Major U.S. airlines increase baggage fees: A detailed breakdown

A new wave of checked baggage fee increases across U.S. airlines is reshaping the cost structure of business travel in 2026. JetBlue, United, Delta, and American Airlines have all raised fees—following Southwest’s major shift in 2025—and airline executives are making it clear: ancillary revenue is here to stay.

For corporate travel managers, the message is equally clear: these increases are strategic, not temporary.

JetBlue: Setting the pace in late March

JetBlue initiated the latest round of increases for tickets purchased on or after March 30, 2026, raising fees across both first and second checked bags.

Before:

• First checked bag: $35 (off-peak), $40 (peak)

• Second checked bag: $50–$60

After:

• First checked bag: $39 (off-peak), $49 (peak)

• Second checked bag: $59–$69

JetBlue positioned the move as part of a broader revenue strategy. According an email statement, the airline is continuing to refine its pricing model as it competes with legacy carriers.  

It read: “As we experience rising operating costs, we regularly evaluate how to manage those costs. . . . Adjusting fees for optional services used by select customers, such as checked baggage, allows us to continue offering more competitive fares."

United Airlines: Aligning strategy and pricing

United implemented its increase for tickets purchased on or after April 3, 2026.

Before:

• First checked bag: $35 (prepaid), $40 standard

• Second checked bag: $45–$50

• Third checked bag: $150

After:

• First checked bag: $45 prepaid / $50 last-minute

• Second checked bag: $55 prepaid / $60 last-minute

• Third checked bag: $200

United explicitly tied the increase to broader cost pressures and industry trends. As reported by Business Travel News, the airline said the changes follow similar moves by competitors, reinforcing that fee increases are often coordinated across the industry.

Delta Air Lines: Responding to “industry dynamics”

Delta followed with increases for tickets purchased on or after April 8, 2026.

Before:

• First checked bag: $35

• Second checked bag: $45

• Third checked bag: $150

After:

• First checked bag: $45

• Second checked bag: $55

• Third checked bag: $200

In an official statement, Delta framed the increase within a broader economic context. The airline noted that the changes are “part of Delta's ongoing review of pricing across its business and reflect the impact of evolving global conditions and industry dynamics."

This language underscores a key point for travel managers: these increases are tied to systemic cost pressures, not short-term fluctuations.

American Airlines: Earlier increase signals the trend

American Airlines raised its second checked bag fee earlier in mid-February 2026.

Before:

• First checked bag: $35

• Second checked bag: $40–$45

After:

• Second checked bag increased (generally ~$45+)

While less aggressive than competitors, American’s move was an early indicator of broader pricing shifts across the industry.

As Business Traveler reported, the airline adjusted fees as part of ongoing efforts to optimize ancillary revenue streams—highlighting the growing importance of these fees to airline profitability.

Southwest Airlines: A rapid follow-on increase

After introducing checked baggage fees for the first time in 2025, Southwest has already moved to increase them again—highlighting how quickly ancillary pricing is evolving.

Initial fees (effective May 28, 2025):

• First checked bag: $35
• Second checked bag: $45

New fees for tickets purchased on or after April 9, 2026:

• First checked bag: $45
• Second checked bag: $55
• Third checked bag: $150 (unchanged)

This represents a $10 increase for both first and second checked bags, bringing Southwest fully in line with competitors like Delta and United.

According to Business Travel News, the airline “quietly updated its website” to reflect the new pricing, less than a year after first introducing baggage fees.

The timing is notable: Southwest’s increase follows similar moves by JetBlue, United, and Delta, reinforcing how quickly pricing changes are spreading across the industry. As reported, carriers have “fallen in line like dominos” as cost pressures, particularly rising jet fuel, continue to mount.

Why airlines are raising baggage fees

Airline baggage fee increases are not happening in isolation. They reflect broader shifts in airline economics and pricing strategy. Understanding the forces behind these changes can help travel managers better anticipate cost impacts and adjust their programs accordingly.

Executives are prioritizing ancillary revenue

Airline leaders increasingly view baggage fees as essential to maintaining profitability. As highlighted in Newsweek, airlines are leaning on these fees as part of a broader strategy to offset rising costs while keeping base fares competitive.

Cost pressures are persistent

Fuel, labor, and operational costs remain elevated. Rather than passing these costs directly into ticket prices, airlines are distributing them across ancillary services.

Industry alignment accelerates change

One airline moves. Others follow. As seen in the rapid succession of increases from JetBlue, United, and Delta, pricing changes are often closely linked across competitors.

What this means for corporate travel managers

Incremental costs add up quickly

A $10 increase per bag translates into meaningful spend increases at scale. For travelers checking two bags roundtrip, costs can rise by $40–$80 per trip.

Less predictable cost structures

With variations based on timing (prepaid vs. airport) and peak travel periods, baggage fees are becoming more complex and harder to forecast.

Policy gaps are amplified

Without clear policies, travelers may default to behaviors that increase costs—such as checking bags unnecessarily or selecting lower fares that exclude baggage.

Strategies to manage rising baggage costs

While baggage fee increases may be unavoidable, their impact on your travel program doesn’t have to be. With the right strategies in place, organizations can reduce unnecessary spend and bring greater control to this growing cost category.

Update travel policies

Align policies with current pricing realities. Define when checked bags are appropriate and reimbursable.

Optimize fare selection

Evaluate whether bundled fares—including baggage—offer better total value than basic economy.

Strengthen supplier partnerships

Work with your TMC to identify opportunities for negotiated baggage benefits.

Improve data and reporting

Ensure ancillary fees are captured and analyzed alongside airfare and lodging.

Looking ahead: A permanent shift in airline economics

The combination of Southwest’s 2025 policy change and the 2026 increases across major carriers signals a long-term shift in airline pricing strategy.

Airlines are not just reacting to cost pressures. They are reshaping how travel is priced.

For corporate travel managers, success will depend on recognizing this shift and adapting accordingly. That means treating baggage fees not as incidental expenses but as a core component of total trip cost—and managing them with the same rigor as airfare.

Moving forward, the organizations that stay ahead of ancillary fee trends will be the ones best positioned to control business travel costs.

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