Major US airlines raise bag fees and ancillary charges
Updated
Updated · Barron's · May 10
Major US airlines raise bag fees and ancillary charges
8 articles · Updated · Barron's · May 10
JetBlue, United, Delta and Southwest lifted first checked-bag fees to about $39-$49 after fuel costs jumped at least 70%, analysts said, following the Feb. 28 attacks on Iran.
Airlines are also charging more for seat selection, extra legroom, boarding and lounge access as they try to offset fuel now accounting for roughly 30% to 35% of flight costs.
The 13 biggest US carriers took in $7.27bn in bag fees in 2024, while Spirit blamed the fuel-price spike for its May 2 shutdown and Delta is trimming capacity to protect margins.
How will the global fuel crisis permanently reshape the cost and experience of air travel?
With Spirit Airlines gone and thousands of flights cancelled, how secure are your upcoming travel plans?