Delta Air Lines will now become the first major airline to start charging a $15 fee for the first checked in bag. Beginning December 5th, it will start charging $15 for the first checked in bag and $25 for the second checked in bag. Delta also eliminated its fuel surcharges that it charged frequent travelers in response to rising fuel prices.

Delta Air Lines announced Thursday that it is planning to raise its fee for checking in a second bag to $50 as the airline continues to struggle against higher fuel prices. Delta did not join other airlines this summer in charging a fee for the first bag; however, it is continuing to increase its fees for additional bags. It also increasing its fee for the third carry on to $125 from $80.

Delta Airlines reported Friday that it would the first major airline to add fuel surcharges to passenger tickets purchased through using frequent flier miles. The move comes as the airline industry continues to coop with rising fuel costs.

The board of Delta Air Lines is scheduled to meet this Wednesday to discuss a possible merger with Northwest Airlines. If the deal goes through it would create the largest airline in the world with 79,000 combined employees.

As part of Delta's reorganization plan Delta Air Lines issued 21 million dollars of common stock to its creditors.