Overview
- American Airlines, which announced changes Thursday, raised checked-bag prices to $50 for the first and $60 for the second at the airport or $45 and $55 online, and set most third bags at $200.
- Starting May 18, American will charge basic economy customers $55 for the first checked bag and $65 for the second at the airport, add a fee to pick seats, and end complimentary upgrades for those tickets.
- United moved first on April 3 after JetBlue’s March 30 increase, Delta matched on April 8 with $45 and $55 for first and second bags plus $200 for a third, Southwest followed for bookings on April 9, and Alaska and Hawaiian also raised fees.
- Carriers cite fuel costs that have roughly doubled since late February, with industry gauges showing jet fuel near $4 to $5 per gallon and IATA reporting global jet-fuel prices near $209 per barrel.
- U.S. rules fold fuel into base fares and optional fees are not subject to the 7.5% ticket tax, so airlines are leaning on baggage charges while keeping free-bag perks for elites, premium cabins, active-duty military, and many co-brand cardholders.