Checked-bag fees - US$ 140 for two bags! Ticket average $ 50!

Ryanair, Europe

US$ 140 for two bags! And that is with a budget carrier!

On ten flights without checked luggage you save up to US$ 1400 on you European tour.

I read that the European budget carrier Ryanair, from Oct. 1, 2009 charges US$ 42 for the first bag checked in at the airport. US$ 98 for the second. Total for the two bags US$ 140.

For checking the bags on line the fees are US$ 21 and 49 respectively. Total for the two bags US$ 70.

I see that the average one way ticket price with Ryanair is US$ 50. If you check in two bags at the airport you will mostly be paying more for your bags than for yourself. The reason may be that there is less hassle to get passenger on board as they are loading them-self.

It has now has became more difficult to save money by taking your friends along in checked luggage! :)

(Fees were in Euros. Dollar fees calculated by multiplying with 1.4 )

Update January 2010

United Airlines and Continental Airlines are joining Delta Air Lines raising the cost to check bags in Jan. 2010. The fee to check luggage will rise to $25 for the first bag and to $35 for a second.

Continental Airlines, USA

US$ 50 for the second bag

27 Aug, 2009 Continental Airlines, USA, imposes $ 50 trans-Atlantic checked-bag fee for second checked bag. First bag is still free.

I think it is fair to charge for all checked bags. When you check bags:

  • You take more time at the check in counter

  • Your bags will use the pretty expensive system of transporting and sorting them "Heathrow's Terminal 5 has 11 miles of baggage conveyor belt"

  • It happens that the luggage handlers are searching luggage for something they thing they need more than you. This takes time - costs salary.

  • They have to be loaded onto the plane

  • If you don't board, your bags must be taken off the plane resulting in a delay, missed connections, inconveniences - very costly!

  • The bags increase fuel consumption of the plane

  • They have to be unloaded

  • They have to be transported to the pick up place

  • The pick up place may be a quite costly conveyor belt

  • You may need a baggage trolley

  • They may disappear. Resulting in search and/or compensation costs for the airline.

  • They take more time to check e.g. at customs

Under construction

I think it's fair to charge for carry on bags.

Especially now when it is proven that you can fly without both checked luggage and carry on. Just a few ounces in the pockets.

It is now a fad among airlines to charge, or consider charging, for "extras" like: Checked luggage. Being seated near your kids. Food and drinks. Legroom. Using the toilette.

What is next? Carry on bags?

Don't be the one who tells the airlines or you may become the scapegoat when it is introduced.

Imagine in the future when you own the coming larger Airbus 380-900. Being economical you have configured it with 1000 "Super Economy" standing places and 200 seats. Normally all these 1200 people will have on bag each plus some have bags with tax free shopping.

You also know that having your airplane on the ground is like having a race horse locked in its stable - it doesn't make any money.

The current boarding time for a 600 pax A380 using 2 doors is 45 minutes. Say 90 minutes for your 1200 passengers with bags.

Watching these 1200 passenger first looking for an empty overhead bin and then trying to put their things in it while all the time blocking the aisle for those up to 300 passengers behind them would make you cry.

Especially as you know that using 8 exits in an emergence evacuation test 600 passengers are all out, without bags, in 2 minutes.

If you encourage your passenger to board without a bag, by charging them for it, say the same as Ryanair charges for a the second checked bag, US$ 98, I guess you could save some 45 minutes out of the 90.

I will try later to find out what this shorter waiting time means in money for your as the owner of the plane.

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Last modified Jan. 14, 2010.