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For more than a decade, paying an extra fee for checked luggage has been the norm in the world of air travel, leading to longer boarding processes as passengers often compete for limited overhead storage for carrying on.
To decrease the time spent onboarding, Delta Air Lines is now trying a different approach by offering free checked bags to some passengers leaving Boston Logan International Airport.
Delta currently charges $30 for the first checked bag and allows each passenger to bring one personal item and one carry-on luggage free. With so many people trying to fit all of their travel needs within those limits, passengers often cause traffic jams in the aisles as they maneuver the overhead bins instead of quickly moving to their seats. These longer boarding processes have even caused departure delays, which can sometimes have a ripple effect on overall cost efficiency.
“Just as we’ve tested other airport experience modifications over the years, we are conducting a month-long test on select flights from Boston starting the week of Jan. 31, 2022,” a Delta spokesperson said. “Select customers who have shared contact information with Delta will receive a text message before arriving at the airport with a proactive offer to check their carry-on bags. Customers will not be required to pay any additional bag fees associated with checking the carry-on bag.”
The statement from Delta does not include explicit information on who will get this offer for a free checked bag or how much-advanced notice they will receive—a factor that could make all the difference in the success of this experiment. For example, they might not prepare passengers to be notified of the offer while already at the airport to check their carry-on if it holds fragile items.
Regardless of the success of this experiment, it’s unlikely that Delta will completely do away with checked luggage fees. In 2019 alone, the airline earned over 1 million dollars in baggage fees. Instead, Delta may take the approach of budget carriers like Spirit Airlines and start charging higher prices for carry-on luggage than checked luggage. However, this is purely speculation from travel industry experts at this point.
Jessica is a freelance journalist on a quest to see and experience everything our gorgeous planet offers and share her experiences with her fellow travelers. Jessica has written for several world-class Travel Magazines.