More on US and International Baggage Fees

A recent eFlyer newsletter published more on airline current baggage policies, which are now spreading from "pioneering" United and US Airways into the international arena. Here is what they found:

• Delta, which considers a bag of 50 pounds or more to be overweight (standard for US carriers), has raised its fee for overweight bags between 50 and 70 pounds from $50 to $80, and over 70 pounds charges "standard" extra-weight fees.
• Singapore Airways lowered its weight limits for flights to and from the US from 70 to 50 pounds in all classes of service, but the two-bag allowance, regardless of class, remains. Intra-Asia excess-weight charges vary by distance flown.
• China Airlines also lowered its for economy passengers to and from North America from 70 to 50 pounds. Front-cabin passengers still can check bags up 70 pounds each without incurring extra charges.
• Bahamasair lowered its international baggage allowance from 70 to 60 pounds and chargers $100 to $125 for additional bags.
• Malaysia Airlines now has a maximum weight per bag of 70 pounds, and passengers who are checking in heavier bags must must repack it into smaller, lighter bags but without penalty.
• Discount Jetstar Airways and Virgin Blue allow 44 free pounds and charge only $1 and $3 per extra pound.
• Discount Tiger Airways allows 33 just pounds of free baggage per passenger and charges $5 a pound thereafter.

The bottom line, eFlyer notes, is, "The 50-pound limit that is becoming an international standard means you should take a good look at your luggage. If you’re bumping up against weight restrictions, a new generation of light but sturdy bags may give you more leeway. Also, remember that 'wheelie' bags tend to have heavy metal frameworks for their expanding handle; can you use a trolley instead? When packing more than one bag you intend to check, divide the heavy items equally among them to avoid incurring excess in any one bag.

Addendum - May 9, 2008

Exactly one month after I wrote this post, the New York Times tackled the topic of surcharges in a piece called "Air Travelers Need to Pack More Money." Meanwhile, American Airlines has also begun charging $25 for a second checked bag. As for surcharges, when my husband and booked our Denver-London tickets on the "bargain" United inaugural fare of $249 each way, surcharges added approximately $300 to each ticket. Internationally, United does include one main meal and one light meal on this long flight (plus one snack on the westbound trip) but charges $5 for a split of wine, which European carriers flying transatlantic routes do not do -- at least in my recent experience.