JetBlue raises checked bag fees as fuel prices surge
Experts warn that other carriers may follow suit now that JetBlue has raised fees.
More Stories
JetBlue has raised its checked bag fees by as much as $9 in a move the airline says was necessary to keep up with the rising cost of fuel as gas prices continue to surge because of the ongoing war in Iran.
The new fees went into effect on Monday.
Most domestic economy passengers will pay $39 for their first checked bag, which is up from $35.
Peak travelers will pay $49 for their first bag instead of $40.
The cost of a second bag went up $9 also, from $50 to $59 for off-peak periods, and from $60 to $69 for periods of peak demand.
"As we experience rising operating costs, we regularly evaluate how to manage those costs while keeping base fares competitive and continuing to invest in the experience our customers value," a JetBlue spokesperson told News 12. "Adjusting fees for optional services used by select customers, such as checked baggage, allows us to continue offering more competitive fares while delivering the onboard experience our customers love."
The national average for a gallon of regular gas is $4.06 today, according to AAA. That number is up 8 cents from last week and $1.08 from this time last month. The Long Island average is just shy of $4 at $3.94 today, which is up 6 cents from last week and $1.07 from this time last month, according to AAA.
Experts caution that other airlines may follow JetBlue's lead to remain competitive.
Several of the other airlines that operate at MacArthur told News 12 they are not adjusting their fees.
"We are not raising our bag prices. We have run two sales discounting bags and will have another sale with a bag discount starting Friday," a spokesperson for Avello Airlines said.
"At this time, there have been no changes to Breeze's checked baggage fees," a Breeze Airways spokesperson wrote.
"We don’t have any immediate plans to increase fees due to macroeconomic factors," a Southwest Airlines spokesperson added in a statement.
News 12 reached out to all six airlines that operate out of MacArthur for comment, but has not yet heard back from Cape Air or Frontier Airlines.
