Delta announces new fees

Delta Air Lines will begin charging $15 for passengers for their first checked bag and $25 for a second checked bag on domestic flights, the Atlanta-based airline announced Wednesday.

But it’s also dropping a fuel surcharge for frequent flier award tickets, as well as a $3 fee for curbside check-in.

The new first-checked-bag fee goes into effect immediately for new bookings for travel Dec. 5 or later. People with advance bookings made prior to Wednesday will not have to pay the first-bag fee, regardless of dates of travel..

Until now, Delta had no fee for a first checked bag and charged $50 for a second checked bag. Delta had been one of the only major airlines not charging for a first checked bag.

“Customers are not differentiating Delta as the only major airline not charging a first checked bag,” Delta’s chief operating officer Steve Gorman said in a written statement.

Delta made the move as it changed some fees to match Northwest Airlines. Delta and Northwest closed their merger last week, creating the world’s largest airline. Northwest already charges for the first checked bag.

First class and business class passengers will be exempt from Delta’s fees for the first three bags up to 70 pounds each, while SkyMiles Medallion members and WorldPerks elite members in coach class will be exempt from fees for the first two checked bags up to 70 pounds each. International travelers and those who paid full “Y” coach class fares can check two bags up to 50 pounds each for free.

Delta said most of Northwest’s other baggage policies and fees will be aligned to Delta’s structure as of Dec. 5.

In other fee changes to match Northwest, Delta said it will eliminate its $3 fee for curbside check in effective Dec. 5; cut fees for phone reservations to $20 from $25, effective Nov. 6; and eliminate fuel surcharges for frequent flier award tickets.

Delta last week began charging $5 to $25 extra for certain window, aisle and exit row seats it now calls “coach choice.” Those fees are unchanged.