American Airlines to charge for checked in baggage on flights from India

Flying is all set to get more expensive with the concept of pay for check-in baggage arriving in India this week. One of US' biggest carriers, American Airlines, has from Monday discontinued the earlier practice of allowing economy passengers to check in two bags of up to 23 kg each for no charge. The airline, which flies between Delhi and Chicago, will now charge $50 for the second bag and $150 for the third one, said the airline's call centre. Aviation industry insiders say the concept had been prevalent in US and Europe for a while and it was only a matter of time before cash-strapped airlines here too start levying it. "It is a new trend that has come to India. So far only American has told us of this change. Very soon, other airlines, including domestic low cost carriers, could start levying it here too."

"Nothing will come for free to flyers," said Rajendra Rai, president of the Travel Agents Association of India. American's website said, "Customers purchasing economy class tickets on or after September 14 for travel between India and US may check one bag for no charge and the second bag for $50." The airline's call centre said the first bag allowed to be checked in for free should weigh up to 23 kg. "If that bag is over 23 kg and below 32 kg, a charge of $50 will be for being overweight. Similarly, if the second or third bags also weighs between 23 kg and 32 kg, then a similar fee of $50 will be levied on each in addition to the additional bag charge of $50 and $150," said the call centre for economy class passengers. People flying out of India can pay in rupees.

Foreign carriers, especially US airlines, had earlier this year started levying charge for both internal and international flights. Many even levy a charge of $20-30 for the first check-in bag. LCCs abroad, like Britain's Ryan Air, also make passengers pay for check-in baggage. "Airlines have suffered huge losses in past two years and now are looking at every possible way of increasing revenue generation. Jet Airways chief Naresh Goyal always used to say that charging for food onboard is not possible as that's like charging for lunch and dinner that's served at home to guests. But he had to change that philosophy for his LCC when airlines flew into a financial bad weather. So nothing is impossible," said an airline CEO.