Skift Take
Airlines are raising baggage fees to offset rising costs and cooling airfare inflation. But these price hikes may also be part of a strategy to incentivize more passengers to sign up for their frequent flyer programs and co-branded credit cards.
Checking in a bag is becoming an increasingly expensive endeavor.
At American and United, the first checked in bag now costs $40 at the airport. JetBlue quietly increased its baggage fees earlier in February to $45 for checking in the first bag less than 24 hours before departure. And Frontier Airlines charges $75 for luggage that weighs anywhere between 41 and 50 pounds.
Delta so far has kept its baggage fees at $30 for the first bag, and Southwest is the only major carrier that doesn’t charge passengers for the first two checked-in items.
What Is Fueling the Price Increases?Blame it on inflation and rising operating costs.
Nearly every airline that upped baggage fees said inflation, higher fuel costs and operating costs led to the price increases.
Many airlines saw record revenues and profits post-pandemic. But that growth may be waning as airfare inflation cools and costs, such as new labor contracts, continue to rise. Increasing bag fees is just one strategy airlines are turning to maintain those r