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Virgin America Breaks Down, Starts Charging $15 Checked Baggage Fee

We're shocked. Shocked we tell ya. But we guess we should have seen it coming. Virgin America will now be charging $15 to check a bag. *Sigh.*

We pride ourselves on being firm one carry-on bag travelers (see our tips here) so we've yet to pay a $15 checked bag fee on any airline. But this news is distressing. Even more so, Virgin America says they are just keeping up with the "trends."

"Because we fly to primary airports, we mainly compete with the large network carriers — all of whom already charge this fee," Diana Walke, Virgin America's vice president of planning and sales, said in a statement. "We're following the trend in domestic travel both here and abroad."

On the bright (?) side, the airline points out that they have lowered their cancellation fee from $75 to $50 if you do it through there website.

Previously, VA charged nothing for the first bag, $25 for a second bag and $50 for a third. Now all checked bags will cost $15. Those in first class are exempt for their first two bags. The others will cost...you guessed it...$15 to check.

Related Stories:
· Virgin America Info Desk [Official Site]
· Virgin America coverage [Jaunted]
· Virgin America to charge to check a single bag [Reuters]