Welcome back for part 2 of 6 of the discussion of the new Department of Transportation’s Enhancing Airlines Passenger Protections (the “Regulation”).  Part 2 deals with Baggage Fees!

In recent years airline passengers have been disgruntled by the emergence of baggage fees, overweight luggage fees, and the variety of other fees that used to be included in the airfare. Airlines make considerable revenue from ancillary fees, which include baggage fees.  In the second quarter 2012 the U.S. Airlines collected a total of 887 million dollars in baggage fees.  These fees are good because they help to keep down the cost of airfare for everyone while making the passengers who use the service pay for their extra bags. When it comes down to it, heavier airplanes burn more fuel, burning more fuel costs more money.

The overarching theme of the Regulation is that airlines must make certain disclosures to passengers so that passengers are not surprised.  The Regulation has taken the following steps to avoid Baggage Fee related surprises:
-       disclosure of any Changes in Baggage Fees on the airlines website;
-       disclosure of the Specific Baggage Fees that will apply; and
-       a single price paid for an entire trip.

Now all people will know how much it will cost them to carry or check each bag before purchasing their tickets and will only have to pay one fee when switching carriers during an interline or codeshare flight.

Baggage is a touchy subject for most of us, who have had our baggage damaged, misplaced, or lost.  Some air carriers are worse than others, but all airline baggage has its tough times.

The instatement of baggage fees has reduced the percentages of lost luggage.  These percentages change significantly from airline to airline with the low end being less than 2 pieces of mishandled luggage per 1000 customers and the high of almost 8 pieces per 1000 customers. In 2011, the average was 3.4.  In total there were 1.9 million mishandled bags in 2011.

However, the Regulation has also included some customer service provisions which mandate airlines to include proper notice to customers of lost baggage.  Including reimbursement of lost luggage up to $3,300.

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