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U.S. Airlines Raise Checked-Bag Prices as Alaska Joins Industrywide Hike

Airlines cite soaring jet-fuel costs tied to the Iran conflict as the reason for the higher charges.

Overview

  • Alaska Airlines, which put new prices in place Friday, now charges $45 for a first checked bag, $55 for a second, and $200 for each additional bag.
  • American Airlines set new fees for tickets bought April 9 or later, with $50 for the first checked bag and $60 for the second at the airport, or $5 less when prepaid online.
  • American will tighten Basic Economy on May 18 by adding a fee to choose a seat and removing complimentary and systemwide upgrades for those tickets.
  • Other major carriers raised baggage fees this week, including Delta at $45 and $55, United adding $10 to first and second bags, and Southwest and JetBlue announcing increases.
  • Carriers point to jet-fuel prices that IATA says have jumped to about $209 a barrel after the Iran conflict, and one aviation analyst said these higher fees will likely persist.