The cuts in service are expected to hit smaller cities hardest. Just this year, nearly 30 cities have lost all scheduled airline service, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics.
Travel experts said the new fee would probably have immediate consequences for passengers in the form of longer airport lines and possible delays.
For The Record
Los Angeles Times Friday, May 23, 2008 Home Edition Main News Part A Page 2 National Desk 1 inches; 55 words Type of Material: Correction
Baggage fees: A story in Section A on Thursday reported that American Airlines will charge a fee for all checked baggage. The fees will not be applied to most international travelers. A photo accompanying the article showed a couple headed to Mumbai. Passengers flying the airline to India would not be charged the new fees.
For The Record
Los Angeles Times Saturday, May 24, 2008 Home Edition Main News Part A Page 2 National Desk 1 inches; 28 words Type of Material: Correction
Baggage fees: An article in Section A on Thursday about American Airlines' imposing a bag fee misspelled the last name of travel website publisher Joe Brancatelli as Brocatelle.
"Frankly, I expect the other Big Six carriers to match American's move with lightning speed," said Joe Brocatelle, publisher of the business travel website Joesentme.com. "And frankly, I expect absolute chaos at ticket counters around the nation."
Brocatelle said security lines could get longer as more passengers attempted to avoid checking their baggage and fly with only carry-on luggage, and more flights could be delayed when passengers are forced to check those carry-ons at the gate because the plane's overhead bins have filled up.
"More travelers will have lotions-and-potions packets that will need to be checked," Brocatelle said. "They're making panic moves that will infuriate travelers and increase their own downward spiral," he said of the airline.
Several passengers at Orange County's John Wayne Airport said Wednesday that they were more disappointed than angry at the airline over the new fees.
"It's actually sad for families because they may not be able to see their grandpa and grandma this summer," said Gerry Simmons, a San Juan Capistrano empty nester who was returning from visiting her daughter in Louisville, Ky. "But I don't know if I can fault the airline. Everything is going up, and I think the government needs to step in and do something about it."
Arpey said that, historically, a softening economy meant lower fuel prices as demand slackened. But "we're getting hit by a softening economy and at the same time we're getting an extraordinary surge in oil prices," he said. "They don't presage anything good for the economy."
But Terry Tippler, an airline consultant and publisher of the website Tripplertravel.com,said a drop in air travel was unlikely, even with higher fares and fees.
"We've had 11 fare increases this year, and yet bookings are still holding," Tippler said. "Americans will do anything to take their long-deserved vacation, even if it means putting a brick under that broken couch."
But Farecast.com spokesman Nick Leahy said there could be one upside to the twin effect of rising fares and declining consumer confidence: Demand for flights could decline, which means seats might not be filled and airlines may cut fares for less popular days of the week such as Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
--
peter.pae@latimes.com
--
(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX)
The cost at check-in
First checked bag, $15 (takes effect June 15)
Second checked bag, $25 (took effect May 12)
Third, fourth and fifth bags, $100 each, increased from $80 (May 12)
Sixth through ninth bags, $200 each, increased from $105 to $180 (May 12)
Oversized-baggage fee, $150 each, increased from $100 (immediately)
--
Source: American Airlines
