Angela Townsend and Sarena McRae

Plain Dealer Reporter

Continental Airlines will start charging most of its economy passengers $25 to check a second bag, the airline announced Friday.

The policy applies for tickets purchased beginning today for destinations within the United States, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Canada for travel starting May 5.

However, first-class and business-class ticket holders and elite frequent-flier members will still check bags for free.

Janice DiMichele of Cleveland said the new charge won’t stop her from flying.

“I don’t want to pay it, but I know it’s coming,” said DiMichele, who was flying to New York City on Friday with her two children.

DiMichele said she isn’t looking forward to the increased clutter of carry-on luggage.

“It’s going to be chaos on the plane,” she said.

The fees will help defray rising fuel costs, but airline officials would not say how much savings they expected.

Passengers will still pay a fee for overweight bags.

In February, United Airlines became the first major airline to announce a charge for a second checked bag. Delta, Northwest and US Airways also will adopt new policies next month.

Spirit Airlines, a discount airline, already charges for all checked luggage.

As he waited for a flight home to Austin, Texas, John Korcsmar didn’t seem too concerned about the charge.

“I can’t remember the last time I checked two bags,” he said.

Plain Dealer researcher Jo Ellen Corrigan contributed to this story.

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