bin on some airlines.

Such fees are a huge source of aggravation for many airline travelers who feel they are being nickel-and-dimed every time.

But the airlines push back on the notion that the charges are excessive and frivolous, saying limiting such fees could lead them to just not allow ticket changes and could also lead to higher fares.