Major US airline, Continental, has announced this week that it would charge some economy class passengers travelling on international flights US$50 to check a second bag, joining several other carriers that impose the fee.

The airline said the fee would affect travellers flying between Europe and the US, including Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands; however the first bag will remain free.

The new fee will apply to tickets purchased after Thursday for travel on or after September 15.

Upper-tier members of the airlines frequent flyer programme or those in first or business class, full-fare economy ticketholders and passengers with Presidential Plus credit cards will not be required to pay the fee.  Military personnel and their families travelling on official orders will also be exempt from paying the second-bag fee.

Continental, the fourth largest airline in the US, said customers would receive a $5 discount if they check in and pay for bags on its website.

In the past week, a string of airlines have introduced a $50 charge for checking in a second bag, including American Airlines, Delta and US Airways.

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