It's déjà vu all over again. Continental Airlines has decided to join other legacy carriers and charge for a second checked bag on transatlantic flights. The airline will charge $45 to check a second bag on flights from the U.S., U.S. Virgin Islands, Canada and Puerto Rico to Europe, provided you pay the charge online. If you prefer to pay in person or by telephone, you'll be charged an extra $5.
This new fee applies to tickets purchased on or after September 6 for flights departing on or after October 7, 2009.
British Airways is also revising its checked baggage fee policy - in its favor, of course. Beginning October 7, many coach passengers will only be allowed to check one bag for free. Fees for a second checked bag range from $40 to $60, depending on your destination and whether you pay the fees online or in person.
British Airways has also changed its policy on sports equipment; many items that were considered exempt from the airline's checked baggage allowance will count against your checked bag total, beginning October 7 for travel purchased on or after July 31.