Spirit Doubles Fee for Checked Bags

Spirit is doubling its fee for checked baggage, and the airline tied the increase to rising fuel costs.

Starting Feb. 20, Spirit’s fee will increase from $5 to $10 per checked bag if pre-reserved online at http://www.spiritair.com/. The fee will double from $10 to $20 if checked bags are requested at the airport.

Spirit began charging customers for checked bags last June, when it remade itself into an “ultra low-cost carrier.” It also began charging customers $1 for soda, juice, coffee and tea. Spirit called the increase in its checked bag fee “an innovative approach to address rising fuel prices.”

“Spirit’s new luggage policy gives passengers the option to avoid the increased cost of travel due to rising fuel costs by packing lighter,” the airline said in a press release. “Less luggage means less weight, which translates to lower fuel burn and allows Spirit to lower its costs further while being friendlier to the environment.”

Spirit’s announcement of a checked-bag fee increase came just two days after United announced its decision to start charging most customers who buy nonrefundable domestic economy tickets a $25 fee each way when they check a second bag.