JetBlue hikes checked bag fees again as fuel prices double

JetBlue Airways increased its checked bag fees for the third time in less than a year, forcing many economy passengers to pay more to get their luggage to the gate.

The new rates take effect for tickets booked now. During off-peak travel periods, a first checked bag purchased more than 24 hours before departure now costs $50, up from $45. If the fee is paid within 24 hours of the flight, the price jumps to $60.

Peak periods, which include the summer and holiday seasons, see higher charges. The standard peak fee is $55, an increase from $49. Paying for that bag within 24 hours of departure costs $70. Customers with elite frequent flyer status or a co-branded JetBlue credit card are exempt from these new rates.

The carrier cited rising operating expenses as the primary driver. In a statement, JetBlue explained that the adjustments help offset higher fuel and operating costs. The airline said the strategy allows it to keep base fares competitive while letting customers decide if they want to pay for a checked bag.

Fuel is the industry's largest cost after labor, and its price has roughly doubled since the start of the Iran war in February. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, jet fuel in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico traded at $4.44 per gallon on Tuesday. This surge has cost airlines billions of dollars and contributed to higher ticket prices.

The move follows a pattern in the industry where other carriers often match a leader's fee increases. Major U.S. airlines raised their own bag fees earlier this year after JetBlue made a similar adjustment. The Thrifty Traveler blog first reported the new pricing structure.