Overview
- Delta, which announced the change Tuesday, applies the higher bag fees to tickets bought from Wednesday and becomes the third major U.S. carrier to do so.
- The first checked bag now costs $45, the second $55, and a third $200.
- The changes apply to domestic and select short‑haul international trips, while long‑haul routes keep current allowances and elites, premium‑cabin travelers, eligible cardholders and active‑duty military still check bags free.
- Airlines cite fuel costs after Strait of Hormuz disruptions, with jet fuel averaging about $4.69 per gallon in major U.S. hubs and roughly $209 per barrel globally, according to industry data.
- United raised bag fees for tickets bought April 3 with a $5 online prepay discount, and JetBlue lifted first‑bag prices in late March with higher charges on peak travel days.