Delta Air Lines is the latest airline to increase their checked bag fees.
Passengers on domestic flights and select short-haul international routes will now pay $45 for their first checked bag and $55 for the second — a $10 increase. The cost of checking a third bad will increase from $150 to $200.
The price change will apply to all flights booked from Wednesday, April 8.
It marks the first time in two years that the airline increased baggage fees for domestic flights. Meanwhile, baggage fees for long-haul international routes aren’t changing.
“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,” the company said in a statement Tuesday.
Delta SkyMiles Medallion members, active-duty military members and travelers with eligible Delta credit cards will still get their allotted free bags.
Flyers who purchase first class, premium select or Delta One tickets will also still receive complimentary checked bags.
Delta is now the third major carrier to hike fees for travelers as fuel costs increase amid the Iran war. Jet fuel prices have risen nearly 88% in major U.S. cities since the start of the war, per CNBC.
Unite Airlines and JetBlue Airways both increased their checked bag fees last week.
United also raised the first and second checked bag fees by $10. For checked bags paid for within 24 hours of the flight, the first bag will increase from $40 to $50, the second bag from $50 to $60 and the third bag from $150 to $200.
Travelers on United will get a discount for paying for their bags in advance online. Those prices will go from $35 to $45 for the first bag, the second from $45 to $55 and the third from $150 to $200.
On JetBlue, checked bag fees increased $4 for off-peak travel periods and $9 during peak for most economy passengers.
The first checked bag during off-peak travel times will cost $39, or $49 during peak times such as around major holidays or much of the summer.
American hasn’t followed suit yet, but Going travel expert Katy Nastro told the Post that it’d be surprising at this point if more U.S. carriers don’t raise baggage fees.
“These other carriers have basically given everyone else the green light to follow,” she said.
Nastro also noted that these hiked bag fees might remain in place even after jet fuel prices go down.
“Airlines are looking at creative ways to help their bottom line as jet fuel prices soar, taking their expenses along with it. Increased ancillaries like bag fees unfortunately may be here to stay even after airline costs deflate,” she explained.
“Travelers are in for turbulent times ahead as summer travel looks more expensive than last year, not just in terms of bag fees, but also in terms of fares.”
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