Spirit Airlines Calls Carry-On Baggage Fee a Success

Spirit Airlines said its controversial new fee for carry-on bags was a success on its first day.

The new fees, which went into effect on Sunday, aim to cut delays by discouraging customers from stuffing overhead compartments on planes, the Associated Press reported. Spirit is the first airline in the industry to introduce such a fee.

"The check-in process is going well so far," company spokeswoman Misty Pinson said Sunday afternoon. "It looks like this is going to speed things up."

Spirit charges a $30 fee at check-in for any bag that is too big to fit under the passenger's seat. If passengers wait until they get to the boarding gate to pay, the fee goes up to $45. Certain items such as umbrellas and strollers are exempt from the fee.

Spirit says it has cut ticket prices and that the reduction in delays could allow it to add new flights.