Continental Joins In Charging Additional Baggage Fee

Continental Airlines today joined several of its legacy carrier competitors in levying a $5 surcharge for passengers paying first or second bag fees at the airport, but waiving that fee if they elect to pre-pay online.

Continental on its Web site notes the fee is effective for tickets purchased today for travel beginning on Aug. 19. "Customers checking in and pre-paying for bags at continental.com will continue to pay $15 for the first checked bag and $25 for the second checked bag," Continental posted on its Web site.

Since US Airways in April became the first major domestic airline to levy the $5 airport surcharge, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines and now Continental have joined in assessing the charge. According to its baggage policy on its Web site, American Airlines remains the last of the legacy carriers yet to charge an additional $5 for checking bags at the airport.

Delta said its $5 fee became effective for tickets purchased after July 15, 2009, for travel beginning Aug. 15, while United initiated its surcharge on May 14 for travel beginning June 10.