Sun Country Airlines played catch-up with the major carriers Thursday, announcing a new $12 fee for the first checked bag.
The change comes a week after Northwest Airlines began assessing its passengers $15 for the first bag.
Sun Country, based in Mendota Heights, has been hit hard by high fuel costs. It will continue to charge customers $25 for a second bag, which is the same fee that Northwest and many other major carriers are charging.
The new bag fee on Sun Country takes effect for tickets purchased Saturday or later for travel on or after Oct. 1. First-class passengers are exempt from the new fee, as are unaccompanied minors and U.S. military personnel traveling on orders. A bag fee will not be assessed for children's car seats.
The low-fare carrier, which has a 4.4 percent share of the Twin Cities market, lost $43 million on operating revenue of $243 million in the four quarters ending in March.
LIZ FEDOR
