Virgin America to charge to check a single bag

CHICAGO (Reuters) - Virgin America introduced a $15 fee to check a single bag, falling in line with other U.S. carriers that use such fees to generate revenue as the economic recession weighs on travel demand.

The low-cost U.S. airline, which is partly owned by Britain's Virgin Group, said on Thursday it would charge its passengers $15 for the first checked bag and $15 for the second through tenth checked back.

Previously, the airline charged nothing to check a single bag, $25 for a second checked bag and $50 for a third.

"Because we fly to primary airports, we mainly compete with the large network carriers - all of whom already charge this fee," Diana Walke, Virgin Americas vice president of planning and sales, said in a statement. "We're following the trend in domestic travel both here and abroad."

But the airline said it has lowered its fee for ticket changes or cancellations made on its web site to $50 from $75.

(Reporting by Kyle Peterson; Editing by Tim Dobbyn)