The surge in ancillary fees, especially for checked luggage, is igniting frustration among passengers, with airlines like Air Canada and Southwest imposing these charges. Consumers are increasingly opting for small carry-on luggage to avoid the additional costs, reflecting a significant trend in air travel. The practice began with budget airlines, leading traditional carriers to implement similar fees under competitive pressure. In 2022, US airlines alone earned $7.27 billion from these fees, illustrating both the financial strain on travelers and the airlines' reliance on ancillary revenue streams to maintain profitability.
Lauren Alexander, who flew from Boston, criticized the rising check-in luggage fees, labeling them as "ridiculous" and perceiving them as deceptive charges alongside ticket prices.
Jay Sorensen notes that the rise of budget airlines spurred the traditional carriers to adopt fees for checked luggage, stating they had to compete with low-cost airlines.
US airlines generated $7.27 billion in check-in baggage fees last year, underscoring the growing financial burden on passengers due to ancillary fees.
Collection
[
|
...
]