As first revealed by blog AwardWallet.com, American Airlines has increased the fees it charges some passengers for checked bags on certain flights with immediate effect.

Despite the carrier seeing record-low passenger numbers due to the coronavirus pandemic, flyers travelling between the US and Europe or Africa on American Airlines on basic economy fares will now have to pay 75 US dollars each way to check a bag into the hold.

For tickets issued prior to 21st April 2020, the checked bag fee for basic economy fares remains 60 US dollars each way.
This change effectively adds 30 US dollars in fees to a round-trip fare for checking a bag on a trip to Europe or Africa on American Airlines’ cheapest fares.

The airline’s standard economy “Main Cabin” fares will still include one free checked bag.