Facing the double whammy of restricted routings over Russian airspace and higher fuel prices, United has substantially raised checked bag fees on its India flights. United says the move is only temporary. But will we see higher baggage fees on other routes as well?
Higher Checked Baggage Fees To India On United Airlines
United Airlines is in a particularly difficult position right now concerning India service. India routes historically utilized Russian airspace, which made for much more direct routings, helping to make the routes economically viable.
These days, United’s India flights fly over continental Europe, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, avoiding Russian airspace (and generally avoiding Iranian airspace as well).
The consequence is longer flying times (sometimes more than two extra hours) and therefore more fuel burn.
With Russian airspace currently off-limits and the war in Ukraine pushing oil pricers higher, United has “temporarily” raised checked baggage fees to India.
The new fee applies to all tickets issued on or after April 5, 2022 and United’s online baggage tool has been updated with the increased baggages fees.
- First checked bags – remains complimentary
- Second checked bag – $200 (from $100)
- Third checked bag – $300 (from $200)
- Oversize bag – $300 (from $200)
- Overweight bag (51-70 pounds) – $300 (from $200)
- Overweight bag (71-100 pounds) – $400 (unchanged)
In a memo to reservation and airport agents reviewed by Live and Let’s Fly, United instructs employees to provide the following answer if a passenger inquires about the higher bag fees:
We’re currently flying an alternate routing which requires extra fuel, which means the plane will have more weight. United is increasing bag fees to help manage weight restrictions on these flights.
There is no end-date currently specified for these higher bag fees to India.
Will We See Checked Baggage Fees Go Up On Other Routes?
Airline baggage fees have remained stagnant while fuel prices have risen. Even as airfare has rebounded from pandemic lows in part due to rising fuel prices, the PR nightmare that generally comes from broad increases in checked baggage fees may still be saving as deterrent to airlines.
While there is no indication–internal or otherwise–that United will raise baggage fees on other routes, it would not surprise me to see one U.S. carrier raise baggage fees this year and then others quickly match. First, because fuel prices are indeed higher and thus expenses higher even on routes that do not touch Russian airspace. Second, because baggage fees are also revenue generators and airlines are hunting for ways to keep costs under control in order to balance the restoration of pre-pandemic service levels. Third, because we are seeing inflationary pressure on everything else in society, why not baggage fees?
This might be another reason to lock in your summer and autumn travel plans now, as U.S. airlines cannot raise pre-disclosed fees retroactively.
CONCLUSION
United Airlines is “temporarily” raising checked baggage fees to India, blaming higher fuel prices and Russian-related routing restrictions. While the first checked bag remains free, second and third bag fees are now $100 higher.
While no announcements have been made, it would not surprise me to see higher baggage fees systemwide on United and other U.S. carriers announced later this year.
Rule #1 when it comes to airline fees:
“What goes up…never comes down.”
Rule 1 addendum A: Except points and miles valuations. Those always go down in value.
It’s time to end subsidies for fatties. Fatties drive up health care costs for everyone, and now airfare costs too.
And now with food prices soaring, fatties consume food that could sustain one or more persons.
Slim down fatties. Run fattie run.
Seek therapy
We are only 5 days away from the relaunch of LAX-LHR! Nonstop service from Los Angeles to Europe is finally resuming on United this Saturday, April 16, onboard the 787-9 Dreamliner.
So, as travel goes up planes are full of people and on several recent flights we were delayed as UA re-ran weight and balance. The pilot said they had so many checked bags and large bags that they needed to ensure “safe operation”. Was in 1st once and heard the conversation that if the numbers were “bad” they would have to offload bags. You never want to hear that. US—>India is one of the routes where people check lots of bags and boxes for family and friends. Really big and heavy bags from my observation. Charging more for bags does not hurt my head but mileage will vary
I’m in Premium Plus,so 2 free bags EWR-DEL in February. But 1 bag isn’t enough for an economy passenger? It’s plenty for me.
I usually travel with two checked suitcases nowadays. It’s more of a question of space than weight- the small one rarely exceeds 12kg or so. I could likely fit everything I carry in a large case (82cm tall) instead of carrying a cabin case and a medium one, but that comes with other issues- the large case would be harder to manoeuvre, struggle to fit in the boot of a cab (taxis and app vehicles can be surprisingly small, particularly in the developing world), offer no leeway in case I need to lighten my hand luggage etc.
Well, since India supports the russkies in WW3, whatever. F ’em…..
I wonder why United doesn’t have the free baggage allowance to India that is has on most other long haul international flights (2 checked bags up to 50lbs each included free with an economy ticket). That being said, the second bag is still cheaper than flying a person pound wise (assuming that the passengers average 150lbs and the economy tickets cost $1000 round trip). Maybe the profit on air freight is lucrative from India. Or maybe it isn’t so they have to offset the cost by charging extra for luggage. I mostly fly across the Pacific and the competition on the flights keeps all of the carriers on the same page. Since Northwest was devoured by Delta, I have usually taken non USA airline flights.