Travelers at an airport check-in counter, facing new baggage fees.
United Airlines is increasing checked bag fees by $10 to $50, effective Friday for tickets purchased on or after April 3rd. This marks the airline’s first baggage fee hike in two years, following a similar move by JetBlue.
The fee increase impacts flights within the U.S., Mexico, Canada, and Latin America. First and second checked bags will see a $10 increase, while the fee for a third bag jumps by $50. Prepaid bag fees for tickets purchased before April 3 list the first bag at $35, the second at $45, and the third at $150. Starting Friday, those fees will rise to $45, $55, and $200, respectively. Bags paid within 24 hours of travel will increase from $40, $50, and $150 to $50, $60, and $200, respectively.
United CEO Scott Kirby had warned of potential strain on company revenue due to sustained higher jet fuel costs. Jet fuel prices have surged in recent weeks, which the company says is due to global oil market disruptions.
JetBlue Airways also recently raised its checked bag fees, citing disruptions in global oil supply. The first checked bag now costs $39 on non-peak days and $49 during peak travel periods, up roughly $4–$9 compared with previous rates.
United has noted that eligible passengers, such as United Chase credit card holders, MileagePlus Premier members, active military members, and travelers in premium cabins, can still check a bag for free. Additionally, customers in most markets will still enjoy a $5 discount if they prepay for their bags online 24 hours before their flight.
Fuel costs have surged to multi-year highs after recent geopolitical events disrupted roughly 20% of the global oil supply. As of Thursday, jet fuel in major U.S. markets averaged $4.88 per gallon, up more than 95% since late February, according to Argus data published by Airlines for America.
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