FORT WORTH, Texas, Aug. 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- As part of the many efforts American Airlines makes to support our active and veteran U.S. military personnel, fees for a third checked bag will now be waived for active service members. Fees for first and second checked bags have always been waived.

"We always understood that soldiers traveling on duty were reimbursed by the military for the fees on required excess baggage. However, after recently hearing of the burden the military reimbursement process put on soldiers traveling to war zones, the choice for us to forgo payment for a third checked bag from the Department of Defense was clear," said Tom Del Valle, American's Senior Vice President -- Airport Services.

American Airlines is, and has been, the leading airline in supporting active service members. The previous policy allowed active military personnel, traveling on duty, to travel with up to 190 pounds of luggage at no charge, including a 100 pound checked bag, a 50 pound checked bag, and a 40 pound carry-on bag. Only one other airline waives first and second bag fees for off- duty, active service members, and no airline allows as much free baggage by weight as American Airlines. The new waiver policy for military personnel begins immediately. American Airlines will work closely with the Department of Defense on issues such as this in the future.

American Airlines supports more than 29 separate veterans or active military initiatives, including -- Snowball Express, IBOT wheelchairs, Medal of Honor Society, free charter flights for Adaptive Sports, and Seats for Soldiers. American has implemented special reduced fares with added flexibility and special boarding privileges for active-duty military members and their families traveling on leave or furlough for the past five years. In addition, U.S. military women and men are welcomed at Admirals Club facilities when traveling on emergency or R&R leave from their overseas duties.

"We appreciate and marvel at the bravery and sacrifice our military personnel exhibit daily," Del Valle said. "Anything we can do to support them and honor them is a top priority for American Airlines."

American Airlines has long been a company where military men and women begin and thrive in their civilian careers after serving the United States. Those employees have constant input into our programs for military personnel, and their opinions and ideas were solicited on the topic of excess military baggage.