US Airways is the third major carrier to begin charging $15 for a first piece of checked luggage. United Airlines announced a similar policy on Thursday. American Airlines was the first to announce this new fee last month.

In addition to charging $15 for a the first piece of checked luggage, US Airways will be the first major carrier to charge for non-alcoholic beverages in flight. The cost for soda, juice, coffee and bottled water will be $2. This comes on the heels of an announcement from the airline that they will no longer serve free pretzels in-flight.

The carrier has also announced it will assess a fee to travelers redeeming frequent flier miles. The fee will be $25 for domestic (excluding Hawaii) and Canada flights; $35 for flights to Mexico and the Caribbean; and $50 on flights to Hawaii and international destinations outside of North America.

The airline will also eliminate jobs and capacity in an effort to control fuel costs. US Airways plans capacity reductions of up to eight percent in the fourth quarter. The airline will eliminate roughly 1,700 jobs.

According to the US Airways, the cost of jet fuel has increased more than 90 percent over the last 12 months and more than 200 percent since 2000. Most major carriers, including Continental, American, and Delta have announced capacity reductions and job eliminations in recent weeks, citing the high cost of jet fuel.

In May, all six major carriers along with several smaller carriers, announced they would charge passengers $25 to check a second piece of luggage. Elite members of the individual carrier's frequent-flyer programs are generally exempt from this charge, as are passengers with plans to travel outside of North America.