American Airlines raises checked bag fees

(AP) — American Airlines said Monday it is raising its fees on checked bags for passengers buying tickets starting Feb. 1.

The company said it is raising the charge for the first checked bag to $25 from $20 on flights in the U.S., Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands. The fees apply to passengers on the company's American Airlines, American Eagle and American Connection flights.

A second checked bag will cost $35, up from $30.

American Airlines last hiked its checked bag fees in July, when the price of the first bag rose $5 to $20 and the price of the second bag rose the same amount to $25.

Select passengers, including first- and business-class travelers and members of the armed services, will remain exempt from checked bag fees.

Airlines began instituting checked bag fees in 2008 to help offset soaring fuel costs. They have largely kept the fees in place, even though prices have fallen.

American Airlines said about 25 percent of domestic customers pay checked bag fees.