After saying travelers were at a "breaking point" with extra luggage fees, Senator Chuck "Picklepuss" Schumer has convinced the CEOs of numerous major airlines not to adopt a fee for carry on luggage, which Spirit Airlines will be rolling out in August. American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, US Airways and JetBlue Airways have all agreed not to charge for carry on bags, despite the fact that they will all be reporting first quarter losses.
However, it is unclear how long these airlines agreed not to charge for carry-ons, considering it would be a huge source of revenue. Ancillary fees made up 6.9% of revenue for U.S. carriers in the third quarter of last year. But for now, these airlines agreed that the charges are unfair to travelers, who consider carry on bags even more of a necessity now that most airlines charge for checked luggage. "We believe it is something that's important to our customers and they value, and we will continue making that available to them at no charge," American Airlines spokesman Roger Frizzell said.
This does not change Spirit Airlines' stance, and they will begin charging up to $45 for carry on bags starting in August. Spirit CEO Ben Baldanza said, "Our plan was never predicated on anyone matching us. The fact that other people are saying they won't has never changed our view that this is right." Schumer said he would pressure the airline to revisit the policy come August.
