JetBlue is officially raising the cost of checked bags as the airline industry feels the burn from skyrocketing fuel prices linked to the Iran war.
If you’re flying soon, expect to pay a minimum of $39 for your first checked bag, a $4 increase from the old $35 rate. Checking a second bag is getting even pricier, jumping from $50 to at least $59. These new prices apply to anyone who checks their bags more than 24 hours before their flight takes off.
Timing is everything with these new rules. If you wait until the 24-hour window before departure to check your luggage, the airline will tack on an extra $10 fee per bag. This move comes as the global energy market remains volatile; with the Strait of Hormuz closed, oil supplies are tight, and Brent crude recently hit $115 a barrel.
As we experience rising operating costs, we regularly evaluate how to manage those costs while keeping base fares competitive and continuing to invest in the experience our customers value,” JetBlue stated on Monday. “Adjusting fees for optional services used by select customers, such as checked baggage, allows us to continue offering more competitive fares.”
JetBlue isn’t the only carrier struggling with these expenses. United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby recently admitted that high oil prices “create a lot of stress” for the industry, noting that United’s fares have climbed up to 20% in the last month alone. JetBlue’s own ticket prices are also on the rise, with some-day one-way flights averaging around $368.
Since fuel accounts for about 20% of what it costs to run an airline, these price hikes are a direct response to the current global crisis.
Whether it’s through bag fees or more expensive tickets, passengers are ultimately the ones footing the bill for the rising cost of travel.
