Spring break is here, and many Macalester students are packing for a week of freedom. Those who are flying out of Minnesota this weekend may not realize that, whether going home or on a vacation, they are being scammed. Between increased prices and arbitrary baggage fees, airlines in the United States are squeezing every penny they can out of each and every traveler, and the U.S. government is complicit.
Flying is expensive, even for the most basic ticket. When flights within the United States are compared with those similar in Europe, the price difference is astounding. In 2024, flights within Europe could be priced at as little as a third of the cost of a similar U.S. flight. I experienced this price difference personally during November of that year, when I flew from London to Dublin — an hour and 20 minute flight — for less than $25. In comparison, according to Google Flights the typical cost of a flight from New York City to Washington D.C. — which is also roughly an hour and 20 minute journey — is $60 to $100.
Lack of competition in the U.S. air travel industry leads to these arbitrarily high prices. In 2024, four airlines — Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, United Airlines and Southwest Airlines — made up 73 percent of the domestic market share of US flights. Meanwhile, the market is split amongst many more airlines in Europe. The mergers of US based airlines over the last two decades has allowed prices to spiral out of control, but ticket prices are not the only issue facing U.S. travelers.
Did you know that checked baggage fees, now considered standard, are fairly new? As in, appeared within the last 20 years? While a few budget airlines had implemented charges for checked luggage earlier, this amenity was included with a standard ticket for the majority of U.S. airlines until 2008. American Airlines became the first major carrier in the country to implement a checked baggage fee of $15. The airline claimed this was to offset increased operating costs due to the Great Recession without dramatically raising ticket prices. Other major airlines quickly followed suit, implementing their own fees. Southwest Airlines refrained from charging for checked baggage until May 2025 when the company phased out its previous policy of two free checked bags per passenger.
The Great Recession ended, but these baggage fees stuck around, only growing in cost. Nowadays for domestic flights, the four major airlines charge $35-40 each way for a passenger’s first checked bag, with a second bag being more expensive. For long haul international flights, these airlines will typically include one checked bag with the cost of the ticket, with an additional checked item costing roughly $100.
In 2008, these airlines learned that they could make a significant amount of money charging customers for bringing luggage on their flights, and these companies were not going to give that up. This method also helps airlines avoid paying more taxes on their profits. Airline companies are required to pay a 7.5 percent federal tax on any tickets purchased, but bag fees are excluded from this rule. Airlines raise the cost of luggage, rather than the cost of a ticket, so they do not need to pay the tax on that increase in profit. These policies turn bag space into a luxury that many travelers simply cannot afford to misuse. Passengers will stuff their bags to the brim to avoid paying for more space, but if you overfill your bag that becomes another problem. If the bag is even slightly heavier than 50 pounds, that is another fee.
When paying these ticket prices and fees, there is still no guarantee that the trip will run smoothly. Delays and cancellations also seem to be an inevitable part of travel, but there are currently very few regulations holding airlines accountable for their part in these inconveniences. In December 2024, the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) under former President Joe Biden attempted to implement a policy requiring airlines to compensate passengers for delays, with the amount of compensation determined by length of delay. In November 2025, President Donald Trump ordered the USDOT to withdraw the plans to implement this policy, citing “unnecessary regulatory burdens” on the airlines. The Biden administration’s policy attempted to hold airlines accountable for their role in the delays, cancellations and other scheduling issues. The Trump administration allowed the policy to fall in favor of billionaires and airline lobbyists.
The air travel industry in the United States needs firmer regulation. As fees continue to rise and politicians allow corporations to continue to rob their customers, travelers need to be aware of why exactly tickets and bags cost what they do. Money talks, and we as consumers need to send the message to the airline industry that we are tired of the price gouging and unnecessary costs. • [email protected]
