American Airlines is cutting back its capacity by 12 per cent, the largest scale back since September 2001, due to high fuel prices. Also starting today, the airliner will start charging $15 for first bag checked.
“It’s the end of an era,” said Robert W. Mann Jr., an airline industry consultant in Port Washington, N.Y. Referring to the range of fees that customers face, Mr. Mann added, “Soon, like freight, we will pay by the pound for passenger air travel.”
