American Airlines joins other carriers in raising fees for checking luggage

October 14th, 2009 Survey says airlines face balancing actSOUTHLAKE, Texas — Airlines are challenged by weak revenue and volatile fuel prices, but many executives think keeping loyal customers happy is the best way to improve their business, according to a new survey. Raising revenue and keeping customers happy is a tricky balancing act, however.

October 6th, 2009 Airlines improve on-time arrivals in AugustMINNEAPOLIS — Arriving on-time was just a little bit easier for airline passenger traveling in August. The Transportation Department said on Tuesday that 79.7 percent of flights arrived on time in August.

October 5th, 2009 United tries $249 fee to check bags for a yearCHICAGO — United Airlines put a new twist on baggage fees Monday, introducing a sort of all-you-can-carry fee for luggage. The airline said travelers could pay $249 for the right to check two bags every time they fly United or United Express for a year.

September 30th, 2009 Baggage fees join your overseas flightsMINNEAPOLIS — You can leave the U.S., but it's getting harder to leave behind baggage fees. Fees to check bags on international flights are creeping in and may be here to stay.

September 21st, 2009 Govt report says airline margin losses improvedWASHINGTON — Helped by fees on baggage, the nation's airlines posted better operating margins in the second quarter. Low-cost and regional airlines had their first profitable operating margin since the third quarter of 2007, the U.S.

September 8th, 2009 Airlines improve on-time arrival ratings in JulyMINNEAPOLIS — Airline passengers got to their destination on time a little more often in July. The Transportation Department said on Tuesday that 77.6 percent of airline flights arrived on time, up from 75.7 percent during the same month last year.

August 27th, 2009 Continental adds bag fee on international flightsHOUSTON — Continental Airlines Inc. said Wednesday it will charge some coach passengers on international flights $50 to check a second bag, joining several other carriers in imposing the fee.

August 4th, 2009 DOT says fewer flights on-time in JuneNEW YORK — U.S. airlines in June turned in their worst on-time performance since December, the Department of Transportation said Tuesday.

July 21st, 2009 Continental Airlines posts 2Q lossDALLAS — Continental Airlines Inc. said Tuesday it will cut 1,700 jobs and raise fees for checking luggage after it posted a large loss for the second quarter amid falling traffic.

June 19th, 2009 Baggage fees at US airlinesA rundown of baggage fees at major U.S. airlines: —American Airlines, AirTran Airways, Continental Airlines: $15 for the first checked piece of luggage, $25 for the second.

May 5th, 2009 American Airlines reduces flights to MexicoDALLAS — American Airlines said Tuesday it will reduce the number of flights to Mexico by about one-fourth, joining most other major U.S. carriers in reacting to falling demand amid public worry over the swine flu.

April 27th, 2009 Southwest Airlines to add link to Mexico's VolarisDALLAS — Southwest Airlines said Monday it would offer a link on its Web site to let customers buy tickets on Mexican carrier Volaris, a step in the carriers' plans to cooperate on U.S.-Mexico service. Southwest said the availability of Volaris flights from a link on southwest.com was "an important first step" in the companies' relationship.

April 18th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Kingfisher Airlines Saturday raised fuel surcharges by up to Rs.300 following successive rises in jet fuel prices. 'Consequent upon successive increases in ATF (aviation turbine fuel) prices, from midnight today (Saturday), the fuel surcharges of Kingfisher Airlines stands increased by Rs.200 for sectors below 750 km and by Rs.300 for sectors above 750 km,' a company statement said.

January 26th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Travel agents across the country will launch a fresh round of protests Jan 30 against those foreign carriers which have refused to pay them commission, an agents body said Tuesday. Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) president Rajender Rai told IANS that 12 foreign airlines, including Singapore International Airlines (SIA), were not paying commission to the agents.

January 1st, 2009 NEW DELHI - Travel agents have stopped selling tickets of Singapore Airlines and threatened to extend the ban to other foreign airlines as well if they did not pay commission on tickets booked by them, an association representing them said Friday. 'We have stopped issuing tickets of Singapore Airlines.