Summary
- JetBlue has increased checked bag fees for domestic flights on account of industry-wide increased costs, including wages and inflationary pressure.
- Recent cost for first standard-sized checked bag is $35 if purchased 24 hours before departure. During check-in, cost is $45.
- JetBlue Mosaic elite customers and Mint business class travelers can still enjoy free checked bags, while others will face increased fees.
As of Thursday, February 1, JetBlue has increased its checked bag fees to a brand new all-time high. Per The Points Guy, changes to the checked bag fees were made to the airline’s website over the past month, and no official change was released for passengers through the booking process. The brand new checked bag fees will apply to domestic flights only, as transatlantic flights offered by JetBlue have a totally different checked bag fee structure.
Updated checked bag fee structure
The brand new fees have been implemented starting on February 1. The brand new cost for the primary standard-sized checked bag is $35, while the second standard-sized checked bag is now $50. These fees are applied when the checked bag is purchased 24 hours before departure or earlier.
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Nonetheless, if the luggage are checked through the check-in process, the fees are bumped up barely. During check-in, which generally occurs inside 24 hours of departure, the primary checked bag costs $45, and the second checked bag costs $60.
These latest fees will apply to just about every customer. Nonetheless, JetBlue Mosaic elite customers will still have the ability to utilize two free checked bags. Customers who’ve elected to travel in Mint business class can even have the power to utilize two free checked bags.
In an announcement to The Points Guy, a spokesperson for JetBlue explained that the increased checked bag fees are on account of increased costs throughout the industry. The increased costs within the airline industry include increased wages, higher fuel costs, and inflationary pressure.
Photo: Wangkun Jia | Shutterstock
The spokesperson also mentioned that the airline has still not been profitable for the reason that end of the COVID-19 pandemic. The JetBlue spokesperson stated,
“While we don’t love increasing fees, it’s one step we’re taking to get our company back to profitability and canopy the increased costs of transporting bags. JetBlue continues to imagine customers shouldn’t have to choose from a low fare and a terrific experience. By adjusting fees for added services that only certain customers use, we are able to keep base fares low and ensure customer favorites like seatback TVs and high-speed WiFi remain free for everybody.”
Other measures to extend profitability
In late January, the Chief Executive Officer of JetBlue, Robin Hayes, released a message to the airline’s employees. This message stated that returning the airline to profitability was JetBlue’s primary focus for the longer term. Increasing checked bag fees is just certainly one of the ways in which JetBlue is attempting to spice up profitability.
Earlier this month, JetBlue began charging $10 for its “Core Preferred” seats. The brand new “Core Preferred” seats are the most well-liked seats on the plane, including the window or aisle seats. Nothing is physically changing with the layout or structure of the seats. The seats are simply situated closer to the front of the aircraft, just behind the Mint and Even More Space seats on the front of the plane.
JetBlue will join other United States-based carriers in charging for preferred seats and seat locations. American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines already charge for preferable seat locations.