American Airlines Baggage Policies

Well, its official.  American Airlines has found a great way to ensure parents like us will avoid them whenever possible. It seems lately that airlines care less and less for those who need assistance.  Parents of children certainly fall into this category when flying.

It’s irritating enough having to rush a family into a set of seats with the onrush of passengers clamering behind you.  The younger the child, the more difficult this can be.  Toddlers don’t understand that an airplane is not a new play area and that they need to sit on Mommy & Daddy’s laps. 

Now the new craze is to upcharge us for baggage.  Not a big deal if you are a single person flying off for work, but parents have a completely different game.  We have to travel with bags for Mommy, Daddy, baby, the car seat, the pack ‘n play, and Lord knows what else if you will be away from home for an extended time.  On a normal flight, 6 bags/items to check or carry is not unusual.

So, here’s the new game from American Airlines.  $15 for the first bag and $25 for each additional bag to be checked in for a flight.  But that’s not all, those prices are for just one way!  Now you get to pay $160 for 4 bags on a round trip.  Isn’t it nice that they don’t want to cater to us anymore?  On-on to other airlines!