These Major US Airlines Are Now Charging Travelers More For Checked Baggage

Before the rise of low-cost airlines, the price you paid when booking a flight was final, and it included a whole bunch of extras that might surprise younger travelers. In the 1990s, passengers on commercial flights could check luggage, choose their own seats, and enjoy snacks, beverages, and even full meals, all without additional cost. However, since the mid-2000s, what was once considered standard now comes at an additional cost, with airlines charging extra fees for bags, food, and seat selection.

The UK-based airline FlyBe is usually credited as the first airline to charge for checked bags, back in 2006, and the rest of the industry followed suit. American Airlines was the first US-based airline to do so in 2008. Additional surcharges for checked luggage have now become standard on almost all domestic and short-haul flights, and even on some long-haul routes! And now, a number of major U.S. airlines, including Delta, United Airlines, and JetBlue, have announced that they are raising the costs for checked baggage again, putting an additional burden on passengers and potentially exacerbating the travel problem of luggage rage.

Raising fees on bags and other extras is said to be a tactic used by airlines to avoid having to raise the price of tickets themselves, instead adding the extra fees later in the booking process when passengers are already committed. Speaking to Afar Magazine, Gary Leff, author of The View from the Wing blog, said, "One reason it's easier to raise checked bag fees than fares is customers compare fares directly. ... Raising fares unilaterally can make an airline's price appear uncompetitive."

Three major U.S. airlines have recently announced that they are raising their fees for checked bags: Delta, United Airlines, and JetBlue, although it is thought that other airlines are likely to follow suit. Speaking to the New York Post, Katy Nastro from Going said, "These other carriers have basically given everyone else the green light to follow."

JetBlue and United were the first to move on fees. United has raised the cost of first and second checked bags by $10 (now $45 total), and third checked bags by $50 (now $200 total). They are offering discounts of $5 on first and second checked bags for passengers booking online and in advance. JetBlue's fees are lower, with a $4 increase during off-peak periods and a $9 increase during peak periods (now $39 and $49 total). Delta's price increases mirror United's, with a $10 increase on first and second bags, and a $50 increase on third bags.

The new fees make JetBlue, United, and Delta the most expensive airlines for checked luggage amongst U.S. carriers. Comparatively, Alaska Airlines and American Airlines offer checked bags starting at $35.

Back in 2008, when United Airlines became the first U.S. carrier to charge extra fees for checked luggage, the decision was attributed to an oil price spike. While the global landscape looks very different today than it did back then, the catalyst for the increased prices seems to be the same. The ongoing crisis in the Middle East and the war with Iran have sent oil prices skyrocketing, with the cost of jet fuel up by about 85% compared to the end of February. The war has also affected long-haul flight routes, forcing many commercial planes to fly further and use more fuel. As a result, commercial carriers are looking for ways to mitigate the increased pressure on their margins.

However, while the geopolitical situation is certainly a push factor, the opportunity to add extra charges and increase fees is a bonus for airlines. According to the Bureau of Transportation, U.S. airlines raked in nearly $5.5 billion from baggage fees in 2025, making it an incredibly lucrative revenue stream. It is highly unlikely that these costs will come down, even if they are being positioned as a response to external factors. Katy Nastro says, "Unfortunately, travelers should expect these new prices to stick even after jet fuel comes down. Unless revenue from bag fees drops dramatically, there is no reason for airlines to roll back these fees." As a result, more and more passengers are likely to be traveling just with day packs to avoid these airline fees. 

While checked bag fees are unlikely to be going away anytime soon, you can at least take advantage of this upgrade to get your luggage faster after you land.