Spirit Air to Charge for All Checked Bags

U.S. low-cost carrier Spirit Airlines says it will charge passengers at least $5 and up to $100 to check baggage in exchange for fare cuts of up to 40 percent.

The air carrier will also expect $1 for currently complimentary in-flight coffee, tea, soft drinks and juices, the airline said. Water will still be free.

The new policy goes into effect June 20.

Customers will be allowed one carry-on bag for free but one or two checked bags will cost $5 each if passengers book their reservations on the carrier’s Web site.

The fee will double to $10 each for the first two bags if passengers do not reserve for the luggage on the Web site in advance, the airline said.

The charge will be $100 for each additional checked bag.

The airline currently allows one checked bag for free and $10 for a second checked bag.

Ireland’s Ryanair, Europe’s largest low-cost carrier, has dropped fares by charging for extra baggage — a practice picked up by British Airways, which can charge up to $240 for a second bag on long-haul connections, unless fliers seek an online pre-pay discount, Cheapflights.com reported.