NEW YORK (AP) - For some time now, cash-strapped airlines have been doing away with once-complimentary perks such as earphones, meals and extra legroom in exit rows.
Now the largest U.S. carrier is testing the limits of passengers' willingness to pay for extras, announcing plans to start charging $15 for what many fliers consider a downright necessity: a single checked bag.
ord it, the business traveler," said Bob Harrell of New York-based travel and aviation consulting firm Harrell Associates. "It's going to be the poor schmo, the vacation traveler, who ends up paying these fees."

By DAVID KOENIG AP Writer FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) - American Airlines will start charging $15 for the first checked bag, cut domestic flights and lay off possibly thousands of workers as it grapples with record-high fuel prices.
American plans to cut domestic flight capacity by 11 percent to 12 percent in the fourth quarter, after the peak summer season is over. That's more than double American's previous plans to cut flying by 4.6 percent in late 2008.
how Wednesday's announcement would affect that.

A lone traveler walks in the deserted baggage claim area for American Airlines earlier this month. By Christopher Elliott American Airlines’ decision to

American Airlines is the first airline to implement a charge for travelers who check one bag. Almost all of the U.S.-based carriers charge for a second checked bag, but we wouldn't be surprised if others follow American's lead and begin charging for a first checked bag.
All passengers who purchase economy class tickets on or after June 15, 2008 will be charged $15 each way for the first checked bag and $25 for a second checked bag. With the new baggage policy, it will cost you a total of $80 to check two bags roundtrip. The policy is only for travelers flying on American Airlines, American Eagle or AmericanConnection flights within the U.S., Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and Canada.

By Tom Stieghorst | Sun-Sentinel FORT WORTH, Texas - American Airlines on Wednesday became the first major airline to charge passengers for checking even one bag.
The Dallas-based carrier will implement a $15 each way charge on the first checked bag effective June 15, and will raise several other passenger fees in an attempt to stem losses from the soaring cost of fuel.
millions of dollars in new revenue.

American Airlines is cutting back on domestic flights, laying off workers and adding new passenger fees as it struggles with record-high fuel prices.
American will begin charging a $15 fee for the first checked bag beginning June 15. It will raise other fees for services ranging from reservation services to oversized bags.

AP American Airlines will start charging $15 for the first checked bag, cut domestic flights and lay off possibly thousands of workers as it grapples with

By Paulo Prada and Kevin Kingsbury Following more than a dozen fare increases throughout the industry in recent months, American Airlines parent AMR Corp.

By Steve Huettel, Times Staff Writer American Airlines will charge passengers $15 to check a single bag each way starting next month, the first major

Passengers flying economy class on American Connection or American Eagle flights out of the Dane County Regional Airport will have to pay $15 for the first checked bag beginning June 15, as parent airline American Airlines boosts fees for services and cuts flights and planes due to record-high fuel prices.
The nation's largest air carrier announced the $15 fee Wednesday, according to the Associated Press.
flying full-fare in economy class or in business or first class won't pay the checked bag fee. Military passengers on active duty will also not have to pay the checked bag charge.

Hold tight, folks. American said this morning that it needs to tighten the belt big-time. What that means is that it will start charging $15 to most passengers to check a first bag, and that it plans to cut its schedule by as much as 12 percent. American also said it would raise other fees from $5 to $50 for a range of services like reservation help to oversized bags.
The carrier's decision on baggage comes just a month after it decided to join other major carriers in charging $25 for a second checked bag. This means if you arrive with two bags the tab will be $40 each way. The baggage fees will kick in for flights booked starting June 15. But it won't affect some American

American Airlines, the world’s largest airline, plans to charge $15 for a passenger’s first checked bag, starting in mid-June.
The airline is trying to claw back more of its extra fuel costs but the move is unprecedented for a major American carrier. (More on American’s cost-cutting measures here). Will this lead to even more of a struggle boarding the plane as passengers force their bags into overhead bins? What impact will American’s move have on air travel in the U.S.?
for that first - they’ve been one of the most expensive options for the last few years, anyway). But maybe use them for some biz travel.

By Lew Schucart American Airlines announced this morning that beginning June 15, they will charge a $15 fee for EVERY checked bag from their passengers.

AP FORT WORTH, Texas - American Airlines is cutting back on domestic flights, laying off workers and adding new passenger fees as it struggles with record-high fuel prices.
American will begin charging a $15 fee for the first checked bag beginning June 15th. It will raise other fees for services ranging from reservation services to oversized bags.
ces have increased its expected annual fuel costs by nearly 3 billion dollars since the start of the year.