Air France and KLM will start charging most economy-class customers for checking a second bag on U.S.-Europe flights as of Nov. 1, essentially matching what Delta and British Airways already have done.

There are some differences between those carriers in scope and fee levels, but the move nonetheless shows that the idea of a new bag fee for international service has gained some momentum. Delta, an Air France-KLM SkyTeam alliance partner, started charging most coach customers $50 for a second checked bag for U.S.-Europe flights as of July 1. British Airways added its fee as of Oct. 7 for all flights to or from all markets in the Americas except Brazil, charging customers £32 if paid online and £40 if paid at the airport, or US$48 online and US$60 at the airport for U.S. departures (DAILY, Aug. 4).

For Air France and KLM, the fee will apply to all flights between the U.S. and Europe, as well as service between the U.S. and Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia. The fee will be $50 for all flights departing from the U.S. and €50 for all flights departing from Europe.

Air France and KLM also are doubling their fee for checked bags weighing between 23 and 32 kilos, or 50 to 70 pounds. The new fee will be to €100 or US$100.

Photo: Philippe Delafosse