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By Suzanne Blake
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Travelers are facing higher costs at airports as airlines continue raising checked baggage fees.
Delta Air Lines became the latest major carrier to announce increases, but the move follows similar changes by United Airlines and JetBlue, just ahead of the busy spring travel season.
Why It Matters
Checked baggage fees are among the most visible airline charges for families and leisure travelers, especially those flying with children or checking multiple bags.
Read More on Travel
While base fares often fluctuate, baggage fees tend to be more permanent once increased, meaning higher costs can persist long after short‑term fuel price pressures ease.
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What To Know
The full list of airlines that have enacted price hikes on baggage fees for passengers:
- United Airlines
- JetBlue
- Delta Air Lines
- Southwest
Delta confirmed Tuesday that its latest baggage fee adjustments will take effect for tickets purchased on or after April 8, 2026, marking the airline’s first domestic baggage fee increase in two years.
Under the updated policy, Delta will raise checked baggage fees on domestic and select short‑haul international routes, increasing costs for travelers who do not qualify for free checked bags through elite status, premium cabins or airline credit cards.
For eligible routes, total fees after the increase will be:
- First checked bag: $45
- Second checked bag: $55
- Third checked bag: $200
The airline said fees for the first and second checked bags are increasing by $10, while the third checked bag will rise by $50 for affected tickets.
“These updates are part of Delta’s ongoing review of pricing across its business and reflect the impact of evolving global conditions and industry dynamics,” a Delta spokesperson told Newsweek.
The airline emphasized that complimentary checked bag benefits will remain unchanged for Delta SkyMiles Medallion members, passengers traveling in first class, Delta Premium Select or Delta One, active‑duty military customers and travelers with eligible co‑branded Delta SkyMiles American Express cards.
Delta said the increases apply to all tickets purchased on or after April 8 for domestic and select short‑haul international routes. However, no changes will apply to long‑haul international routes.
Delta’s announcement follows recent moves by United Airlines and JetBlue, both of which raised checked baggage fees this month as travelers prepared for Easter travel, which is traditionally one of the first major travel surges of the year.
United confirmed that it increased checked bag fees for tickets purchased on or after April 3, raising first- and second-bag fees by $10 and increasing third‑bag charges by $50 in most markets. United said the change marked its first baggage fee increase in more than two years.
JetBlue also implemented baggage fee hikes earlier in the week, adjusting prices for first and second checked bags during peak and off‑peak travel periods. The cost of a first checked bag for most domestic economy passengers will now be $39 during off‑peak travel and $49 during peak periods.
Southwest Airlines, likewise, is hiking its checked baggage fees by $10. Beginning Thursday, April 9, one bag will cost $45, with a second priced at $55.
Southwest said the decision was made “as part of an ongoing analysis of the business and against the evolving global backdrop."
What People Are Saying
Alex Beene, a financial literacy instructor for the University of Tennessee at Martin, told Newsweek: "Not only are customers seeing higher fares, but airlines are looking for other fee increases to offset fast-rising fuel costs. The result is more than likely going to be an expensive spring and summer for travelers to fly. Even if the conflict subsides, it could take weeks to see prices come down. And, sadly, it might be that baggage fees never come down, as those fees are known to stay at their new levels.”
JetBlue, in a statement: “While we recognize that fee increases are never ideal, we take careful consideration to ensure these changes are implemented only when necessary.”
Kevin Thompson, the CEO of 9i Capital Group and the host of the 9innings podcast, told Newsweek: “Jet fuel prices are rising, and that cost flows directly through to the consumer. It won’t just show up in ticket prices, it will be layered into baggage fees, seat selection, and tighter restrictions as airlines look to protect margins.”
What Happens Next
Airlines continue to encourage passengers to review baggage policies closely before booking and to check whether they qualify for fee exemptions through elite status, premium cabins or airline credit cards. In some cases, prepaying for bags online might reduce total costs.
With Delta joining United and JetBlue, travelers may see higher baggage fees become the norm across more carriers as the 2026 travel season continues.
“The cost of fuel is a major expense for airlines, and with prices on jet fuel nearly doubling since the start of the Iran war, the airlines feel they must make up the cost somewhere,” Drew Powers, founder of Illinois-based Powers Financial Group, told Newsweek. “But this will be different than variable fuel surcharges on tickets. Baggage fees are likely sticky—once they go up, they stay there.”
Update 4/8/26, 2:39 p.m. ET: This story was updated with additional information.
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