ANY READERS thinking of a short shopping trip to the United States should avoid American Airlines. On March 1, it unilaterally reduced the economy baggage allowance from two pieces weighing 32kg each to two pieces of 23kg each — and without any publicity.
Leaving Miami recently with two 32kg cases, we were initially instructed by a brusque AA check-in agent to buy extra suitcases, repack and pay about $100 per extra case. It was finally conceded that the bags could go as they were, subject to an excess charge of “only” $50. Other passengers were in tears. No AA person in authority was around to answer our questions.
We suggest readers check their baggage allowance carefully. Where one airline leads, others tend to follow.
K and N Atkinson, France
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American Airlines replies: “In March, we implemented changes to our baggage charges to discourage excessive weight of individual items. This is a health and safety concern, as handling multiple items of overweight baggage can cause injury to airport workers. The charges are applicable only to tickets bought after March 1.
“Information about our revised baggage charges was placed on our websites and provided to our reservations agents. We apologise to the Atkinsons for any confusion at Miami airport.”