Country Looks to Ban Checked Baggage Fees

Baggage fees have become very common in the United States, with Southwest Airlines, the last remaining major carrier to offer free checked bags in the United States, eliminating its longstanding "bags fly free" policy this year. In fact, some carriers even charge for carry-on baggage.

While these baggage fees are becoming the norm in the United States, one country is moving forward with some legislation that, if passed, would limit those sorts of fees on domestic flights, leading to some concern from airlines.

Brazil Bill Could Ban Bag Fees

Last week, a bill moved forward that would allow passengers to travel with a free carry-on bag on all domestic flights while also banning carriers from charging for checked bags for baggage 50 pounds or less.

The law, if enacted, would roll back a 2017 law that allowed airlines to charge fees for checked luggage. The bill cleared the Lower House, but would still require Senate approval.

Fares Keep Getting Higher

As is common in the United States, it's typically the ultra-low-cost carriers like Spirit and Frontier Airlines that charge the most for checked baggage and charge extra for carry-on bags. As Reuters points out, Brazil does not have a history with these ultra-low-cost carriers, meaning its citizens were not used to paying these baggage fees.

While the 2017 legislation allowing baggage fees hoped to give customers more options and ultimately bring down fares, that has not happened, with fares rising  9.4% in the year, compared to the 4.94% overall price increase.

Congressman Alex Manente, who authored the amendment allowing for free checked bags, argued that fares have not become any cheaper overall since the country began allowing carriers to charge baggage fees in 2017.

"There has been no reduction in ticket prices, and we need to defend consumer rights," said Manente, via Reuters.

Airlines Push Back

Obviously, the domestic airlines in Brazil are not happy with this legislation as they have been pushing back against it, arguing that the baggage fees give consumers more options.

"This bill moves Brazil backward at a time when aviation should be helping drive economic growth," said Peter Cerda, the head of airline lobby group ALTA. "It's like going to the cinema and being forced to pay for popcorn as part of your ticket."

We'll have to see whether or not the legislation passes.