US Airways (US) has announced that customers who book economy class tickets for travel on or after July 9, 2008, will be charged $15 each way ($30 roundtrip) for the first checked bag. The new fee applies to customers traveling within the United States, to/from Canada, Latin America, and the Caribbean. US Airways' first bag fee is in addition to its previously announced $25 second bag fee ($50 roundtrip), which went into effect May 5, 2008.
Exceptions to the new baggage fee include: all Dividend Miles Preferred Members (Silver, Gold, Platinum and Chairman's Preferred), confirmed First Class and Envoy Class passengers at the time of check-in, and Star Alliance Silver and Gold Status members. The following customers will also be exempt from paying the fee: military personnel on active duty, unaccompanied minors and passengers checking assistive devices.
As part of US Airways' new in-flight "pay-for what-you-use" program, it will implement a $2 fee for all nonalcoholic beverages (including sodas, juices, bottled water and coffee) in its domestic coach cabins effective Aug. 1, 2008. Alcoholic beverages will also increase to $7 (currently $5). Complimentary beverages will continue to be served in domestic First Class, US Airways Shuttle flights, trans-Atlantic Envoy and trans-Atlantic economy class. Unaccompanied minors will also receive complimentary nonalcoholic beverages.
For more information visit the US Airways web site.