MINNEAPOLIS — Baggage fees have sneaked out of the belly of the plane and into the overhead bin. Spirit Airlines will charge as much as $45 each way for a carry-on bag starting Aug. 1. Personal items like purses and laptop computers that fit under the seat will still be allowed for free.
The new fee makes Spirit the first airline to charge passengers to haul their own possessions onto its planes. It’s sure to seize the attention of passengers as well as airline executives who are probably glad Spirit tried it first.
“I didn’t think anyone would go this far,” said Jay Sorensen, an airline consultant who specializes in airline fees.
Spirit’s new charge for a carry-on is $45 if paid at the gate and $30 if paid in advance. Spirit said Tuesday that it reduced its lowest fares by $40 on average, so most customers won’t really pay more to fly. Customers who pay for space in the overhead bin will also get to board the plane earlier. The new policy limits paid carry-on bags to one per passenger. Spirit chief executive Ben Baldanza said having fewer carry-on bags will help empty planes faster. The Associated Press; AP file photo
