PIARCO, Trinidad – Despite the growing industry trend of airlines moving to charge passengers for all checked bags, Caribbean Airlines has a new baggage policy of charging its customers for their 2nd checked bag. The first checked bag continues to be free – together with one carry-on bag – while a fee for the 2nd bag will be only 25 USD, plus applicable taxes. Caribbean Airlines also announces an improvement in its International baggage policy for Business Class customers whose free checked baggage allotment will be increased to three pieces.
Caribbean Airlines has resisted moving to this policy, but in light of most of its competitors charging passengers for all their checked bags, it is left with no choice but to match industry practice to remain competitive. While our competitors continue to showcase low fares, they conveniently fail to mention that bag fees – some in excess of 100 USD – are charged to customers. Caribbean Airlines assures its passengers that our fee of 25 USD for the 2nd bag is the LOWEST in the industry.
The new baggage fees for customers will be as follows:
- One free carry-on @ 7 kg/15 lb (new)
- 1st checked-bag free @ 23 kg/50 lb (no change)
- 2nd checked-bag @ 23 kg/50 lb charged at 25 USD (new)
- For travel to/from London, England the 2nd and 3rd bag fee will be 50 GBP (new).
It should be noted that customers traveling within the Caribbean will see a reduction in the present 2nd bag fee from 50 USD to 25 USD.
This new policy will be implemented in two phases. Phase one takes effect on tickets purchased on or after December 18, 2014 for travel from January 15, 2015, on all flights between the Caribbean and Toronto. Phase two takes effect on tickets purchased on or after February 1, 2015 for travel from April 15, 2015, on all flights throughout the rest of the network. This two-phase introduction allows our customers to adjust and plan ahead.
The following customers will be exempt from paying the second bag fee:
- Those who have purchased fully flexible fares in W, Y and K categories
- Caribbean Miles members in Executive Gold, Gold and Silver Tier levels
- 7th Heaven Rewards Executive Gold, Gold and Silver Tier levels
As the airline industry becomes increasingly competitive, at Caribbean we see no need to be tough on our customers and continue to exude warmth in every customer interaction. While Caribbean Airlines is following industry practice on the introduction of bag fees, only last month it led the way by passing on the savings of lower oil prices and eliminated the fuel surcharge on 98% of its routes. Caribbean Airlines is pleased to continue offering its loyal customers FREE hot meals on longer flights, FREE seat-selection, a 32” seat pitch in economy, FREE headsets for movies and audio, and a full service business class on all its jet aircraft. As a special feature for the Christmas and Carnival season, Caribbean Airlines has launched a complimentary mixed rum cocktail for each passenger, with its partners El Dorado Rum and Nestle Orchard juices, on all its longer flights.
