Continental introduces $15 fee for 1st checked bag
ReutersNEW YORK (Reuters) - Continental Airlines Inc said Friday it will charge a $15 service fee for afirst checked bag for certain customers who buy economy-classtickets.
The fee applies immediately to tickets bought fordestinations in the United States and to flights between theUnited States and Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands andCanada for travel starting on or after Oct. 7.
Continental said the fee will not apply to its"EliteAccess" customers, travelers on full-fare economytickets, or to military personnel and their families onofficial orders.
Amid high fuel prices and a slowing U.S. economy, airlineshave been introducing fees, raising fares, and cutting routes,capacity and jobs in order to survive.
Earlier this year, Continental introduced a $25 fee on asecond checked bag for many economy-class customers. (Reporting by Mark McSherry, editing by Dave Zimmerman)