Sun Country now charging fees for carry-on bags in overhead bins
EAGAN, Minn. (KMSP) - Starting Wednesday, Minnesota-based Sun Country Airlines will begin charging for carry-on bags.
Tuesday is your last chance to book a flight to avoid those fees. On Wednesday, the airline will begin encouraging passengers to check their luggage by charging more for the convenience of a carry-on.
In just the first six months of this year, Sun Country alone made nearly $11 million in baggage fees. Combined, all airlines collected more than $2 billion.
Baggage fees are still just a fraction of airline industry revenue, but it is a growing part of their income.
Starting in January, Sun Country will offer three ways to pay for your luggage. The airline will start charging $30 for a domestic carry-on bag and $20 for checked luggage. If you want to avoid a surprise fee at check in, you can only bring a small bag that can fit under your seat.
The idea is to speed up the boarding process. The option to have a carry-on and checked luggage will be given priority boarding.
You will still be able to bring on a purse or small backpack, but you can forget about trying to squeeze that bulging rolling suitcase into an overhead bin for free.