Bag Fees: JetBlue Hikes Costs Amidst Fuel Spike
Economy travelers will pay at least $50 for the first checked bag on domestic routes starting this week.
By Samira Khalil ·
The cost of checking a bag is up again.
JetBlue increased its checked baggage fees for the second time this year, a move that raises prices just as the holiday travel season begins. For tickets bought on or after November 3, the first checked bag for most economy passengers on flights within the United States, Canada, Latin America, and the Caribbean now costs at least $50 each way. That is an increase from the previous price of $39.
The fee fluctuates based on timing and demand. During peak travel periods, which include Thanksgiving and the winter holidays, the price is $55 if paid at least 24 hours before departure. Passengers who wait until the final 24 hours pay $60 during off-peak times and $70 during peak times. The cost of a second checked bag has also risen, starting at $70 each way during off-peak periods and $75 during peak travel. Those who check bags at the airport counter may pay as much as $85 for a second bag.
The airline attributes the hike to rising fuel and operating costs. In an emailed statement, JetBlue said the adjustment helps keep base fares competitive while allowing customers to pay for baggage only when necessary. The company noted that eligible co-branded credit card holders and loyalty program members can still check bags for free.
This is not the first fee increase this year. JetBlue raised its checked bag fees in March after the Iran war began in late February with U.S.-Israeli strikes. That initial hike contributed to a wider wave of fee increases among major U.S. carriers, including Delta, United, American, and Southwest. At the start of the year, the first checked bag on most domestic economy flights cost $35 during off-peak periods.
The conflict with Iran remains unresolved, keeping traffic largely restricted through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global oil supplies. This disruption has kept jet fuel prices elevated. During its third-quarter earnings call last week, JetBlue executives stated that demand has remained resilient despite higher fares.
The airline reported that its average fuel price reached $3.91 per gallon in the summer, a 57% increase from a year earlier. That figure is expected to climb to $4.64 per gallon during the final three months of the year, an 85% rise compared to the same period last year.
