JetBlue is raising baggage fees again, claiming it is the better alternative to raising airfare. But is it?
JetBlue Raises Bag Fees As Fuel Prices Spike
JetBlue has increased checked bag fees, blaming “rising operating costs” as jet fuel prices surge. The airline’s first checked bag now starts at $39 on off-peak days, up from $35, and rises to $49 on peak days, up from $40. Customers who wait until within 24 hours of departure will still pay an extra $10 on top of those rates. JetBlue says the move is meant to help it keep base fares competitive while preserving onboard perks like free Wi-Fi, snacks, and seatback screens.
JetBlue was already charging some of the most confusing bag fees in the industry thanks to its peak and off-peak pricing model. Now it is simply making that model even more expensive.
Thus far, no other carriers have matched the increase form JetBlue. Historically, JEtBlue leads in raising baggage fees.
Below is a simple breakdown of the old and new domestic/short-haul international bag fees for Blue Basic, Blue, Blue Extra, and EvenMore fares, plus the excess-bag charges currently listed by JetBlue.
| Bag Fee | Old Fee | New Fee |
|---|---|---|
| 1st bag, off-peak, paid 24+ hours before departure | $35 | $39 |
| 1st bag, peak, paid 24+ hours before departure | $40 | $49 |
| 1st bag, off-peak, paid within 24 hours | $45 | $49 |
| 1st bag, peak, paid within 24 hours | $50 | $59 |
| 2nd bag, off-peak, paid 24+ hours before departure | $50 | $54 |
| 2nd bag, peak, paid 24+ hours before departure | $60 | $69 |
| 2nd bag, off-peak, paid within 24 hours | $60 | $64 |
| 2nd bag, peak, paid within 24 hours | $70 | $79 |
| 3rd bag, off-peak | $125 | $125 |
| 3rd bag, peak | $135 | $135 |
| 4th bag or more, off-peak | $150 | $150 |
| 4th bag or more, peak | $160 | $160 |
| Overweight bag (51-70 lbs.) | $150 | $150 |
| Oversized bag (63-80 linear inches) | $150 | $150 |
Mint passengers will continue to enjoy two free checked bags and the pricing for transatlantic travel is here (in short, first bag free for all but Blue Basic passengers).
In reference to the higher baggage fees, JetBlue specifically stated:
“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.
“Adjusting fees for optional services used by select customers, such as checked baggage, allows us to continue offering more competitive fares while delivering the onboard experience our customers love, including complimentary snacks and drinks, unlimited, high-speed Wi-Fi and seatback entertainment screens
“While we recognize that fee increases are never ideal, we take careful consideration to ensure these changes are implemented only when necessary.”
It’s interesting that JetBlue wants to keep base fare “competitive” when the price of jet fuel has doubled. I’d certainly expect airlines like JetBlue to raise fees during this time…it would not be offensive.
But raising bag fees strikes me as petty…part of me wishes airlines could calculate a max weight per ticket based on passenger weight + checked baggage weight…why should a 300 pound passenger without a checked bag pay less than a 110 pound passenger with a 30 pound checked bag? (but let’s not get sidetracked here…)
If JetBlue keeps raising baggage fees, it may soon be cheaper just to buy new clothes at your destination….
CONCLUSION
JetBlue is betting that passengers will accept higher bag fees so long as the headline airfare does not jump as quickly. Maybe that works in the short term, but it does not strike me as the best approach during a time in which everyone expects airfare itself to rise due to the war in Iran. I suppose we should be thankful JetBlue is not raising both airfare and baggage fees at the same time…yet.
Matt, it just feels like yet another company taking advantage of any excuse to raise prices, increase their profits, and won’t reduce fees after the fact.
I’m sympathetic to the airlines, not that I want to pay more for airfare, but jet fuel has doubled thanks to Agent Orange’s adventures in the sandbox. Since I don’t check bags, I’d rather see these prices go up than the airfare, but I actually think this is a time when many are understanding that airfare must rise to pay for the fuel.
I guess it may be one reason to keep my jetBlue Plus card (for the free checked bag), but I so rarely check a bag anyway, so…
Its not really “free” wifi if they are raising fees to subsidize it and telling you that’s what the fees support
That’s exactly my point.
What a ridiculously complex & over engineered baggage fee structure. Looks like it belongs to or was inspired by :Luftwaffe” … Guess I’ll have to train my baggage to not want to fly during peak times ! … What a ridiculous $$ grab ..I’ve had a lot of empathy for B6 but after seeing this BS it’s starting to diminish a bit … I’m sure the rates will decrease when/if fuel increases retreat ! …. NOT …
Note that this is the second increase to B6’s baggage charges in two years, but the American low-cost airline likely won’t be alone for long.
Nope. This Jetblue following UA’s bs. You get “free” bags if you get their cc with a fee. UA says fu get 40% less miles if you won’t get a high fee cc or crazy spend on a fee-free cc. Please AA and DL, don’t disrespect us.