It now seems that American Airlines has officially joined Delta, Continental and United Airlines in upping their baggage fees. The company has revealed that it will increase its baggage fees for checked luggage, with new prices going into effect with tickets bought February 1, 2010.

The new price, after the increase, will be $25 for the first bag and $35 for the second. This is up $5 for each bag. Thus, a round trip flight with two bags will cost $120. American Airlines last hiked its checked bag fees in July of last year when the prices of the first bag rose $5 to $20 and the price of the second bag rose the same amount to $25. Six months ago it would have cost each passenger about $100, and two years ago it would have cost nothing at all. This is why so many airline passengers are becoming enraged.

Select passengers, which includes first and business class travelers and members of the armed service, will remain exempt from these bag fees. Airlines began instituting check bag fees in 2008 to help offset soaring fuel costs, but they have largely kept the fees in place even though the price of gas has fallen a number of times.

However, airlines have to be careful, warn experts. This is because, although the economy is improving, the travel industry is still very weak in terms of demand, meaning that many people may stop flying if prices continue to go up. Experts say that the travel industry is getting better, but overall it is still very weak. Any little thing, like increased fees, could bring it crashing down again.