Travel Light to avoid “Check-In” Woes

The effects of global recession have finally managed to seep into the lives of travelers. Frequent excursionists are bound to experience an up-close encounter with the economic downturn while traveling by air. With a host of prominent airlines hiking their charges for checking in more than one bag, the ushering in of a smiling face in their aircrafts that says “welcome aboard” can make you feel welcome only if you are globetrotting with a hand luggage.

The Transatlantic US carriers – Delta, Continental, US Airways, and American airlines will be charging $50 for an additional bag to be checked in for their economy class. The charge levied by the British Airways to check in a second bag, or skis and any other sports equipment is a whopping £40, which is indeed austere! It is safe to assume that a family vacation of four will cost approximately £100 even before the journey begins. Virgin Airlines will also be imposing a one-bag limit for economy passengers flying to specific destinations like Shanghai, Dubai and Singapore.

The word “check-in” is hard hitting for vacationers as compared to business travelers, because they usually do not travel light and prefer to fly economy. Simon Evans, chief executive of the Air Transport Users Council, has openly criticized the stealth attitude of British Airways of deriving money and being discrete about their superfluous charges on public media platforms, like their own website.

A British Airways’ spokesperson justified their check-in charges by stating “These are unprecedented economic times and we believe this can generate revenue for British Airways and help return us to profitability. Our free hold and hand baggage allowances remain generous”. Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Virgin Atlantic defended the airline’s newly formed “one bag check-in policy” by expressing that Virgin Airlines is reacting to the passenger dynamics of carrying more luggages while traveling to certain destinations like the United States and not more than one bag while traveling to places like Sydney.

Due to the rising overheads involved in an air travel, Tours4Fun advises all economic travelers to plan ‘short ‘and ‘light’ excursions on this Labor Day weekend. If you live in New York City and are seeking cost-effective ways to explore an exciting and new travel destination, it’s a good idea to look out for attractive deals, like Niagara Falls Tours from New York and Washington D.C. Tours from New York.