Both set fees for second checked piece

Continental Airlines and AirTran Airways have become the fifth and sixth major carriers to announce they will begin to charge economy class passengers a fee for a second checked bag. Continental’s fee will be $25, starting May 5 for flights within the U.S. and to Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Canada. Elite-level members of Continental’s OnePass program are exempt from the second-bag fee, as are SkyTeam Elite and Elite Plus members, Presidential Plus credit card holders and passengers who purchase certain fare types. The policy does not apply to BusinessFirst and first class customers. Continental joins United, US Airways, Delta and Northwest in adopting the $25 fee. Two days after Continental’s announcement, AirTran said it will begin charging passengers $10 for the second checked bag effective May 15. Elite-level members of AirTran’s A+ Rewards program are exempt, and so are passengers ticketed in business class. A third checked bag will continue to incur a $50 fee, AirTran said.