This has been a year of the unexpected, but few if any would have guessed it would be the year that saw the tide of ever-increasing airline fees take a rollback, but it appears the year is ending with a new round of cuts.
American Airlines, which had cut its domestic change and cancellation fees along with the other major carriers, is rounding off the act by dropping them for long-haul international flights as well, except on Basic Economy. And, so far, these are not pandemic-only changes; they have been stated as permanent.
While the removal of change and cancellation fees, some of which ran into fees higher than the original ticket cost is welcome, we’re still waiting for the airlines to give up the billion-dollar business of charging for checked bags (remember when at least one was free?); those changes have edged up from last year’s $25 level to $30 and even $40 for the first bag.
