United Airlines is introducing a new tiered fare program in its premium cabins. Meanwhile, the company has increased checked bag fees by $10–$50 in the Western Hemisphere.
In its April 3 announcement, the company disclosed it will offer three options in premium cabins for long-haul international, transcontinental U.S., and select Hawaii flights. These will include base—a new option—standard, and flexible. Economy fares also currently offer basic, standard, and flexible rates.
“These new tiered options give customers more choice and make it easier to find a fare that includes the benefits they want most – whether that's a great value, added perks, or maximum flexibility,” United’s chief commercial officer, Andrew Nocella, said in the company statement.
The front cabin will also be branded as United Polaris on select transcontinental U.S. and select longer Hawaii flights. Customers purchasing the standard or flexible fares in United Polaris on these flights will have access to the United Polaris lounge. Customers who choose the base option for United Polaris will still have access to the United Club.
The new categories are expected to launch this month and will expand to additional flights later this year.
Meanwhile, the airline announced that for tickets purchased on or after April 3, fees will increase by $10 for the first and second checked bags and by $50 for a third checked bag. This will affect customers traveling in the United States, Mexico, Canada, and Latin America.
The new fees are now $50 for the first bag, or $45 if prepaid, and $60 for the second bag, or $55 if prepaid. Those checking a third bag will pay $200, according to a statement the airline sent to The Epoch Times via email.
“This is the first time in two years that the airline has raised bag fees,” a United Airlines spokesperson said in the statement. “United Chase credit card holders, MileagePlus, Premier members, active military members and customers traveling in premium cabins can still check a bag for free.”
Bags cannot exceed 50 pounds each for economy seating, or 70 pounds each for first class seating. The maximum size of a checked bag can be 30 inches by 20 inches by 12 inches, or 62 inches in total, including handles and wheels.
JetBlue attributed the increases to rising operational and fuel costs.
In premium cabins on United’s long-haul international and transcontinental U.S. flights, and flights between the airline's hubs in Newark, Washington, Chicago, and Hawaii, the base category will continue to offer customers the lowest price point.
The Standard category offers perks like free seat selection, additional checked bags, and the ability to make changes, while tickets in the flexible category are fully refundable and include all the benefits of the Standard tickets.
United bills itself as the largest airline worldwide, measured by available seat miles. The airline also indicates it operates the most comprehensive global route network among North American carriers.