Well, we knew this day would arrive eventually.
Delta Airlines today announced that it would begin charging $50 for a second checked bag on its international routes.
That makes it the first US legacy carrier to implement a baggage fee for international travel.
American Airlines and United are reportedly studying Delta’s move, which means they’re weighing the same fee but want to see first whether it is really worth it.
Passengers with elite status on Delta, and active military personnel, are exempt from the new baggage fee.
The first checked bag remains free on Delta’s international routes.
Delta, the world’s largest airline, reported a $794 million first-quarter loss today, which it blames on both the bad economy and bad hedging on fuel prices.
The airline plans to reduce its international capacity by roughly 10 percent starting this fall.