The Airlines That Have Upped Their Checked Bag Fees

Remember the days when you used to be able to check your bag for free? Those days are nearly over, unfortunately. Most airlines not only charge you to check your bags, but several have recently upped their checked bag fees.

Just before Labor Day, several airlines raised their checked bag fees. These included JetBlue, United, Air Canada, and WestJet. About three weeks later, Delta Air Lines followed suit and raised its checked bag fee as well.

Here are the updated checked bag prices:

JetBlue Airways

1st bag: $30
2nd bag: $40
3rd bag & each additional bag: $150 each

United Airlines

1st bag: $30
2nd bag: $40
3rd bag & each additional bag: $150 each

Air Canada

1st bag: $30
2nd bag: $50
3rd bag & each additional bag: $100

WestJet Airlines

1st bag: $30
2nd bag: $50
3rd bag & each additional bag: $100

Delta Air Lines

1st bag: $30
2nd bag: $40
3rd bag: $150
4th bag & each additional bag: $200 each

For traditional economy flights, travelers are still allowed one free carry-on item (up to 45 linear inches) and one free personal item that can fit underneath the seat in front of them.

While JetBlue, United, Air Canada, WestJet, and Delta may be getting the stink eye from travelers, American Airlines and Alaska Airlines have kept their fees at $25 so far, and Southwest is still the only U.S. airline to offer free checked bags (two of them!).

Will we see that change? Hopefully not, but you never know. Airlines use checked bag fees as a way to maintain their bottom lines and combat rising fuel and labor costs. In addition, it’s an easy way to push travelers towards joining their rewards programs.

In a New York Times article, Samuel Engel, senior vice president of ICF (an aviation consulting group), said, “The baggage fee is an easy target, and the nice thing about the baggage fee is it’s a way to isolate that increase onto your least loyal customer. Airlines have carved out exceptions to baggage fees for their elite frequent fliers, so the pool of people who represent the airlines’ most valuable revenue will not see this increase.”

Unless we see decreased costs elsewhere in the airline industry, we can expect airlines to continue to raise fees like checked bags, seats, and even carry-on bags in certain classes.

The next time you fly out of EWR, skip the parking at Newark Airport and save money with NALTP. Our discount parking rates can help counteract the latest checked bag fee hikes.