Sorry, I didn't notice that the Delta bag fee article didn't copy onto my last post... here it is.

But, given the history to "save a buck" to the detriment of the crewmember, I'd rather see the details addressed and agreed to... and then written in black and white in the contract. They may not be utilizing the basic economy fare now, but you do know that the travel department members makes an end of the year "BONUS" based on how much money they save off the crewmember's yearly total travel expenses.

That comes straight from L.G.

Why do you feel that Omni is "smarter" than to book crewmembers in the basic economy fare? Only reason I can think of is that the Delta corporate discount doesn't apply to the basic economy (Spirit) fares, so it is actually cheaper to buy the regular economy ticket that still qualifies for the Delta discounted rate.




Pack light for Paris: Delta to charge basic-economy passengers $60 to check a bag to Europe next year.

Leslie Josephs

CNBCDecember 8, 2017

Getty Images. Delta Air Lines are bringing basic economy fares to international destinations, so passengers will have to pay up to check a bag.

U.S. airlines collected nearly $4.2 billion in checked baggage fees last year. That sum could rise even more as airlines bring such fees international.

Starting in April, Delta Air Lines (DAL)will charge passengers who book highly restrictive basic economy fares $60 each way to check a bag for travel between the U.S. or Canada and Europe or North Africa.

The airline, among others, is taking basic economy abroad , in hopes that it will drum up more revenue as record numbers of passengers are traveling by air. Airline executives, including those at Delta, estimate that about half of passengers opt to pay for a higher coach-class fare than selecting the cheaper basic economy.

The fee to check the bag — $60 each way — is the same sum that Delta is offering travelers to "upgrade" to regular economy, which offers a free checked bag. When travelers book on Delta's website, a screen pops up with a column of almost all of X's next to the mostly once-free perks that basic economy travelers won't receive, such as selecting their own seats.

A second checked bag will cost basic economy passengers $100 each way. The change starts April 10, 2018. The new policy is similar to what the crop of low-cost trans-Atlantic carriers are charging travelers .

American Airlines (AAL) is also bringing basic economy tickets international and passengers opting for those fares may need to pack even lighter. The fares are available on some trips to Mexican cities, including Cancun, but passengers on those tickets aren't allowed to use overhead bins to store their carry-on bags.

The Department of Transportation recently dropped a proposal to force airlines to disclose baggage fees at the start of the ticket purchase. Airlines meanwhile, are fighting airports from raising fees of their own on passengers.

The nation's airports are pushing lawmakers to increase the cap on the so-called passenger facility fee, which is aimed at improving airports, by $4 to a maximum of $8.50 per flight.

WATCH: Delta seeing strong demand for international routes

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