Carry-Ons to Cost $45 at Spirit Airlines

(AP)  Spirit Airlines will charge as much as $45 each way for a carry-on bag, adding a fee that bigger airlines have yet to try.

The charge will apply to bags in the overhead bin. Personal items that fit under the seat will still be free. Spirit said it will add measuring devices at the gates to determine which carry-ons are free and which ones will incur the charge.

The new charge is $45 if paid at the gate, and $30 if paid in advance, and begins Aug. 1. Spirit said on Tuesday that it reduced its lowest fares by $40 on average, so most customers won't really pay more to fly.

Spirit also charges to check luggage.

Spirit CEO Ben Baldanza said having fewer carry-on bags will help empty the plane faster. He said the idea is to get customers to pay for individual things they want, while keeping the base fare low.

"The beauty of it is they will do what they think is best for them and will now have the choice," he said.

Spirit is based in Miramar, Fla., and most of its routes run through Fort Lauderdale to Latin America.

Even though it's a minor player, bigger airlines are likely to watch to see whether customers are willing to pay for carry-ons. None of the major carriers made any immediate changes to their fees on Tuesday morning.

Fees for checking bags on the big U.S. carriers got started in 2008. At first, many travelers thought they wouldn't last. But now all the big airlines except Southwest and JetBlue charge to check a bag on domestic flights.

[toldyouso21]

boycott--THEY WILL REALLY EMPTY THOSE PLANES FASTER WHEN VERY FEW PEOPLE ARE ON THEM. they claim it is to reduce costs but we all know they will have these fees and the prices will creep up just the same--it is the same thing that happened to suits--they used to be one low price then came individual pricing, then high prices for each individual piece and now, you pay a premium and must buy the shirt, tie, vest, pants and jacket separately--all costing more than the entire ensemble used to cost.

[toldyouso21]

boycott--THEY WILL REALLY EMPTY THOSE PLANES FASTER WHEN VERY FEW PEOPLE ARE ON THEM. they claim it is to reduce costs but we all know they will have these fees and the prices will creep up just the same--it is the same thing that happened to suits--they used to be one low price then came individual pricing, then high prices for each individual piece and now, you pay a premium and must buy the shirt, tie, vest, pants and jacket separately--all costing more than the entire ensemble used to cost.

[httpwwwnews]

People try to avoid waiting for their luggage to be brought to the baggage claim areas, to avoid having baggage get lost or damaged by airlines, by cramming everything into carryons and not checking bags. I understand their frustration, last time I flew the airline broke the plastic frame that houses the pull handle on my suitcase, leaving a rasor sharp point. I had to toss it and will need a new case before I fly again. Of course they said they didn't cover damaged suitcases, so I was out-of-luck.

Still...People act like goaded cattle when loading and unloading from flights, they rush like they are getting on a subway that will leave without them. Those darned heavy carryon bags bang into everything and everybody in their rush to get them in/out the overheads. You commonly see male passengers having to help shorter people stuff those heavy 21 inch rolling bags in the compartments, or people standing on the seats to lift them in. Everytime I fly somebody bumps or hits me with their luggage. I've actually just been sitting in the window seat waiting and had a heavy suitcase hit me on the shoulder. I've been hit in the legs, jabbed in the back, knocked on the head, smacked in the face, sure they apologise, but why does it happen anyway? Now, I wait and get off last to avoid the stampede.

Bah! Let um charge! Maybe people will check their baggage, get seated without the rush or hurting other people with overpacked carryons.

[SayNoToTheFeeconomy]

It's all just a way to hide the true cost of the flight. I'd like to see a law requiring that fares be advertised as the total cost of the flight, including certain predefined normal components, like two checked bags, carryon + personal item, light snack, one pillow, use of toilet :) etc.

I bet those idiot fees would go away then.

I think airlines have all forgotten the concept of treating the customer well. No wonder they have financial problems.

"Say NO to the Feeconomy" -- http://critique.org/feeconomy.ht

[stuwerb]

I'm waiting to see which is the first airline to start charging for using the airplane bathrooms. Guess they'll also need to charge a airplane seat cleaning fee...

[Fatesrider]

Headline I clicked on:
"Airlines To Start Charging carry-on Fees"

Story headline:
"Carry-Ons to Cost $45 at Spirit Airlines"

I don't know about everyone else, but "Airlines" means more than one, and so far, this is the only one to start charging for carry-ons. It would be nice if CBS reported the news straight rather than resorting to falsehoods in their newsfeeds.

(I ignore the ads, anyhow. Thanks AdBlock!)

[diamruby]

I have never understood why they have not charged for carry-on luggage as it is the biggest pain in the *** for the rest of us who do not. The people that carry-on their luggage always take up more of the compartments & not just above their own seat, so then when it is time to depart the rest of us have to wait while they gather up all the luggage from various areas of the plane. They should charge double for carry-on luggage.

[tsigili]

If people are so dependent on flying, that they are willing to be nickel and dime'd for everything, in order to fly.....then I feel sorry for them.

Personally, I have not flown since 9/11, and I will not fly, as long as the airlines treat customers the way they are now. Period.

I refuse to contribute to the abuse, by accepting it.

[retiredgustav]

Depending on where you live and what you do traveling by air is a life saver. When I was a road warrior flying made a lot of my business trips, day trips instead of having to spend the night in a hotel. For the record I lways flew Southwest. I never had a bit of trouble with them and they still check bags for free.

[myopinionpal]

One way to get Spirit to drop this stupid charge is to drop Spirit and fly with another airline.

[Floridadianer]

I flew Spirit Air for the first time several months ago. Not only did I have to pay extra for my one checked bag, but when I booked online, I chose my seat - for that they charged extra!!!! I made THEIR life easier by selecting my seat ahead of time, and I had to pay extra for doing that!!!! The seats were SO close to the seats in front of them - I felt like my knees were going to be under my chin. And, I did find the flight attendants to be somewhat rude. I would NEVER fly Spirit Air again.