Baggage limit slashed

Despite British Airways recently highlighting the ‘hidden charges' levied by other, more budget airlines, they are now introducing a charge of their own which will see travelers being forced to fork out up to £40 extra to check in a second bag on US-bound flights - and they are not the only ones - Delta, Continental, US Airways and American Airlines are also getting in on the act in a desperate bid to raise extra funds...

More than four million Brits visit America each year, whether for business or pleasure, and these extra costs could see more than £100 being added onto the fee for a family of four to travel.

As airlines continue to suffer through one of the worst economic periods in years, a handful have cut their baggage limits in a bid to raise more capital.

With fewer people booking flights as they tighten their belts against the global recession, airlines have been forced to look elsewhere to generate the revenue they used to get through fares.

This new charge will see economy passengers being charged for a second piece of luggage going into the hold on transatlantic flights.

Delta, Continental, US Airways and American Airlines will be charging $50 per second bag and the charge will be introduced within the next few weeks.

British Airways will introduce new fees from early October, charging for a second bag to be checked in, as well as charging for sporting equipment which will now be seen as part of the baggage allowance.

Higher fees will also be levied on heavy luggage.

Back to the US based airlines, and they say that passenger demand helped them to introduce the new charges - people can pay for the services they use and not for what they don't.

Picture by Graeme_newcomb