Effective for tickets bought on or after Nov. 3, JetBlue increased the cost of checking luggage on most economy flights within the United States, Canada, Latin America and the Caribbean. The airline says the change is part of its effort to keep base fares competitive while covering higher operating expenses.
The first checked bag now costs at least $50 each way, up from $39, and climbs to $55 during peak travel periods such as Thanksgiving and the winter holidays when paid at least 24 hours before departure. Passengers who wait until the final 24 hours will pay $60 in off‑peak periods and $70 in peak periods. A second bag starts at $70 off‑peak and $75 during peak travel, with airport checkout prices reaching $85.
JetBlue attributed the hikes to rising jet fuel prices, which averaged $3.91 per gallon this summer—57% higher than a year earlier—and are projected to reach $4.64 in the last quarter, an 85% increase. The airline linked the price surge to the ongoing Iran war and related restrictions in the Strait of Hormuz that keep global fuel costs elevated.
The airline noted that eligible co‑branded credit‑card holders and members of its loyalty program can still check bags for free. This is the second fee increase this year, following a March adjustment that prompted similar moves by other major U.S. carriers.
Sources: Las Vegas Review-Journal
Original reporting: Las Vegas Review-Journal →
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