United Airlines Increases Checked Baggage Fees
United Airlines has confirmed they will raise checked baggage fees by up to $50 for tickets purchased starting this Friday. This change marks the first hike in baggage fees in two years, coinciding with a similar announcement from JetBlue made in late March.
For travelers within the U.S., Mexico, Canada, and Latin America, the fees for the first and second checked bags will increase by $10, while the cost for a third bag will rise by $50. The airline didn’t specify if this price adjustment is connected to the recent surge in jet fuel prices, which have been affected by the ongoing conflict in Iran that has disrupted global oil markets. However, United’s CEO, Scott Kirby, has expressed concerns that rising fuel costs could impact the company’s bottom line.
Beginning April 3, the fees for the first checked bag will jump from $35 to $45, the second bag from $45 to $55, and the third bag from $150 to $200. Additionally, fees for bags prepaid within 24 hours of travel will also see increases, going from $40 to $50 for the first bag, $50 to $60 for the second, and remaining at $200 for the third.
United Airlines highlighted that customers who prepay their baggage online at least 24 hours prior to their flight will still benefit from a $5 discount for the first two bags.
Passengers eligible for free checked bags include United Chase credit cardholders, MileagePlus Premier members, active military personnel, and those traveling in premium cabins.
Earlier this month, Kirby acknowledged the pressures from escalating fuel prices, warning that such increases could significantly impact financial performance. He noted that if fuel prices remain high, United could face an extra $11 billion in costs annually for jet fuel alone, a stark contrast to the company’s record revenue of under $5 billion in the past.
Despite the alarming fuel price hikes, Kirby pointed out that demand for travel remains exceptionally strong, making the past ten weeks the most lucrative in the airline’s history.
JetBlue Airways also announced an increase in checked baggage fees for economy class passengers earlier this week, attributing it to the same disruptions in oil supply due to the Iran conflict. Under their new pricing structure, the first checked bag will range from about $39 on non-peak days to $49 during peak times, showing a notable increase from previous prices.
When one airline raises its prices, it’s common for others to follow, but there hasn’t been any word yet from American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines, or Frontier Airlines about similar adjustments.
Fuel costs have reached new highs since the beginning of the U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran, which has affected around 20% of the world’s oil supply transported through the Strait of Hormuz. As of Thursday, the average price of jet fuel in major U.S. markets was reported at $4.88 per gallon, over 95% higher than before the conflict began, according to data from Argus.
